Week THREE: Share your love! (Watch Party is next week!)
Hello and welcome to the WEEK THREE Main Thread for this challenge! 
Alright everyone - this is the thread where we'll all be posting our daily updates.
Make sure you've read the rules before replying (<- click)
Twice a week between February 6 - 13 I hope to be reading your daily updates in this very thread right here!
Here is this week's assignment!
Because the WATCH PARTY is next week, February 14th at 11am PT let's do the following this week!
1. OVERALL GOAL: Record your piece!
2. OPTIONAL: say a few words about why you choose your piece, and what you love so much about it BEFORE or AFTER you play! (Before is nice, because then we can listen with a guided imagination through your words!) You can submit two videos (one of your words and one of the music) I will then put them together into ONE video.
3. OPTIONAL: Record your piece at least TWICE! Why? Because we want you to submit your favorite recording, and tell us why you choose the one that you did. Was it because of technical reasons? Musical ones? It is important to practice evaluating your work through words!
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My piece is Baile de Burgos from Joaquin Nin-Culmell, Tonadas, Vol. 1.
I love that it is a short, interesting piece that is accessible to those of us who are late elementary or early intermediate students without sounding like it was intended to be played by children. Played very quickly, it is reminiscent of loud, percussive street dances at the festivals in Burgos in central Spain. Played slowly, though, it is meditative, and Nin-Culmell’s own harmonies come through more beautifully.
I play it slowly. It evokes for me walking with my uncle through the city of Teruel in Aragon, half a century ago, exploring ancient churches and buildings in the exotic “Mudejar” architectural style unique to some regions of Spain. (I posted photos of a few examples, back in Week 1.)
Please excuse my flaws and overly dramatic gestures in the video — this is still a work in progress…
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Libby Craig Beautiful! I hope to visit Spain one day.
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Libby Craig You played wonderfully Libby! You were so calm and controlled but more importantly I was transported to another place as I listened! Thank you again for your detailed explanation on the other thread as well!
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Libby Craig Beautiful Libby! How well you sing the deep feeling that surrounds this music!
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Alice Lin I do hope you will be able to visit there at some point. I haven’t been to Spain in years now, but I loved it whenever I did go.
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Darrell Jenkins Thank you! That means a lot to me!
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Juan Carlos Olite Thank you! What a wonderful comment — this makes my day!
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Libby Craig So beautiful and enchanting playing! I could really feel the scenery of this Spanish landscape.
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Sindre Skarelven Oh, Sindre, thank you so much! That gives me courage!
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With all of the glorious music and playing in this forum, I feel a bit silly submitting my little piece!
But I enjoyed working on it, and I hope it will encourage more beginners to participate and submit their playing for these activities.For me, "If I Were a Rich Man" is a song of longing and desiring for something which is beyond - I think this sums up much of the human condition. Music seems to both fulfill and increase the desire for this "something," which is one of the reasons I enjoy playing and listening to good music. Also, being in the Nerds of Tonebase subgroup, I appreciate the correct usage of the subjunctive in the song's title and lyrics.
Of the two recordings I made, I chose the one with mistakes because it had more life in it. I found the more "correct" one a bit dry. The way I want to play it is a few years away, I think, but over the three weeks I noticed much improvement, which is why I joined this challenge.
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Michelle R Haha! You had me at subjunctive! I also really enjoyed your recording, and I liked that you went with the “real” versus stiffer version. It felt like watching an in-person performance. Very nice!
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Libby Craig Thanks, Libby! Your comment is much appreciated.
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Michelle R Thank you for sharing. Listening to it brought me a smile
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Michelle R well done, that brought back good memories!
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Michelle R Very nice playing. You captured the catchy tune. I prefer this “real” version too.
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Priya Viseskul Derek McConville Vidhya Bashyam Thank you all for your kind comments. I was going to sing along, but a funny thing happened: the louder I tried to sing, the louder I played! It got a bit ridiculous, so I decided it would be best to sing to myself while playing at a reasonable volume.
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Michelle R that is lovely, and I'm glad you posted up the more lively version. It was enjoyable to listen to!
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Natalie Peh Thank you, Natalie!
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Michelle R awesome! I can tell you are enjoying the music and it sounds happy.
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Michelle R Thanks for sharing your heartfelt playing Michelle! Something magical happens when we play music ourselves and really let go. The happiness you described in the background is clear in your performance.
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Michelle R Somehow I just found myself up on my roof. You inspire and encourage me. Nerds of Tonebase Unite!
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Michelle R Very nice and lovely playing, Michelle!
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Alice Lin Thanks, Alice!
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Darrell Jenkins Thank you, Darrell. Much appreciated!
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Michael Haha! Be careful up on your roof! Thanks for listening. I think we need a Nerds of Tonebase badge....
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Juan Carlos Olite Thanks so much, Juan Carlos!
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