Remembering Dad

My father passed away on September 19th, 2008. His chemo was winning the battle against cancer, but God had other ideas. I'm very thankful for my dad, and all he did for me. I am also thankful that he did not have to suffer. I'll miss him very much!

It has been said that I received any musical talent that I may have from my father. He could play the banjo by ear, and he certainly enjoyed picking and grinning in the evenings. What I learned in talking with friends and family at his wake was that Dad also played the guitar in years past. Mom said that he just enjoyed the banjo better, so that is what he played. Sometime last year or so, (I don't remember when exactly) Mom and Dad were on the way to see us. While they were on their way, Mom and Dad stopped in Maggy Valley, North Carolina for a romantic, bluegrass stop (if there ever has been such a thing.) They went to see a concert by Raymond Fairchild, my dad's favorite banjo picker. Mom had Raymond autograph the head on Dad's banjo, and he cherished that until he died. He brought it up to show it to me and boy was he tickled.

Dad was almost always there with us in the band. Sometimes work would keep him away, but nine out of ten times, he was there. He volunteered with our friend Pool to work the U-Haul for all the High School marching band trips. He always wanted to be involved with his boys. We played together a time or two, but let's face it; a trombone and a banjo don't mix well.

Last Christmas I asked Mom and Dad for a music stand. I don't think either Mom or Dad were keen on the idea of me becoming a musician (remember, at the time I wanted to be a player only, teaching had not entered the fray yet) but Dad went and bought the stand for me anyway. I think he understood better than Mom what music means to me. After all, he was a musician too. I hope he enjoyed my music. As a child, one of the songs I sang from Hoedown to Hog Day (If you live near Caswell County, N.C., you know what I am talking about!) was a song called "Daddy's Hands." I have a recording of that on tape, and forgot to bring it to the funeral. The recording is me singing it at the ripe ole age of what... 9? Anyway, Mom's cousin Teri was supposed to sing it. But, the CD didn't play. Both Teri and Steve, the sound guy at church, laughingly blamed Dad for playing a trick on everyone at his own funeral (after the fact of course.) I blame a bad CD and an old CD player. But if Dad DID have a hand in it, I think he was saying something else. He must have been saying "That's nice and all, but I want my Boy to play it or sing it." Anyway, the music marches on. Thanks for everything Dad!

Friday Night Lights, and Saturdays too!

If anyone is still reading, greetings! I've been on a hiatus of sorts, with a lot going on in my life. My new job is demanding a lot out of me, and right now I an 100% dedicated to those children and especially to their spiritual well being. Also, my dad's chemo continues, and at oh... 8AM tomorrow... oops, I mean later today, I will be off to camp for fun in the sun on my days off. However, I went to a DCI event tonight and was inspired by what I saw. I may even begin my lessons anew in the fall, and take a few more classes in music based on what I saw tonight.
I came to realise that if I could do anything musically, it would be marching band, and marching band forever! Playing in or teaching, marching band is what I love. What reminded me of that love was the pure power that Carolina Crown brought to the show tonight. Eighty some odd brass horns, playing as one, with a power that drove people out of their seats. I began to wonder, how can they be so loud and powerful, and yet so clear. The answer is simple... they, on a fundamental level, know how to play!
Wisdom dictates that victories are won well before the contest begins. Wisdom also proves that the victory is in the details of the preparation. While I may cherish the field and the lights and being able to produce that powerful sound, I realised today that if I am not fundamentally sound before I get on the field, I will just be a loud noise that is pleasant to no one, and will drive people out of their seats for a different reason all together. So, my best to Carolina Crown! Good luck at finals. As for myself, it's back to basics. Yeah.

The Theropy of Music

A few days ago, I received a bit of bad news concerning the health of one of my family members. It's difficult to find peace and comfort in such a trying and uncertain time. My sadness comes and goes. One minuet I'll be fine and the next I'll be sad for no apparent reason. On Friday, I was having a particularly bad day. I had been told the night before that the news was worse than was first expected, and I was not taking it well, despite having slept on it the night before. My loving wife called and asked if I could play on Sunday at church. I really did not feel like doing it at the time, but I went ahead and said ok. I did this knowing that it would be helpful for the service, and also because I am convinced that if she was asking, then she must have a reason and a need for that particular song. So, knowing that I did not have a lot of time in the next few days, I went immediately and practiced the song for a few moments. When I came back, I was feeling a lot better, and went on to have a successful day.
Music is an escape for me, in this there is no doubt, but I also have other escapes I can use if I need to. Music in particular is so important to me because it's not the doing something that is satisfying, but rather, it is the result. When I play, and it sounds good, that's magical, at least to me. And in the end, I guess that's all that really matters.

Crash, Bang, Boom!

I guess I should have seen this coming. My past experiences have proven that when I am practicing just for the sake of fundamental development, I lose focus on why I am playing in the first place. It is easy enough to understand; when I have a performance coming up, I practice more often and more attentively. When I do not have anything scheduled, I have trouble staying motivated after a while. Right now I am caught in a cycle of "play this" and I do and then... what? I find myself not really motivated to practice pieces out of a book without an opportunity to perform. It is taking a greater effort to put in the practice time behind closed doors and on pieces that will make me better but without immediate reward. That's tough for me right now. Anyone have words of wisdom to share?

Do not open with a sharp instrument!

That advice is seen on a few boxes at work, mainly with clothes in them. I always think of a flute when I see that. Anyway...
Well, it finally came today! My first tuner came in today and I am excited about this particular piece of equipment. My trombone teacher allowed me to use his one day and well, I loved it so much I had to get one for myself. It is a tuner that attaches right to the bell of my horn and gives me an accurate reading of my pitch. It not only tells me if I am in tune, but it also tells me what note I am playing. Even better, I don't have to change it in order to tune different notes. It automatically re-calibrates, so I can play a piece and see to it that ALL of the notes are in tune. If my wife ever wants to play her clarinet again, guess what! She can use this tuner too! How cool is that? I hope that when I become a teacher, I can find a way to get one of these to all the students for little or no cost. It's funny how we as musicians would tune to a concert B flat note and then try to play other notes and hope they were in tune. I know for my trombone sections, it was always a crap shoot. How much better would we have been if we all had tuners like this attached to our bells?

I'm still here?!?!

Hey! New blog and news to report. For those who do not already know, I passed my National Guard audition a few weeks ago and am currently in the process of joining the Guard! To clarify, I am intent on becoming a teacher, but the National Guard will help me get there. I'm really excited to begin this journey in earnest. My lessons continue to go well, and I feel that I am continuing to do well and improve. I played in church for Easter, and I enjoyed myself greatly. Things are happening and rolling and going well and I have to say, I'm so happy right now. :-D

Of note

Trip number two to Washington was a success. It seems that I am further along in my progress than I want to give myself credit for. I played well in sectional work and in the larger ensemble, at least as well as I ever sight read. My tone was good and my volume improved. I left knowing that I would fit in musically. That was a very good feeling indeed. I may audition for them soon.

Later today, I will call a few colleges and attempt to plot out a course of action. Then, P and I can sit down and see what fits and what does not. I'm excited about this. Also of note, I now have a teacher for private lessons. I start next Tuesday. I sure hope it all comes together soon. So far, so good.

Resistance is Futile

All my life, I have played King trombones. Thunderbone I was a King 606 Diplomat student model. Thunderbone II is a King Cleveland 605 with F Attachment. I have often wondered what playing another horn would be like, and here lately I have had a chance to try a horn or two.

The first horn was borrowed from my old High School, and I used it for Papa's funeral. It was a Blessing B88 trombone, and was professional quality. This was the first time I can recall ever playing a professional horn. It was a large bore trombone, but was built to accept my small bore mouthpiece or a large bore mouthpiece. The bell was very large compared to my King, and seemed to be shorter. Third and forth positions, which you usually judge against the bell, seemed to be off. The sound was great, but it just wasn't as comfortable as my ole King. Blessing trombones are among the most affordable trombones, and they don't seem to lose a lot in the quality department. Still, it wasn't quite to my tastes.

The second horn was a Bach 42 Stradivarius straight tenor trombone. This is the horn I used when I played with the National Guard. It too was a professional level, and was practically brand new. I had my brand new Bach 5G mouthpiece with me, and I thought it may be a great fit. I found it very easy to hit upper register notes, but I also felt air flow resistance, and could not be heard over the trombone player to my right or to my left. There were many times where I was guessing pitch based solely on the way my mouth felt. I have never anything like it before. Very odd... and it greatly hindered my playing.

For now, I must say I'm very happy with my King and wouldn't trade it. I'd really like to try a King 2103, the small bore professional trombone from King, and see how it compares. I'd also like to try a Yamaha Xeno trombone too. But I must admit, it's been interesting to try other brands.

On Guard

Today, I visited with the Washington DC National Guard Band, the 257th Army Band. I was the guest of the trombone section leader, who in addition to trying to recruit me for the band is serving as sort of a mentor for me. I arrived believing that I was there to observe the practice, as well as having the opportunity to discuss life in the band with anyone I wished. What I was NOT expecting was to be invited to play along with the band. But I did have a sneaking suspicion, so I brought my mouthpiece, just in case. Sure enough, I was issued a trombone and I played along.

It ended up being exactly as I had hoped it would be, which was a mix of my past experiences. It felt like band, (duh!) but it had the military mix to it not unlike my JROTC days in High School. If you were to mix my JROTC and my high school band, well, that's what it was like... except a lot better, and an Army unit, not a Navy one. But the hope comes in understanding that those two experiences were the best worlds that I lived in during High School (LTJG Wells, back me up on that one, please sir!) and it was in those conditions, both military and musical, that I feel I was at my personal best in life.

Observations: Man was it great to be playing with an ensemble again! It had been six years since I had played with two or more people, and I loved it. Also of note, it had been six years since I had played with an ensemble. Have I mentioned it was a six year break between that time and today? The point is, yes, I was rusty and yes, my sight reading stunk up a little corner of the joint. By the end, however, I was catching on fast and correcting errors quickly. Lessons learned: For one thing, I wasn't the only one stinking up a little corner of the joint. No trombonist around me was perfect (whew!) I need more practice, especially in sight reading and in time meters other than common time, especially cut time and 6/8. I hope to work with the Staff Sergent to improve, and hope to audition soon. It will be a challenge, for sure. This band is on a different, higher level than any I have ever played with.

OH BY THE WAY: I have NOT repeat NOT abandoned my hopes of becoming a music teacher. Joining the National Guard band would accelerate that goal track by 1) allowing me to return to school faster, and at less (or no) cost and 2) the DC Guard band is filled with music teachers (and professors!) as well as musicians who played with the premier bands in Washington during their active duty days. Also 3) it would allow me to play, which brings me personal joy. :-D Thoughts?

One For Papa

I'm sorry that I havn't posted in a while. Things got crazy with Christmas and all, and then, my grandfather died on New Year's Eve. Tough way to start a new year indeed!

My Grandfather did not have tear ducts, so he could not cry. You could tell, however, when he was getting emotional. I never saw it really, except for a rare time or two. Once was when my cousin, Buddy committed suicide in 1998. That was and still is tough on all of us. The last time I witnessed it however, the emotions were not sadness, but joy. I had just finished a concert with the Elon Wind Ensemble, and my family came back to see me. I believe it was the spring concert in May of 2001. As I came out of the practice room after packing away Tigershark, my family met me there and we exchanged hugs as usual. My family was so proud of me. As normal, my mom was in tears and my dad had a smile on his face. But this time, Papa was all red in the face and couldn't say anything. Later, someone in the family told me that he was so proud of me, and that he was just choked up in emotion. I'll always remember how proud of me he was that night.

A few years later, he gave me the money to go to seminary. I know he was the deciding factor in the debate between my grandmother and himself. He made it happen. I always felt like I let him down some when I didn't finish that degree. So, I told him on his death bed that he would proud of me yet. I told him the grand plan and how I would go back to school and become a music teacher and play my trombone better than ever. I also told him that I would probably be joining a National Guard band soon, and in doing so would serve my country through music. (Papa served in the Army)

For the funeral service, Meme (My grandmother) asked me to play a piece as Papa was taken out of the church. Since it was a military funeral, she wanted something to fit. After researching army funeral ceremonies, I eventually found that playing "Onward Christian Soldiers" would be a good fit. I played it best I could for Papa, and for Meme, and for Mom, and everyone else in my family. Without a doubt, that song was for Papa. I hope he enjoyed it.