Classical Guitar - Sound Waves....

For the technically minded amongst you I thought you may be interested in actually seeing the sound waves from a recording of Robin playing the classical guitar.
This photograph shows the first three notes of a well known guitar piece.
Can you tell which?



No, well, it is tricky I must admit.
I'll tell you.
It's 'Un Dia de Noviembre', by Leo Brouwer.

The second photograph, actually shows two of the same notes, later on in the piece.
As you can see, the shape of the notes are very different, with the oscillation of the second note clearly visible, as Robin plays vibrato.
The notes look longer because Robin is playing tenuto, as he adds his own interpretation to the music.




The final picture shows the end of the last note, as it fades out, with a much smaller sound wave to finish off, which is a harmonic, E. You can see that this is a very different shape to all the other notes.




It's amazing what you can find to do on a wet Saturday afternoon!

Sound Checks Complete and Wives of Musicians Unite...

My ears and head are aching.
For weeks now we have been testing microphones and trying out various settings.
In just the last 3 or 4 days, I have listened to 109 takes of, 'Un Dia de Noviembre' by Leo Brouwer.
It isn't the playing that I am expected to comment on, but the sound, timbre, balance, etc.
I have added sound engineer to my list of jobs....
Finally, we have settled on a microphone, and now we can focus back on the music.
It was with great joy that I listened to take 109, and enjoyed the piece and the playing, rather than scrutinising the sound.

Hopefully recording will commence next week....

As you know, I have been following the progress of David Juritz in his project, 'Around the World and Bach', as I feel it is not only an interesting concept, but also supporting a worthwhile cause.
David has added a 'round up' of the first week over on his site, which, is a good way to gain insight into what he is doing.
I was particularly pleased to see that he acknowledged the strain that this project puts on his wife Jane.
It's difficult enough when tours are organised down to the last detail, but when you are literally playing to pay your way, there is obviously more at stake.
There's no doubt that it is hard for the performer to be away from home.
Robin always finds this difficult, particularly when travelling alone, although he does of course have his guitar!
But, it is also hard for those left behind.
As David has said, 'Jane is sounding tired and trying not to show her anxiety, alongside the increased workload of updating websites and dealing with 'phone calls'.

In case Jane, or David for that matter, read this, remember, it will all be worth it.
I have blogged before on the situation that 'wives of musicians' find themselves in.
It's pretty well summed up on a post, 'Traits of a Guitar Widow', over on 'Guitarist Widow' site.
The instrument doesn't really matter, if you are married to a musician, then you'll understand.
So as Jane, fends off calls, deals with websites, looks after children, runs the home, and if it's anything like our house, receives many calls from various parts of the world - day and night - just to make contact, then remember, you are not alone....

Second Concert Success for Robin Hill

This is Robin, ready with his guitar, about to leave his room and go on stage for the second, and last, concert of this trip on the QM2.



This is Robin just after the performance:



There appears to be a certain amount of relief, and release of tension, in this image.
I can now report that the second concert was as successful as the first. The theatre was full, balconies included, and once again, he received a standing ovation.

Robin was particularly pleased, as he had decided to play two pieces for the first time in concert, which is always a nerve wracking experience. Not only that, but he told the audience during the introductions, which must have cranked up the tension even further.
You can just imagine them waiting for a mistake.
However, there weren't any, the audience loved the pieces, and, in fact, he was told later by one couple, that they were privileged to hear him play.
That's very nice.
The two new pieces were, 'Tango en skai' by Roland Dyens, and 'Un Dia de Noviembre' by Brouwer.

Later that evening, Robin had been invited out to dinner, and by huge coincidence, found himself sitting next to a gentlemen that went to the same school, was one year above Robin, but they had many mutual friends, and knew all the same teachers.
It really is a small world after all.

One thing Robin has enjoyed on this trip, is what he calls, 'sleep utopia'.
You gain one extra hour in bed every day that you are on board.
What he fails to have remembered, is that he's going to lose all those hours, in one huge serotonin rush, tonight, when he flies home.
That, coupled with two small children very keen to see him, and waking early due to the light mornings, could all feel a very long way off soon.

Meanwhile, David Juritz has arrived in France and has a pretty hectic busking schedule around Paris. If you go to 'Round the World and Bach' you will see his itinerary for the day, and also a link to his blog.

From the QM2 to 'Around the World and Bach'

We were up at 5.30 this morning, and I must say, it was delightful. The sun was shining and the birds singing. The taxi driver must have thought I was some sort of mad woman, as I babbled on about the glorious day, whilst we waited for Robin to say goodbye to dogs and children, in no particular order.
The novelty had worn off by about 8.30, when I was sure it must be nearly lunchtime.

Robin only had a short flight down to Gatwick, and son number two had kindly lent him his favourite book, 'The Gruffalo', to read whilst away.
The last time I saw it, it was sandwiched between, 'El Noi de la Mare', arranged by Llobet, and 'Un Dia de Noviembre', Leo Brouwer.

He has now arrived in Southampton and has settled into his room on board the QM2. Robin will be performing two guitar concerts, Thursday and Saturday, so he has time to relax, (I don't think so), prepare, (more likely).

David Juritz, the violinist and leader of the London Mozart Players, is about to undertake an interesting project.
He's busking his way around the world, to find out more, and to follow his progress, visit, 'Round the World and Bach'. He's due to leave on the 9th of June, so log in and see what it's all about. It's worth looking at his own web page just to hear some incredible playing!