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11.33  Breakfast at 08.00. Two comments offered: The morning sitting was easier yesterday, when the concern was to pass the time. Today was harder, because directing the attention was involved. It will be easier tomorrow. The sitting was easier today because of the few introductory words, and a sense of the aim of the exercise. Our work this morning was called. Kitchen Meeting at 09.30 with a visit to the kitchen. Beginners’ Meeting with 14 guitars at 10.15. Addressing circulating. Counting & playing, even clapping, was found to be a challenge. Two groups, three groups, whatever the count – 5, 6, 7 & 11 – all of them had too many numbers in them. On a scale of 1 to Dismal, this was exceptionally dismal. A final closing circulation, at first hesitant & stuttering, was allowed to become part of an eternal flow: the quality changed immediately. Lightness, even musicality, entered. Closing chords were struck on direction. The Buddies are now addressing Primary exercises. 11.56 Revolutionary item I…  … a cushion designed by Frank Sheldon, produced by Gaucho Productions (Merchandising Division) and handmade in Mendoza, Argentine, by an Indian lady. Revolutionary item II…  ... the Beaudoux GC Pro model. The fingerboard is pretty much the same size as a Les Paul and the body smaller than most acoustics. Moving between electric playing & GC courses, on an Ovation, always required a recalibration of my right hand primarily, and left hand to a lesser extent. This is an appropriate instrument for smaller hands & smaller people. Like me, then. 14.18 A meeting with a SSG at 12.00 discussing an exercise of 333 days duration. T’ai Chi with Luciano at 12.30 in the Mosquito Grove. Lunch at 13.00 with sugar served on the top table in place of salt. The sweetest meal I remember having that was not dessert. Comments invited from members of the Beginners’ Group. The first commentator would not have believed that counting 1+2+3+4+ was so difficult. Another commentator had lots of fun. The schedule for the afternoon was called: The shop will open after lunch. Housework at 14.30. Personal Meetings with Buddies Martin & Luciano; and Alexander with Pia.  20.16 Tea at 16.00.  Personal meeting at 16.30. Alexander for the Beginners’ Group at 17.00. Four personal meetings with Intermediates at 17.45. T’ai Chi at 18.30.  Dinner was late at c.19.15 which presented an opportunity to catch up with Director Nunez. At dinner, comments were solicited, which brought a swift end to conversation, and several were presented. A question of my own: RF to Alexander Teacher: on a scale of 1 to 10 and where 10 Really Screwed Up, where is the average Beginner? A: 7 to 9. A discussion on our work this evening. Eventually the consensus formed: Beginners’ Group in the ballroom to address counting, firstly with Robert & then perhaps moving to small groups. The Intermediates & Kitchen Team are meeting with Martin D’A. in the corridor-with-doors-at-both–ends-and-the-noticeboard. Both at 21.15. Today we moved into The Middle. 22.19 Meeting with the Beginners’ group, 13 guitars in the Circle. Circulating & moving into counting with circulating, 2 groups, in 5 & 7. Duets in both, trios too. Then into two full groups & adding magic chords to move towards music. Beginner’s question to RF: Do you count when you play or feel it? A: Both. A presentation of holding the pattern in the mind, the pulse in the body, and feeling pushing-and-pulling where appropriate. Rough indications, clearly. Then to a Whizz circulation, in a line & then a Circle. Honourable. A lively end to a beginning of a meeting that was astonishing.  Search Robert Fripp's diary archive. |
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