Scott's Studio

[scott]

I'm just completing my first weekend workshop for PAR with the goal of developing PAR PODS. PAR stands for Performance Anxiety Rehab. PAR PODS are regular get togethers where performers will play for each other with the principles learned in the PAR Workshops.

Years ago I taught this class in one night, then I expanded it to 12 weeks. While the personality of each workshop is different the three day workshop is desinged to be able to replicate at CGIs and communities around the country.

Hopefully we'll get some comments regarding this weekend's workshop, (finishing up later this evening).

[kfisherx]

What a refreshing and worthwhile refresher for me. This 3 day workshop was ultra powerful in re-enforcing the PAR techniques and in giving me confidence to continue my work in them. I was worried about performing for this as I was not really feeling ultra prepared for performing since receiving my new guitar. You know how when you get a new guitar and you don't really practice so much as play with the new guitar...? (yeah it has been like that)

I was extremely pleased with the way I was able to work through the concepts this time. If you guys could see me in the first workshop versus now you would not believe it to be the same person. This stuff not only works but it does stick over time. The first intensive workshop I did was almost painful for both Scott and me. I required so much coaching over the past years that I thought perhaps I would never get it. This time it was easy and even fun and so was the performing part.

One of the most fun things for me this time was to watch new people come into the class and witness the tools working for them. In one person's case it was heart warming as he is a good player who had nearly given up on ever performing due to nerves. He was on "cloud nine" on Saturday after the second session and he started to see improvement. This work that Scott is bringing to us is so powerful and so transformational.

Of course an added bonus for me was this was the fist time my new guitar was presented in a classical guitar class environment and it did amazing. Several people commented on its sound and even the looks on the stage. It filled the hall with its amazing overtones. And of course, I am again connected to the instrument so this played a big part in allowing me to "let go". I again have confidence that my instrument will carry me when I am playing poorly and again I am in love with each and every note. I think that transfers to the performance as well.

I did not get to post on this over the weekend as the workshop was held on Fri night, Sat and Sunday which just about ate up every spare minute I had in this weekend. I was exhausted on Sunday night and even last night. Today I am finally feeling a bit rested. This weekend was especially tough as I am travelling all this week and giving major presentations. I would not want to sign up for this sort of thing very often but I am very much looking forward to having PAR PODS once a month. I think this is a brilliant concept.
_________________
Only when knowledge is thoughtfully absorbed can it become your own wisdom - Tranquility comes when the mind concentrates

[scott]

As a teacher I felt I had failed teaching this workshop in the past. After 12 weeks the results were extraordinary but they fell off. In other words, if we weren't meeting and discussing the PAR Principles the results diminished. Something was broken.

The PAR PODS became an idea back at CGI East. The idea is that we can learn the principles and then continue to explore them in a sharing environment where the participants understand the objectives and principles. Each member then keeps the other accountable.

We're now in the process of forming two groups who'll meet monthly. Maybe once a quarter we'll all meet! In any case, I feel like the students will continue to benefit without weekly supervision! I'm even going to attend.

We'll be repeating this workshop at CGI this summer. This is a do-not-miss workshop.

Scott

[Brent]

This was a great workshop. I've not been performing so much lately, and the last time I did, I struggled with my pieces. I was able in this class to draw on my past PAR experiences and play fairly well.

I played two movements from the Weiss Sonata I've been working on. The first night, I played the Allemande, which I've been playing for about a year now. It went well. The second night, I played the Sarabande, a new movement for me (three months or so), and its newness showed. I lost my place and recovered at least once. It just shows that the more familiar you are with a piece, the greater your chances of playing it well in performance. I played the Allemande again the third evening, and was fairly pleased with the results.

As Karla said, it was exciting to see the new people in the group responding to the methods and improving over the days. I'm also excited to report that every time I do this, it gets easier for me, and the debilitating nervousness I suffered two years ago at CGI has become so much less. It helps immensely that I'm working with pieces I feel comfortable with.

Brent

[scott]

We've just formed the first two PAR PODS here in Portland. One on the East and the other on the West side of town.

These monthly performance groups are meant to further enhance the experience and knowledge learned in the recent 3 day PAR Workshop.

This upcoming CGI will also contain a PAR Performance Workshop that will add a couple new local members to the group as well as send out attendees, into their own communities, to begin their local PAR PODS

Once we begin to meet I'd like to use this forum for observations from those meetings!

[snetzley]

Our east coast PAR pod, which as been meeting every two weeks for more than a year and a half, has been on a bit of a hit-or-miss schedule for the past couple of months. Life seems to be settling down for all of us, so I'm really looking forward to starting up again next Saturday and incorporating the objectives that we learned when you were here in January, Scott. It's amazingly valuable to focus on one or two aspects of performing at a time.

I'm looking forward to reading about the experiences of the two new PAR pods in Portland!

Sharon

[scott]

Sharon - it's too bad you can make it out to PAR here at CGI. Dave and Mike we'll let you know what's happening. We're adding some objectives to the meetings, things to work towards, listen for, and to support each other.

[scott]

Now that you've taken the PAR Workshop you can begin monthly performance workshops based on the principles learned. I'd highly recommend that you either form a PAR POD in your area or, if you live here in Portland, or in Haverhill, (where PAR PODS now exist), attend already existing meetings. Here in Portland, Oregon we have two PODS, East and West side meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday's respectively.

Let's get these up and running and begin posting our observations here.

[scott]

I think it's safe to assume that summer PAR PODS are probably on hold. But let's think about starting them in the Fall.

If you haven't already established a PAR POD in your area this may be a good time to do so. If you have, (like the two here in Portland), then let's set times in August.

Scott

[scott]

I'd like to see us start up the Par Pods again this fall. My hope is that we can get a regular quorum, if we can then beginning in January I'd like to start working some ensemble music into the meetings.

Ken, Allen, can you two lead the charge once again?

Scott

[KenRhodes]

Can this be a topic for Saturday's call?
_________________
Ken
http://www.cedarcityguitarlessons.com/
http://www.kenrhodesmusic.com/


http://www.innergeek.us

[scott]

Good point Ken - I'll add it to the agenda!