One of my dear friends, Sarah Nolen, is an excellent puppeteer. I met her when we were randomly paired to room with each other my junior (her sophomore) year of college. We had a most excellent time with each other, working at the radio station, watching bad movies, laughing at bad puns, and getting pancakes at our favorite pancake place Sunday mornings. I even worked on the audio in some of her films.
Sarah is one of my all-time favorite people. I was pleased to get a call from her this week and even more pleased to get to help out with another project.
Meet Chester... He's up for running in the DCHTV.net comedy short film contest. If you love it (I did. The vacuum part had me in stitches) then give it a vote at the bottom of the page!
I did something last night that I haven't done a lot for a couple of years: I went to a live show. (Live music performance, if that helps some of you.) Ever since I left home for college, I've been real keen on seeing as much live music as I can. Even when I was a teenager and still at home, I'd get a very big kick watching live performances on TV or DVD (we didn't have youtube back then - I know. I'm old.)
However, since I've moved back to Texas in August 2011, I've been really preoccupied with growing work for myself. I've had a lot of early mornings (getting up at 5am) which forces me to go to bed early as well - and a lot of great music happens late at night!
But last night I went to a show that was a part of 35 Denton, which is our northern version of Austin's South by Southwest (SXSW). I saw two of my favorite artists: Doug Burr and the fantastic John Vanderslice. Neither performance disappointed me!
Couple examples for you kids.
As I was enjoying that show, I felt a surge of encouragement and excitement. I like these people and I like this world. I deluded myself in college because I was so sure that this kind of world wasn't possible to work in. I was very certain that my situation was a get a job in a symphony orchestra sort of situation. And I'm sorry to say, while I enjoy performing with very large symphonic ensembles, I'm not sure I want a full time job in one. (I'll probably discuss that a little later.)
All I could think while John Vanderslice was on (besides, "This is FANTASTIC!") was that I really wanted to do work for him someday. After the show he hung out with his audience, so I approached him, gave him a hug and told him that I would like to work for him one day. He said, "You never know! Send me an email."
So yes, you never do know. I have a long way to go in my horn playing career, but I am definitely enjoying the ride.
It was speculated to me this year how new and uncommon the french horn sound is in the 'rock'/'pop'/'nonclassical' world. I agree, and I feel I am here to fill a need in that world. Nothing against either Doug or John, but they go to very accessible instruments: strings. Doug's lineup behind him on stage last night was drums, bass, and violin. John's Magik Magik Orchestra seems to be string-centric. No offense to string players, but I almost want to say they are a dime a dozen. This isn't meant to be a slam on them - for string players work really hard at what they do. I just mean there are so many of them.
But who uses a brass quintet? Who goes to a horn player before they get that hot cello chick to play on their stage? Perhaps it's been overdone. Perhaps it's time for a change.
We'll see. I'll keep you updated if that change happens.
In another life, I might've been a designer. I really love color, space usage, and line design.
But in this life I turned out to be a musician.
Anyway, that doesn't matter. What does matter is that I'm looking for ideas for business cards - since I need 'em. I have done a search on Pinterest for ideas...
Some really lovely cards out there. Too bad I don't have enough time to just sit and look at them. Maybe later this afternoon...
(yes - there's an ad. Sorry people, can't do anything about that!)
For those who don't know, I did some brass work for this upcoming album. It's absolutely gorgeous stuff. If I had to describe it, I'd probably call it cinematic pop - and yes I know 'pop' is such a dangerous words these days. Trust me on this one.
I watched this amazing video of this 'aerial artist' last week. I really found this very beautiful and quite amazing. Looking at the folks gathered below her I thought to myself, "I wonder how many people down there filming and capturing this are thinking 'Oh I bet could do that.'" I wonder how many people who have watched this youtube video think, "Yeah, I could do that."
Human beings are remarkable. I believe it is true that we are limitless, which is why I enjoy playing and teaching an instrument that is limitless. The only limits on the French Horn are ones that directly correlate to the limits of the person playing it. This may be an exaggeration but not a very big one.
Our limitlessness (or limitation) begins in our heads. In our heads we can do anything.
We are surprised when that isn't true once we physically sit down to do whatever it is we think we can do. We are disappointed with how hard stuff actually is. I've seen this in some of the kids I've taught. I've seen it in other musicians I've played with. I definitely saw it in myself at times.
We should all realize that it takes a little while for our body to catch up with our brains. Our brain may understand things and know how to do stuff, but sometimes our bodies need "learnin'." That's why it's called muscle memory. The application of the process is needed. We can't live our lives in a world of thought and theories. I've seen many would-be musicians that are like that: believing that they are already great or would have been great if the right opportunity came their way.
It's a great thing to start at the bottom and work your way up. The working your way up part gives you plenty of room and time to practice the application of your thought and theory. One day you'll notice you're at the top. One day you'll notice you're one of those people that others think they can do what you do. "Easy-peasy," they will say.
As for me, I've got a few things I'm attempting to apply in my life. There's a few stuff I've always believed I could naturally do, and I realized recently that I need to put my money where my mouth is. Time to work up some of this stuff! I might get some of that 'stuff' up here on this site. So we'll see.
Part 2 to my "How to fix broken private lessons" is coming soon. Just wanted to put this post up. Something we all need to think about... and do something about.
And here is a picture of me putting my money where my mouth is.
