By Jayant Sankrityayana
1. The beginning was very positive. There is obviously a “critical mass” of interested guitarists in the Pune/Mumbai sector who can make this Society viable.
2. The next meeting could be more organised in terms of specific activity/timings – possibly as:
– Formal PGS discussion based on a prearranged agenda
– Individual recitals
– Masterclass (if any)
– Presentations (if any)
– Closing disccussion and informal exchanges
Each phase should be clearly demarcated. It is particularly important to provide each recitalist (regardless of level) a formal opportunity to perform, with proper attention, time to warm up and tune, and a quiet setting. We could define proper audience etiquette here – this will help those who are nervous about playing for others.
3. Video shooting or audio recording of recitalists should ONLY be done with their permission, and the video clips should then become the property of the PGS and not be freely circulated.
4. Good audio recordings can be made – Jayant S can do this on a Tascam D100. We need to have a PGS-owned HD archive (duplicated for backup).
5. If we do build up a compendium of superlative performances on audio/video, it will be worth putting them up on Youtube through a a specific PGS user ID. However, these will need to be selected for quality – as they serve as a worldwide heads-up to the overall CG community on what is happening at the PGS. The best of the recitalists could be endorsed for a PMS event too. If funds/sponsorships are feasible in future, promising young students could be sent for attendance at other IGF events in the country.
6. Those of us who can run masterclasses, should do so. A live masterclass is a good way to offer constructive advice to new players – without everyone in the session providing “feedback” which could be difficult to integrate.
7. Presentations can be based around the music – less regarding the “history” or “biographical” aspects – but more towards introducing an understanding of detail in repertoire, musical influences (including trans-generic), compositional structure etc. Every member should be encouraged to do this, and PGS moderators should help make these accurate and effective.
8. PGS can define a core group of 4-5 volunteers who will look after specific areas (Veda is already the IGF link, for instance) including communication, agenda planning, recital/video filtering etc (more functions can be identified over time)
9. The core focus must remain as CG, but PGS can invite presentations/recitals by other instrumentalists (who should be selected for quality). If these are from a non Western classical music background, then they (or someone else) should link the possible musical relevance to CG. The objective is to gradually wean CGists away from the somewhat limited and exclusive focus on their own repertoire.
10. Finally – if anyone is interested in composition or transcription we could mentor and encourage the process – particularly if something can be put together for a guitar ensemble, or guitar with other instruments.