Jeremy Collins Masterclass

Topics of Discussion:

0:00 - Andrei performs “Una Limosna por el Amor de Dios” 5:55 - Tension

• Being “unmusical” to release tension
• The “Poker Face"
• “We tense up when we’re in a hurry"

9:55 - Shifting

• Left hand is an “elevator"
• “Windshield wipers” shifting practice technique
• Move as slowly as possible and you’ll get there faster...

14:20 - Practice in front of a mirror
17:00 - Breaking down complex parts when shifting
19:49 - “Forward Motion” (Phrasing)

• “Rainbow” phrasing & dynamics
• Feeling of “stop and go” like in a car

20:45 - Thinking in longer phrases

• “Lagrima” as an example
• Black and White movies - slower vs faster pace

22:55 - Dissecting phrases of “Una Limosna…”

• Choose where to begin/end phrase
• Choose longer vs shorter phrases

27:23 - Wyatt plays Villa-Lobos, Prelude 1
32:45 - Solving Technical Challenges

• Break it down to 2 points
• The Brain vs the Fingers
• Actors working out their lines

40:25 - Don’t mix up the “licks” in this piece

• Bring out the bass melody

42:30 - Record yourself and read along with music
43:00 - B-Section

• Play like a Computer
• “Don’t have to play slow, but let’s start with what’s easy"

53:35 - Rodrigo plays “Danza Altiplano” by Leo Brouwer
1:00:00 - Find threshold pace
1:07:25 - Hemiola rhythm

• 3/4 vs 6/8 feel

1:11:00 - Careful Phrasing

• Match tempos at beginning
• Decide where to put the accents

1:18:00 - Fraser plays Original Composition
1:22:00 - General composition advice
1:25:40 - Using fragments & sequences to enhance piece and create new ideas
1:27:20 - Using different rhythmic textures

• Adding scalar runs over chord changes

1:31:00 - Composing without the guitar