Day 282
This morning (last night, really) I had a chat with Majella, one of the Course Directors for the UL Trad Performance Masters. It was lovely hearing the true Irish lilt again, and of course, to get the full run down on the Programme. A recent addition to the Course is an assessment of your own creative process. This includes a peer review as well as a journal to be kept for a minimum of two to three weeks. I don't know of a better motivation to become more active writing here. Between l'autre's encouragement and knowing I will need to keep a journal of these trials and tribulations in the future, I plan to add 5-10 minutes of writing per day of playing. Not sure if I'm ready to make myself wait to black out days of playing until I've done my writing reflection, but perhaps that is what will bring motivation to completion. Wish me luck.
Majella was kind enough to listen to my playing a bit and give a small bit of feedback, mainly, to work the focus to the backbeat, versus the downbeat. Playing tunes over the phone is not an easy listening task, however, so she asked me to make a recording and email it to her so she could give it a more proper listen. After a tasty breakfast of eggs and toast, I did a trial recording. Specifically did not try and change anything about how I've been playing the tunes. What an eye opener! I cannot believe how much listening to myself play without being in the act of playing allowed me to surrender to the sounds. And yes, I am quite heavy on the downbeats. Something I will dive into adjusting. Today.
Foreseeing high intake of tea levels in 3...2...1....
29 January 2013
28 January 2013
Catalysts
Driving home from sessions gives me wonderful opportunity to listen to some new and old tunes. It also gives me way too much time to sit and Think. Tonight's Thoughts were about how I ended up where I am today. A year ago, I was a completely different player. I refused to play even in front of those who wouldn't know the difference between a jig and a reel. Sure, I played with people, but starting tunes even with those musicians I trusted was a nerve wracking task, and one I usually avoided until prodding from another musician.
When did I begin to see the change? Along the last six to eight months, there've been several experiences that changed the course of my playing. One frustrating weekend in Minnesota and a much needed heart to heart with l'autre. A couple of passing comments from musicians I play with regularly. Conversations with new friends on the entity that is this music and lifestyle. I've tried to mark the changes if I catch them, but there are many that have been so minute as to be a part of the process, undefined from the rest of the minute moments.
Tonight was a small but memorable catalyst toward my own confidence in my playing. I have a recording of N playing two Paddy Fahy reels. Fiddle and guitar. The second reel has a rolling B section that at one point inspires a lengthy and enthusiastic hup from a listening musician. There is an energy and excitement in the playing that pulls out the excitement in another. Being off of one of my favourite session recordings, on more than one occasion I had hoped to bring that wee bit of excitement with my own tune. This evening found me playing through my audition sets, and during my final reel - Heights of Muingbhatha - during the B section I pulled a hup from two of my fellow musicians. Detail, but remembering that moment I hope it lends toward my confidence in my tunes and my fiddle. If nothing else, I hope the memory of the smile it brought will give some confidence in my pre-interview for UL tonight.
When did I begin to see the change? Along the last six to eight months, there've been several experiences that changed the course of my playing. One frustrating weekend in Minnesota and a much needed heart to heart with l'autre. A couple of passing comments from musicians I play with regularly. Conversations with new friends on the entity that is this music and lifestyle. I've tried to mark the changes if I catch them, but there are many that have been so minute as to be a part of the process, undefined from the rest of the minute moments.
Tonight was a small but memorable catalyst toward my own confidence in my playing. I have a recording of N playing two Paddy Fahy reels. Fiddle and guitar. The second reel has a rolling B section that at one point inspires a lengthy and enthusiastic hup from a listening musician. There is an energy and excitement in the playing that pulls out the excitement in another. Being off of one of my favourite session recordings, on more than one occasion I had hoped to bring that wee bit of excitement with my own tune. This evening found me playing through my audition sets, and during my final reel - Heights of Muingbhatha - during the B section I pulled a hup from two of my fellow musicians. Detail, but remembering that moment I hope it lends toward my confidence in my tunes and my fiddle. If nothing else, I hope the memory of the smile it brought will give some confidence in my pre-interview for UL tonight.
27 January 2013
I've Become a Book Whore
Spent Friday night with one of my long-time friends. She and I are both pretty big bookies, and had a conversation about how sometimes we go through these phases of starting book after book and never finishing them (at least, not in a normal time frame). Between us, we listed some dozen books we'd started within the last year and not yet finished. My list includes:
Don't Shoot the Dog
Be Different
A Year in the World
The Eyre Affair
Tales for an Unknown City
Ireland
The Hobbit
Free Play
Her list was similar in length and variety. Now, I've always been one to have several books in the works at once. After all, I can never be sure what I'll be in the mood for reading - history, fantasy, biographical-esque, non fiction, travel...the list could go on a while. But it is unusual for me to start books and not get back to them after a few chapters.
Enter Saturday. A different friend called at the last minute and asked if we might get together. Also an avid reader, we found ourselves talking books. I shared with her this discontenting realization that I am currently a book whore - - reading a lot, but not committing even to old favorites. She asked how long this had been happening. A month? No, longer. Since school started? No, longer. Since your summer? No, longer. Since last summer? Hum, closer it feels, but longer yet. Finally came down to being a book whore since spring of 2011. Daunting.
Why? Some self reflection brought to my attention that it coincides with my attempt to fit into society's mold of the twenty-something. Find a good job. Check. Get engaged. Check. Get married and settle down forever and have a family and commit to all those who are not one with you. Ummm...wait, what?
No longer engaged, still in good job, but something still hasn't quite clicked back in. However, having found a place for my next two years that I can truly feel excited about, I find I am being drawn back into my books. Though like any junkie recovering it will probably take time to find my focus and my commitment, and I'm sure of various setbacks, I am healing and growing stronger, more joyous about what the future holds for me, and excited to continue down the unexpected path.
In the meantime, did I mention I am on day 281 of playing my fiddle? Last night I hit my third goal of 280 days. New goal of 379 days. Just a year didn't seem adequate.
Don't Shoot the Dog
Be Different
A Year in the World
The Eyre Affair
Tales for an Unknown City
Ireland
The Hobbit
Free Play
Her list was similar in length and variety. Now, I've always been one to have several books in the works at once. After all, I can never be sure what I'll be in the mood for reading - history, fantasy, biographical-esque, non fiction, travel...the list could go on a while. But it is unusual for me to start books and not get back to them after a few chapters.
Enter Saturday. A different friend called at the last minute and asked if we might get together. Also an avid reader, we found ourselves talking books. I shared with her this discontenting realization that I am currently a book whore - - reading a lot, but not committing even to old favorites. She asked how long this had been happening. A month? No, longer. Since school started? No, longer. Since your summer? No, longer. Since last summer? Hum, closer it feels, but longer yet. Finally came down to being a book whore since spring of 2011. Daunting.
Why? Some self reflection brought to my attention that it coincides with my attempt to fit into society's mold of the twenty-something. Find a good job. Check. Get engaged. Check. Get married and settle down forever and have a family and commit to all those who are not one with you. Ummm...wait, what?
No longer engaged, still in good job, but something still hasn't quite clicked back in. However, having found a place for my next two years that I can truly feel excited about, I find I am being drawn back into my books. Though like any junkie recovering it will probably take time to find my focus and my commitment, and I'm sure of various setbacks, I am healing and growing stronger, more joyous about what the future holds for me, and excited to continue down the unexpected path.
In the meantime, did I mention I am on day 281 of playing my fiddle? Last night I hit my third goal of 280 days. New goal of 379 days. Just a year didn't seem adequate.
A Cuppa and Contemplations
There is something gratifying and grounding in sitting down with a cuppa Barry's tea, a playlist of fantastic new tunes, and the gumption to write a bit.
I have been so lucky as to spend time with some lovely and supportive friends these last couple of days. And lucky to be at a time when I needed reassurance on my decision to take a leave of absence from my current job to study traditional Irish music again at the source: this time the University of Limerick. A decision that has been long forthcoming. After my first year back "home" I realized how much I missed the Irish life and how much I wished to return for more than a visit or extended stay.
They say that life is what happens when you're busy making other plans, and that's exactly what had happened. Plans to apply for UL four years ago were detoured quickly by a job, a boyfriend, and an appointed leadership in the state AOSA Chapter. Now, after four more years of saving, four more years of playing, four more years of sessioning, four more years of teaching experience, it's time. I'm done making plans; I'm ready to start living them.
Tomorrow night (which I can't believe has come so quickly!) I have a conversation set up with Majella, one of the Course Directors for the Masters of Traditional Music Performance degree. She will be calling about 8 am Irish time Tuesday morning. Although not an official interview, it is a get-to-know-you for us both. I have questions about the programme, I'm sure she will have a few questions for me, and I will play a bit for her in hopes for some feedback on if I'm ready for the level of the degree. Having talked to and played with a good number of players who experienced the programme, I feel I'm pretty on par. It will be good to have some critical evaluations of my playing from someone actually in charge of the programme. Wish me skill!
I have been so lucky as to spend time with some lovely and supportive friends these last couple of days. And lucky to be at a time when I needed reassurance on my decision to take a leave of absence from my current job to study traditional Irish music again at the source: this time the University of Limerick. A decision that has been long forthcoming. After my first year back "home" I realized how much I missed the Irish life and how much I wished to return for more than a visit or extended stay.
They say that life is what happens when you're busy making other plans, and that's exactly what had happened. Plans to apply for UL four years ago were detoured quickly by a job, a boyfriend, and an appointed leadership in the state AOSA Chapter. Now, after four more years of saving, four more years of playing, four more years of sessioning, four more years of teaching experience, it's time. I'm done making plans; I'm ready to start living them.
Tomorrow night (which I can't believe has come so quickly!) I have a conversation set up with Majella, one of the Course Directors for the Masters of Traditional Music Performance degree. She will be calling about 8 am Irish time Tuesday morning. Although not an official interview, it is a get-to-know-you for us both. I have questions about the programme, I'm sure she will have a few questions for me, and I will play a bit for her in hopes for some feedback on if I'm ready for the level of the degree. Having talked to and played with a good number of players who experienced the programme, I feel I'm pretty on par. It will be good to have some critical evaluations of my playing from someone actually in charge of the programme. Wish me skill!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)