Notes on the final performance.

When: Monday Aug 18th, 2003  6.00 PM
Where: Ultimate Self Defense Studio, South Boston, MA
Attendees – Martin B, Glenn H, David K, Alex L, Victor M, Dev R, Dave T, Terry T

The final performance of the Guitar Circle New England Repertoire Project was to play in between karate classes for the Ultimate Self Defense Studio where our regular meetings were held. This was a way of giving back to the space we allowed to share.
Everyone began filtering in around 6.00 and Victor informed us we would not perform until 6:45. We set up on the sidewalk and warmed up and tuned. The street was quite busy and a large ex biker/ vintage bible seller came over to ask us about what we played etc. The requested Foggy Mtn Breakdown (considering Wallbash Cannonball) was not a bad selection for a GC cover. The owner of the Chinese restaurant across the street also came over to listen. We ran some of the rep pieces; Glenn played us a few bars of the circle melody and we spoke of GC and other things. At just prior to 7:45 the stools were set up in the big roam and students parents and friends assembled. We set up in a deep semi-circle with the karate students in the middle. We played a circulation, which had some nice selections and tempo then Calliope, Third Relation and Eye of the Needle. Before Eye, Victor spoke about the similarities of our work to that of the karate students (practice, disiple, overcoming difficulty. Then he asked if there were any questions. A feisty lad made a comment about “imagine if they were all rock guitars”. A girl had a two part question. One why was Alex’s (Adamas type) guitar different from the rest, to which Alex explained it was for less feedback when plugged but was not as good sounding when unplugged. Then she asked why we play in a circle and Victor spoke of the qualities and significance of the circle. A parent asked how long we had been performing as a group. We completed the performance, (Eye of the Needle [ed]) Laurie Bradburn took some group photos and then we said our goodbyes

MB

Final meeting minutes.

Aug, 17th, 2003, 8:30 PM
In attendance: Martin B, Glenn H, David K, Alex L, Victor M, Dev R, Dave T
Ultimate Self Defense Studio, South Boston, MA

We began the meeting with tuning, and a series of circulations. Once this was completed, Victor asked the we continue without guitars.

The next section of the meeting began the process of completing the project. "The end of the end is at least as hazardous as the beginning of the beginning."

Victor shared with us his observations of our work over the past 14 months: we have accomplished a great deal over the course of this project, but we did not quite reach some of the goals; we each have strengths and weaknesses which complement the others in this group; we have some fundamental things which require work, and this will likely guide the next project, which will begin in September; we were given gifts throughout the project, and made some things possible in return; our inner work was becoming evident to those outside of our group; silence entered the room at the Playhouse gig, one of the few times that he has experienced that in that particular room.

Other observations were shared: from Glenn, the hope that the energy developed by the team would not be allowed to simply dissapate, and that it hadn't really hit him until we began the meeting that this was to be our last for the project. From Martin, a sense that others around him could perceive the work that he was doing, and that the perception had gone from some skepticism, to an acceptance, and a willingness to understand.

Victor shared some of what he was considering for the next project: a focus on the first four Primaries, with some inner work.

We then spent some time on the pieces for the Dojo gig, starting with several circulations. Our set for the Dojo will include Calliope, Third Relation, Eye of the Needle, Aspiration and Circulations.

AL

From GH's diary: Things got going a little late. Terry couldn't make it. Victor talked about how he perceived our accomplishments, and where we hadn't quite met the mark. He talked about using the energy that we had generated. And being careful about the end of the end. It was just then that it hit me that this was actually the final meeting. Completing things always makes space for something new, but its often hard not to feel a sense of loss. I'm reminded of the recent deliberations involving the Seattle Circle house. We did some circulating. Lately our circulations have taken on a very sweet quality. It's presence isn't dispelled by the occasional bum note, the way it once was. We talked about the performance tomorrow for the people in the karate center in which we practice. There were some last words. Then, it was over.

Notes on Charles Playhouse gig

Aug 16th, 2003, 10:30 PM Arrival, 11:45 PM began playing.

From GH's diary: When I arrived, David, Alex and Dev were already there. We worked on the sound a bit, trying a couple of different routings of the reverb, and figuring out the level meters. Dave T, Martin and Terry arrived while this was going on. Victor showed up in full 'Blue Man Paint' to check in with us. MB sat in a corner drinking soda. Just before it was time to begin, Victor came out, having cleaned himself up, and handed me the forks to get the team in tune. He sat down and we did another quick sound check. Then we began. I managed a few major gaffs:
*Heading into the second position of burbles at the end of EotN, I landed a half step high, and recovered after two or three notes.
*David K and I discovered a new 'arrangement' for Bicycling: Don't play the vamps on the second half of the first F# section.
*I hit several open strings in the intro (lead line) to Calliope, which, unfortunately, pretty much set the tone of the whole piece for me.
Thrak was punchy and tight, although I think I let the ball drop on the 1&3 front at the very end. Flying Home was fairly good all around. 3rd Relation began fast, and got faster. Although we managed to hold it together, and I didn't hear any huge missteps (a few on the descending line), the whole piece felt charged with nervous energy.

All in all, I think that, although we have not quite passed the bar set out for us at the beginning of the Repertoire Project, we did make major progress in many of the aims of the course. Thinking back to where we were a year ago, it is pretty amazing how far we have come. In our team we have a wide range of experience levels, and levels of innate talent, yet, somehow we cohere. This is a testament to the usefulness of the methods with which we have been working, and to each of our ongoing efforts in applying ourselves to them.

Notes on the Luau performance

Aug 9th 2003, Aprx. Assembled at 5 PM. Played around 7 (?)
All members of GCNE in attendance, excpet Dave T.

From GH's diary: Things at the Luau were running late. Most of the GCNE was there, David and Dev were still en route. Dave T was not coming. Victor was on the couch taking a nap, as he and the Sweepers had gigged in Maine the previous night.

6 members of the GCNE circled up in the living room. We worked on the 16 bar exercise, a section from 3rd Relation, and Lark's Thrak. The second polyrhythm section seemed weak, so we looped it, along with the 4 5s. And soon, it was time to play.

Our performance was fairly good I thought. Some things I noticed: The mix of the bass was off in Eye of the Needle. Also some tuning problems in the basses. In our circulations, we had problems maintaining the faster tempos. Quite interesting and melodious note choices. Flying home was slower than we usually play it, and I think we managed to more or less hold to the slower tempo for the duration. For me, it was good to play the piece this way, since it allowed me to work on articulation in a way that I can't at faster speeds. Afghanistan was played fast and ripping. I think some people had to drop out at various points because the tempo was up. I dropped a few notes in the 3rd F# section. There were an unusually large number of clams in the first descending line of 3rd Relation. Lark's began a little wobbly, came together, then fragmented in the last position. Thrak began slightly tentatively. I think we were startled at how loud we sounded through the PA. At some point we stopped holding back.

Notes on the WMBR gig.

Aug, 6th, 2003, Aprx 3:30 PM-6 PM.
All GCNE members in attendance.

From GH's diary: Down into the bowels of Building 50, and into the studios of WMBR. Members of the GCNE were off traipsing about the city getting guitar chords, so it was a little deserted at first. Soon enough we were all there. A sound check. David K. was feeling under the weather, I silently thanked him for having the fortitude to show up. And then, time to play. The room we were in was hot like a sauna. Standing in a semi-circle, dripping with sweat, we launched into Lark's Thrak. It almost crashed and burned. Half of us were wearing headphones, and to me, this seemed to psychically split the group. I'm sure nerves played a big role as well. We played 3rd Relation and Flying Home. Flying Home was quite fast, and people had to drop out. We took the headphones off and things got a bit better after that point. I don't remember the exact set list, but it was something like Eye of the Needle, Circulation, Calliope, Bicycling to Afghanistan, 'Pick a note' (C Lydian), Aspiration. Lark's Thrak again, as, perhaps, a redemption. Chaotic ending, looping the polyrhythm, into the news. We had breaks between songs. I didn't get to hear much of the other music that was played, or what the DJ said. At a little after 6 PM, we headed out.

Meeting #53

When: Sunday August 3rd, 2003. 8:15 pm
Where: Ultimate Self Defense Studio, South Boston, MA
Attendees: Martin B., Glenn H., David K., Alex L., Victor M., Dave T., Terry
T.

The meeting began with tuning of guitars and the 16 bar exercise. Victor
pointed out that he would like to group to focus on beginning the pieces
while maintaining the pulse and also the circulation. We began with Third
Relation. Then we visited Bicycling to Afghanistan with a little emphasis on
the F# section. We also worked on Calliope with some work on the basses.
Next was Flying Home with also some work on the basses coming in on the
first beat of the E section.

We went on to the circulation work. The aim was to maintain a fast and
brisk circulation. Victor gave a suggestions that we should not let a
strange note throw off the flow of the circulation. There may be reasons
for that note to exist which may allow the music to happen. Victor also
presented an exercise where each of the member look at the right hand of the
person that is playing the note.

After a little stretching we visited Lark's Thrak. Victor welcome those who
are comfortable with the Lark's section to perform. Victor also suggested
that there should be a sense of the 16th note pulse through the rock 'n roll
section.

There are three possible performances in addition to the WMBR gig and
Martin's luau. One is at the All Asia Cafe. Second, the bar downstairs at
Charles Playhouse. Third, playing for the children at the Ultimate Self
Defense Center. The more likely performances would be the Charles Playhouse
and the Ultimate Self Defense Center. Victor was inclined to not have a
meeting on Sunday 10th.
But if there're a number of us that are interested in meeting that night,
then the meeting can be facilitated. The final regular meeting will be
Sunday August 17th.

TT

Meeting #52
When: Sunday July 20th, 2003. 8:30pm
Where: Newbury Street, Boston
Attendees: Martin B., Glenn H., David K., Alex L., Victor M., Dev R., Dave T., Terry T.

I received a call from Terry at around 7pm that instead of meeting in South Boston as usual, we would meet at the Trident Bookstore on Newbury Street at 8:30pm. Upon arrival there was a guy noodling on solo electric guitar next to the bookstore, and some "tub-thumpers" up by Virgin nee Tower. Not exactly conducive for an evening of Guitar Craft repertoire. Once the group had gathered, various suggestions were made regrading alternate locations. The courtyard of the CVS was suggested. As we walked down Newbury Street, when we hit the first corner, the front of the Architrectural School beckoned, and we set up there instead. A decent sized crowd began gathering and we began playing. The beginning of the set lacked some focus, but by the middle, things were cooking. People began leaving money, some in Victor's *open* guitar case (coincidence or intention? You be the judge), some just left the money right on the ground in front of us. Throughout the evening the size of the crowd waxed and waned. We were often competing with motorcycles and planes for airtime. In particular, motorcycles often appeared towards the ends of pieces. There were some comments from some of the guests who were amazed that we still seemed to be able to play and be in sync even while the motorcycles were roaring away. Towards the end of the evening, we attempted Eye of the Needle, but a motorcycle maintenance project just up the street sooned put an end to that (it was obvious that many of the audience were annoyed with the fact that the motorcycles were interfering with our playing and their ability to hear). After the end of the performance, we counted up the money and found we had enough for ice cream for all of us, with some left over for Victor. We headed over to J. P. Licks and talked for a while outside about the performance, and the upcoming activities (performances and project completion).

DK

From GH's diary: Walked down to the Trident Cafe to meet the rest of the GCNE (sans Alex). There was a guy playing loud electric guitar, and some '5 gallon bucket drumming' going on down the way, so we walked back up the street to find a more quiet location. We played the repertoire that we have been working on, in various orders, to various people. Lots of motorcycle noise. Hard to hear each other. Several people seemed interested in what we were doing. A few actually seemed to enjoy themselves. I broke my pick on the last number (Thrak). People had spontaneously dropped money in front of us and in Victor's guitar case. There was enough for ice cream for all of us, so that's what we did. A little debriefing, and talk about the schedule between now and the end of the project.

Meeting #51

When: Sunday July 13th, 2003. 8:15pm
Where: Ultimate Self Defense Center, South Boston, MA, and The South End
Attendees: Glenn H., David K., Alex L., Victor M., Dev R., Dave T., Terry T.

We gathered outside of the USDC like last week, and once everyone had arrived Victor announced that we were going to "do the South End". After a little discussion as to car logistics, we piled into David and Dev's cars.

After looking for parking for a while, we found spots and the group gathered in front of the South Boston Cultural Center. We tuned, set up, and then began playing through all of the pieces, leaving out Circulations, and Aspiration.

Victor noted how difficult it was to focus with all of the things going on around us while we played. It was also very difficult to hear each other, as we were right in front of a busy street.

Not many people stopped to listen, but towards the end we had a few encounters. On two separate occasions one person in a group of two wanted to listen, but the other kept trying to pull them away, either physically or verbally. Both times the person stay to listen, and one time the other stayed to listen as well. We also played "The Third Relation" for a birthday girl.

DR

Meeting #50

When: Sunday July 6th, 2003. 8:15 pm
Where: Ultimate Self Defense Studio, South Boston MA &, the Boston Commons, Boston MA
Attendees: David K., Alex L., Victor M., Dev R., Terry T.