NWA sophomore Clara Kornelis is a lead guitarist and vocalist for the student band Tinderbox Waiting, which made its debut performance on Feb. 16th at the NWA High School Cabaret Show. The band consists of Kornelis, guitarist and vocalist El Cornelius, bassist Addy Paternoster and drummer Asher Fritts-Weeks.
Kornelis first picked up the guitar in fourth grade, but began her serious musical instruction on piano. She took lessons for several years before she decided to quit, and instead began taking guitar lessons in eighth grade.
“I do a lot of fingerpicking, because I find [the different patterns] really interesting,” she said.
Kornelis cited American singer-songwriter Elliott Smith as one of her role models. As a songwriter herself, Kornelis strives to emulate his style in her work. She plays both electric and acoustic guitar — electric guitar more frequently, because she thinks the skills are easier to translate onto acoustic than vice versa. Her favorite genre is alt rock, but as of late she’s also begun experimenting with jazz chords.
“I’m trying to get into soloing and playing lead more, so learning blues solos has been a good way to learn technique,” Kornelis said.
Although Kornelis has never undergone serious vocal training, she is also one of Tinderbox Waiting’s two singers. All her musical pursuits, she says, have gotten more serious in the past two years.
“I just got back into [piano] this year because I thought it would be good music theory knowledge to have,” said Kornelis.
Tinderbox Waiting’s debut show was a long time coming; the idea for the band was first conceived of nearly a year ago.
“We’ve wanted to play together for a long time, and this was kind of motivation to get together [and do it],” said Kornelis.
Looking ahead, Kornelis wants to work toward playing more shows and open for established bands. She also wants to continue nurturing her practice of songwriting.
“I’ve been busy, so [songwriting has] been on the backburner,” she said. “I’d like to get into it more [though]. I think it’s really interesting as a medium.”
