Friday, January 20, 2017

In Case You're Interested Series, Video 3, Prayer

This video was recorded on January 17th, 2017. It is a prayer. I will not comment anymore on it then that. It is for those who want to hear and feel it. It is a transmission.

Video 3, Prayer

Monday, January 16, 2017

"In Case You're Interested" Series, Video 2, "You Don't Always Have To Sell It"

Common phrases such as a teacher saying you need to 'sell it' might be well intentioned. But if it is used in conjunction wth an 'audition formula' designed to not raise any 'red flags' in the orchestra committee's minds, I have noticed it is difficult for people, students, to release themselves from that mentality while playing those excerpts in the orchestra setting. I can always tell when students and playing professionals are being trained to be good audition takers. The playing gets narrow in dynamic contrasts, timbre and nuances, and the general impression of the playing is very well mannered as to not disrupt the sit-down formal family dinner by bringing up controversial topics or eating with your mouth open etc. This to me, is called the Goldie Locks approach where the person auditioning wants to 'sell it' to the orchestra committee that they are the bowl of porridge that is neither too hot nor too cold but just right...

I think this is an important video. I have brought this subject up before many times. It is meant to inform and seriously consideration, in case you are interested, to what is governing your playing. Just playing with thinking only of technique (clean articulation, tone evenness, pitch, etc), makes the playing sound very skeletal no matter how even, in tune, nice sound, clear articulations and steady rhythm are being produced. This has been my observation over a very extended period of time. Why does it have to be this way? More on that later but now for the video:

Video 2

Sunday, January 8, 2017

"In Case You're Interested" Series, Video 1, "You Don't Always Have To Sing"

Hi Everyone! In this video series I will be talking about many things that have become common place in trombone teaching and in music in general. My hope is to inspire greater perspectives in common teaching phrases like "Sing through the horn." Perhaps for some people, including myself, other concepts and connections make it more useful depending on how one is felling as well as what the music would call for.

Video 1: "You Don't Always Have To Sing"


Sunday, January 1, 2017

New Year's Day 2017, An Odd Collection of Things

Hi everyone! Here is a video done today, January 1st, 2017. It was in a moment that I felt something needed to be transmitted and to those who are open transferred. My suggestion to those who want to watch and listen to it is let it just flow through you. If after the video something 'sticks' to you that was said, think about that. Then perhaps watch it again at some point.

The video is is titled New Year's Day 2017, An Odd Collection of Things. I hope you found it useful or at the least insightful and thought provoking.