BGS Presents ...

Sulaiman Zai Master Class

February 24, 2025

Sulaiman coaches four BGS members

This month, we’re doing something special for our monthly meeting! Sulaiman Zai will be hosting a master class featuring several local guitarists. If you’ve never attended a master class before, this is a great opportunity to experience one. You’ll not only hear beautiful performances from a variety of musicians but also gain valuable insight into how a master approaches a piece - both technically and musically.

Four BGS guitarists played for Sulaiman:

• Martin Ters
  • Song Fron Vicenza, by Czech composer Milan Tesař
• Doug Hurcomb
  • Valse from Souvenirs de Flanders Opus 5, by Napoleon Coste
• Daniel Palmer
  • Prelude No.4, by Heitor Villa-Lobos
• Sean Kelly
  • Se io m’Accorgo, arr. by Oscar Chilesotti

Advice all of us could use:

• On rhythm, use the whole body
  • as you walk, mentally subdivide the beat in 8ths, 16ths, triplets
  • speak the piece, without the guitar, while clapping hands
• Pause to breathe and loosen up before playing
  • have a home position in which to rest with arms loose
  • identify unwanted physical tension
  • stop if tensing up and go back to home
  • use gravity for left arm position (let it hang from hand)
• Breathe at points while playing
  • breathe at phrases in the music, find them by singing
  • sing it like a drunken sailor, even in monotone
  • if nerves get in the way, stop and breathe
  • wait until the body is not getting in the way
• In general
  • guitar is a profound mirror, a reflection of you
  • get up and do it again (fall down 10 times, get up 11)
  • feel strongly about the music and speaking it to the audience
  • once you know it, it plays itself (without your thinking mind)

Feel free to contact Sulaiman with any questions. He’s happy to provide more details.