August 19, 2011

Artists are often inspired by other disciplines.  For me it is painting.  I literally hear music when I look at a great painting.  The Gertrude Stein Collection at SF MOMA, and the Picasso Museum show at the De Young, are two of the most inspiring shows I've ever seen.  As Picasso liked to boast, he had the best Picasso collection on the planet.  And with the Stein show, there is also a lot of Matisse, who Picasso adored.  In fact, each thought the other was the best.  (As Frank used to declare Tony the one.  I used to think that was false modesty, but now I know it wasn't).  "Art is the lie that tells the truth".  Picasso. 

August 10, 2011

As the glass blower Mark Peiser says, technique is not cheap.  As an improvising acoustic and electric guitarist, I grew up learning many different techniques; left hand classical and jazz fingerings, right hand plectrum and classical and finger picking techniques.  And then, when I started to formally study flamenco, a whole world of right hand techniques that are unique to the genre.  Unlike any other guitar form, in flamenco the right hand leads. I've always thought my picado technique left a lot to be desired.  A few weeks ago, I decided to simply give up, and accept the fact that while my various thumb techniques were great, I was just never going to have great picado.  And shortly thereafter, for the first time in my life, it's great!  The magic of letting go...