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L Mendes pages - Home page


13 Feb and updated 14 Feb        

This is a hidden page.  The Emails page and the Analysis page - also hidden. Other relevant open pages are at the foot of the links nav panel. 


Laurance          

Preamble

a

At the end of the second session I had decided that the course is fine for the younger generations but not for me. Looked at from the other members' position, I doubt whether any would articulate that they are having problems.  

b

I came to the third session in the hope of changing my mind  Aware as I am that Bizzy will be inconvenienced, I will wait another week before I tell her if I decide not to continue.

c

There are quotations from your emails. Link above.


  1. The concert
  2. The critique
  3. Session and course structure
  4. The concert in more depth
  5. Piper to the end
  6. Other aspects of performance
  7. Your hand-outs
  8. The declared times are 7 - 9
  9. In conclusion



1 The concert

A factor in my decision-making process concerns the mix of songs etc for the concert.  It seems addressed to pub-goers and is centred on modern music.  I really do not see that a bagpipe or a Flamenco performance fit in.


2 The critique

1

Moving on to other factors, I will start with the critique.  Mine did not accord with your outline.  One aspect of that is I had brought a CD but it was not called for.  Because you followed up my bagpipe solo with the critique, the focus was on the bagpipe.

Your email 28 Jan:

You would need to play your pipes and guitar again, do Bobby McGee and see what we could fit around it, speak about your love of music in depth more, and if you have a CD with one of your favourite tracks to share, that would be great too.  

I will deal with more haphazard aspects of course organisation later

 

 

It would be most useful, around 15 mins total, the time goes fast.

2

The purpose of showing members this site included making them aware of some songs I knew when I was their age.  The purpose of suggesting Potiphar to you was to suggest an alternative to your list, not to add to it.  Had my critique followed your outline, I had proposed to describe the range of music of interest and include something which might be nearer to members' taste.

3

Was it wise to start the third session with Caroline's critique?  I think not.  Members had not warmed up.  It seemed that she too had not warmed up so early in the session.   I suspect that you did not return to it after I had left. 

4

The term critique, to some, may be daunting.  See most of here.  What about - An overview of your musical interests?

5

Caroline's CD seemed endless.  I suggest you announce who will be in the hotspot per dates.  They then tell you which CD they will use. Everyone will have heard it before they arrive.  At the time, just play one minute max and fade out to remind everyone.


3 Session and course structure

3.1

It would have been useful to declare structure to the sessions. It seems a good way to proceed is to use the blackboard more to outline the programme for the session.  If there is a recognised sequence, people will learn better.  The person whose critique it is will know when it will start.

3.2

Which leads on to course structure.  Your email 8 Feb:

Thanks once again for the chord shapes, they’re great, and I plan a workshop on chords and which ones go together for Tuesday evening already, that’s between us, but very likely to happen.   

I would like to see a course structure, ie programme for remaining sessions, given out next Tuesday. So far, it all appears haphazard.  A good example is your email 1 Feb:

We have 7 more sessions to practise and we will set up theatre style seating so that students can perform to us. No need for extra venues to practise.    

I repeat - issue a detailed programme for the course.


4   The concert in more depth

1.1

It was by no means clear who was to lead the McGee song.  Following your vocal intro, it seemed to be me at the start and then your voice was heard. That was your prerogative.  However, if you had stopped the song then and explained what was to happen, there would have been less confusion.  

1.2

Regarding the volume, I was finding my way with the new ukulele.  If there had been more playing, I would not have used it

1.3

Your email 12 Feb and thanks

1.3.1

Re “Me and Bobby McGee,” I’d like to hear you being the lead singer as your voice is the nearest to Kristofferson. You sing it well and it means one more lead singer in our concert. 

1.3.2
The challenge was the change of instrument, only because the banjo/uke is louder than the guitar and your voice is not loud. I preferred it with the guitar as you embodied the country essence, and it’s a man’s song to sing as Bobby is a 
lady I sense. If it had to be done with the banjo uke, I suggest the instrument played as softly as possible and very little other  instrumentation so your voice would come through. 

1.3.3
I have an overview and some developed ideas re other students singing more, and many students haven’t performed much, and time is limited. From years of experience I’m taking that and other factors into account. 
 
1.3.4
So could we please try your singing Bobby McGee again next week, and I’m keen to see whether you’ve been able to do anything with the melody of “Piper to the End” on the chanter?   

1.3.5
This page has been in my mind from Week 1 and was well underway before your email of 12 Feb.  It is good of you to make the offer of lead singer.  However, that will not influence my decision, when made, re leaving the course.
You may remember my words when introducing everyone to this site.  I play the pipes in front of large audiences without nerve.  Guitar in front of three or more and I fumble.  I never considered singing in public.

The answer is yes thanks but I will need to bring a mike and stand to plug into Bizzy's amp.


1.3.6
Your email 8 Feb

You’re down to do a flamenco guitar solo, a bagpipe solo, and a ukelele duet with Karyn if that’s easy and natural. And “Me and Bobby McGee” too. Uke may well fit on a couple of the other songs too, we’ll see.
 
I’ve listened to Potiphar, the opera version, can’t find a ukelele version. If you wish to do it as the bagpipe solo, or uke duet (only if it’s easy for Karyn to do), then great, otherwise there’s no space to do it this time.  

Looked at from other member's viewpoint, they might be tempted to think that I have more than my fair share of the concert. My reaction so far is at 1 The Concert.  Add to that original proposal of yours re a uke duet  with Karyn, the McGee idea, plus extras 8 Feb and you might sympathise with course members.

1.4

One guitarist struggles with basic chords.  My suggestion re her being more of a vocalist was to allow her time with her guitar development.



5  Piper to the end

"Have you heard the “Piper to the end” link, that I sent? I could hear pipes doing the melody at some point on it."  

" I’m keen to see whether you’ve been able to do anything with the melody of “Piper to the End” on the chanter"

28 Jan. 

Yes but not interested.  One set of reasons is within 4 above.  Other reasons include:

  • There's more than seven minutes of lyrics much of which is unclear as to what is being sung.  A criticism I level at a lot of what is put forward as modern  music
  • The tune is not inspiring
  • The chanter you hear is clearly a flute
  • The band doesn't have the decency to include a piper
The link is on this page.


6  Other aspects of performance

On Tuesday you used a keyboard and said it was for one session only.  I can bring one of these.


7  Your hand-outs

1

Sheets of the Rhythm variety leave me cold.  I'd much rather hear examples.  Song sheets serve also for later practice.  I don't expect to share and then be left with nothing.

2

Course members might well expect one each.  Sharing a song sheet and not having one's own copy is unsatisfactory.  How does one practise it at home?

.  

8   The declared times are 7 - 9

1

If you have an issue re anyone needing to leave at a specific time, should you not have said so well in advance?

2

I need to leave at nine.  I am a carer and take my role seriously as seen here.  The extra distance re Bizzy adds quite some time to the journeys.  However, the declared times are 7 - 9.  I do not expect my departure to be questioned.

"10 Tuesday evenings between 21st January and 15th April 2014,  7.00pm – 9.00pm." Your email 16 Jan.


9  In conclusion

1

I came to the third session in the hope of changing my mind  I hope to attend the next session in anticipation of a positive outcome to this page.  Aware as I am that Bizzy will be inconvenienced, I will wait another week before I tell her if I decide not to continue.

2

I end where I started.  Looked at from the other members' position, I doubt whether any would articulate that they are having problems.  

3

However, it has been appropriate to talk about Caroline. She receives no tuition on this course. The advertised course said it would include the guitar as a standard topic. Megg the flautist doesn't need too much tuition but doesn't seem to enjoy a clear role. 

4

I wish everyone every success. 

5

You have seen my Carer World website.  One aspect of my following your course was to see if help could be given to putting songs on the site, probably via You tube.  They are here.  I see now that the course cannot help. I had hoped for musical backing to use without the lyrics in karaoke style.


Alan


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