We were on the school playing field in playing gear, behind my Grandfather's house in East Borough, and about to play rugby. That Friday had the autumnal smell. I was a new boy, the only boy who had moved from Broadstone Primary School, and knew there were another five years to endure.
09.41
Very good comments from the Level One on their work in the Circle. The power of circling seems to be becoming apparent to several of them.
11.52
The Level One group meeting addressed circulations of notes, rhythm work & circulations of chords in meter.
Today's first batch of Level One clients have come and gone. Once again, The Parade of Right Hands.
15.59
Strong performances at lunch. Then, another Parade of Right Hands.
16.31
One of the Level Two Team has an under-nourished feeling life, so we've just walked out onto the property and I've introduced him to an oak tree. Trees are wonderful creatures, and so accepting of us.
23.10
The Level One Group Meeting with guitars was sheer mayhem. Something like 8 different possible downbeats among the 43 players. And none of the downbeats had any relationship to each other.
Dinner: silence visited three times with performances in between. This was a blessing. Silence finally left when dessert arrived. Good & perceptive comments from the Team with a short break and then more comments.
Then: a challenge for the Level Two: Hell Boy Promotions have arranged for a performance at Miller's Tavern nearby for tomorrow night at 23.00. The barwoman is excited about having live music, and is putting up posters: "Adventures In International Guitars".
Tom Redmond & Patrick Smith went off last night as a priority from the Staff Meeting to check local bars, an assignment they accepted without demur. The barwoman asked Tom what kind of music the "international guitars" played. She presently believes, on the basis of information received, that some of the music is "like jazz" (Patrick) plus country & western songs and Elvis covers (Tom). "We like Elvis" she said.
Level Two has their work assigned for the next 25 hours, so we returned to the desperation of Level One: what to do?
The Total Commitment option was put up for grabs. This is where you go into a room and don't emerge until a task is completed. Given the scale of the task, we waived the "no practising past 06.0O" rule, which allows for a minimum of one hour's sleep before rising at 07.00. Was this a feasible option? Once upon a time on a Guitar Craft course, I would have stayed up through the night with them. But now, in Guitar Craft's new & third life-cycle, the focus of my work has changed.
But hey! we fielded a full team with the Level One. Frank & Sandra of the Alexander / Energetics team, Bill Rieflin & Victor McSurely & Fernando Kabusacki & myself, in support of the miraculous. Bill & Victor were prepared to sit through the night, if needed, until the Level One nailed their particular challenge: circulating in opposite directions of the circle, leaping seats, in 5/8 and 7/8.
With help, they were honourably close. Without help, it may have been a long night.
"Mastery acts on what is below.
Artistry submits to what is above."
