As we prepare to celebrate the passing of one year and the arrival of another, I hope everyone in the PartTimeMusician (PTM) family can take a moment to reflect, anticipate, and smile at what we hope the future brings our way.
The past year brought challenges for all of us – you…you…you…and me as well. But somehow, we made it through. And the year ahead brings with it much promise. There will be time for scales and studies, exercises and etudes, practices and performances once the new year begins! For now, though, we here at PTM wish you a fun-filled, safe New Year’s Eve with this slightly-geeky ode to Star Wars and orchestral musicians. :-D
May your light sabers stay sharp and your pitches stay true,
Mark
Growing up, I didn’t listen to classical music. I suspect that there may have been a classical radio station on the dial – or at least one that sometimes programmed classical music – but that isn’t where my thinking lay at the time. In hindsight, I missed out on a musical treasure trove. Ah, the tragedies of youth. :-)
I wasn’t alone, of course. This article in the Kansas City Star summarizes a similar epiphany encountered by (former) pop music critic Eric Silbin. Once he heard the Bach Cello Suites, he was hooked. In his words:
“It was like being hit by musical lightning. I was really struck by the intensity and beauty of this music, which was so different from anything I had heard before”
Mr. Silbin hit the nail on the head. When I ambled into classical music, I was amazed at the depth it contained compared to my daily diet of pop, band music, and contemporary compositions and arrangements. It was the real deal, and even though I was unfamiliar with classical music as a whole, I could immediately appreciate its beauty and complexity – at least at a basic level.
There are still classical pieces I don’t like and times I listen to other music; after all, good music spans all types…and so does bad. :-) But like Mr. Silbin, Bach and his fellow composers enchant me. Especially Bach, and especially Pablo Casals’ recordings of those aforementioned cello suites. If you haven’t heard them, click this link to check them out:
Keep in mind this is one man, on one instrument, recorded around 70 years ago. Personally, this is one of my all-time favorite CDs.
Whatever you play, keep playing! But don’t be afraid to branch out in your listening and playing. There’s treasure out there, folks! Don’t leave it undiscovered.
Yesterday’s article was very positively received, and for good reason: it demonstrated that it’s possible to have fun building a fine stringed instrument…even if the resultant instrument doesn’t look all that fine.
This article – actually a wonderfully extensive series of articles – was briefly mentioned in the introduction to yesterday’s linked posting, and I wanted to share it as well. For those of you who have been bitten HARD by the lutherie bug and have moved far beyond the tinkerer stage into serious instrument building, this is for you. Even if you have no intentions of building your own exquisite cello, it makes for fascinating reading.
If you were to assign a dollar value to the hours it takes to build a nice instrument, you’d quickly decide that finished versions are relatively inexpensive to buy. This is due to many factors, such as well-trained (and superbly-skilled) craftsmen, dedicated workshops, and exchange rates (in some cases), among other things. But for some exceedingly creative musicians, the thrill of playing an instrument that they themselves made is so far beyond playing a purchased instrument that words just can’t capture the feeling. You know who you are.
Here at PTM, we’ve discussed homebuilt instruments ranging from gas can banjos to hand-made marimbas, and it’s all good. For those cellists among us who want to create their next instrument with their own loving hands…this one’s for you. Enjoy!
When we’ve featured hand-made instruments before, I’ll admit I was surprised by the response. I had no idea how many folks enjoy not only playing their instruments, but also making them.
In hindsight, I suppose I should have expected it. I’ve done some basic lutherie, and I have enjoyed the challenges that accompanied each task. Looking at it from the opposite perspective, you’d be surprised at the extent of contraptions from which you can coax pleasant sounds.
This All Things Strings article details the author’s intriguing efforts to build a crude cello from scrap found in his basement. Nothing fancy, nothing pretty. Pure function, pure fun.
If you’re a real instrument geek – and I say that with great admiration – you’ll likely take away some ideas from your first read. You’ll also likely bookmark it. And why not? Antonio Stradivari had to start somewhere, and don’t kid yourself: if he’d had the internet, he would have bookmarked it, too.
A key part to becoming a good Part-Time Musician (PTM) is finding the inspiration you need, when you need it, to keep advancing. This comes easily on some evenings, as we look forward to spending time with our instrument as a way to cleanse ourselves of the day’s frustrations. At other times, we could use a little help.
For many of us, the best cure for the “blahs” is to watch a live performance. Failing that, many great performances can be watched from the comfort of your favorite desk chair. We can discuss the psychology of why watching someone else play motivates us to pick up our own instrument (watch out, pianists!) at some future time…but for now, let’s get to the good stuff!
Wells Cunningham is a cello teacher with an impressive background and performance record. His amazing Impossible Duet video has provided our family and others a great deal of inspiration that deserves to be shared.
Inspired yet? I thought so.
While I may never play like Mr. Cunningham, I can’t watch his “duet” performance of the Handel/Halvorsen Passacaglia without resolving to practice more and play better. How about you?
Remember: As long as you keep practicing, today is the worst you’ll ever be!
Holidays & Special Occasions, Strings | Mark December 31, 2011 | 
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