From xkcd "a webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language.
I’ve purchased this clarinet that is over 200 years old. Here’s the description:
A rare 6 keyed ivory mounted boxwood clarinet in Bb stamped on all joints: Cahusac, London. Unrestored condition. Pinned and repaired bell, barrel is missing, one key and one half of a key are missing. Interesting owner’s initials engraved in one of the keys: RW. Measurements: – total length without barrel 55.7 cm – diameter of bell 8.4 cm .
The piece is not playable which is a departure from my other vintage instrument purchases but it really is a curiosity piece. I was looking at the Early Musical Instrument Web site when I found this instrument. It looks like most of the instruments are sold now which is kind of sad in a way. But I’m sure they went to the hands of fine musicians or instrument collectors.
This instrument will join my collection of metal clarinets and such. I might even get Suzy to turn a replacement barrel just for fun.
This is one of the best pieces on the subject by Jeff Anderson, Musical Director, Indianapolis Jazz Orchestra
Often, the inexperienced director gives little thought to the placement of students within the jazz ensemble. Typically the “tried and true” concert band method is used. That is, the best student on the first part, the next best on the second part, etc. While this strategy may work well for the concert or marching band, it’s not always effective for addressing the special needs of the jazz band. Unlike concert and marching band arrangements, jazz ensemble charts are designed to sound best with only one person on each part. Also, because of tradition and practice, many positions within the jazz ensemble have developed specific roles and expectations. These roles tend to differ substantially from other large instrumental ensembles. The scholastic band director must keep all of this in mind when trying to develop a young jazz ensemble.
The following positions are listed in their relative order of importance to the modern big jazz band. They’re listed from most important to least important. It’s critical to fully understand this general hierarchy before trying to develop a young jazz ensemble. Although this hierarchy certainly applies to all big band jazz ensembles (professional and otherwise), this particular version is tailored to fit the high school or young college band.
1. Lead Trumpet and Drum Set
These two positions are unquestionably the most important parts of any big band jazz ensemble. Without strong and mature players in both of these spots, it’s almost impossible to have an outstanding performing group. Any director of a developing jazz band should expend maximum effort in nurturing, developing, and maintaining these positions.
The lead trumpet establishes the sound, style and direction of the ensemble. When choosing a trumpet player to lead a big band, range should not be the sole (or in some cases even the primary) factor to consider. A young lead trumpet player must first be a leader who has a good overall understanding of (or the ability to learn about) differing musical styles. Next, the young lead trumpet player must have a strong and mature sound that can easily command the attention of the group. Good sight-reading ability is also extremely important. Jazz improvisation ability should not be a major factor in choosing a lead trumpet player.
I was working with Nicky on the bass clarinet solo he has for the sixth grade concert this afternoon. As we made our way through some tricky measures with, zoots alors, sixteenth notes, I got to thinking, "Making music is hard. Making beautiful music in sixth grade is almost impossible." Nicky has a good sound in the lower registers of the bass clarinet but his sense of rhythm could be better. That’s when it hit me Music is a verb, an action verb.
So we hammered on the solo for about a half hour. Over and over again, with the metronome ticking merrily away. The we worked on another piece of music that the band will be playing. After the lesson I showed Nicky the solo that I had been trying to transcribe (with the help of my sax teacher who did most of the work). We listened to the solo on CD and then listened to how it sounded when I played it.
I often wonder what would have happened if my grandpa had been a musician and worked with me. At the elementary school level most of the the music is very pedestrian. But it is challenging for the child and so easy to make sound good. Then there is the thought that if I’d become a better musician, maybe I wouldn’t have gone into business and been as successful as I have been. Music is a very tough profession to make a good living in.
Also there is the considerations about if your hobby becomes your job, will you not enjoy playing as much. I’m guessing the answer is yes, but then my experience are based upon me being a hobbyist. Nicky and I finished off the two hour session by playing chess. All in all it was a very enjoyable afternoon.
Here’s some jazz flute that’ll make you wanna learn to play the flute. ;o)
I ran smack dab in to Scott Hanselman’s Blog Interesting – 32 Ways to Keep Your Blog from Sucking and was pleasantly surprised to find many of my recommendations there. I especially appreciated numbers three and five. I find that if a blog is too negative I tend not RSS it or go back. I thought the ‘Use Spell Check’ – ‘Nuff said.” was funny.
Suzy’s taking me to the movie of the second in Chronicles of Narnia series. I’ve always enjoyed reading C. S. Lewis and this series sold over 100 million copies in 41 languages. Would you believe there *are* people who don’t believe that:
It’s kinda sad me thinks, but per Scott’s recommendations above we’ll move on. “Move on, folks. There’s nothing to see here.”
Finally I ran across Perk of Good Job: Again Mind is Sharp that maintains that having a complex job may slow age-related mental decline. Part of me, the statistician, wonders how you prove this as people with complex jobs already might be genetically wired to battle age-related problems. Still it has a nice, feel good ring to it:
“Jobs that have elements where you need to solve problems, plan and organize, and think flexibly and on your feet appear to carry cognitive benefits throughout your life. You can potentially draw on them later as reserves,” Duke University psychologist Guy G. Potter, PhD, tells WebMD.
I guess I better get back to work. ;o)
A friend of mine at work is a guitarist and photographer. I saw this picture on his desktop and found out that he is an award-winning photographer who didn’t actually follow that career path. So I thought I’d share the picture that caught my attention. Maybe some day he will put more of his artwork out on the Internet.
This is an example of where the art genres become mixed; is it a photograph or a painting? Isn’t it interesting how the rock above the waterfall appears to be floating in the air? It has an almost 3D effect. By contrast the waterfall almost appears at first glance to be two dimensional.
Makes ya wanna visit Disney World doesn’t it? Tell the truth. ;o)
And it’s not Space Mountain that is calling your name, either.
I thought Jeff Foxworthy did Southern humor but he seemed to nail this one. This email is making the rounds and it would seem he has spent time in the Northwest. :o)
1. You know the state flower (Mildew).
2. You feel guilty throwing aluminum cans or paper in the trash.
3. Use the statement ‘sun break’ and know what it means.
4. You know more than 10 ways to order coffee.
5 You know more people who own boats than air conditioners.
6. You feel overdressed wearing a suit to a nice restaurant.
7. You stand on a deserted corner in the rain waiting for the ‘WALK’ signal.
8. You consider that if it has no snow or has not recently erupted, it’s not a real mountain.
9. You can taste the difference between Starbucks, Seattle’s Best, and Tully’s.
10. You know the difference between Chinook, Coho and Sockeye salmon.
11. You know how to pronounce Sequim, Puyallup, Issaquah, Oregon, Yakima and Willamette.
12. You consider swimming an indoor sport.
13. You can tell the difference between Japanese, Chinese and Thai food.
14. In winter, you go to work in the dark and come home in the dark while only working eight-hour days.
15. You never go camping without waterproof matches and a poncho.
16. You are not fazed by ‘Today’s forecast: showers followed by rain,’ and ‘Tomorrow’s forecast: rain followed by showers.’
17 You have no concept of humidity without precipitation.
18. You know that Boring is a town in Oregon and not just a state of mind.
19. You can point to at least two volcanoes, even if you cannot see through the cloud cover.
20. You notice, ‘The mountain is out’ when it is a pretty day and you can actually see it.
21. You put on your shorts when the temperature gets above 50, but still wear your hiking boots and parka.
22. You switch to your sandals when it gets about 60, but keep the socks on.
23. You have actually used your mountain bike on a mountain.
24. You think people who use umbrellas are either wimps or tourists.
25. You buy new sunglasses every year, because you cannot find the old ones after such a long time.
26. You measure distance in hours.
27. You often switch from ‘heat’ to ‘a/c’ in the same day.
28. You design your kid’s Halloween costume to fit under a raincoat.
29. You know all the important seasons: Almost Winter, Winter, Still Raining (Spring), Road Construction (Summer), Deer & Elk season (Fall).
30. You actually understood these jokes and will probably forward them.
Quinn the Eskimo Vintage Horns
The Bis Key Chronicles 