Worked for 40 minute tonight on acoustic, and the moved to electric for 20 minutes. The 40 minutes were a little unfocused, switching back and forth between exercises. I'm in a bit of a strange position since I'm not really in the Performance Project, but am still a part of it. So, what do I work on? Repertoire? Perhaps this is a chance for me to work on exercises without the pressure of pieces. So I did both.
Beginning with Second Primary work, also introducing my own string skipping exercises. This was recommended to me by Victor at my last lesson. Followed by First Primary work and some variations of the 4th/5th Primary, (I've gotten confused since people have told me different things - the single-string scale primary), and also using Trapiche to work on speed and left and right hand coordination.
Working on Calliope at 84 BPM, this is the first time I've worked on this piece in maybe a year, maybe more. The feeling of our last work together from Sunday night was still in my hands and I could feel that work still resonating. Specifically, cross-picking the intro. Can I play the main bass line with authority and tightness? The C-string can present it's own challenges. Transitions that I have always had problems with were noted, but not worked on.
A little Askesis and Flying Home for good measure. Again, working at 84 or 88, trying to push my limits.
Lots of Right Hand work, again, working on speed limits. Managed to push to 16ths at 152 BPM, though quite difficult and hard to hold on to for more than 20 seconds. Can I do this with a relaxed hand and decent tone?
Electric work focused on some exercises by John Petrucci. Finger stretches and independence. Also work on bending and general fluidity on electric. This was done unplugged, however.
Finally, some free-form improvisation on both acoustic and electric. Fun.
