07.23
Rising at 05.52, or 04.52 UK & body time. In this part of the building, the running water from showers acts as an alarm. And the breakfast shift is an early call.
The Practice of Doing Nothing at 06.45.
08.39 Perhaps, there is no mistake save one: the failure to speedily serve people their breakfast. It took about 26 minutes for everyone to pass the buffet table; and bowls, food & coffee ran out.
At 08.04 silence walked in, presented a blessing & held the dining room for 30 wonderful minutes.
Gelsemium seems to be offsetting Mr. Gurgly's invitation to join his gurgling.
11.41 Meeting in ballroom with guitars for Levels One, Two & 2.5 (whatever that means) at 09.30.
Moving notes around the circle. Simple counting. A short break, then an Introduction to the primaries for left & right hand.
Meeting with Hernan to discuss gauges on NST configurations & future course plans.
14.07 Rules are only necessary where conscience is not engaged. This has been added to the list of GC House Rules on the board.
The Hopefuls met at 12.15 to look at variant forms of picking on the basic pattern for Hope. With mirroring & reversed picking, this gives 4 variations:
1. Basic pattern beginning with down stroke;
2. Mirror pattern beginning with down stroke;
3. Basic pattern beginning with up stroke (on the down beat);
4. Mirror pattern beginning with up stroke (on the down beat).
The up stroke is used (primarily) in two ways:
i) On the up-beat, in an even sequence of notes of common duration;
ii) To demonstrate a mastery of picking. The aim is to be able to persuade a listener that the up-picking (beginning on the downbeat) is identical to down-picking on the downbeat. In other words, this is more a calisthenic than musical concern
Good comments & observations at lunch, one on the power of radical neutrality & how it has effect.
I offered two of my own observations, from working in the circle of Hopefuls. The circle was a good example of how we are all in the same boat, regardless of degrees of proficiency & experience. This calisthenic standard was high & the work very hard, beyond my margin of competency. So, my presence in the circle was as a participant-Circle-worker rather than an instructor-of-those-within-the-Circle: one who works with, within & without the Circle.
First observation: the quality of regard. Looking has effect, and how we look at others has repercussions. The character on my right looked at my right hand, and it fell apart. I commented to them, while continuing to play: by all means look at me, but please be careful how you look.
Second observation: our superb Alexander Teacher, Mariela, was moving around the players in the circle. I sensed her hands upon my shoulders before she arrived. And, continuing to sense her hands upon my shoulders, I turned to see her working with the person on my left.
I would not have had these experiencings were I not been a participant-card-carrying Circle-worker.
The question was asked: what definition would you give of muse?
The answer was given: that which represents the creative impulse in our lives.
The property of the Muse is real, and can be a channel for grace. A connection can be made through an "agent" that connects us to the creative impulse (although, properly, we are never apart from it). Even where our representation of our personal Muse may be "imaginary", even then a real connection can be made. This is an example of the inexpressible benevolence of the creative impulse.
14.22 One of the Level One team is leaving: this is not where they need to be. I trust their sense of what is right for them, and support them in responding to the call of their personal voice.
16.34 And one of the Kitchen Team has arrived, late. The final member arrives tomorrow.
20.35 The Kitchen Team & guitars at 17.00; then L1+ at 18.00. The rhythm shots were placed at moving distances, with wide gaps left between them.
Zum played a piece by Piazzola, superbly, at dinner followed by The Hell Boys of new formation. They were deservedly well received. Of The Hell Boys' performance it might be said, with equal verity, too much, too soon and enough already.
Good comments over dinner.
22.16 A full house of guitars in the ballroom with outer & inner circles. Circulations, rhythms.
