06.49
Monasterio Nuestra Señora De Los Angeles / Monjas Dominicas
Mare de Deu del Roser, 2.
Sant Cugat.
The two security men are talking volubly. One has just opened his van & set off the warning alarm, the engine now running as counterpoint to the birds & ambient sounds of the monastery. The alarm-sounding guy has just driven off; presumably this was the night patrol, now replaced by the morning-patrol guy.
Their task is to protect the tv cameras & equipment parked here to broadcast the Mass in Catalan from the church attached to the monasterio; this broadcast has been a regular morning radio feature for 3 months, I am told.
Skies of Wonder I…
II…
III…
08.49 Several comments at breakfast: on the increasing capacity for Guitarists Who Suck to circulate, and this by the second day of the course. From a Buddy listening to yesterday evening’s circulating from just outside the ballroom door: the impression of intelligence present within the circulating, and simultaneously the impression of humans struggling to play their notes (paraphrase) - both present, both equally real.
In these few words, this observation, the human condition neatly summarised.
Our morning’s work is chosen & on the board.
11.27 We are in The Great Divide.
Kitchen Team meeting at 09.30, mainly on practicalities.
T’ai Chi at 10.00.
Beginners With Guitars at 10.45. There are continuing difficulties with some to match a note to an accent in a count of 5. The Beginners are now meeting with Buddies in two groups.
The faithful & the tv crew are leaving…
12.48 Fernando has asked to join The LCG3 and claims to have both a p.a system & a van. The first meeting of The LCG4 was at 12.15.
17.25 Good comments at lunch, one on the intermingling presence of sacred & mundane (paraphrase).
An interesting arising: a notice on the board asking which Intermediate would like a meeting with Robert? My name been mistakenly inserted on an Alexander sign-up sheet.
RF personal meetings began at 15.00 and are ongoing.
Meeting with Special Study Group I at 15.30.
20.46 T’ai Chi at 18.30 with an accompaniment of thunder throughout.
Good comments at dinner, including: some Beginners have been having fun; the perceiving of strangeness; Mariana is starring in Mariana- The Movie, a movie of her life, this following Alexander work in the kitchen.
A long post-dinner conversation with Dr. Mike on Systematics & various arising interests & concerns regarding transmission.
A Larger Group of Guitars at 21.00.
21.57 Three directions to the Larger Group of Guitars…
Outer Circle: when ready, please begin;
Inner Circle, when ready, please join them.
Inner Circle: when ready, please begin.
Outer Circle: when ready, respond, please.
Inner Circle: whizzing & un-whizzing at the direction of Victoria;
Outer Circle, please respond as appropriate.
Three blasts of extemporisation, astonishment & wonder over a 45-minute period.
This eruption of energy: how to construct a vehicle to get to this? Alternatively expressed, how to facilitate & catalyse this? One of the comments that has been made on the course, from a composer, of the difficulty / impossibility of composing what is being played spontaneously in the Circle by some 50 guitarists – so, how might this be done?
Seeing an interesting possibility for a future-manifestation in public performance.
Returning to my room, the first 2 mosquito bites of the course: on my right elbow.
Sounds of vigour, enthusiasm, play & whistling are erupting loudly from the ballroom.
"Craft maintains skill. Discipline maintains craft.
Craft follows the tradition. Discipline maintains the tradition.
Music creates the tradition."
