Accomplishments.
It took about three days to write, but the song that I started writing over the weekend is finished. This is indeed an accomplishment, plain and true. It will will require some fine tuning and polishing, a phrase mark here, a dynamic indication there, and of course, suitable words, but the main structure is complete - 92 bars, approximately 3-4 minutes in total. Once finished, of course, the next step will be to find a way of getting it performed (yeah, yeah, that), but at least this part of the process is done.
I will start on a second song that has been running through my head for some time now as well, this time for voice, acoustic guitar, bass, drums with brushes, and small brass ensemble. It too will be short and sweet, and I have a certain person's voice in my head for it, even though once again I have no words for this song (are we seeing a pattern here?). We'll have to see if I am able to summon up the courage to ask her to consider it. I hope that wouldn't be too forward of me, but first thing's first: get it written, get it done, go from there.
Feeling better mentally for both having finished this music, and for disciplining myself to keep working at it. Good things come from discipline. I need to remember that, but will probably continue to re-learn this lesson throughout my life. I tend to be a fairly lazy individual.
Health is still compromised. Tour in two days. I'm considering renting a Yamaha marching baritone from Long & McQuade. It has the same range and fingering as my regular horn, but it is played like a trumpet, making it easier for the sound to project forward. It's a bit on the heavy side - the traditional horn is held against the body, making it easier to carry - but it has such a sweet voice; the keys do have a slight tendency to stick, although I've been told that this is a problem with a lot of Yamaha brass instruments. I'll talk it over with the other band members, see if they have any opinions on the subject.
I will start on a second song that has been running through my head for some time now as well, this time for voice, acoustic guitar, bass, drums with brushes, and small brass ensemble. It too will be short and sweet, and I have a certain person's voice in my head for it, even though once again I have no words for this song (are we seeing a pattern here?). We'll have to see if I am able to summon up the courage to ask her to consider it. I hope that wouldn't be too forward of me, but first thing's first: get it written, get it done, go from there.
Feeling better mentally for both having finished this music, and for disciplining myself to keep working at it. Good things come from discipline. I need to remember that, but will probably continue to re-learn this lesson throughout my life. I tend to be a fairly lazy individual.
Health is still compromised. Tour in two days. I'm considering renting a Yamaha marching baritone from Long & McQuade. It has the same range and fingering as my regular horn, but it is played like a trumpet, making it easier for the sound to project forward. It's a bit on the heavy side - the traditional horn is held against the body, making it easier to carry - but it has such a sweet voice; the keys do have a slight tendency to stick, although I've been told that this is a problem with a lot of Yamaha brass instruments. I'll talk it over with the other band members, see if they have any opinions on the subject.