Diego Souto: Chapman Stick Instruction

Personalised Instruction & Courses:

Introduction:

Every concept in life, apart from God, carries its antithesis within its own definition. We cannot explain the meaning of what is Right without at the same time explaining what is Wrong. When we attempt to define Knowledge, the meaning of Ignorance simultaneously becomes clear . The path from Ignorance to Knowledge, Learning, may be described as an asymptote - approaching ever nearer to Knowledge but never achieving it.

Stages of learning are like fractal structures, like structures of life: periods made up of an endless series of increasingly subtle values, refinements upon the same basic pattern. So if the pattern itself be wrong, then the whole structure is destined to crumble. But if the pattern itself be right, it takes us closer to God.

Two-handed tapping technique on The Stick, which was brought to the world by Emmett Chapman in 1969, gives a particular meaning to Freedom: More than one musician playing together in perfect communion becomes possible inside one single body. So freely divided attention becomes Art and Aim for the tapping musician, and poly rhythms are the shorter way to achieve this ideal of freedom.

Moral death for any instructor has a definite name: Egotism. If a grain of sand commits the sin of greed, a small part of the hourglass stops, but not for too long, because evolution always finds a way.

Written by Diego Souto & Sally Asthana.

Instruction:

Personalised instruction with accomodation is available at any time of the year for those who wish to engage in the practical study of Chapman Stick's playing method in an intensive way. Courses are both individual and for groups, and may last up to three weeks. Group instruction is for five people at the most.

During this period of time I reside at the same building, sharing with the students a common space, so I am permanently available to them.

One day of instruction & preactising may last up to a whole day, depending on each student's endurance. How much students take advantage of time is up to them.

All levels of experience playing The Stick are welcome. Instruction itself is divided into three fields of work:

1	The Body	This focuses on the way we play the instrument. The Stick is designed to be a comfortable intrument, so it should not be hard or painful to play it. During instruction, students learn to be able to find by themselves a comfortable, non-fixed playing position.
2	The Mind	This focuses on Mechanical and Poly Rhythmical excercises, in order to reach a freely divided attention. Several examples were post at the Exercises page.
3	The Heart	This focuses on Themes and Improvisation, in order to apply within real performances what we learnt during practise.

Languages available are English, Portuguese and Spanish. Accomodation in Buenos Aires downtown is provided. It is a building where a many musicians, both professional and amateur, reside or work at, so exchanging musical experience is a common thing. This amount of energy makes it the right place for instruction. Such accomodation includes bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, amplifiers and a place for practise and instruction. Cleaning and cooking services are available under request, although cooking and cleaning elements are available to the student as well.

For those people who live in Buenos Aires, or wish to take sporadic or specific lessons during their residence in Buenos Aires, part-time instruction is also available. These lessons may last one hour at least.

Minimum age allowed for requesting personalised instruction is 18 years old.

For further information, please contact Me by email.

If you wish to contact me by phone: 00 54 1 4654-5227

Web-based Hug,

Diego Souto