Currently, I’m focusing on two major projects in my practice time. The first is a Ralph Towner tune titled “Oleander Etude” from his new Album: Time Line (and his transcription book: Solo Guitar Works – Volume 1). It’s a technically challenging piece that works on the left hand & descending pull-offs, and when brought up to speed, is going to be very fast. I’ve been sharing my progress (which is very slow) with my students, and plan to perform it at this Spring’s recitals.

To compliment my reading & technical exercise, I’m also working on some modal improvisation concepts. Modes have been something I’ve misunderstood for several years now. I did well in theory class at Berklee, but somehow couldn’t get modes together in my playing (other than through “So What” or other vamping tunes). Tim has been educating me on some modern jazz applications of modes and encouraging me to beef up my ears. I’m working on scale positions, chord voicings, and transcriptions (a little Metheny & a little Wolfgang).

These two categories fit nice together. Frequently, I’ll get bored, tired or frustrated with one and move on to the other. Progress is slow, but that’s the way progress works.