Contemplation 2
Let it
Direct it
Drop it
Stop it
Keep it
Do it
Which one or ones applies to you at this moment?
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Frequency Bone
Summer Music Connection 3
INSTRUCTION 1
Knowing ourselves is a process that does not happen overnight. The same is true about our playing. In the hustle and bustle of practicing to get better, to win auditions, to keep up our skill for the job, how much time do we allow ourselves to 'play'? Oh, we probably play the horn a lot! But, what about letting ourselves explore the territory of our instrument. The sandbox of tone color, syllables, articulations. To let ourselves play with our sounds like a kid plays with silly putty. Yes it can bend, make shapes, be thin or fat. If we would only let ourselves discover it. Not just tone of course, but every aspect of our art. How could this not help us in discovering ourselves and our own wonderful uniqueness? This video takes a look at discovery and 'playing' with our sounds.
After watching this video, I hope you also take some time to do the Contemplation 1 that is on the post before this one. Build an attitude that loves discovery! It will open up so much new territory for you!
Knowing ourselves is a process that does not happen overnight. The same is true about our playing. In the hustle and bustle of practicing to get better, to win auditions, to keep up our skill for the job, how much time do we allow ourselves to 'play'? Oh, we probably play the horn a lot! But, what about letting ourselves explore the territory of our instrument. The sandbox of tone color, syllables, articulations. To let ourselves play with our sounds like a kid plays with silly putty. Yes it can bend, make shapes, be thin or fat. If we would only let ourselves discover it. Not just tone of course, but every aspect of our art. How could this not help us in discovering ourselves and our own wonderful uniqueness? This video takes a look at discovery and 'playing' with our sounds.
After watching this video, I hope you also take some time to do the Contemplation 1 that is on the post before this one. Build an attitude that loves discovery! It will open up so much new territory for you!
Friday, July 1, 2011
Frequency Bone
Summer Music Connection 3:
Contemplation 1
Discovery… uncover… find, look, play with
don't wait for someone else to do it for you
most lessons with people can be that way
they wait to hear the next bit, BUT!
are they/we awake during the practice?
feeling, noticing, sensing trying and waiting…
BUT! not impatient or in boredom
BEING WITH IT, WHILE IT IS HAPPENING
SERIOUS INTENT, LOVE AND PASSIONATE
Children play.. they are serious about their play
Really IN IT they are.. lost to the world
this is the state of concentration, one pointedness
Or a mother lion protecting her young..
there are many examples..find some examples and ask yourself:
How does my focus compare in it's intensity to the examples I've found?
DISCOVERY…UNCOVER… FIND, LOOK, PLAY WITH, BE WITH
don't wait for someone else to do it for you
most lessons with people can be that way
they wait to hear the next bit, BUT!
are they/we awake during the practice?
feeling, noticing, sensing trying and waiting…
BUT! not impatient or in boredom
BEING WITH IT, WHILE IT IS HAPPENING
SERIOUS INTENT, LOVE AND PASSIONATE
Children play.. they are serious about their play
Really IN IT they are.. lost to the world
this is the state of concentration, one pointedness
Or a mother lion protecting her young..
there are many examples..find some examples and ask yourself:
How does my focus compare in it's intensity to the examples I've found?
DISCOVERY…UNCOVER… FIND, LOOK, PLAY WITH, BE WITH
Friday, June 24, 2011
Welcome to Frequency Bone
Summer Music Connection 3!
It is Summer time again and I welcome you to Frequency Bone Summer Music Connection 3!
I hope you had a very productive year in your music making and life as whole. This video is an introduction to what I would like to work with you all on this summer. Enjoy the video. Come with an open mind and heart. Let's go on a quest!
I hope you had a very productive year in your music making and life as whole. This video is an introduction to what I would like to work with you all on this summer. Enjoy the video. Come with an open mind and heart. Let's go on a quest!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
It's been awhile...
A lot has gone on in the past couple of months on lots of levels. On the musical side here are a few events that I was involved in.
In March I went to to New York and did a master class at Juilliard. Joe Alessi was an excellent host and we have a good time when we get together. My goal was to challenge the students in a thinking way about basic concepts like, what is a good sound and how our likes and dislikes can be like a cholesterol to our perceptions if they dismiss something too soon. I hope it was useful to the ones who were open to hearing it.
In April I went to Morehead State University and did a mini residency for a couple of days plus was featured on their Trombone Day. I did a couple of master classes, played a lecture recital of some of my compositions and conducted the college choir and a mass choir of high school students, teachers and other guests. The students were a real pleasure to work with.
Dr. William Mann, the trombone professor at MSU was a great host and we had a fun time together. Unfortunately he took me to a bakery that made incredible cookies and pies. It was a challenge not to stuff myself with those goodies. But being allergic to gluten surely keeps me on my toes and helps to control my urge for delicious bakery!
A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of hearing several student recitals including Jonathan Randazzo's. He played wonderfully. We have played duets together in lessons so I decided to write a duo for us to premiere at his recital. The duet consists of four movements and is titled "Dances and Chants". In one of the movements, we used our favorite mutes. Jonathan's favorite is the bucket mute and mine is the Harmon mute. It was a joy to play with him! He will be starting as the new second trombone of the North Carolina Symphony in September.
I also was asked to speak at the Longy School's commencement. That was really interesting since I have never spoken at a graduation before. Looking at all those students embarking on the next stage of their lives. What could I say to them that was not just more advice? My main message was to keep the bright sparks of your life that you have accumulated to this point in time very close to you and keep them lit! For when the dark times come, you will will have a light that no darkness can put out.
I wish all of you a happy, healthy and productive summer. My online summer music camp the Frequency Bone Summer Music Connection, will be starting in the next few weeks. Stay tuned! Lets go where few have gone before, into the deep waters where the music is always fresh and the essence of our lives shine brightly! Hope to see you there!
In March I went to to New York and did a master class at Juilliard. Joe Alessi was an excellent host and we have a good time when we get together. My goal was to challenge the students in a thinking way about basic concepts like, what is a good sound and how our likes and dislikes can be like a cholesterol to our perceptions if they dismiss something too soon. I hope it was useful to the ones who were open to hearing it.
In April I went to Morehead State University and did a mini residency for a couple of days plus was featured on their Trombone Day. I did a couple of master classes, played a lecture recital of some of my compositions and conducted the college choir and a mass choir of high school students, teachers and other guests. The students were a real pleasure to work with.
Dr. William Mann, the trombone professor at MSU was a great host and we had a fun time together. Unfortunately he took me to a bakery that made incredible cookies and pies. It was a challenge not to stuff myself with those goodies. But being allergic to gluten surely keeps me on my toes and helps to control my urge for delicious bakery!
A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of hearing several student recitals including Jonathan Randazzo's. He played wonderfully. We have played duets together in lessons so I decided to write a duo for us to premiere at his recital. The duet consists of four movements and is titled "Dances and Chants". In one of the movements, we used our favorite mutes. Jonathan's favorite is the bucket mute and mine is the Harmon mute. It was a joy to play with him! He will be starting as the new second trombone of the North Carolina Symphony in September.
I also was asked to speak at the Longy School's commencement. That was really interesting since I have never spoken at a graduation before. Looking at all those students embarking on the next stage of their lives. What could I say to them that was not just more advice? My main message was to keep the bright sparks of your life that you have accumulated to this point in time very close to you and keep them lit! For when the dark times come, you will will have a light that no darkness can put out.
I wish all of you a happy, healthy and productive summer. My online summer music camp the Frequency Bone Summer Music Connection, will be starting in the next few weeks. Stay tuned! Lets go where few have gone before, into the deep waters where the music is always fresh and the essence of our lives shine brightly! Hope to see you there!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Much In Little
By this time those of you who are interested in the last contemplation have considered what you like to practice and why. Now, to complete this contemplation, ask yourself this;
What do you avoid practicing?
This usually becomes apparent pretty quickly in most cases. Let's face it, it can be more fun and immediately more satisfying to practice things we are good at. But, is it serving to improve our ability on the instrument and musical expression? Is it helping us to develop discipline?
We are all prone to doing certain things better than other things. But depending on our goals and aspirations, avoiding aspects that need work will limit us as players, musicians and people too. It is not always easy to confront the difficulties but the rewards on many levels can be huge. It certainly will make us better teachers as well having gone through processes that are not naturally easy for us. Because we will have had to find our way through trial and error to make it happen. This brings appreciation and understanding about the nature of hard work and development.
Even if we never develop our difficult areas as fully as other aspects of our playing, working on them broadens our awareness of the craft and strengthens other areas that are related or that seem to not be related to what we are working on. It has been my experience that working on one area has a multi- level result throughout our systems.
We can't have growth and progress without hard work and the love and desire to keep at it.
What do you avoid practicing?
This usually becomes apparent pretty quickly in most cases. Let's face it, it can be more fun and immediately more satisfying to practice things we are good at. But, is it serving to improve our ability on the instrument and musical expression? Is it helping us to develop discipline?
We are all prone to doing certain things better than other things. But depending on our goals and aspirations, avoiding aspects that need work will limit us as players, musicians and people too. It is not always easy to confront the difficulties but the rewards on many levels can be huge. It certainly will make us better teachers as well having gone through processes that are not naturally easy for us. Because we will have had to find our way through trial and error to make it happen. This brings appreciation and understanding about the nature of hard work and development.
Even if we never develop our difficult areas as fully as other aspects of our playing, working on them broadens our awareness of the craft and strengthens other areas that are related or that seem to not be related to what we are working on. It has been my experience that working on one area has a multi- level result throughout our systems.
We can't have growth and progress without hard work and the love and desire to keep at it.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Much In Little
Question
What are your favorite things to practice? Why?
This is a very telling question to ask yourself. In this seemingly small question, much can be discovered about why you do what you do. Spend some time with it. Ask it to yourself nonstop for at least a week or two. See what answers you get.
What are your favorite things to practice? Why?
This is a very telling question to ask yourself. In this seemingly small question, much can be discovered about why you do what you do. Spend some time with it. Ask it to yourself nonstop for at least a week or two. See what answers you get.
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