jsaras
Now that you've completed the course did you learn anything new about melody, harmony or rhythm?
Hi jsaras , WOW, that is an excellent question .
I had started my journey many many years ago when it came to melody , harmony and rhythm.
as far as that chapter goes , I was very fortunate to have studied with and exchange knowledge with musicians that were way above my understanding and playing capabilities .
Many of these musicians were well respected players in their musical genre s . A few of the players that helped me the most have passed on , and in their own life times a few of them were considered legends .
over the years , what I have learned from my association with them has been a constant source of inspiration .
Yet the simple truth of the matter is ..nobody in this world can come along and do the things for a person that that person has to do for them selfs ....
I bring this up because during various times in my life I've been at the right placed at the right time w all the right people , but I wasn't fully prepared and ready for prime time .....
a few things that I did have going in my favor was , I was listening , I was friendly, I was watching, I was open and the players I looked up to were all very happy to have me along for the ride ...
even if it meant I was there as a fly on the wall ...lol
now to answer your question ,
no I didn't learn all that much new about melody , harmony, and rhythm ....
I did learn a lot about what it means to remain teachable and flexible on musical concepts
Gary Burton put a lot of thought and effort into having top shelf lessons and assignments
I learned how to respect my peers and the musical efforts they put forth .....
the class did have some top shelf players , and on the flip side ...a few musical talents with the ears and playing chops of a Vinnie Van Gogh
I learned that all the intentions in the world don't replace "putting out" doing the work and getting it done ...
some things musically come very easy to me , not because of any other reason then I listen, listen ,and listen , and that I have been playing guitar my whole life ...
the thing about that is I can be very unstructured and start a lot of things , get enjoyment out of learning part of it and then I'm left with a thousand starts and no completed musical task ..
I found having to meet deadlines and having to review my fellow class mates work to be somewhat of a challenge at first
being a perfectionist with an inferiority complex is how I've described myself to a few people when I feel like making fun of myself .....I had to take that idea and put that Sh*t in the trash can lol
by taking the class I have found that it is OK to do the best you can in any given moment and that is all anybody can ever really ask from them selfs ....
I found out that Yeah , I got holes in my music .....yet, it's all good ...
I learned a lot about myself and it might not seem like much to some people out there that are super productive
I'm very proud of the fact that I didn't give up , I did everything I was asked to do ...and I did it their way ...
I did get my grades today on assignment 5 which was 2 parts Olhos De Gato and F Blues ...
I got a 4 ...top score is a 4
so the class for me was a great learning experience ...and I feel tuned up as a human being
Kenny