It's amazing how just a little bit of work (really a shit ton of work) can pay off. Had a break through tonight in the practice room. All of a sudden working through page five and six of the Koppel Concerto I was able to get through to page 9 in a matter of no time. It's a beautiful thing when the hard work begins to pay off.
Still lots to do for the rest of the recital but the Concerto is going quite well at this point in time.
Friday, September 7, 2012
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Date and Time
No, I don't yet have a date or a time for my recital. I've been patiently waiting until the proper scheduling date as determined by the School of Music. But as of today, I just realized that I may have overlooked a major step in the process. Email has been sent to see if I can salvage this ordeal. Depending on the reply, I might have to wait longer than I ever wanted to to perform my recital.
The work on the Concerto has been going well the last few days/weeks. Although I haven't updated recently I've been hard at work on all the pieces of my recital. On top of everything else, found out last week that our Concerto competition that I've been working toward is now going to be a month earlier than previous years. That really just means it's time to dig in and forget about the rest of the world for a bit.
The positive to this whole situation is that I've never felt so good about being so busy. Although I'm superbly overwhelmed with things to do everyday. It seems do-able as long as I keep moving. In the past I've always felt that if I just kept moving that I would end up on the other side of a mountain that I didn't intend to go over and have to back track or start over. As of now this train is steadily gaining momentum, just constantly at the helm changing tracks to keep me where I'm headed.
Posters are well on their way, the lovely Miranda Whitlock-Downs was gracious enough to help me with photos and Greg Downs is working on the design/layout of the posters. Although he can't properly finish the posters until I have a date/time for recital.
Band members have been found, charts have been printed, stickings are changing, accompanists have been confirmed, every day is leaning toward the completion of this process. The hardest part is the collection of the details and and the administrative duties, where's a manager when you need one.
Until next time,
Mahola P. Willikers
The work on the Concerto has been going well the last few days/weeks. Although I haven't updated recently I've been hard at work on all the pieces of my recital. On top of everything else, found out last week that our Concerto competition that I've been working toward is now going to be a month earlier than previous years. That really just means it's time to dig in and forget about the rest of the world for a bit.
The positive to this whole situation is that I've never felt so good about being so busy. Although I'm superbly overwhelmed with things to do everyday. It seems do-able as long as I keep moving. In the past I've always felt that if I just kept moving that I would end up on the other side of a mountain that I didn't intend to go over and have to back track or start over. As of now this train is steadily gaining momentum, just constantly at the helm changing tracks to keep me where I'm headed.
Posters are well on their way, the lovely Miranda Whitlock-Downs was gracious enough to help me with photos and Greg Downs is working on the design/layout of the posters. Although he can't properly finish the posters until I have a date/time for recital.
Band members have been found, charts have been printed, stickings are changing, accompanists have been confirmed, every day is leaning toward the completion of this process. The hardest part is the collection of the details and and the administrative duties, where's a manager when you need one.
Until next time,
Mahola P. Willikers
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Today
After today I will begin, once again, the process of learning my recital. It has been some time that I've been away from the practice room. Some for personal reasons, others for School Auditions for Ensembles. But today Auditions are happening and tomorrow I will begin the continuation of the learning process of that which is my recital.
It's taking longer than I had anticipated and along with changes in policy about scheduling student recitals, mine will be pushed back a bit further into the semester. Not sure exactly when it will be still but I will know by September 12th what the date will be and from what I have projected I will have roughly 8-9 weeks of practice along with study for school and work of course.
Until then I'll be checking back in from time to time with updates more frequently, mostly likely a lot more frequently as we get closer to the performance date.
It's taking longer than I had anticipated and along with changes in policy about scheduling student recitals, mine will be pushed back a bit further into the semester. Not sure exactly when it will be still but I will know by September 12th what the date will be and from what I have projected I will have roughly 8-9 weeks of practice along with study for school and work of course.
Until then I'll be checking back in from time to time with updates more frequently, mostly likely a lot more frequently as we get closer to the performance date.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Patience and Faith
Or as they say In the Heights, "paciencia e fe." One of my favorite musicals reminds me to have patience and faith. Not only with my self and the process but, perhaps most importantly, walking along the path. The path that I've set forth is gearing up to be lined with some of the toughest obstacles that I've ever had to overcome.
It was important to take a little bit of a break from the recital the last few weeks, although this can be bad for practice routines and imaging it helps tremendously with my emotional/mental state. Let's be honest if you're not happy with your self/life then nothing really matters no matter how much you say you enjoy it.
After a quick realignment of the stars, I've got back to work steadily and on track to schedule my recital which is another whole story in and of itself. Basically School of Music procedures for scheduling recitals have changed and to make a long story short, I'm going to have to push my recital further back into the semester to make it happen without haste.
On top of the whole recital prep program that I've set out for myself I received audition music for the School of Music today which just means piling more on. Let it fill me up with notes and chords. The time is now to show what I've learned and to show the sight reading skills a bit. Although I will learn this audition music properly, I won't have near as much time to prepare as I've had in the past for Ensemble Auditions but.... I can do this, I can do this well, and I can do this everyday. I've already gone through and sorted out the chords and some sticking options for the remainder of the night I will work on the snare drum audition piece as well as some sticking options for a few measures that I'm stuck with on the Koppel- Concerto.
I've definitely had to realign some priorities with practice schedules. Basically, I'm going to make sure that I have the mallet (keyboard) pieces imaged and in the bag before school starts. Then, since I read drum parts faster, I can dig out some of the multi-percussion pieces on top of keeping the mallet pieces polished.
That's the idea, I'm sure it'll change tomorrow as things always do. I just have to keep moving and adjusting and this major project will come together.
It was important to take a little bit of a break from the recital the last few weeks, although this can be bad for practice routines and imaging it helps tremendously with my emotional/mental state. Let's be honest if you're not happy with your self/life then nothing really matters no matter how much you say you enjoy it.
After a quick realignment of the stars, I've got back to work steadily and on track to schedule my recital which is another whole story in and of itself. Basically School of Music procedures for scheduling recitals have changed and to make a long story short, I'm going to have to push my recital further back into the semester to make it happen without haste.
On top of the whole recital prep program that I've set out for myself I received audition music for the School of Music today which just means piling more on. Let it fill me up with notes and chords. The time is now to show what I've learned and to show the sight reading skills a bit. Although I will learn this audition music properly, I won't have near as much time to prepare as I've had in the past for Ensemble Auditions but.... I can do this, I can do this well, and I can do this everyday. I've already gone through and sorted out the chords and some sticking options for the remainder of the night I will work on the snare drum audition piece as well as some sticking options for a few measures that I'm stuck with on the Koppel- Concerto.
I've definitely had to realign some priorities with practice schedules. Basically, I'm going to make sure that I have the mallet (keyboard) pieces imaged and in the bag before school starts. Then, since I read drum parts faster, I can dig out some of the multi-percussion pieces on top of keeping the mallet pieces polished.
That's the idea, I'm sure it'll change tomorrow as things always do. I just have to keep moving and adjusting and this major project will come together.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Amazing what you can accomplish with a little practice.
Hey there, the latest update...practicing is good for you. No really, consistent and patient practice is actually good for you mentally, physically, and well of course musically. I know that most of you are saying to yourself or at the screen, "no shit, sherlock." But today was one of those practice sessions where even though not a ton of music got worked on I feel super productive and I feel that what I did work on has become much stronger so when I revisit tomorrow I won't need to recap quite so much.
Today was technically a day off, from work at least, but as a musician I know that there's no such thing as a day off. So I went in to practice today got roughly four hours in on todays log, three hours this afternoon and an hour long review session just about an hour ago. In todays practice session I worked on Monte Nido which is a lovely piece that is relaxing to listen to much less play. Since I got a lot of the work done on this piece earlier this year I've been working up the third page and some transitions which is coming along nicely. It is time to start imaging this piece though which will serve as a bit of a challenge because the overall chord progression doesn't really change that much Cmin, Aflat Major, Bflat Major, there is a B diminished in thrown in there from time to time but most of it is just variations on three or four chords.
The other piece that I made time to work on today was of course the Koppel Concerto. I haven't gotten quite as far as I would have liked or hoped at this point but I am making solid progress, all be it slow, it's solid. Today the fourth page came together for me it's not quite to the tempo that I can play the rest but it's solid enough that I was able to image it so I can work on it outside of the practice room. One of the biggest reasons that I'm ok with this slow progression is that I know once I get to page six it starts to recap material which means that by the time I get to page six I'm most of the way through the whole piece. After that there's another page or two at the end and then there's the Cadenza, which is a whole other story altogether.
Patience and persistence is paying off slowly but surely. The best part about practice is that it's a great distraction from everyday drama and bullshit that exists, relationships, work, insecurities, etc. More time needs to be spent focusing on practice, focus on just one task at a time and then move on to the next.
Lots to accomplish in a seemingly short amount of time but persistence will pay off. Let's do this!
Today was technically a day off, from work at least, but as a musician I know that there's no such thing as a day off. So I went in to practice today got roughly four hours in on todays log, three hours this afternoon and an hour long review session just about an hour ago. In todays practice session I worked on Monte Nido which is a lovely piece that is relaxing to listen to much less play. Since I got a lot of the work done on this piece earlier this year I've been working up the third page and some transitions which is coming along nicely. It is time to start imaging this piece though which will serve as a bit of a challenge because the overall chord progression doesn't really change that much Cmin, Aflat Major, Bflat Major, there is a B diminished in thrown in there from time to time but most of it is just variations on three or four chords.
The other piece that I made time to work on today was of course the Koppel Concerto. I haven't gotten quite as far as I would have liked or hoped at this point but I am making solid progress, all be it slow, it's solid. Today the fourth page came together for me it's not quite to the tempo that I can play the rest but it's solid enough that I was able to image it so I can work on it outside of the practice room. One of the biggest reasons that I'm ok with this slow progression is that I know once I get to page six it starts to recap material which means that by the time I get to page six I'm most of the way through the whole piece. After that there's another page or two at the end and then there's the Cadenza, which is a whole other story altogether.
Patience and persistence is paying off slowly but surely. The best part about practice is that it's a great distraction from everyday drama and bullshit that exists, relationships, work, insecurities, etc. More time needs to be spent focusing on practice, focus on just one task at a time and then move on to the next.
Lots to accomplish in a seemingly short amount of time but persistence will pay off. Let's do this!
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Update on Music Progress
I finally finished the drum set transcription for Hotdog, so now all of the parts for Prelude and Hotdog are done with the exception of the Trumpet Solo in the middle, which I'm still deciding if I want to transcribe or have the player just wing it? But since the last update I have also started learning and working on Lonely City Suite. Challenge #2 seems to be the only thing left on my plate to start learning, which will come sooner than expected. But all is going well, I still need to just continue piecing this thing together. Little by little it is coming together, I have talked with a friend to play the piano accompaniment on the Concert as well as Challenge just waiting for a reply. I have a plan for a performance space and arrangements to make that space work which if I can pull this out of my hat will be a unique experience for anyone who attends. Until I am sure it's going to happen I'm going to keep it under wraps but look for an exciting amount of fun leading up to the Recital of one Mahola P. Willikers.
The only other thing that needs to be said here is that I am in the works with a Photographer and Designer for my Recital poster, close friends and great artists both of them. We're aiming for a photo-shoot by the end of July so I'll be posting a few things around then as well updating on some design and who knows perhaps some fun along the way too.
Lonely City Suite - Baker
Monte Nido - A. Lee
Mental Separation - Barnum
White Knuckle Stroll - Cangelosi
Prelude/Hotdog - Greb
Challenge #2 - Delacluse
Wicca - Cangelosi
Concerto for Marimba and Orchestra- Koppel
Denotes Still need to learn
Denotes learned, time to polish
Denotes Currently in Process
Saddle Playing
Was good to get back in the saddle of practicing again after some awkward Holiday schedules. Reviewed the Koppell Concerto pages 1-3 and learned the bulk of page 4. Page 4-5 are turning out to be the hardest to learn/image because it's the the most different from anything else so far. There are lots of independent hand syncopation where the right hand is playing the general melodic line and the left hand is playing the accompaniment but it just so happens that the accompaniment is running sixteenth notes in an almost repetitive pattern. What makes this task so hard is that there is no time to prep for it or get into it, it quite literally just throws you in the fire and theres no turning back.
Every single note, every measure, every phrase is taking longer than anticipated for this piece. Each moment has it's very own unique style, phrasing, and challenges that need to be addressed individually and slowly before you can go on. As opposed to some pieces out there you can learn the phrase and the form and pretty much be done with it because it recaps a lot. This piece is deeming to be one of the most challenging that I've ever encountered.
When I picked this piece originally I found it on Youtube where this 15 year old girl from Poland, Marianna Bednarska, was playing this piece like a maniac. I knew right away that she was a beast of a player because there's nothing easy about this and she made it look easy, but I still thought to myself, "It'll be a challenge but if a 15 year old can do it, why can't I." I may very well eat my own words but until then I'm battling on. The best part about this concerto is that once I get past pages 4 and 5, from there until the Cadenza it's mostly all Recapitulation of material from the first 3-4 pages. So by the time I'm half way done I'll be almost three quarters of the way to the end. But then there's the Cadenza to consider which I'll deal with when I get to that point but that will be a hurdle within itself.
The other piece that I got to dig back into was the snare drum piece that I chose. I had fun picking up the tempo trying to get my singles fast enough to play it without any double strokes in the whole thing. I've seen a few videos online of people playing Lonely City Suite but most of them use diddles in far too many places. In all of the three movements there is one phrase, which is really just one measure, that may or may not need to utilize double strokes. To put into perspective there are 32nd and 64th notes being played at 85 bpm. At this point I am just a few clicks away from playing it at full tempo without any diddles, it definitely takes a lot more control and sensitivity than almost any drum piece I've ever played but it is not impossible to do this way.
Speed is matter of will and relaxation, mind over matter. I've always maintained that speed is in the mind, our hands and limbs are capable of things that often times our minds can't conceive. This is usually because someone along the way told you, "You can't do that," or, "That's too hard," or some combination of those. It is one of the hardest things to do BUT the more you relax the faster you can go. Speed is not achieved through force but through sensitivity, being aware of your body and your surroundings in a Zen like state it's really about understanding where your limits are at but then knowing how to push those limits to expand your range of speed. Then it's just a matter of patience as the saying goes, "Slow makes fast and fast makes slow," couldn't be more true. Start slow and then slowly pick it up over time. This is why practice must happen every day, even if for a short amount of time. If every day you're working toward a goal then little by little as much as you may not see it you are stepping closer and closer to that goal.
I'm working hard at not looking to far forward into the pieces that I'm learning, trying to stay focused on the task at hand and not let my mind wander to logistics and/or worrying about needless things.
Happy practicing, speaking of which...I'm going to do some more of right now.
Every single note, every measure, every phrase is taking longer than anticipated for this piece. Each moment has it's very own unique style, phrasing, and challenges that need to be addressed individually and slowly before you can go on. As opposed to some pieces out there you can learn the phrase and the form and pretty much be done with it because it recaps a lot. This piece is deeming to be one of the most challenging that I've ever encountered.
When I picked this piece originally I found it on Youtube where this 15 year old girl from Poland, Marianna Bednarska, was playing this piece like a maniac. I knew right away that she was a beast of a player because there's nothing easy about this and she made it look easy, but I still thought to myself, "It'll be a challenge but if a 15 year old can do it, why can't I." I may very well eat my own words but until then I'm battling on. The best part about this concerto is that once I get past pages 4 and 5, from there until the Cadenza it's mostly all Recapitulation of material from the first 3-4 pages. So by the time I'm half way done I'll be almost three quarters of the way to the end. But then there's the Cadenza to consider which I'll deal with when I get to that point but that will be a hurdle within itself.
The other piece that I got to dig back into was the snare drum piece that I chose. I had fun picking up the tempo trying to get my singles fast enough to play it without any double strokes in the whole thing. I've seen a few videos online of people playing Lonely City Suite but most of them use diddles in far too many places. In all of the three movements there is one phrase, which is really just one measure, that may or may not need to utilize double strokes. To put into perspective there are 32nd and 64th notes being played at 85 bpm. At this point I am just a few clicks away from playing it at full tempo without any diddles, it definitely takes a lot more control and sensitivity than almost any drum piece I've ever played but it is not impossible to do this way.
Speed is matter of will and relaxation, mind over matter. I've always maintained that speed is in the mind, our hands and limbs are capable of things that often times our minds can't conceive. This is usually because someone along the way told you, "You can't do that," or, "That's too hard," or some combination of those. It is one of the hardest things to do BUT the more you relax the faster you can go. Speed is not achieved through force but through sensitivity, being aware of your body and your surroundings in a Zen like state it's really about understanding where your limits are at but then knowing how to push those limits to expand your range of speed. Then it's just a matter of patience as the saying goes, "Slow makes fast and fast makes slow," couldn't be more true. Start slow and then slowly pick it up over time. This is why practice must happen every day, even if for a short amount of time. If every day you're working toward a goal then little by little as much as you may not see it you are stepping closer and closer to that goal.
I'm working hard at not looking to far forward into the pieces that I'm learning, trying to stay focused on the task at hand and not let my mind wander to logistics and/or worrying about needless things.
Happy practicing, speaking of which...I'm going to do some more of right now.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Workout Wednesday
Hello out there in Blogging land! I have been jumping on and off the workout bandwagon. Finally got some new wheels and bearings for my long board which means that I have been down at Liberty Park racing around the side walks and enjoying some speed in my life. Realizing that this isn't the best overall workout, especially for getting the heart rate up for long enough, I've been headed back to the gym to run, lift (a little), and run some more. Today I ran for 30 minutes straight without stopping, halfway to my goal of running for 60 minutes straight. The other half my workout today I worked on my abs and tried to tear them up a bit. Just made me realize that I need to work on my abs more and more as I move forward.
On the point of a mental workout, I was able to get through and image the third page of my concerto. Still haven't completely decided on the final sticking for measures 25-27, because as the speed picks up I'm sure this will change. There are two very different and very valid stickings that work for this section. The big question is do I keep the melody in one hand which has its pros and cons or do I split it between both hands which is less overall movement but is a little harder to coordinate at higher speeds?
The work is coming along well, obviously a bit slow, but overall progress is being made with mounds to go. It feels like my brain is filling up with notes, so many scales or partial scales, and key centers. It's good that I have a couple of Multiple Percussion pieces on this program because the other half is going to be mind numbing with the amount of notes to be laid down.
Back to it tonight after work, I'm going to work on page 4 of the Koppel concerto. Tonight is the last night before next Monay that I'll be able to practice and get some good work done because I will be back and forth house/dog sitting in Saratoga Springs spending some quality time with my buddy Otis. I can still get some transcribing done on the Benny Greb piece. I should be able to wrap up the final drum transcription this weekend then the only thing left on that is to finish transcribing the trumpet solo and then find a trumpet player to play it for me. Already have a Sousaphone player as well as a Trombonist, just need to finish the transcription and enter it into Sibelius, print out, and start rehearsals.
"Whatever you do, move only at a pace that is natural...So long as your spirit keeps going forward, you're moving fast enough." - Philip Toshio Sudo
Here's to a lifetime of work and fun...gotta remember to have fun too. Let's Go!
On the point of a mental workout, I was able to get through and image the third page of my concerto. Still haven't completely decided on the final sticking for measures 25-27, because as the speed picks up I'm sure this will change. There are two very different and very valid stickings that work for this section. The big question is do I keep the melody in one hand which has its pros and cons or do I split it between both hands which is less overall movement but is a little harder to coordinate at higher speeds?
The work is coming along well, obviously a bit slow, but overall progress is being made with mounds to go. It feels like my brain is filling up with notes, so many scales or partial scales, and key centers. It's good that I have a couple of Multiple Percussion pieces on this program because the other half is going to be mind numbing with the amount of notes to be laid down.
Back to it tonight after work, I'm going to work on page 4 of the Koppel concerto. Tonight is the last night before next Monay that I'll be able to practice and get some good work done because I will be back and forth house/dog sitting in Saratoga Springs spending some quality time with my buddy Otis. I can still get some transcribing done on the Benny Greb piece. I should be able to wrap up the final drum transcription this weekend then the only thing left on that is to finish transcribing the trumpet solo and then find a trumpet player to play it for me. Already have a Sousaphone player as well as a Trombonist, just need to finish the transcription and enter it into Sibelius, print out, and start rehearsals.
"Whatever you do, move only at a pace that is natural...So long as your spirit keeps going forward, you're moving fast enough." - Philip Toshio Sudo
Here's to a lifetime of work and fun...gotta remember to have fun too. Let's Go!
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Chords and Chords and more Chords
So the concerto consists of the basic chord structure of (I-bV-iv-V-I) but then throws you for a larger loop. So starting in E major we have... E maj. - B flat maj. - C# min. - B major - then back to E maj. That's just the opening statement not to be out done the next big section goes as thus D min7 - E min4 - A min4 - D min - G min - C min to then C# min.
Now that I've got a handle on the general chord changes I was thinking this would help in some of the movement in the marimba part. Think again, the Marimba part serves as most, at times, all of the transition from chord to chord so very rarely does the marimba actually center in on any one key. The few cadences that do happen in this piece are in the orchestra/piano part but are so subtle and fast that one could miss it if not reading the score.
I'm glad I got this far with it which definitely gives me a foundation to stand on with the marimba part but there are still so many times at which the running scale or chord of the marimba does not coincide directly with the overall key structure that it's hard to image and completely hard to get into your hands.
Thus is the fun of learning a completely challenging piece but there are times at which I feel it will get the better of me. It's at those times that I just dig in a little harder and a little deeper until something musical and productive jumps out of the pages at me. The spaces between those jumps seems to be fewer and farther between these days. Let's Go!
Now that I've got a handle on the general chord changes I was thinking this would help in some of the movement in the marimba part. Think again, the Marimba part serves as most, at times, all of the transition from chord to chord so very rarely does the marimba actually center in on any one key. The few cadences that do happen in this piece are in the orchestra/piano part but are so subtle and fast that one could miss it if not reading the score.
I'm glad I got this far with it which definitely gives me a foundation to stand on with the marimba part but there are still so many times at which the running scale or chord of the marimba does not coincide directly with the overall key structure that it's hard to image and completely hard to get into your hands.
Thus is the fun of learning a completely challenging piece but there are times at which I feel it will get the better of me. It's at those times that I just dig in a little harder and a little deeper until something musical and productive jumps out of the pages at me. The spaces between those jumps seems to be fewer and farther between these days. Let's Go!
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Tuesday is Trying
Got up a little later than I wanted to this morning. Ran for roughly 45 minutes. I was glad to get to the practice room last night for almost two hours. Really dug into the Baker - Lonely City Suite and damn that shit is fast. When I was done last night I ended the first movement at about 60 bpm (beats per minute) and I'll tell you that 64th note singles at 60 bpm is a bit of a challenge. But the end goal and written tempo of the piece of 85 bpm is going to be a good ceiling and ultimately a great stretch for my hand speed.
I didn't get as much work done on the Koppel - Concerto for Marimba that I wanted to, but today is another day. Already started out well with a good run and a good stretch. Tonight I will re-focus on the Concerto and then polish some sections of Cangelosi's- Wicca. Wicca will take a large amount of focus on each and every note for the proper emotions to be conveyed. I can't just play at the notes and get through it, that's already been done. Just like every other piece on this recital, this piece was chosen for its connection to spiritual sounds that I hear and more importantly feel. The feeling is the utmost important part of this piece, it really needs to feel right. This goes for every piece on this recital, they all need to feel right. The last thing I want is just to get up in front of friends and family and just play some notes for an hour. It needs to be an experience, at least for me but hopefully for those who choose to show up as well.
There's more to this world than just going through the motions. If more people, musicians specifically, could understand this concept perhaps our orchestras and art programs wouldn't be suffering so much.
"Do what has to be done, when it has to be done, as well as it can be done, and do it that way every time." - Phillip Toshio Sudo
I didn't get as much work done on the Koppel - Concerto for Marimba that I wanted to, but today is another day. Already started out well with a good run and a good stretch. Tonight I will re-focus on the Concerto and then polish some sections of Cangelosi's- Wicca. Wicca will take a large amount of focus on each and every note for the proper emotions to be conveyed. I can't just play at the notes and get through it, that's already been done. Just like every other piece on this recital, this piece was chosen for its connection to spiritual sounds that I hear and more importantly feel. The feeling is the utmost important part of this piece, it really needs to feel right. This goes for every piece on this recital, they all need to feel right. The last thing I want is just to get up in front of friends and family and just play some notes for an hour. It needs to be an experience, at least for me but hopefully for those who choose to show up as well.
There's more to this world than just going through the motions. If more people, musicians specifically, could understand this concept perhaps our orchestras and art programs wouldn't be suffering so much.
"Do what has to be done, when it has to be done, as well as it can be done, and do it that way every time." - Phillip Toshio Sudo
Monday, June 18, 2012
The Beginning Begins
Woke up today, Ran/Walked for 60 minutes just a little over three and a half miles. What a great way to clear the brain and get the day started. After roughly 9 hours of work I will go the Music Building and practice as much and as hard as I can.
This is the beginning of a 7 day a week of workout, work, and practice schedule. On my lunch hour I'm going to dig into the Baker - Lonely City Suite. After work I will continue to dig into the Koppel - Concerto for Marimba, gotta get through the pages/stickings and continue to get the imagery in my system. Little by little this will come together.
Some plans have fallen apart, but as the saying goes..."When life falls apart, make art." The sacrifices that will be made will be out weighed by the benefits of the end product. Here's to a lifetime of work and focus.
This is the beginning of a 7 day a week of workout, work, and practice schedule. On my lunch hour I'm going to dig into the Baker - Lonely City Suite. After work I will continue to dig into the Koppel - Concerto for Marimba, gotta get through the pages/stickings and continue to get the imagery in my system. Little by little this will come together.
Some plans have fallen apart, but as the saying goes..."When life falls apart, make art." The sacrifices that will be made will be out weighed by the benefits of the end product. Here's to a lifetime of work and focus.
Saturday, June 9, 2012
From the Past we can Travel to the Future
I know, I know. You're saying to yourself, "Why the hell would anyone still use Myspace?" To which I reply, "It's the only place that will let me upload enough songs to give you a vague representation of my drumming."
This is something that I've been meaning to do for a long time. I have uploaded a fairly good representation of my drum set drumming on to www.myspace.com/claybarnum With this has come lots of reminiscing, but this is good. Because the current position that I'm in musically is that of steady forward motion and quite often from time to time I forget to look back on where I've been.
I am proud to say that I've been a part of these tracks, even though there are some aspects to the songs that I did not have any control over. I do take full credit for the drum parts
Tonight was as good a night as any to take on this project, even though it didn't actually take that long. Tonight I was also able to get some good practice in on the Anders Koppel Concerto for Marimba, pushing through the difficulties of stockings on this piece seems to be the biggest hurdle. I have a good flow going, just need to keep it going solidly for the next couple of months.
This is something that I've been meaning to do for a long time. I have uploaded a fairly good representation of my drum set drumming on to www.myspace.com/claybarnum With this has come lots of reminiscing, but this is good. Because the current position that I'm in musically is that of steady forward motion and quite often from time to time I forget to look back on where I've been.
I am proud to say that I've been a part of these tracks, even though there are some aspects to the songs that I did not have any control over. I do take full credit for the drum parts
Tonight was as good a night as any to take on this project, even though it didn't actually take that long. Tonight I was also able to get some good practice in on the Anders Koppel Concerto for Marimba, pushing through the difficulties of stockings on this piece seems to be the biggest hurdle. I have a good flow going, just need to keep it going solidly for the next couple of months.
One day at a time... ||:Work, Practice, Run :||
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Maslanka Symphony No. 9
Now the fun can begin. Although I've had fun working on David Maslanka's newest Symphony No. 9 these past few days. It truly is time to get back to the fun that will last the next three months. This energetic very emotional performance is definitely one for the books for me. I realized at the end of tonight, as I was packing drums into the truck, that I've played three different Maslanka Symphonies in the last two years. Most people are lucky enough to have played one or even two in their lifetimes, but three in only a couple of years is quite the treat.
At this point, the only thing left on the books is learning and performing the recital. Its funny that I say "the only thing left," because really thats a whole three month process in and of itself. So much to sacrifice for the things I want in my life. Sacrifice time with family, friends, and good friends I haven't seen in a long time just to get more practice time in. But, I keep telling myself that it'll be worth it in the end. I hope this is true. I hope that this feeling of uncertainty fades a little as the deadline approaches. I hope that I can listen with my heart and my soul more often.
The last two nights I have been listening with an open heart and an open soul. Open to the universe, open to the possibilities of what may be. I do believe that if we listen close enough that the universe will let you in on little secrets but you have to be able to truly focus in your heart and soul and listen to them equally and unbiased. If you can do this anything is possible. This is what drives me to do the things that I do, to play the pieces that I play. Many people, one in particular, has said to me quite a few times "You're crazy" or "Why do you pick such hard pieces?" My reply, "It's just what I do." I don't usually pick the pieces the way most people do, the pieces tend to pick me. That process pushes me to further my knowledge of music and pushes the boundaries of my playing beyond what I ever thought was possible.
Let it begin.
At this point, the only thing left on the books is learning and performing the recital. Its funny that I say "the only thing left," because really thats a whole three month process in and of itself. So much to sacrifice for the things I want in my life. Sacrifice time with family, friends, and good friends I haven't seen in a long time just to get more practice time in. But, I keep telling myself that it'll be worth it in the end. I hope this is true. I hope that this feeling of uncertainty fades a little as the deadline approaches. I hope that I can listen with my heart and my soul more often.
The last two nights I have been listening with an open heart and an open soul. Open to the universe, open to the possibilities of what may be. I do believe that if we listen close enough that the universe will let you in on little secrets but you have to be able to truly focus in your heart and soul and listen to them equally and unbiased. If you can do this anything is possible. This is what drives me to do the things that I do, to play the pieces that I play. Many people, one in particular, has said to me quite a few times "You're crazy" or "Why do you pick such hard pieces?" My reply, "It's just what I do." I don't usually pick the pieces the way most people do, the pieces tend to pick me. That process pushes me to further my knowledge of music and pushes the boundaries of my playing beyond what I ever thought was possible.
Let it begin.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Running and Transcribing
So, the answer is no. I was not running and transcribing at the same time. But, in fact, I did do both tonight.
I was actually headed to the practice room after work to dig in and get some real work done on the recital. But being deterred for about 45 minutes while my key was stuck in the lock of the door to my truck (Imagine that, it rhymes). After tearing the door apart to get to the inner workings, made a few adjustments and finally go the key out. As I headed up to the University I remembered that I had RSVP'd to a UMFA (Utah Museum of Fine Arts) Staff Party for the opening of their new SPEED event. No, this is not a bunch of meth addicts gathering at the Museum. Instead, it's the gathering of many major land speed record holding racing cars. Awesome to say the least.
After the entertainment at the Museum, I was faced with a decision to make. Work out now then be up until Midnight or later practicing or practice now and not get a workout in? I chose to workout now and then figured I could work on my Benny Greb transcription at home until I passed out or got to a stopping point.
I ran/walked briskly for the better part of an hour. Working up to running for the full sixty minutes is a smaller goal for the summer but one that will be attained in not much time. Weighed in today at a whopping 250 lbs after working out. Not excited about that, but slowly shedding pounds over the next few months.
The transcription process is one that I've never really done until this song. I mean, I've always torn my favorite drum parts to pieces to learn them but never actually written them down and seen them in this way. Usually I work on the overall form of the piece and get the general idea of the groove but rarely, Ok pretty much Never, write it out note for note. It is definitely fun to pick apart a piece of music that someone else probably laid down in the studio without really thinking much about. Naturally talented musicians such as Benny Greb don't really have to worry about what comes out, cause most if not all of it is magic. Anyhoo, I am most of the way done with this piece. I have about another page and a half (less than a minute) of music to work on. The other parts are already finished just working on the drum kit pieces right now and once that is done I'll drop them into Sibelius and it'll be time for rehearsal.
The best part about learning a song this way is that by the time I'm done with transcribing the notes by hand then inputting them into the computer, I'll know the parts inside and out. So those of you in the Brass Trio, watch out. I'll be listening. Which is the main reason for doing this, to maintain/improve my ear training skills and to have a Drum Set piece on my recital. It's kind of funny that I haven't studied drum set at the University of Utah yet but I still have a piece on my recital. That's probably due to the fact that I love playing and that's really (still) what I'm best at.
Everyday.
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit." - Aristotle
I was actually headed to the practice room after work to dig in and get some real work done on the recital. But being deterred for about 45 minutes while my key was stuck in the lock of the door to my truck (Imagine that, it rhymes). After tearing the door apart to get to the inner workings, made a few adjustments and finally go the key out. As I headed up to the University I remembered that I had RSVP'd to a UMFA (Utah Museum of Fine Arts) Staff Party for the opening of their new SPEED event. No, this is not a bunch of meth addicts gathering at the Museum. Instead, it's the gathering of many major land speed record holding racing cars. Awesome to say the least.
After the entertainment at the Museum, I was faced with a decision to make. Work out now then be up until Midnight or later practicing or practice now and not get a workout in? I chose to workout now and then figured I could work on my Benny Greb transcription at home until I passed out or got to a stopping point.
I ran/walked briskly for the better part of an hour. Working up to running for the full sixty minutes is a smaller goal for the summer but one that will be attained in not much time. Weighed in today at a whopping 250 lbs after working out. Not excited about that, but slowly shedding pounds over the next few months.
The transcription process is one that I've never really done until this song. I mean, I've always torn my favorite drum parts to pieces to learn them but never actually written them down and seen them in this way. Usually I work on the overall form of the piece and get the general idea of the groove but rarely, Ok pretty much Never, write it out note for note. It is definitely fun to pick apart a piece of music that someone else probably laid down in the studio without really thinking much about. Naturally talented musicians such as Benny Greb don't really have to worry about what comes out, cause most if not all of it is magic. Anyhoo, I am most of the way done with this piece. I have about another page and a half (less than a minute) of music to work on. The other parts are already finished just working on the drum kit pieces right now and once that is done I'll drop them into Sibelius and it'll be time for rehearsal.
The best part about learning a song this way is that by the time I'm done with transcribing the notes by hand then inputting them into the computer, I'll know the parts inside and out. So those of you in the Brass Trio, watch out. I'll be listening. Which is the main reason for doing this, to maintain/improve my ear training skills and to have a Drum Set piece on my recital. It's kind of funny that I haven't studied drum set at the University of Utah yet but I still have a piece on my recital. That's probably due to the fact that I love playing and that's really (still) what I'm best at.
Everyday.
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit." - Aristotle
Friday, June 1, 2012
Music in Place
Finally! All of the music has arrived and since today is June 1st it's time to dig in hard on preparations. Timeline has been set, schedules are being adhered to. It is amazing how so many goals stack up together, so if one fails multiple fail. In some ways I've done this on purpose to force me into hitting my goals. In other ways this has happened inadvertently. Either way goals are on track.
Keeping with the timeline that I've set out is undeniably important because it will keep me in check for the lofty goals that I have set for myself.
Goals for this summer leading up to and beyond my Recital are as follows:
1- Learn Recital
Keeping with the timeline that I've set out is undeniably important because it will keep me in check for the lofty goals that I have set for myself.
Goals for this summer leading up to and beyond my Recital are as follows:
1- Learn Recital
Lonely City Suite - Baker
Monte Nido - A. Lee
Mental Separation - Barnum
White Knuckle Stroll - Cangelosi
Prelude/Hotdog - Greb
Challenge #2 - Delacluse
Wicca - Cangelosi
Concerto for Marimba and Orchestra- Koppel
Denotes Still need to learn
Denotes learned, time to polish
Denotes Currently in Process
2- Schedule Recital; Aiming for Mid-September (hopefully the 16th)
3- Exercise; Workout everyday to lose weight, specifically 40 lbs minimum, 60 lbs maximum. This serves multiple purposes over the next few months:
- Photo shoot for Recital posters
- Better practice sessions
- the ability to focus properly
- Skydiving for my Birthday
- this is the goal that set me in motion to lose weight in the first place
- Must be under 220 lbs to even go
- But over 200 lbs you get charged more to go
- Beyond the next few months this is a major health change and will continue through the rest of my life, career.
4- Organize the photo shoot and poster design for Recital
- Miranda Whitlock-Downs will be the photographer for this photo shoot. We've talked about a few ideas which will definitely turn some heads, or at least be unique to me and my style which is all I can ask for.
- Greg Downs will be designing the final poster once the photos are done because the main poster idea will revolve around the end photo.
- Printing and Distributing of posters to appropriate venues
5- Organize stage layout and load in/out times.
This is really a lot to do and will happen fast. So if you can't get a hold of me you now know why. I have a few other small items to take care of over the next few months, those are a surprise.
Monday, May 28, 2012
Moving Complete
Hell there,
Moving is mostly complete I can begin to re-focus on practice for the recital. But, not too much before four rehearsals and a performance with the Utah Wind Symphony on David Maslanka's Symphony No. 9. Which as it turns out is the Western Premier which is pretty cool.
It's hard not having the time to practice right now because of moving and working. But I have been planning a ton. I finally got an email back from the accompanist that I wanted for my recital, he's on board. So right now waiting for two more pieces of music that haven't come yet to finalize the set list. I've even laid out the stage setup to scale. Partially because I'm a little OCD about things but mostly because I had to make sure that it was going to fit into the space that I intend to use. I don't know why the school insists on the percussion department, the one department with the largest instruments, using the smallest recital spaces. There's always a way around, just gotta find the loophole. ;)
I have been eating better for the most part which makes me feel better overall. The practice and workout routine become more bearable as I do it more. There are a lot of reasons not to continue, a lot of excuses, but I don't have any other choice but to succeed at what I've set out to do. I can't fail because the only one I'm letting down is myself.
It's time to work out some more stickings for the Concerto. This piece is a monster of a piece but once it's done it'll be one of my proudest moments. Technically the days are longer right? Well at least more sunlight which means more time to work out the kinks in the performances. Here we go!
Moving is mostly complete I can begin to re-focus on practice for the recital. But, not too much before four rehearsals and a performance with the Utah Wind Symphony on David Maslanka's Symphony No. 9. Which as it turns out is the Western Premier which is pretty cool.
It's hard not having the time to practice right now because of moving and working. But I have been planning a ton. I finally got an email back from the accompanist that I wanted for my recital, he's on board. So right now waiting for two more pieces of music that haven't come yet to finalize the set list. I've even laid out the stage setup to scale. Partially because I'm a little OCD about things but mostly because I had to make sure that it was going to fit into the space that I intend to use. I don't know why the school insists on the percussion department, the one department with the largest instruments, using the smallest recital spaces. There's always a way around, just gotta find the loophole. ;)
I have been eating better for the most part which makes me feel better overall. The practice and workout routine become more bearable as I do it more. There are a lot of reasons not to continue, a lot of excuses, but I don't have any other choice but to succeed at what I've set out to do. I can't fail because the only one I'm letting down is myself.
It's time to work out some more stickings for the Concerto. This piece is a monster of a piece but once it's done it'll be one of my proudest moments. Technically the days are longer right? Well at least more sunlight which means more time to work out the kinks in the performances. Here we go!
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Recital beginning
OK, so no, really. This is not the beginning of the Recital process for me. But this is the beginning of the end so to speak. The process for my recital has been one that has spanned over the last 4 years of study at the University of Utah School of Music. And, yes, I've been planning it for almost that long. Although the majority of the planning has been done this blog is to represent my timeline and document the process along the way; for my own sanity of seeing some, even if little, progress toward the end goal as well as to keep me on track and moving constantly forward.
So first things first here's the list of repertoire for my recital. It has taken me some time to build this list of wants/needs properly but I'm pretty sure this will be the end product. But as all things go there's no guarantee so always be ready for changes.
Lonely City Suite - Baker
Monte Nido - A. Lee
Mental Separation - Barnum
White Knuckle Stroll - Cangelosi
Prelude/Hotdog - Greb
Challenge #2 - Delacluse
Wicca - Cangelosi
Concerto for Marimba and Orchestra- Koppel
The exact order has not been finalized but this is the starting order I'm going to work up and once I can play it all fairly comfortably I will start to rearrange I'm sure.
This list looks a lot less daunting looking at it in this format, although I know there's worlds of work to go.
The other side of my recital blog that I wanted to let you in on is one of health, both mental and physical. As I move forward I am going to be taking on a few challenges outside of just practice. In preparation for my recital I will also be focusing on my health and in turn my mental health through exercise and a change of diet. I may not report everyday on the status of health as I go along but I will stop to mark milestones from time to time.
Here's to a productive and BUSY summer.
MPW
So first things first here's the list of repertoire for my recital. It has taken me some time to build this list of wants/needs properly but I'm pretty sure this will be the end product. But as all things go there's no guarantee so always be ready for changes.
Lonely City Suite - Baker
Monte Nido - A. Lee
Mental Separation - Barnum
White Knuckle Stroll - Cangelosi
Prelude/Hotdog - Greb
Challenge #2 - Delacluse
Wicca - Cangelosi
Concerto for Marimba and Orchestra- Koppel
The exact order has not been finalized but this is the starting order I'm going to work up and once I can play it all fairly comfortably I will start to rearrange I'm sure.
This list looks a lot less daunting looking at it in this format, although I know there's worlds of work to go.
The other side of my recital blog that I wanted to let you in on is one of health, both mental and physical. As I move forward I am going to be taking on a few challenges outside of just practice. In preparation for my recital I will also be focusing on my health and in turn my mental health through exercise and a change of diet. I may not report everyday on the status of health as I go along but I will stop to mark milestones from time to time.
Here's to a productive and BUSY summer.
MPW
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