I wake every morning at the same. I jump into the shower, and then proceed to find a decent outfit to wear to school. Some days I'll dress up, some days I'll just throw on a band tee shirt with my baggy jeans. I'll make a quick breakfast, and then pack my lunch if I'm eating in the office. I'll grab my instruments and books and walk to my train station.
The walk is a nice one. It's straight, and short enough to not get too tired and long enough to think. Sometimes I'll wear my Ibanez headphones, listening to my iPod selection on shuffle. I can be listening to Haydn's Trumpet Concerto in E-flat played by Tine Thing and Melissa Etheridge's "Beloved" will come on next.
I take the train in, meet my grandma for tea and then head to my classes. I get all my non-music courses out of the way first, and my late morning and afternoon classes are all music.
Twice a week I have jazz practice, once a week I have trumpet lessons, and once a week I have orchestra rehearsal. Sometimes I'll call a jazz sectional so we can beat out the heads together, or just fool around with our music.
Sometimes I'll stay late after work, and snag a practice room. I'll let the heavy doors shut me into the room and I'll pull out whatever instrument my fingers touch first.
I'll sit with my music in front of me, combatting the marks on the paper with new techniques I've learn. I'll never be able to fully erase them...no I'll never erase them. I'll play through my list of exercises, etudes, and pieces. Sometimes I'll do this at home, in my room.
But walking from the school to the train station last night was wonderful. The sun was setting, the air was actually crisp and I had my pack on my back with a trumpet at my side. I felt wonderful, despite my physical pains throughout the day. Despite the fact I only got in 20 minutes of playing because my head felt like it was going to pop.
I love the quietness of autumn nights. I like thinking bout situations. It's why I do it every day.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
Monica Germino
Saturday night I attended a concert in my school's new Concert Hall as an audience member. I saw Monica Germino, a violinist who plays some pretty interesting music. At our concert, she played 3 instrumensts; a traditional acoustic violin, an electric violin, and an adapted violin.
Not only did she play the violin but she sang while playing. It was very interesting to watch, and even more interesting to hear. Monica's program is the kind of performance that you have to see in order to experience her music. She had visuals and soundtracks. She had a short film as she did one piece called "Bravery of Women". She starred in it as she sang and play on stage.
She is one of the leading artists to use electronics in her music. I've always been interested in electronic music ever since I heard Miles Davis' "Bitches Brew" where he played on an electric trumpet. The entire process of hooking up a pick up to an instrument that is normally used in a classical setting to the controls needed for the distortion and sounds.
After her performance, she gave a small Q&A session is which she answered her adaption of her aunt's violin into the instrument it is today. It involved an expensive process of hooking up a pick up, using viola strings, unquie tunings, guitar effects and controls. It was fascinating to hear about.
While the performance was unique and different, I'm not sure if I liked it. Some pieces I just didn't understand or just didn't like to sit through. However, it was an experience that I'm glad to have since I got to see music in a different setting.
My next concerts will be seeing some faculty members perform in a recital on Wednesday and a Musical Theatre concert on Sunday.
Not only did she play the violin but she sang while playing. It was very interesting to watch, and even more interesting to hear. Monica's program is the kind of performance that you have to see in order to experience her music. She had visuals and soundtracks. She had a short film as she did one piece called "Bravery of Women". She starred in it as she sang and play on stage.
She is one of the leading artists to use electronics in her music. I've always been interested in electronic music ever since I heard Miles Davis' "Bitches Brew" where he played on an electric trumpet. The entire process of hooking up a pick up to an instrument that is normally used in a classical setting to the controls needed for the distortion and sounds.
After her performance, she gave a small Q&A session is which she answered her adaption of her aunt's violin into the instrument it is today. It involved an expensive process of hooking up a pick up, using viola strings, unquie tunings, guitar effects and controls. It was fascinating to hear about.
While the performance was unique and different, I'm not sure if I liked it. Some pieces I just didn't understand or just didn't like to sit through. However, it was an experience that I'm glad to have since I got to see music in a different setting.
My next concerts will be seeing some faculty members perform in a recital on Wednesday and a Musical Theatre concert on Sunday.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
"Fancy-oli"
Did I mention my school purchase two Fazioli pianos? One is residing in our recital hall and the other in the concert hall and these past two weeks were the first time I experienced the Fazioli. I'm not a piano expert, but it's a nice looking piano. My father said it didn't sound like a 250,000 dollar piano but it looked nice.
I'm taking a break from my homework. I can finally return to my usual academic routine of coming home at night and actually doing my homework before 11 PM. I'm feeling out of sorts though as I just spent two weeks preparing for a concert. I believe it went well, but I can't say much on the concert because I was feeling weird...or I was trying to stay calm and I had a little sideline help. It was a huge difference playing a major influence on my musical life.
Secondary functions in chords are boggling my mind. We are closing up the Baroque era in Major Composers...and you know you are a music geek when you drive home talking about Baroque music. The purchase of a cheap keyboard is actually improving my singing of intervals and I've manage to secure a few notes in my head (that came in handy as my trumpet section mate and I tried to hum the opening "F" to the Beethoven Piano Concerto).
I've spent so much time bitching and complaining about jazz because I was insecure. I ran to others to be united in how I thought I was being treated unfairly...but in reality I was just too stubborn to suck it up and just do the work. I actually did the work and I believe the light shined and I have figure out some way to get a decent improvised solo out of my horn. I need more work on my intervals and hearing it in my head (it all comes down to intervals and subdiving), to produce a more complex solo.
After playing jazz an hour before the main orchestra concert to the mahler...was hard...mainly because of this
I have been performing on Laskey mouthpieces for the past month and I'm considering buying a mouthpiece (I am currently borrowing the piece from my trumpet teacher). It's a nice sound and I may just make the leap and purchase a flugel piece as well. I miss playing the flugel. I may do some later but I have a midterm in English tomorrow on stories that I don't remember.
I'm taking a break from my homework. I can finally return to my usual academic routine of coming home at night and actually doing my homework before 11 PM. I'm feeling out of sorts though as I just spent two weeks preparing for a concert. I believe it went well, but I can't say much on the concert because I was feeling weird...or I was trying to stay calm and I had a little sideline help. It was a huge difference playing a major influence on my musical life.
Secondary functions in chords are boggling my mind. We are closing up the Baroque era in Major Composers...and you know you are a music geek when you drive home talking about Baroque music. The purchase of a cheap keyboard is actually improving my singing of intervals and I've manage to secure a few notes in my head (that came in handy as my trumpet section mate and I tried to hum the opening "F" to the Beethoven Piano Concerto).
I've spent so much time bitching and complaining about jazz because I was insecure. I ran to others to be united in how I thought I was being treated unfairly...but in reality I was just too stubborn to suck it up and just do the work. I actually did the work and I believe the light shined and I have figure out some way to get a decent improvised solo out of my horn. I need more work on my intervals and hearing it in my head (it all comes down to intervals and subdiving), to produce a more complex solo.
After playing jazz an hour before the main orchestra concert to the mahler...was hard...mainly because of this
I have been performing on Laskey mouthpieces for the past month and I'm considering buying a mouthpiece (I am currently borrowing the piece from my trumpet teacher). It's a nice sound and I may just make the leap and purchase a flugel piece as well. I miss playing the flugel. I may do some later but I have a midterm in English tomorrow on stories that I don't remember.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
What now?
I guess after year of looking at music and books took a toll on my eyes because I now done some nifty reading glasses! I have never seen my music or words from books so clear in my life as I can remember it. I even get less headaches from reading and studying (ok maybe not studying but reading definately a huge improvement there!).
The weeks are nearing to a huge build up at school...the first orchestra concert in the brand new Concert Hall. I'm nervous as heck but excited that I will be able to play in such an event at my school. We're doing an interesting program that includes Mahler's "Titan" Symphony.
Working with a group of musicians this vast is a almost a new experience for me. I'm going to be performing on stage with a diverse group of musicians ranging from non majors to professionals. It's not everyday that you get to do such a thing, and I'm not going to let my fear of the stage affect me this time. Oh no. I'm actually learning ways to deal with my intensive fear (and unfortunately I believe it does not involve some sexy wiccan lesbian magic)
(do you know how hard it was to find some with those two and magic without Tara getting shot???)
Well...where was I?
Right so I'm learning some voodoo magic powers to cure myself...but not really.
I will be thrown into a 2 week frenzy of rehearsals, late nights with no satisfaction (unless...it looks like this:
Ending with hopefully a grand concert...
The weeks are nearing to a huge build up at school...the first orchestra concert in the brand new Concert Hall. I'm nervous as heck but excited that I will be able to play in such an event at my school. We're doing an interesting program that includes Mahler's "Titan" Symphony.
Working with a group of musicians this vast is a almost a new experience for me. I'm going to be performing on stage with a diverse group of musicians ranging from non majors to professionals. It's not everyday that you get to do such a thing, and I'm not going to let my fear of the stage affect me this time. Oh no. I'm actually learning ways to deal with my intensive fear (and unfortunately I believe it does not involve some sexy wiccan lesbian magic)
(do you know how hard it was to find some with those two and magic without Tara getting shot???)
Well...where was I?
Right so I'm learning some voodoo magic powers to cure myself...but not really.
I will be thrown into a 2 week frenzy of rehearsals, late nights with no satisfaction (unless...it looks like this:
Ending with hopefully a grand concert...
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
So it has been 2 weeks into the Fall semester of 2008...and a shitload of situations have come by.
First thing first, I have a brand spanking new trumpet professor. Supposedly my past year and half of work with my previous master means nothing now...not. It means everything, and now I just suck it up and play on because that's what I'm supposed to do. There are bigger and badder things out that I will have to deal with...although this one has hurt me down to the core being of my existence.
I have a brand spanking new job at my school. We (meaning the Performing Arts Department) have moved into the brand spanking new building. It's an awesome building with a music library down in the lower level with several practice rooms. As of now, I have been working 3 times a week down in the music library unpacking boxes upon boxes of CDs, LPs, cassettes, DVDS, VHS, orchestral scores, choral scores, music books, jazz scores, and band scores. It's amazing really...I get excited ever time I'm down there...and come home tired as heck.
Classes are ok. I'm not too thrill about any of them, nor am I disappointed. I'm still in a state of mind where nothing seems to be clicking. I'm taking Advanced Theory and Harmony I which after coming off a summer of not checking up on anything...is difficult. I'm taking Ear Training III with another professor (who I happen to enjoy...not just because she was my former trumpet teacher). I'm taking Major Composers of the 17th and 18th century which is getting interesting. I have British Literature II in which I'm reading Robinson Crusoe...yeah not going so well. I'm also taking statistics which is slightly annoying at times. On top of that I have Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble...which are both demanding much of my time.
I'm actually going to see if I can grab a practice room to play in tomorrow before jazz because I need to sit down and go over everything for both classes.
I'm exhausted and it's only 9:05...
First thing first, I have a brand spanking new trumpet professor. Supposedly my past year and half of work with my previous master means nothing now...not. It means everything, and now I just suck it up and play on because that's what I'm supposed to do. There are bigger and badder things out that I will have to deal with...although this one has hurt me down to the core being of my existence.
I have a brand spanking new job at my school. We (meaning the Performing Arts Department) have moved into the brand spanking new building. It's an awesome building with a music library down in the lower level with several practice rooms. As of now, I have been working 3 times a week down in the music library unpacking boxes upon boxes of CDs, LPs, cassettes, DVDS, VHS, orchestral scores, choral scores, music books, jazz scores, and band scores. It's amazing really...I get excited ever time I'm down there...and come home tired as heck.
Classes are ok. I'm not too thrill about any of them, nor am I disappointed. I'm still in a state of mind where nothing seems to be clicking. I'm taking Advanced Theory and Harmony I which after coming off a summer of not checking up on anything...is difficult. I'm taking Ear Training III with another professor (who I happen to enjoy...not just because she was my former trumpet teacher). I'm taking Major Composers of the 17th and 18th century which is getting interesting. I have British Literature II in which I'm reading Robinson Crusoe...yeah not going so well. I'm also taking statistics which is slightly annoying at times. On top of that I have Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble...which are both demanding much of my time.
I'm actually going to see if I can grab a practice room to play in tomorrow before jazz because I need to sit down and go over everything for both classes.
I'm exhausted and it's only 9:05...
Friday, August 8, 2008
Little update
School is starting up in about 2 weeks. I'm struggling with tution problems, scheduling problems, and just summer problems. I don't want my summer to end...I don't feel like I had a decent summer. I haven't gone to the beach once because everytime my family went I was still slumbering away from late nights at work. I know the best time to go to the beach is in the morning but I'm just not a morning person. I cannot function properly before 8 AM without getting sick.
I am a bit burnt out from working all summer. It has been a constant grind at the theatre with in the past week with several problems. One night we went over an hour because sound check went to 15 minutes before showtime, we had a heart attack in the lobby, and last night we had an altercation between a disgruntled/drunk patron and an usher and security. I've been cut my last week of august to focus on my first week back to Adelphi.
As of now, I'm supposed to be the work study student with the jazz band. I'm hoping this still stands because I can use the extra money for instrument care and music needed throughout the year.
I've sorta hit a dead point in playing trumpet this week. I am supposed to be cleaning up my piece, listening to it alot...but I just wanna rest! THis is my last week with my summer lessons, so if I can give it all I got in the next three days...I can rest for a week and just collect my mind and shit.
I really believe in just taking a break. Maybe I'm just stupid or lazy, but my philosophy is give it hard, and then rest a lot. Everyone needs a day off or a few days off. I've been really swamped in my life...I have no focus on anyhting...and I need to collect it before going insane before Halloween with Ratdog doing two shows...
I am a bit burnt out from working all summer. It has been a constant grind at the theatre with in the past week with several problems. One night we went over an hour because sound check went to 15 minutes before showtime, we had a heart attack in the lobby, and last night we had an altercation between a disgruntled/drunk patron and an usher and security. I've been cut my last week of august to focus on my first week back to Adelphi.
As of now, I'm supposed to be the work study student with the jazz band. I'm hoping this still stands because I can use the extra money for instrument care and music needed throughout the year.
I've sorta hit a dead point in playing trumpet this week. I am supposed to be cleaning up my piece, listening to it alot...but I just wanna rest! THis is my last week with my summer lessons, so if I can give it all I got in the next three days...I can rest for a week and just collect my mind and shit.
I really believe in just taking a break. Maybe I'm just stupid or lazy, but my philosophy is give it hard, and then rest a lot. Everyone needs a day off or a few days off. I've been really swamped in my life...I have no focus on anyhting...and I need to collect it before going insane before Halloween with Ratdog doing two shows...
Friday, July 25, 2008
The higher notes
If you play an instrument can you remember when you first started out? Or if you're starting one right now, you know how frustrating it is to strive to hit the higher notes, shred a killer solo, move at the speed of light. I was running through a few exercises from my Clarke Book of technical studies and I remember about 4 years ago sitting in the basement of the local music store playing alongside of Bob my teacher. I was always amazed at how easily he could study 1 at tempo markings faster than expected. I also can remember struggling to hit a g off the staff.
As I was playing, I flew through study one at the marking of 150 and suddenly remember the above memory. The frustration of just not getting it. The amount of times I punched my music stand because I couldn't play fast at marking 100. The amount of times I screamed "fuck" out to no one but the posters on my walls. It's amazing really to have the chance to see how hard this exercise was and how it is for me now. I'm not saying I'm amazing at it...I haven't tried doing tempo marking 112 half note.
Also as I progressed further into the study I hit number 20 and 21 and remember how hard of time I had trying to squeeze out a slurred g off the staff...better yet squeeze a g off the staff period. I found this feat to be quite amazing. I find the process of developing as a musician and gaining the skills needed to be fascinating. Why, there are days where a high C seems like nothing to me (but anything beyond that still boggles my mind and chops).
I'm not an amazing trumpet player as I boasted that I was in high school. I'm not the amazing trumpet player that my high school teachers relied on. I'm not the amazing trumpet player that made me out to be by words and hype. I was just a girl with a horn struggling to hit a damn g off the staff.
I can hit it now without much trouble...and I'm proud of myself for it. Hype and the weight of departments on my back aside...I'm proud of the work that I've put into the past 4 years so I can say...yeah I can hit a clean strong g off the staff.
As I was playing, I flew through study one at the marking of 150 and suddenly remember the above memory. The frustration of just not getting it. The amount of times I punched my music stand because I couldn't play fast at marking 100. The amount of times I screamed "fuck" out to no one but the posters on my walls. It's amazing really to have the chance to see how hard this exercise was and how it is for me now. I'm not saying I'm amazing at it...I haven't tried doing tempo marking 112 half note.
Also as I progressed further into the study I hit number 20 and 21 and remember how hard of time I had trying to squeeze out a slurred g off the staff...better yet squeeze a g off the staff period. I found this feat to be quite amazing. I find the process of developing as a musician and gaining the skills needed to be fascinating. Why, there are days where a high C seems like nothing to me (but anything beyond that still boggles my mind and chops).
I'm not an amazing trumpet player as I boasted that I was in high school. I'm not the amazing trumpet player that my high school teachers relied on. I'm not the amazing trumpet player that made me out to be by words and hype. I was just a girl with a horn struggling to hit a damn g off the staff.
I can hit it now without much trouble...and I'm proud of myself for it. Hype and the weight of departments on my back aside...I'm proud of the work that I've put into the past 4 years so I can say...yeah I can hit a clean strong g off the staff.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Pocket Black book
A few days ago I started to keep a log of my practice times. I was reading on the board how you should monitor your time to see if you are practicing "enough" or doing more damage than good.
On the first page I have just my times followed by how many minutes it was. Then I started to put down my schedule of what I wanted to accomplish that day...
For example
7/11/08
1:50-2:32
6:34-7:10 PM
Run Through Hummel
Page 4, brackets
slow on the 8th note into triplet run
take down the last bracket an 8va
connect on the first page
trill-measured trill
Then I got bored of having a schedule to follow so I just listed what I did that day
7/15/08
Louis Davidson-warm up
Kopp exercises
Arban's scales exercises
-Major
-Minor
-Chromatic
M/m/+/o triads
that was just one part of the day. I started to do sets of 20 or more minutes with lots of rest in between. I miss school sometimes because I know I'm in a practice for 1 hour or 2 hours...even if I'm not playing I have the instrument in hand, fingering the piece, listening to the piece...all that is practice to me. Also I tend to play more in practice at home during the school year because I'm used to playing so much.
Maybe I'm just lazy or maybe it's my job and fatigue creeping up on me. I haven't had a vacation over a day in 3 years (as in a vacation where I went somewhere and chilled out). I haven't been to the beach yet, I haven't gone fishing yet, I haven't done a lot of summer things yet because I'm tired and at work. My "part time" job has turned into a full time job with part time pay...(I barely work 40 hours a week...I think I made 41 hours last summer one week...and I got the overtime...I hung up that pay stub for a while cause I thought it was awesome).
Whatever it is...it's no excuse.
But I can tell you one good thing...
I'm now certified to be a Brownie Girl Scout leader. I went for 6 hours of training yesterday and today...I have 3 more to go for my cerification in girls 11-17. But nonetheless I now can take charge of little girls selling boxes of cookies and go caving...
yes I said caving.
Anyways, I like my black book. It's keeping me on track and i will now and then write my thoughts on certain parts of the piece. I'm off to brush up on some music history because my professor is about to rip my head off for not remembering her course...
DAMN THE ACCIDENT!!
PoJ
On the first page I have just my times followed by how many minutes it was. Then I started to put down my schedule of what I wanted to accomplish that day...
For example
7/11/08
1:50-2:32
6:34-7:10 PM
Run Through Hummel
Page 4, brackets
slow on the 8th note into triplet run
take down the last bracket an 8va
connect on the first page
trill-measured trill
Then I got bored of having a schedule to follow so I just listed what I did that day
7/15/08
Louis Davidson-warm up
Kopp exercises
Arban's scales exercises
-Major
-Minor
-Chromatic
M/m/+/o triads
that was just one part of the day. I started to do sets of 20 or more minutes with lots of rest in between. I miss school sometimes because I know I'm in a practice for 1 hour or 2 hours...even if I'm not playing I have the instrument in hand, fingering the piece, listening to the piece...all that is practice to me. Also I tend to play more in practice at home during the school year because I'm used to playing so much.
Maybe I'm just lazy or maybe it's my job and fatigue creeping up on me. I haven't had a vacation over a day in 3 years (as in a vacation where I went somewhere and chilled out). I haven't been to the beach yet, I haven't gone fishing yet, I haven't done a lot of summer things yet because I'm tired and at work. My "part time" job has turned into a full time job with part time pay...(I barely work 40 hours a week...I think I made 41 hours last summer one week...and I got the overtime...I hung up that pay stub for a while cause I thought it was awesome).
Whatever it is...it's no excuse.
But I can tell you one good thing...
I'm now certified to be a Brownie Girl Scout leader. I went for 6 hours of training yesterday and today...I have 3 more to go for my cerification in girls 11-17. But nonetheless I now can take charge of little girls selling boxes of cookies and go caving...
yes I said caving.
Anyways, I like my black book. It's keeping me on track and i will now and then write my thoughts on certain parts of the piece. I'm off to brush up on some music history because my professor is about to rip my head off for not remembering her course...
DAMN THE ACCIDENT!!
PoJ
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Yes I know I'm behind
If you are reading this blog you have notice it has gone through several updates.
I am no longer caling it "Inside the Psyche of a Jazz Trumpet Chick"
Why was it called "Broken Heart Musician" for a bit?
My girlfriend and I broke up and then got back together...hence the Johnny Cash song. But now I am writing in "The World of a Trumpet Girl"
What have I been doing?
Between work, the girlfriend, trumpet, Liberty games, and now Met games, I have been living life as it comes. I recently joined Trumpetmasters.com which is an online trumpet forum. I haven't posted much up there, but there is such a fountain of knowledge over there. Trumpet players-beginners to professionals, from all over the globe come together and talk...trumpet.
It's fascinating to read what others think about the trumpet and several practices, as well equipment and the like. There are debates about Bach Megatones (Are they really worth the hype or not), there are debates on brands of mutes (Tom Crown vs Humes and Berg). It's really amazing...and the best part-it's full of well thought out answers (of course there is the one or two whiners who start shit on the board...)
I used to be on a lesbian board called kimandkerry.com.It was a community of lesbians of all ages. I was only 14 when I joined and felt like I was one of the more mature "tweens" they would call us. I never started a fight with others like some of the teens there...then again several fights were caused by the more "mature" posters.
I miss the KK board, it mysteriously disappeared about a year ago, so I was excited to find this board. While I'm not used to the set up (I think I was spoiled by the well organized structure of KK.com) it's a community I've been longing for.
I don't know if I had mention this but I am tackling the Hummel Trumpet Concerto over the summer with the aid of my trumpet professor. It's actually quite demanding (but then again...I say most pieces are quite demandind). I'm halfway through my summer "school of trumpet" and I'm still on the first movement. I guess that good in a way...or bad
Pros:
Intently studying the structure of the piece
Taking my time to nail it
Finding my expression within the piece
Understanding the piece
Cons
What if I had to learn the three movements in real life in a month? I'd be screwed!
I'm always still visiting my good old friends Haydn and Hindemith (there is that thing called "Senior Recital" so...yeah)
I went trumpet shopping and I found a Phaeton. I never heard of the brand in MY LIFE, but it's a nice sounding trumpet. I played on a range of trumpets from student models to professional models from 400 dollar trumpets to 3,000 dollar trumpets. I actually played a Bach Strad and quite personally it was very hard to blow through. I got a lot of resistence. I found that odd since my entire childhood of trumpet playing lead up to the Bach Strad.
Then again I am a rebellious persona in life so I guess meeting the Phaeton trumpet was fate.
If you ever seen this trumpet...it's interesting to look at.
It's a nice dark sounding horn...and affordable averaging around $1500. I think I fell in love with it when I played it. Very free blowing, and just amazing to play.
On that note, I do have some playing to do...until next time...
PoJ
I am no longer caling it "Inside the Psyche of a Jazz Trumpet Chick"
Why was it called "Broken Heart Musician" for a bit?
My girlfriend and I broke up and then got back together...hence the Johnny Cash song. But now I am writing in "The World of a Trumpet Girl"
What have I been doing?
Between work, the girlfriend, trumpet, Liberty games, and now Met games, I have been living life as it comes. I recently joined Trumpetmasters.com which is an online trumpet forum. I haven't posted much up there, but there is such a fountain of knowledge over there. Trumpet players-beginners to professionals, from all over the globe come together and talk...trumpet.
It's fascinating to read what others think about the trumpet and several practices, as well equipment and the like. There are debates about Bach Megatones (Are they really worth the hype or not), there are debates on brands of mutes (Tom Crown vs Humes and Berg). It's really amazing...and the best part-it's full of well thought out answers (of course there is the one or two whiners who start shit on the board...)
I used to be on a lesbian board called kimandkerry.com.It was a community of lesbians of all ages. I was only 14 when I joined and felt like I was one of the more mature "tweens" they would call us. I never started a fight with others like some of the teens there...then again several fights were caused by the more "mature" posters.
I miss the KK board, it mysteriously disappeared about a year ago, so I was excited to find this board. While I'm not used to the set up (I think I was spoiled by the well organized structure of KK.com) it's a community I've been longing for.
I don't know if I had mention this but I am tackling the Hummel Trumpet Concerto over the summer with the aid of my trumpet professor. It's actually quite demanding (but then again...I say most pieces are quite demandind). I'm halfway through my summer "school of trumpet" and I'm still on the first movement. I guess that good in a way...or bad
Pros:
Intently studying the structure of the piece
Taking my time to nail it
Finding my expression within the piece
Understanding the piece
Cons
What if I had to learn the three movements in real life in a month? I'd be screwed!
I'm always still visiting my good old friends Haydn and Hindemith (there is that thing called "Senior Recital" so...yeah)
I went trumpet shopping and I found a Phaeton. I never heard of the brand in MY LIFE, but it's a nice sounding trumpet. I played on a range of trumpets from student models to professional models from 400 dollar trumpets to 3,000 dollar trumpets. I actually played a Bach Strad and quite personally it was very hard to blow through. I got a lot of resistence. I found that odd since my entire childhood of trumpet playing lead up to the Bach Strad.
Then again I am a rebellious persona in life so I guess meeting the Phaeton trumpet was fate.
If you ever seen this trumpet...it's interesting to look at.
It's a nice dark sounding horn...and affordable averaging around $1500. I think I fell in love with it when I played it. Very free blowing, and just amazing to play.
On that note, I do have some playing to do...until next time...
PoJ
Friday, June 13, 2008
Hurt- a damn good song
I hurt myself today
to see if I still feel
I focus on the pain
the only thing that's real
the needle tears a hole
the old familiar sting
try to kill it all away
but I remember everything
what have I become?
my sweetest friend
everyone I know
goes away in the end
and you could have it all
my empire of dirt
I will let you down
I will make you hurt
I wear this crown of thorns
upon my liar's chair
full of broken thoughts
I cannot repair
beneath the stains of time
the feelings disappear
you are someone else
I am still right here
what have I become?
my sweetest friend
everyone I know
goes away in the end
and you could have it all
my empire of dirt
I will let you down
I will make you hurt
if I could start again
a million miles away
I would keep myself
I would find a way
to see if I still feel
I focus on the pain
the only thing that's real
the needle tears a hole
the old familiar sting
try to kill it all away
but I remember everything
what have I become?
my sweetest friend
everyone I know
goes away in the end
and you could have it all
my empire of dirt
I will let you down
I will make you hurt
I wear this crown of thorns
upon my liar's chair
full of broken thoughts
I cannot repair
beneath the stains of time
the feelings disappear
you are someone else
I am still right here
what have I become?
my sweetest friend
everyone I know
goes away in the end
and you could have it all
my empire of dirt
I will let you down
I will make you hurt
if I could start again
a million miles away
I would keep myself
I would find a way
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
All the Things She Said?
I know it's been forever...but I'm back. Finals are done, Concertos and Sonatas are put to rest for a wee bit, and Pomp and Circumstance needs to be played 5,000 times on Monday.
I'm not here to talk about trumpets today...but more like..a duo
I'm talking about t.A.T.u.
What is about them that makes you wanna run away yet stay and listen at the same time? The simple hooks and badly pronounced English makes you wanna hit your head against the wall doesn't it?
I wish I could say that, but I'm a sucker for them. A big sucker. They came out when I was coming out when they hit American shores with 200 km/h in the Wrong Lane. I was up late one night and saw a commerical for the song "All The Things She Said" and immediately was taken by the ploy of girl on girl kissing...in school girl uniforms. "Finally! Someone who understands me!" I ran around the house screaming as I got ready to go to bed so I could be ready for my next day at a Catholic school.
I begged my mom for the cd...she knew I was a lesbian. I just wanted to listen to "my people's" music. I got it and blasted that thing from dawn til dusk...screaming the lyrics to "All the things she said" and "Not gonna get us" for ages.
I recall dancing to those songs non stop with my ex girlfriend (which now places me...in 2003?).
Who else sat through the MTV awards glued to the screen as t.A.T.u and hundreds of other young girls came tearing out of the audience and strip and make out?
Then...the dream came to a end when it was bluntly stated that the two girls were pretending to be lesbians and were actually dating men.
Was I angry? Maybe...but I looked on the bright side...we had an anthem. Regardless of the fact that they are dating men now...we have an anthem that sums up a lot of lesbian angst into a 3:34 song.
After that "scandal" they sotra disappeared off the face of the earth...but in 2005 they came back with "Dangerous and Moving". I don't actually...own the album per say, but I do enough a few tracks especially "All About Us".
I blasted that track numerous of times as me and my current girlfriend dated under a tremendous amount of pressure wanting to tear us apart. Hints of lesbianism lingered through the track, and in the video...keeping the hope alive?
From what I hear, there's a new album...and a movie that is slated to come out in September 2008...starring Mischa Barton, friend of the lezzies and not a lezzie herself.
*side note* Just come out all ready! You've played how many lesbian characters? (Katie Singer of Once and Again, played Mary Mouse, the friend to psycho lesbian Paulie of Lost and Delirious, played a bi curious chick on the OC, and now you will be playing the lead lesbian in a film...about tatu...based off a book of lesbian erotica...due to tatu?)
Whatever the deal is people have with these two girls...I actually like them. Sure their videos may be brutally dark, and their songs you can get sick of because it sounds like a strobe light going at 1,000 mph. I think some of the songs are ok, and some of them are really open minded. I have a song to listen to and NOT change pronouns....
I'm not here to talk about trumpets today...but more like..a duo
I'm talking about t.A.T.u.
What is about them that makes you wanna run away yet stay and listen at the same time? The simple hooks and badly pronounced English makes you wanna hit your head against the wall doesn't it?
I wish I could say that, but I'm a sucker for them. A big sucker. They came out when I was coming out when they hit American shores with 200 km/h in the Wrong Lane. I was up late one night and saw a commerical for the song "All The Things She Said" and immediately was taken by the ploy of girl on girl kissing...in school girl uniforms. "Finally! Someone who understands me!" I ran around the house screaming as I got ready to go to bed so I could be ready for my next day at a Catholic school.
I begged my mom for the cd...she knew I was a lesbian. I just wanted to listen to "my people's" music. I got it and blasted that thing from dawn til dusk...screaming the lyrics to "All the things she said" and "Not gonna get us" for ages.
I recall dancing to those songs non stop with my ex girlfriend (which now places me...in 2003?).
Who else sat through the MTV awards glued to the screen as t.A.T.u and hundreds of other young girls came tearing out of the audience and strip and make out?
Then...the dream came to a end when it was bluntly stated that the two girls were pretending to be lesbians and were actually dating men.
Was I angry? Maybe...but I looked on the bright side...we had an anthem. Regardless of the fact that they are dating men now...we have an anthem that sums up a lot of lesbian angst into a 3:34 song.
After that "scandal" they sotra disappeared off the face of the earth...but in 2005 they came back with "Dangerous and Moving". I don't actually...own the album per say, but I do enough a few tracks especially "All About Us".
I blasted that track numerous of times as me and my current girlfriend dated under a tremendous amount of pressure wanting to tear us apart. Hints of lesbianism lingered through the track, and in the video...keeping the hope alive?
From what I hear, there's a new album...and a movie that is slated to come out in September 2008...starring Mischa Barton, friend of the lezzies and not a lezzie herself.
*side note* Just come out all ready! You've played how many lesbian characters? (Katie Singer of Once and Again, played Mary Mouse, the friend to psycho lesbian Paulie of Lost and Delirious, played a bi curious chick on the OC, and now you will be playing the lead lesbian in a film...about tatu...based off a book of lesbian erotica...due to tatu?)
Whatever the deal is people have with these two girls...I actually like them. Sure their videos may be brutally dark, and their songs you can get sick of because it sounds like a strobe light going at 1,000 mph. I think some of the songs are ok, and some of them are really open minded. I have a song to listen to and NOT change pronouns....
Monday, March 31, 2008
It's almost April, and that means it's almost time for school to be over and summer to finally start up. This summer I may be taking lessons with my teacher now. I agree with her on the fact that I shouldn't go through an entire summer without some sort of lessons. I am in a major comeback mode, and to stop lessons so quickly would be slightly harmful to my recovery. I like to take it upon myself to say that I'm not the average music major. Averagelly, a music student would play in high school and go on to audition at several colleges, get accepted and be thrown face first into the scary world we know as the music major. The average music major is placed into intense courses of music theory, ear training, different ensembles, and private lessons.
Why am I differet? First, I'm a transfer student. I was a music major for half a semester at a previous college, and transfered in as undeclared with the an intended path towards history/politcal science. Second, I have had major trauma to my most unsed body part in trumpet playing. Combined with a year of not playing at all and to be thrown in face first (yet again) it's a whole new ball game.
I was cleaning my room, and I was thinking about what I should play next semester. What should I work on? What other major trumpet pieces are out there? I realized that I did save one piece of paper from my time at CW Post, which was the required and recommended list that was given to all trumpet students upon acceptance. I found it, and I'm thinking the Hummel Trumpet Concerto.
On top of the list was the Louis Davidson Trumpet Technique book, which I have been incorporating into my warm up routine. I finally have one.
1)Buzz mouthpiece
2) hit a few low notes
3) go through a few series in the Louis Davidson trumpet Technique Book
and then it's tackle that week's work (right now it's cleaning up the 1st movement of the Hindemith Sonata, and venturing into the 2nd movement.)
I may be playing at the upcoming recital. I may be doing the 1st movement of the Hindemith because my teacher wants me to play along with a piano since it is a sonata.
I have been trying to get a feel for it through SmartMusic, but it annoys the crap out of me. It feels like the beat the computer sets to the piece and the actual accompainment are completely different, I tune with the computer and the tuner at home, and it two different answers.
gah, I hate SmartMusic. I do benefit from their jazz scale exercises, but that's for my jazz class. I feel sorta unsatisfied that I paid 25 bucks for this subscription...but then again it was only 25 bucks compared to the average 100 bucks. Maybe I am getting what I paid for.
Why am I differet? First, I'm a transfer student. I was a music major for half a semester at a previous college, and transfered in as undeclared with the an intended path towards history/politcal science. Second, I have had major trauma to my most unsed body part in trumpet playing. Combined with a year of not playing at all and to be thrown in face first (yet again) it's a whole new ball game.
I was cleaning my room, and I was thinking about what I should play next semester. What should I work on? What other major trumpet pieces are out there? I realized that I did save one piece of paper from my time at CW Post, which was the required and recommended list that was given to all trumpet students upon acceptance. I found it, and I'm thinking the Hummel Trumpet Concerto.
On top of the list was the Louis Davidson Trumpet Technique book, which I have been incorporating into my warm up routine. I finally have one.
1)Buzz mouthpiece
2) hit a few low notes
3) go through a few series in the Louis Davidson trumpet Technique Book
and then it's tackle that week's work (right now it's cleaning up the 1st movement of the Hindemith Sonata, and venturing into the 2nd movement.)
I may be playing at the upcoming recital. I may be doing the 1st movement of the Hindemith because my teacher wants me to play along with a piano since it is a sonata.
I have been trying to get a feel for it through SmartMusic, but it annoys the crap out of me. It feels like the beat the computer sets to the piece and the actual accompainment are completely different, I tune with the computer and the tuner at home, and it two different answers.
gah, I hate SmartMusic. I do benefit from their jazz scale exercises, but that's for my jazz class. I feel sorta unsatisfied that I paid 25 bucks for this subscription...but then again it was only 25 bucks compared to the average 100 bucks. Maybe I am getting what I paid for.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Music major once again
I'm an official Music Major now. My paper has been signed by me, and is just waiting for signature of the chair, and then I will be transferred to a music advisor and I will shortly be scheduling my classes within two weeks.
I feel like I've come so far since my days at Post. I always wanted to teach music in some way since I was in grade school, but I wasn't ready to accept the fate of a music major I guess. It's constant practice, homework, and then you have the general ed classes which can be a pain. I'm glad I can minor in English here whereas at Post I couldn't (well I was a Music Ed major, so I was techincally minoring in education i guess?)
If everything goes right I will be taking 17 credits next semester which is a heavy load and I will be giving up my Thursdays at work because I am going to play in orchestra (I can hear the department shouting its praises after going after me for a year).
Jazz is going ok, not great. I'm having trouble with soloing, I'm just not as focused on it as I used to be. Between finding this new obsession with the broad term "classical music", and everyday life, jazz hasn't been in my life as much as it used to be.
My jazz instructor emailed me to suggest s few things, that I will apply to being a MUSIC major, not just a JAZZ MUSIC major. I understand, being a music major, there is a shitload of practicing which I am willing to do. I used to pay 4-6 hours a day in High School (between jazz practice, band practice, jazz combo, and then working at home, and working in the practice rooms). Sure I have to re consider my life, fit music back where it used to be. I really want to be a music history professor, and I want to study and research.
I'll manage.
During my audition, I met the other trumpet professor here and he was telling me about the (now out of print) Louis Davidson trumpet technique book. I actually own a copy because I needed it in CW Post, and he told me to warm up everyday on it. Right now I'm just repeating series I, and series II on it. I need a regular warm up routine, even if it means that the only thing I'm playing that day.
I think i'm going to try to incorporate the SmartMusic more into my practice routine, and actually practice my jazz everyday whether it be improvising a solo over the accompainment or just doing ii-V-I scale progressions over and over. Every bit helps right??
I feel like I've come so far since my days at Post. I always wanted to teach music in some way since I was in grade school, but I wasn't ready to accept the fate of a music major I guess. It's constant practice, homework, and then you have the general ed classes which can be a pain. I'm glad I can minor in English here whereas at Post I couldn't (well I was a Music Ed major, so I was techincally minoring in education i guess?)
If everything goes right I will be taking 17 credits next semester which is a heavy load and I will be giving up my Thursdays at work because I am going to play in orchestra (I can hear the department shouting its praises after going after me for a year).
Jazz is going ok, not great. I'm having trouble with soloing, I'm just not as focused on it as I used to be. Between finding this new obsession with the broad term "classical music", and everyday life, jazz hasn't been in my life as much as it used to be.
My jazz instructor emailed me to suggest s few things, that I will apply to being a MUSIC major, not just a JAZZ MUSIC major. I understand, being a music major, there is a shitload of practicing which I am willing to do. I used to pay 4-6 hours a day in High School (between jazz practice, band practice, jazz combo, and then working at home, and working in the practice rooms). Sure I have to re consider my life, fit music back where it used to be. I really want to be a music history professor, and I want to study and research.
I'll manage.
During my audition, I met the other trumpet professor here and he was telling me about the (now out of print) Louis Davidson trumpet technique book. I actually own a copy because I needed it in CW Post, and he told me to warm up everyday on it. Right now I'm just repeating series I, and series II on it. I need a regular warm up routine, even if it means that the only thing I'm playing that day.
I think i'm going to try to incorporate the SmartMusic more into my practice routine, and actually practice my jazz everyday whether it be improvising a solo over the accompainment or just doing ii-V-I scale progressions over and over. Every bit helps right??
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Finally...
I finally got someone to say to my face "you're not really that good at trumpet." I was on the train with a classmate and we were talking/bitching about how the levels of muscianship is everywhere in jazz. I honestly came right out and said "i can be better, I can do better." and she said "yes, you can do better, you can warm up everyday, listen everyday, and practice everyday."
I'm in a dilemma, classical or jazz. I was writing about how I've finally been tamed by this musical creature, and she has me on a classical kick. I have the potential to be great, I know I do, I feel it inside. I can be a great classical trumpeter. I can also be a jazz trumpeter. But where do I go from here?
I'm working a lot on classical. I'm learning classical theory, I'm learning classical trumpet techniques. I can take the jazz theory class again and try to retain my memory, and if only there was more trumpet part in our jazz ensemble (yes, an actual jazz ensemble that all based really around the rhythmn section and vocalists. I only play 2 songs. What the fuck is going on??)
I have my audition in 2 days, I feel like I'm in a whirlwind of emotions. Not to mention my audition date is on Good Friday, do not make me go there...cause I will.
I'm in a dilemma, classical or jazz. I was writing about how I've finally been tamed by this musical creature, and she has me on a classical kick. I have the potential to be great, I know I do, I feel it inside. I can be a great classical trumpeter. I can also be a jazz trumpeter. But where do I go from here?
I'm working a lot on classical. I'm learning classical theory, I'm learning classical trumpet techniques. I can take the jazz theory class again and try to retain my memory, and if only there was more trumpet part in our jazz ensemble (yes, an actual jazz ensemble that all based really around the rhythmn section and vocalists. I only play 2 songs. What the fuck is going on??)
I have my audition in 2 days, I feel like I'm in a whirlwind of emotions. Not to mention my audition date is on Good Friday, do not make me go there...cause I will.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
All men must die
I have my audition coming up in about a week and half. Granted I am of course, still not perfect on my pieces and thankfully I have this week off to get what needs to be done...well, done! This audition will tell me if I am an official music major (or music major...again).
What is the draw of music? Why do I always find myself going back to it, even if it has caused me problems upon problems?
Why do I play the trumpet and why do I love it so much that I've dedicated myself forever to it by placing a very detailed (and well done) portrait of a trumpet on my right arm?
I love the challenge of it, I love the fact that I'm a minority within the trumpet world. I love the sound of the trumpet, I love the fact it can be loud and bold and soft and sweet. I love the sound I have when I blend in with my saxphone partner in jazz band. As much as I hate playing high notes, I love the sound that I make with my trumpet.
I can do without the constant spit dripping out of my mouthpiece as I warm up, I can do without the fact that half of my floor is moist from the horn. I can deal without the constant pain I put myself through, and I can deal without the vesa vego that I get after playing for long periods.
But I love it despite all the things I can deal without.
Why do I keep coming back to the music? I don't know. It's a sickness that I have. I don't want to sound like everyone else "oh music is/was an escape from real life." I agree though, music was the only thing that never left me during the hard times and the easy times. I had something to keep my mind occupied as I came out and as I used to self harm.
I was known for my music, known for my trumpet, for my dedication. Music taught me patience and dedication. It also taught me the pressures of trying to achieve perfection. Pressures that have often made me sick. But I love it.
I tried to deny my music once, and I wasn't myself. I kept my instruments locked away and left for collecting dust. And then I was found by the music department. And then I got hurt and almost lost the ability to play.
I'm not and was never easy to train. I'm a renegade music major. I don't do things the "proper way." I left my music career behind, when I switched schools. I was done, I was going into music. And then they found me, and I took one class...then two classes...and then three...and then four...all without declaring. I knew the moment I took that plunge I was theirs. I didn't want to become the poster child or such. I felt like everyone who tried to get me to become one would earn a finder's fee. I've had 3 trumpet teachers and only one is able to train me. Only one made it to the point where all she has to do is say something and I jump to it. The other two, I didn't even bother. I couldn't be tamed by their ways.
I've taken the freshman year of a music major without declaring. I've finally became tamed by a trumpet professor.
I'm playing the Hindemith at my audition because i want to. It needs a lot of work but dammit I'm going...even though the damn 3rd movement is slow as death...hence the effing title of "All men must die".
Silly rant...silly day...I'm cold, and sore from playing all day.
What is the draw of music? Why do I always find myself going back to it, even if it has caused me problems upon problems?
Why do I play the trumpet and why do I love it so much that I've dedicated myself forever to it by placing a very detailed (and well done) portrait of a trumpet on my right arm?
I love the challenge of it, I love the fact that I'm a minority within the trumpet world. I love the sound of the trumpet, I love the fact it can be loud and bold and soft and sweet. I love the sound I have when I blend in with my saxphone partner in jazz band. As much as I hate playing high notes, I love the sound that I make with my trumpet.
I can do without the constant spit dripping out of my mouthpiece as I warm up, I can do without the fact that half of my floor is moist from the horn. I can deal without the constant pain I put myself through, and I can deal without the vesa vego that I get after playing for long periods.
But I love it despite all the things I can deal without.
Why do I keep coming back to the music? I don't know. It's a sickness that I have. I don't want to sound like everyone else "oh music is/was an escape from real life." I agree though, music was the only thing that never left me during the hard times and the easy times. I had something to keep my mind occupied as I came out and as I used to self harm.
I was known for my music, known for my trumpet, for my dedication. Music taught me patience and dedication. It also taught me the pressures of trying to achieve perfection. Pressures that have often made me sick. But I love it.
I tried to deny my music once, and I wasn't myself. I kept my instruments locked away and left for collecting dust. And then I was found by the music department. And then I got hurt and almost lost the ability to play.
I'm not and was never easy to train. I'm a renegade music major. I don't do things the "proper way." I left my music career behind, when I switched schools. I was done, I was going into music. And then they found me, and I took one class...then two classes...and then three...and then four...all without declaring. I knew the moment I took that plunge I was theirs. I didn't want to become the poster child or such. I felt like everyone who tried to get me to become one would earn a finder's fee. I've had 3 trumpet teachers and only one is able to train me. Only one made it to the point where all she has to do is say something and I jump to it. The other two, I didn't even bother. I couldn't be tamed by their ways.
I've taken the freshman year of a music major without declaring. I've finally became tamed by a trumpet professor.
I'm playing the Hindemith at my audition because i want to. It needs a lot of work but dammit I'm going...even though the damn 3rd movement is slow as death...hence the effing title of "All men must die".
Silly rant...silly day...I'm cold, and sore from playing all day.
Monday, March 3, 2008
How about that episode of the L Word last night??? What do you say?
I wish I was stuck in a black out with my lover and it's way to hot for clothes.
Kate and I are going to see a concert...and not work it. Guess who we are seeing?
Avril Lavigne's Best Damn Tour at the Collesium on April 11.
Avril's first tour was my first concert...
and now 500+ concerts later I'm finally going to a concert that I'm a paying patron. I think the last concert I went to was...AFI in 2006?
a lot of pretty boys in tight jeans and eye make up, kissing each other. *sigh* We even met 2 other lesbian couples there as we held our respective girlfriends in our arms.
The Pogues are playing at Roseland next weekend but Kate wouldn't go with me haha. Besides I took out enough for the two Avril tickets, and the Pogues were 20 dollars more.
But Hey, hey...You, you
I can't wait to be in the mist of hundreds of screaming girls...and realize I've been following Avril for close to 5 years.
I wish I was stuck in a black out with my lover and it's way to hot for clothes.
Kate and I are going to see a concert...and not work it. Guess who we are seeing?
Avril Lavigne's Best Damn Tour at the Collesium on April 11.
Avril's first tour was my first concert...
and now 500+ concerts later I'm finally going to a concert that I'm a paying patron. I think the last concert I went to was...AFI in 2006?
a lot of pretty boys in tight jeans and eye make up, kissing each other. *sigh* We even met 2 other lesbian couples there as we held our respective girlfriends in our arms.
The Pogues are playing at Roseland next weekend but Kate wouldn't go with me haha. Besides I took out enough for the two Avril tickets, and the Pogues were 20 dollars more.
But Hey, hey...You, you
I can't wait to be in the mist of hundreds of screaming girls...and realize I've been following Avril for close to 5 years.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Hey everyone. I've had a action packed weekend at work. We had TNA Wrestling there on Friday. The main event was Kurt Angle
and then Saturday was Bret Michaels
I also got my haircut on Saturday. The trumpet tattoo is doing well.
I also went to the doctors to get the low down on what's going on with my jaw. They think I may have TMJ syndrome. It hurts right now, but I got through my Sight Singing class. I'm actually loaded with work (but I'm here talking to you guys). There are about 2 papers I need to do, midterms to study for, homework to be taken care of.
But...
The L Word is still rocking my weekends!
and then Saturday was Bret Michaels
I also got my haircut on Saturday. The trumpet tattoo is doing well.
I also went to the doctors to get the low down on what's going on with my jaw. They think I may have TMJ syndrome. It hurts right now, but I got through my Sight Singing class. I'm actually loaded with work (but I'm here talking to you guys). There are about 2 papers I need to do, midterms to study for, homework to be taken care of.
But...
The L Word is still rocking my weekends!
Sunday, February 17, 2008
New Tat...Old Recital...same old same old
Hello everyone! As you can tell from the last entry, there were plenty of things that kept me away from the Psyche of A Jazz Trumpet Chick.
Well first thing first. The recital.
How did it go MB? Well...it wasn't my best...nor my worst. It kinda just...was. I honestly felt like I was going to bolt out of the UC and catch a train home in that dreaded weather (it was freezing cold with the windchill and it snowed...a lot.) My teacher was there, and she said I fooled her because it looked like I was calm the entire time. So I get to read a book.
I'm playing the Hindemith Sonata for Trumpet, now. I'm almost through the first movement (up to speed and such). I have a few bars left to go over with my teacher, but I went through a few by myself.
So I'm reading a collection og music essays written by Ralph Ellison. I was introduced to Ellison in my senior year of high school. I read Invisible Man for AP English. I enjoyed it very much especially for its dealings with jazz music, and music in general. I found this book in my school's library and it's very interesting.
But here's the biggest thing that's happen since I wrote last. I got a new tattoo. It's a trumpet on my right arm. I originally wanted it on my wrist but as I looked and as my tattoo artist drew it, it turned out bigger. But it's GORGEOUS!! It looks like an oil painting of a trumpet with the shading. I'm so very happy wth it. Here you go:
I have some written homework to do (on top of hours of practice) so I leave you with this video of the upcoming L Word episode tonight:
LESBIAN TURKISH OIL WRESTLING!!
Well first thing first. The recital.
How did it go MB? Well...it wasn't my best...nor my worst. It kinda just...was. I honestly felt like I was going to bolt out of the UC and catch a train home in that dreaded weather (it was freezing cold with the windchill and it snowed...a lot.) My teacher was there, and she said I fooled her because it looked like I was calm the entire time. So I get to read a book.
I'm playing the Hindemith Sonata for Trumpet, now. I'm almost through the first movement (up to speed and such). I have a few bars left to go over with my teacher, but I went through a few by myself.
So I'm reading a collection og music essays written by Ralph Ellison. I was introduced to Ellison in my senior year of high school. I read Invisible Man for AP English. I enjoyed it very much especially for its dealings with jazz music, and music in general. I found this book in my school's library and it's very interesting.
But here's the biggest thing that's happen since I wrote last. I got a new tattoo. It's a trumpet on my right arm. I originally wanted it on my wrist but as I looked and as my tattoo artist drew it, it turned out bigger. But it's GORGEOUS!! It looks like an oil painting of a trumpet with the shading. I'm so very happy wth it. Here you go:
I have some written homework to do (on top of hours of practice) so I leave you with this video of the upcoming L Word episode tonight:
LESBIAN TURKISH OIL WRESTLING!!
Monday, February 4, 2008
Mindless ramblings from the psyche of a jazz trumpet chick
Well, what about that Super Bowl last night? I normally do not watch football, I find some of the plays and points of the game rather...silly looking ( I mean when the punt the ball after a touchdown or 4th down and you see a zillion men running after the same thing...it looks like a scene at Christmas in a toy store when a game is released.) Then again...I do follow basketball which can be silly looking as well...just how many time can you try to make a basket rebound after rebound after rebound.
My little brother (the youngest one) was wearing a Patriot's jersey in the house and when I found out that the Giants were playing in the super bowl against an undefeated team I clearly proclaimed that the Pats would win it. However then I remembered this ordeal. Ah it's been an interesting start to New York Sports this year. The Giants won because they fought hard. Now we have baseball to look forward to in April...
but there's college basketball now...and this is where it's at! I've loved the Huskies since I learned Rebecca Lobo went there. I followed the Bird years, the Taurasi years, and now we're back to being undefeated. Tomorrow will be the dispersal draft for the newest addition to the WNBA family, and someone from the Liberty will be there soon (and I'm hoping it's not my baby Shay Doron
As a devoted Liberty fan...I'm still not over this. I was watching the Draft live at home. I had my popcorn by me, my Hammon Jersey on...and my heart stopped for a while after i heard the words "trade" "new york" and "becky hammon".
Let's have a look back at what I used to oggle at during my summers:
But how is school MB? School going fine, I'm loaded up with homework beyond homework. It's not so much writing homework, but more practicing and making sure I'm hitting things right homework. I should be easily up to 2 hours of practice a day if I want to cover the length of what needs to be down with my private teacher. I think I have to sign up for a recital on Sunday, I'm playing the Haydn Trumpet Concerto Movement II.
Except...I willl be performing this piece on a Bflat Getzen Capri, hopefully with a paino player, and hopefully not making up slurs ;) (that was for my trumpet teacher...in fact she told me that unless I somehow changed my name and sex to a male named Haydn I was not allowed to make up shit anymore. That's what happens when you live in a jazz mind for 4 years!!)
But soon I will be this chick
Peace out...
My little brother (the youngest one) was wearing a Patriot's jersey in the house and when I found out that the Giants were playing in the super bowl against an undefeated team I clearly proclaimed that the Pats would win it. However then I remembered this ordeal. Ah it's been an interesting start to New York Sports this year. The Giants won because they fought hard. Now we have baseball to look forward to in April...
but there's college basketball now...and this is where it's at! I've loved the Huskies since I learned Rebecca Lobo went there. I followed the Bird years, the Taurasi years, and now we're back to being undefeated. Tomorrow will be the dispersal draft for the newest addition to the WNBA family, and someone from the Liberty will be there soon (and I'm hoping it's not my baby Shay Doron
As a devoted Liberty fan...I'm still not over this. I was watching the Draft live at home. I had my popcorn by me, my Hammon Jersey on...and my heart stopped for a while after i heard the words "trade" "new york" and "becky hammon".
Let's have a look back at what I used to oggle at during my summers:
But how is school MB? School going fine, I'm loaded up with homework beyond homework. It's not so much writing homework, but more practicing and making sure I'm hitting things right homework. I should be easily up to 2 hours of practice a day if I want to cover the length of what needs to be down with my private teacher. I think I have to sign up for a recital on Sunday, I'm playing the Haydn Trumpet Concerto Movement II.
Except...I willl be performing this piece on a Bflat Getzen Capri, hopefully with a paino player, and hopefully not making up slurs ;) (that was for my trumpet teacher...in fact she told me that unless I somehow changed my name and sex to a male named Haydn I was not allowed to make up shit anymore. That's what happens when you live in a jazz mind for 4 years!!)
But soon I will be this chick
Peace out...
Monday, January 28, 2008
School Days
I got a new mouthpiece for my flugelhorn! It's a Bach 1 1/2 B cup mouthpiece. I was out with my girlfriend a few weeks ago and we ran into Sam Ash like we normally do because we're music fiends. I got nicer service at the Carle Place Sam Ash than I normally do. Usually they don't care but this guy really listened to me. I came in asking for a 1B Bach mouthpiece for flugelhorn because that what the guy said at Catalano's when we measured the old mouthpiece that came with my Amati. I explained to him my situation: Bach just came off a long long strike, and everything is backordered. I really needed a new mouthpiece because I'm an active flugel player in my jazz band and the old piece was not doing much for my performance.
The Sam Ash guy looked it up and saw he could get me a 1 1/2 B, and I said I would take it. Originally I was going to try to stay true to the 1's so the footprint of the mouthpieces wouldn't screw me up, but I got a new 10 1/2 C for trumpet, so I'll just deal. He said to call after 10 days to see if it came in.
I called last Monday I believe and after waiting for 18 minutes, they found it and I dragged my mother to pick it up. 40 dollars later I have a brand new sound on my flugelhorn. I can't even believe it's the same horn that I was playing on before. It has that nice deep sound that I was really looking for. I have more control over my sound than with my last piece, I'm not squeaking when I hit high notes. I just wished I had it earlier for my first concert.
Over the past two weeks or so, I have:
~Gone back to school
~Got my industrial piercing
~made an appointment for a new tattoo
~almost got into a fist fight at work
~severely pissed my girlfriend off
~almost dropped my trumpet lessons this semester
~Bought $70 worth of music, and equipment
School is going well so far. I'm taking:
Music Theory II
Sight Singing II
Literature in English I
Intro to Computers and Their applications
Pre Calc
Jazz Band
Trumpet lessons
all for 16.5 credits
Theory is going smoothly. We're making a smooth transition into four part writing in root position from last semester. Sight Singing is the same, just longer exercises and we're getting into 16th notes in rhythm. We're going to be able to bring in our pieces that we're working on in other classes, and she's letting us (who play instruments...there is an obscene amount of vocalists in the class...all very good vocalists too...which makes me nervous when I have to sing outloud)use our instruments in class.
English is pretty interesting. We are starting with old Irish Folktales and will cover 600 years of literature in 16 or so weeks. Computer is the basics and I'm going to make a website as a result of the class..more info coming on that. Pre Calc remains me of my Math 12 days back at Holy Trinity. The nice thing is Computers meet half of the time since half of the class schedule are online days and the others are in class days.
Tomorrow I have my first Jazz Band class. We have more people coming in. Thursday I have lessons with my private instructor.
I got my industrial done on my right ear. I now have a bar going through my entire top portion of my ear.(pic isn't my ear, I haven't gotten around to taking a pic of it yet)
I also made an appointment to get this tattooed to my right wrist
Pictures to follow around Feb 16 for that one. I got a new Bach silver polishing cloth for my trumpet Diana. The last one was really dirty and made the trumpet dirtier than ever. She's residing in a case as I practice on my old Wierl trumpet, Becky. I got new head tuners for my Washburn, they're black. It looks sick:
I put on my new Jimi Hendrix string along with those babies,and bought some new guitar picks. I love it. Guitars, trumets, flugelhorns and other instruments make me giddy...
Did you ever know?
I want to play saxophone just so I can wear a neckstrap after I'm done. I always thought it was cool because my old band director wore his all the time. I mean...I carried my trumpet mouthpieces everwhere (I was/am a band geek), but a neckstrap would be easier to deal with than lugging around 5 pounds of metal hardware.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
SmartMusic Part 2
Oddly enough, the package from smartmusic came in 3 or 4 days after I ordered it. I was surprised with the quickness. I decided to set it all up. It comes with two installation cds, and the mic is a little clip on mic. I plugged the mic into my computer and clipped it onto my horn and inserted the first disc...and waited.
After about 20 minutes of installing the software, I was ready to explore the smartmusic world. I decided to decline on watching the videos on how to work the program, and went in head first. I had problems with adjusting my mic level at first, but after realizing I had to switch the defaulted mic (my computer microphone) to the input of the smartmusic mic, I was chugging away on the smartmusic train.
I looked at some of the music they offered, and there wasn't a huge selection of jazz music. I however, found a ton of classical choices, including my two current projects-Haydn and the Hindemith. It allows you to slow down the piece, allows you record and playback how you sound. there's accompanment, and a solo line to play along with. I had a problem staying on the beat, or I thought I was on beat but when listening to my recorded performance, I was a beat behind the entire piece.
I also got an email from my professor on what we're playing this semester. A lot of Miles Davis. This should be really cool.
My 20th birthday was last wednesday. I got a new 10 1/2 C trumpet mouthpiece and put in an order for a 1 1/2 B flugelhorn mouthpiece. I went back to work. My boss is leaving after the next show, and they're still looking for a new manager for the front of the house. I'm getting a trumpet tattoo very soon, I'm going for a piercing appointing next week and I'm going to talk to the artist there to see what we can do.
But right now, it's all about the L Word
...and Bret Michaels
After about 20 minutes of installing the software, I was ready to explore the smartmusic world. I decided to decline on watching the videos on how to work the program, and went in head first. I had problems with adjusting my mic level at first, but after realizing I had to switch the defaulted mic (my computer microphone) to the input of the smartmusic mic, I was chugging away on the smartmusic train.
I looked at some of the music they offered, and there wasn't a huge selection of jazz music. I however, found a ton of classical choices, including my two current projects-Haydn and the Hindemith. It allows you to slow down the piece, allows you record and playback how you sound. there's accompanment, and a solo line to play along with. I had a problem staying on the beat, or I thought I was on beat but when listening to my recorded performance, I was a beat behind the entire piece.
I also got an email from my professor on what we're playing this semester. A lot of Miles Davis. This should be really cool.
My 20th birthday was last wednesday. I got a new 10 1/2 C trumpet mouthpiece and put in an order for a 1 1/2 B flugelhorn mouthpiece. I went back to work. My boss is leaving after the next show, and they're still looking for a new manager for the front of the house. I'm getting a trumpet tattoo very soon, I'm going for a piercing appointing next week and I'm going to talk to the artist there to see what we can do.
But right now, it's all about the L Word
...and Bret Michaels
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Smartmusic
I was talking to my lovely girlfriend on the phone after receiving a message from a bar looking for acts to book (you know those random myspace messages that sees a genre and automatically asks if you wanna book with them) when I checked my school mail and there was an email requesting that we all buy a subscription to Smartmusic.com
From what I've gathered (and have paid $45.95) is this site helps the music student practice. You purchase a subscription (the average is $100 a pop), and then you purchase the necessary accessory (a foot pedal, a vocal mic, a instrument clip, and some other deal), and in a week or two you will have the software and mic at hand.
I guess in two weeks I shall review my first time experience with this product. I've ran into this product before when I was a Music Ed Major. I had to sign up for the MENC and with that I received a subscription to two journals of music, and one reviewed or listed gifts for your musician in your life-Smartmusic was one of those gifts.
I think I'll check it out even further, and comment on it later in the month.
But I saw the Departed
I'm not one for guns and blood but damn I enjoyed this movie...
Maybe it was the Irish ass kicking
or Dropkick Murphy's "I'm Shipping Up to Boston"
From what I've gathered (and have paid $45.95) is this site helps the music student practice. You purchase a subscription (the average is $100 a pop), and then you purchase the necessary accessory (a foot pedal, a vocal mic, a instrument clip, and some other deal), and in a week or two you will have the software and mic at hand.
I guess in two weeks I shall review my first time experience with this product. I've ran into this product before when I was a Music Ed Major. I had to sign up for the MENC and with that I received a subscription to two journals of music, and one reviewed or listed gifts for your musician in your life-Smartmusic was one of those gifts.
I think I'll check it out even further, and comment on it later in the month.
But I saw the Departed
I'm not one for guns and blood but damn I enjoyed this movie...
Maybe it was the Irish ass kicking
or Dropkick Murphy's "I'm Shipping Up to Boston"
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Happy New Year's
What did everyone do for the holidays? Or in my case...what have I done this past month of not updating my blogger??
School has come and gone, and now I'm on my winter break. I am glad to say that my hard work paid off with a 3.9 GPA for this semester and a 3.98 GPA as my cumulative GPA (Which means...I got a 3.9 this semester and last semester).
The holidays came to fast and went by to fast. The theatre was rocking with spirits for John Edwards, and then with some country christimasy music by Kenny Rogers (just know when to hold 'em...know when to fold 'em....err...don't get me STARTED!!)We finished the year at the theatre with a little of ALY AND AJ (Into the rush...I would NOT mind going into the rush with those two if you know what i mean ^-^) and a little ditty of nastiness with Jim Norton. How much can a girl hear about ass sex and blowjobs in one night?
My christmas was full of musical gifts. I received a guitar foot stand, guitar polish, my Jimi Hendrix springs, and several jazz cds. Yes cds...there are just some albums you NEED to own physically...not digitally.
I got Diz n Bird LIVE! at Carnegie Hall, which is awesome. You can hear Diz and Bird talk and shit, but listening to Bird LIVE, is an amazing thing.
I got Miles Davis' Sketches of Spain...which is another awesome album. It combines the genius of Gil Evans and Miles being backed up by a full orchestra. Along the classical jazz fusion is Bird's Charlie Parker with Strings. Oh man, amazing.
I also got Miles Davis's Birth of the Cool, which I haven't had time to really listen to. I've been excited over the previous 3.
But my christmas isn't christmas without some KELLY CLARKSON. I got her new album, which is pretty cool. I just wish I had the song NEVER AGAIN when my first girlfriend broke up with me....
I was really hoping that I was going to secure a 1B Bach flugelhorn mouthpiece but unfortuately BACH is only producing standard moutpieces...no special orders because of the strike they just settled. I'm going into the city next week for my 20th birthday and I'm going to ask people at Sam Ash what they could recommend if I can't get a Bach mouthpiece, and on the cheap side since Bob Reeves mouthpieces are expensive. I need to get one before I go back to school.
Did I forget to mention I had my first concert in over a year and half in December??
With the jazz band at school, it was pretty sweet...topping any concert I had in high school. Probably because I felt completely at ease, but the line up consisted of "Don't Explain", "Lonely Woman", "Tico Tico", "Our Spanish Love Song", "Night of a Thousand Eyes", "How Deep is the Ocean", and of course... "Watermelon Man". I somehow recruited a few more musicians and we should have a pretty sweet line up next semester.
I'm going to try...keyword try to update as much as possible.
Til next time!
PoJ
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