There's no show tonight at the workplace. That's fine with me because there are 27 shows in August. Yeah...27, with 4 doubles and 5 mandatory shows. My jaw is hurting very badly tonight. I have intense amounts of pain every so often. I only got to play trumpet for 15 minutes (I actually timed myself today). Musical Boot Camp is moving along in the playing department and the physical department. I really need to focus on (re)learning my bass clef and minor scales again...well the circle of fifths. I can't remember a class I took two months ago, how can I expect myself to remember something I knew cold back in sept.?
i'm waiting on my girlfriend to call me from Disney. She let me take her Rock Guitar For Dummies for the week. I like the fact that it is full of some useful infomation, however I'm not too pleased with the author's lack of music history knowledge. In fact he states that rock guitar has no history what so ever...umm how about Chuck Berry? Helllooooo? The beatles?? Hellooooo? Nirvana? HEELLLLLO???
Then he said that (rock) guitar is not the instrument to play if one wants acceptance in the musical world. I'm telling you now, the majority of music students I know are guitar students. Rock guitar, classical guitar, folk guitar, whatever guitar...it is an accepted instrument. However yes classical is probably the music to play if one wants to be accepted (well...in my case...at a certain college that will remain unnamed...who shunned me as soon as they laid eyes on my small, weary, trumpet playing body.) So what if I wasn't psychotic as one girl who beat herself up over every missed note? So what if I had no clue about Bach or Haydn? I learned...but I prefer jazz and rock over classical. Do I consider myself as a musician? Then, yes I did....now? Let me get back to you on that in a few years.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Johnny Mathis
The title of this post refers to who's performign tonight at my workplace. I can't wait (yes I'm being sarcastic). I like my job. I do. I get to see a ton of concerts every year and I get to feel powerful because I am the only one who can guide a drunk person safely back to their seat. But that's the thing. It's like that song of Alanis Morissette "I'm young and underpaid." I'm glad that I work in a place where I can listen to music and sit back sometimes, but other times I'm just sick of the bullshit that happens.
Sometimes I think I want to quit, which is funny because my girlfriend is the one that wants out. She hates putting up with the bullshit. Sometimes I think I want to re apply to the local music store and take a steady gig there. I honestly don't know. I like these hours but I hate the hardship of the place. Plus it fucks up my body as it recovers. I can't sleep normally because I'm up at the weirdest times and sleeping on the others. it's July and I haven't been to the beach yet. Ok that pisses me off but I'm so tired and so sore afterwards. Hmm...
Well the girlfriend is heading to Disney this week. I'm probably going to be posting a LOT about music because I just took some of her books on guitar playing and writing my own stuff. I can also sit back and get back on track with my trumpet playing again. I had to take a short hiatus this week because the girlfriend was sick. I have been at her house almost everyday this past week.
And I got my report card in the mail today. 3.9 GPA and I got A's in my 3 music classes (Developement of Western Music, Jazz History-50s, 60, 70s, and Jazz Theory).
Sometimes I think I want to quit, which is funny because my girlfriend is the one that wants out. She hates putting up with the bullshit. Sometimes I think I want to re apply to the local music store and take a steady gig there. I honestly don't know. I like these hours but I hate the hardship of the place. Plus it fucks up my body as it recovers. I can't sleep normally because I'm up at the weirdest times and sleeping on the others. it's July and I haven't been to the beach yet. Ok that pisses me off but I'm so tired and so sore afterwards. Hmm...
Well the girlfriend is heading to Disney this week. I'm probably going to be posting a LOT about music because I just took some of her books on guitar playing and writing my own stuff. I can also sit back and get back on track with my trumpet playing again. I had to take a short hiatus this week because the girlfriend was sick. I have been at her house almost everyday this past week.
And I got my report card in the mail today. 3.9 GPA and I got A's in my 3 music classes (Developement of Western Music, Jazz History-50s, 60, 70s, and Jazz Theory).
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
I headed over to the girlfriend's yesterday to try and record/write music. Never happened. We ended up entertaining her sister for hours and then I had to play with Buddy her 10 month old puppy (That's half the size of me). Bud loves it when I come over because I'm the only one that actually plays with him (sans my girlfriend who calls him "her brother") He was extra whiney yesterday, being a pain in the butt...yet in the end he won me over with his innocent act. We like to play catch and play with the tennis balls. You bounce them and he hops and grabs them with his mouth. Then he likes his doggie massage.
Later in the evening, I had to chance to play on her keyboard. I had so much fun fooling around with the sounds and the beats. I ended up playing a shitload of jazz music on the keyboard. Kate looked at me and literally screamed out "YOU KNOW HOW TO PLAY THE KEYBOARD AND YOU NEVER TOLD ME?"
I honestly...do not know how to play it completely. I can't do that bass thing with the left hand. I can however play the lead with the right (while holding down the root with the left hand). I had a nice groove going on with some beats. It was pretty awesome. I almost walked out of her house with her keyboard. I would look funny on the bus with a guitar anda keyboard in hand...but hey I've seen weirder stuff.
I figured out my music textbook problem. I'm taking theory one and I actually own the books needed (thanks to that nightmare I lived last sept.) the only problem I was having was the fact that I had to hand in several pages. I honestly did want to shovel out 66 bucks for a brand new textbook when I have it (and its missing like 5 pages). I was going to wait and photocopy or ask my professor for copies when my mom told me she'll interlibrary loan the requests and I'll the pages lawfully and in time for the semester. That's like 120 bucks I save. I'm so excited bout that.
Ok, well not really excited...I love summer. I love any kind of vacation. Hence why I want to be a teacher....paid vacations...hahaha
Later in the evening, I had to chance to play on her keyboard. I had so much fun fooling around with the sounds and the beats. I ended up playing a shitload of jazz music on the keyboard. Kate looked at me and literally screamed out "YOU KNOW HOW TO PLAY THE KEYBOARD AND YOU NEVER TOLD ME?"
I honestly...do not know how to play it completely. I can't do that bass thing with the left hand. I can however play the lead with the right (while holding down the root with the left hand). I had a nice groove going on with some beats. It was pretty awesome. I almost walked out of her house with her keyboard. I would look funny on the bus with a guitar anda keyboard in hand...but hey I've seen weirder stuff.
I figured out my music textbook problem. I'm taking theory one and I actually own the books needed (thanks to that nightmare I lived last sept.) the only problem I was having was the fact that I had to hand in several pages. I honestly did want to shovel out 66 bucks for a brand new textbook when I have it (and its missing like 5 pages). I was going to wait and photocopy or ask my professor for copies when my mom told me she'll interlibrary loan the requests and I'll the pages lawfully and in time for the semester. That's like 120 bucks I save. I'm so excited bout that.
Ok, well not really excited...I love summer. I love any kind of vacation. Hence why I want to be a teacher....paid vacations...hahaha
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
June 27th, 2007
Hi again. I haven't updated in about a week. I tried my boot camp and I've been doing pretty well. Today I even picked up my trumpet and blasted away on it. Well here's what been happening.
Work is work. I was at work most of last week but I have decided that I'm going to buy a grip master from Manny's in the city (or Sam Ash on the island which ever I get to first). I want to be able to get my fingers back up to speed (Shush you people about to make a lesbian crack...) I'll be able to practicing my fingering even at work...(again...please refrain from hurting yourselves from reading that line).
It's a hot day today. My weather.com display is reading that it is now 88 degrees F outside right. I have my fans blowing away at a low speed (to conserve energy) and have yet to put in my AC (again to conserve energy). I recently haven't been able to use my house phone because I have been talking too much to Kate on it. No matter what I do I always get in trouble with the water bill, electricity bill, or phone bill. So I'm suffering through this summer. Well it's not that bad.
Anyway it's hot and I feel loose. I decideded to jam on my guitar and damn I sounded awesome. I saw the Blues travelers last night at work (btw they kinda sucked but the guitar player did have some good moments) and I was just jamming away. I'm not so much into soloing on the guitar because I'm just a novice but I think I did my girlfriend justice. I then looked at my baby, Diana on her stand and decided what the hell...let's play some exercises. Well I couldn't wrap my brain around the metronome. I hate those days where you just can't seem to stay on target. I decided to screw the fingering exercise and play some jazz tunes. Well while playing I realize I was NOT MISSING A NOTE! Everything sound on pitch and I said to myself..."well if I'm hitting notes in the range I used to hit, I should tackle the Haydn again."
The Haydn and I have a love/hate relationship. I don't know why I obsess over getting this piece perfect. So I started playing and I was hitting my high C's again. When I stoppped playing, I was on the verge of a high D. I can't tell you awesome it felt to hit a high C again. But the con to this pro...my cheek and jaw are swollen. So I'm drinking some water and icing my face.
Off of music topics...there was a naked woman in the bathroom at my workplace the other night. My girlfriend and I stumbled in to see this woman cleaning herself...it was quite hilarious and sickening. It was of course a highlight of the night....and they were fake boobs if anyone was asking themselves. she was highly UNATTRACTIVE but Kate and I just had those church girl giggles...more like howling on the floor in VIP.
Work is work. I was at work most of last week but I have decided that I'm going to buy a grip master from Manny's in the city (or Sam Ash on the island which ever I get to first). I want to be able to get my fingers back up to speed (Shush you people about to make a lesbian crack...) I'll be able to practicing my fingering even at work...(again...please refrain from hurting yourselves from reading that line).
It's a hot day today. My weather.com display is reading that it is now 88 degrees F outside right. I have my fans blowing away at a low speed (to conserve energy) and have yet to put in my AC (again to conserve energy). I recently haven't been able to use my house phone because I have been talking too much to Kate on it. No matter what I do I always get in trouble with the water bill, electricity bill, or phone bill. So I'm suffering through this summer. Well it's not that bad.
Anyway it's hot and I feel loose. I decideded to jam on my guitar and damn I sounded awesome. I saw the Blues travelers last night at work (btw they kinda sucked but the guitar player did have some good moments) and I was just jamming away. I'm not so much into soloing on the guitar because I'm just a novice but I think I did my girlfriend justice. I then looked at my baby, Diana on her stand and decided what the hell...let's play some exercises. Well I couldn't wrap my brain around the metronome. I hate those days where you just can't seem to stay on target. I decided to screw the fingering exercise and play some jazz tunes. Well while playing I realize I was NOT MISSING A NOTE! Everything sound on pitch and I said to myself..."well if I'm hitting notes in the range I used to hit, I should tackle the Haydn again."
The Haydn and I have a love/hate relationship. I don't know why I obsess over getting this piece perfect. So I started playing and I was hitting my high C's again. When I stoppped playing, I was on the verge of a high D. I can't tell you awesome it felt to hit a high C again. But the con to this pro...my cheek and jaw are swollen. So I'm drinking some water and icing my face.
Off of music topics...there was a naked woman in the bathroom at my workplace the other night. My girlfriend and I stumbled in to see this woman cleaning herself...it was quite hilarious and sickening. It was of course a highlight of the night....and they were fake boobs if anyone was asking themselves. she was highly UNATTRACTIVE but Kate and I just had those church girl giggles...more like howling on the floor in VIP.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Music Boot Camp
It is June 17th. Tomorrow I will begin my music boot camp. I know I'm pushing myself a little too soon but I've had enough of losing my strength and such.
What is music boot camp? I came up with this idea last year. I took a month or so off of performing after I graduated high school. It was a nice month off but I knew I had to get back into performing shape for college.
What does music boot camp consist of?
It involves a musical workout, a physical workout, and a mental workout.
Musical workouts usually include scale studies, lip flexibilities, etudes...the basic Clarke and Arban workouts.
Physical (which is usually my weak point) is suppose to consist of working out...some running/walking, lifting weights, and just basic toning up.
The mental workout is actually studying music. I need to pull out my textbooks and start studying music before the fall hits. I want to walk into my music theory class knowing at least more than the basic to get me by.
My jaw is hurting a lot right now, so I'm going to go rest it a bit.
What is music boot camp? I came up with this idea last year. I took a month or so off of performing after I graduated high school. It was a nice month off but I knew I had to get back into performing shape for college.
What does music boot camp consist of?
It involves a musical workout, a physical workout, and a mental workout.
Musical workouts usually include scale studies, lip flexibilities, etudes...the basic Clarke and Arban workouts.
Physical (which is usually my weak point) is suppose to consist of working out...some running/walking, lifting weights, and just basic toning up.
The mental workout is actually studying music. I need to pull out my textbooks and start studying music before the fall hits. I want to walk into my music theory class knowing at least more than the basic to get me by.
My jaw is hurting a lot right now, so I'm going to go rest it a bit.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Running through Sam Ash...
Yesterday my girlfriend and I headed into the city for a day trip and then a Liberty game in the evening. Whenever we head into the city, we always make some time to head on over to what we call "Sam Ash Alley" on 48th. We spent about 3 hours in the alley playing, laughing, and oogling several instruments that will never be ours.
We hit Manny's Music first. I honestly like Manny's better than Sam Ash. When I walk into a music store, I don't want to be put off because I'm a girl. I don't want to feel like I'm stupid and I don't appreciate the glances and the looks I get. I feel like Sam Ash is sexist, but it is true...they have the best selection of guitars (besides Manny's). I played a Fender yesterday and it's just a different feel. The polish and body is so different from my Washburn. I personally am looking for an acoustic, so walked through the glass doors to look at the acoustics. I found my ovation that I want, but then I found the Ibanez Talman that I was looking at online. I decided, hey what the hell since I'm here let me try out a few of these guitars and then I'll make a decision. The Ovation is the one that I dreamed of having ever since I fell in love with Melissa Etheridge's music. It has a nice shallow body (I am small...I'm thin and 5'4) that fits me perfectly. This was the first time that I played it and my fingers hurt. I don't know if it's because I was uncomfortable (I was feeling a little lousy and it was clammy outside), maybe I played too much on the others (I did happen to sample several guitars yesterday), or maybe I was in pain from playing the trumpet (more on that in a few).
I was astounded at the fact that I could barely play the guitar that I want. I've played it several times before. I LOVED the Ibanez Talman. It's a nice price at $199. It's blue and it has an interesting body. I liked playing on it and I enjoyed the acoustic sound on it. I want to go back and try it out some more before finalizing my decision between the two.
Then I found another guitar that I'm going to buy within the year. The Martin Backpack Guitar. It's freakin small and thin. And I want it. It weighs less than 2.5 pounds and it doesn't look like a guitar (as my girlfriend called it "A stick with strings"). It's mine...and I found it online on music123.com for $166.
Kate got to play the Ibanez Steve Vai JEM. She's been obsessing over this guitar for years now. I went to the Brass store and I got to play a $3,000 Bach Strad. I was amazed at the feel. The strad fit nicely in my hands, and I was very very stiff while playing, and I got weird looks from the man who let me play it...but nonetheless I really enjoyed playing a Bach Strad.
I also went to look at some Keyboards. I'm going to purchase some form of a keyboard by sept. because I am going into Theory I. In my past experiences of Theory at Post (aka my nightmare) I know the keyboard is central to the learning process. I found a 66 key, Yamaha I believe it was for 50 somewhat dollars. Yeah it's not a baby grand, but I'm not a keyboardist by default. I want to work out chords and the such without the organ downstairs. Besides the organ is very very old and is not in top shape.
Then Kate was talking about her keyboard and for the price she got it at...I'm considering it. I'm considering making this purchase within the next two months.
I started to practice again today. I'm hurting like a bitch, so I'm going to grab something COLD to drink and try to ice down the swelling bulge in my cheek.
We hit Manny's Music first. I honestly like Manny's better than Sam Ash. When I walk into a music store, I don't want to be put off because I'm a girl. I don't want to feel like I'm stupid and I don't appreciate the glances and the looks I get. I feel like Sam Ash is sexist, but it is true...they have the best selection of guitars (besides Manny's). I played a Fender yesterday and it's just a different feel. The polish and body is so different from my Washburn. I personally am looking for an acoustic, so walked through the glass doors to look at the acoustics. I found my ovation that I want, but then I found the Ibanez Talman that I was looking at online. I decided, hey what the hell since I'm here let me try out a few of these guitars and then I'll make a decision. The Ovation is the one that I dreamed of having ever since I fell in love with Melissa Etheridge's music. It has a nice shallow body (I am small...I'm thin and 5'4) that fits me perfectly. This was the first time that I played it and my fingers hurt. I don't know if it's because I was uncomfortable (I was feeling a little lousy and it was clammy outside), maybe I played too much on the others (I did happen to sample several guitars yesterday), or maybe I was in pain from playing the trumpet (more on that in a few).
I was astounded at the fact that I could barely play the guitar that I want. I've played it several times before. I LOVED the Ibanez Talman. It's a nice price at $199. It's blue and it has an interesting body. I liked playing on it and I enjoyed the acoustic sound on it. I want to go back and try it out some more before finalizing my decision between the two.
Then I found another guitar that I'm going to buy within the year. The Martin Backpack Guitar. It's freakin small and thin. And I want it. It weighs less than 2.5 pounds and it doesn't look like a guitar (as my girlfriend called it "A stick with strings"). It's mine...and I found it online on music123.com for $166.
Kate got to play the Ibanez Steve Vai JEM. She's been obsessing over this guitar for years now. I went to the Brass store and I got to play a $3,000 Bach Strad. I was amazed at the feel. The strad fit nicely in my hands, and I was very very stiff while playing, and I got weird looks from the man who let me play it...but nonetheless I really enjoyed playing a Bach Strad.
I also went to look at some Keyboards. I'm going to purchase some form of a keyboard by sept. because I am going into Theory I. In my past experiences of Theory at Post (aka my nightmare) I know the keyboard is central to the learning process. I found a 66 key, Yamaha I believe it was for 50 somewhat dollars. Yeah it's not a baby grand, but I'm not a keyboardist by default. I want to work out chords and the such without the organ downstairs. Besides the organ is very very old and is not in top shape.
Then Kate was talking about her keyboard and for the price she got it at...I'm considering it. I'm considering making this purchase within the next two months.
I started to practice again today. I'm hurting like a bitch, so I'm going to grab something COLD to drink and try to ice down the swelling bulge in my cheek.
Saturday, June 9, 2007
ACDC
It's a bad morning when you know that I'm watching MTV's Exposed and it's a "lesbian" episode. It's sad...
I'm still on the recovery with my trumpet playing, I actually attempted to play it the other day and I was rewarded with a crap sound and searing pain in my jaw. Nice.
However...I have been playing my guitar more lately. I've been shopping around for an acoustic. I personally do not own an acoustic. The ones that I use are my mom's. I originally wanted an Ovation but lately I've been liking the Ibanez acoustic/electric.
http://www.music123.com/Ibanez-TCY10-Acoustic-Electric-Guitar-Transparent-Blue-Sunburst-i66867.music
there's the one I would like to get. I've been playing on my girlfriend's acoustic and she is a devout Ibanez player. This girl has an Ibanez jazz guitar, a really nice red Ibanez that has had some work done to it (her sister unfortunately threw it down the stairs one time...)
she also has this one in blue (although I say its a deep purple...and then I get yelled at...)
http://www.music123.com/Ibanez-AX220QM----Solid-Body-Electric-Guitar-(Closeout)-i45922.music
She also has a bass...of course it's Ibanez!
I guess I'm going to wrap up this update with this video from Joan Jett.
this song reminds me of me and my ex girlfriend. My ex was the girl in the song...yeah she played both sides of the fence and I was the "other woman."
I'm still on the recovery with my trumpet playing, I actually attempted to play it the other day and I was rewarded with a crap sound and searing pain in my jaw. Nice.
However...I have been playing my guitar more lately. I've been shopping around for an acoustic. I personally do not own an acoustic. The ones that I use are my mom's. I originally wanted an Ovation but lately I've been liking the Ibanez acoustic/electric.
http://www.music123.com/Ibanez-TCY10-Acoustic-Electric-Guitar-Transparent-Blue-Sunburst-i66867.music
there's the one I would like to get. I've been playing on my girlfriend's acoustic and she is a devout Ibanez player. This girl has an Ibanez jazz guitar, a really nice red Ibanez that has had some work done to it (her sister unfortunately threw it down the stairs one time...)
she also has this one in blue (although I say its a deep purple...and then I get yelled at...)
http://www.music123.com/Ibanez-AX220QM----Solid-Body-Electric-Guitar-(Closeout)-i45922.music
She also has a bass...of course it's Ibanez!
I guess I'm going to wrap up this update with this video from Joan Jett.
this song reminds me of me and my ex girlfriend. My ex was the girl in the song...yeah she played both sides of the fence and I was the "other woman."
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