Girls (and guys, too I guess), you need to see through a lot of the act that guys put on to gain your favor. Yes, there are some very pure souls out there but there are also a lot of guys out there that are studying the art of confusing you, throwing you off, and manipulating you for the sake of dating you or potentially something else. This is a practice that is gaining a lot of attention in the modern dating world.
Lately I have been going out a lot only to see the same situation every time...a big stage of charades.
I guess I am being anti-guy for sharing these thoughts but I just hate seeing relationships and connection build off of something that is an absolute game.
Be aware, and don't go for bullsh!t. Go for what is genuine and I've got a feeling that everyone can sense the presence of genuine.
Just look out for yourself and be aware...even if having some guy play a game on you is very amusing and fascinating,maybe even flattering, still, be aware. Equip yourself with perspective.
ok enough of this.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Unbelievable Blessings...and a little thought to follow.
Last night I was privileged to attend a mini-recital and masterclass by Mr. Ronald Barron, retired principal trombonist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. I'm not sure quite sure where to start about my experience but to sum it all up I came away from it with a deep sense of appreciation.
The evening began with Mr. Barron playing two pieces. In this modern age of rigid idealism in trombone playing, Barron played with a fine touch to beautiful music making. With the guidance of a few fine teachers in the Houston area (Bob Walp and Thomas Hulten in terms of this subject), I have realized that my own personal playing and overall outlook to music has turned greatly academic and "proper". In comes Ronald Barron, and though his performance was far from being "perfectly impressive" I could not stop smiling while he was playing and I was in awe of how relentless his efforts of making music were. I had to breath in deeply and exhale because I almost felt like every phrase he played lifted off layers of baggage I had built over the years. No he didn't always have the ideal sound or articulation (according to some) but it isn't about what is ideal...even if it is totally wrong.
Musicians inspire audiences with strong, heartfelt art.
This is something I tend to forget...and I've always been someone who was considered to be a more "musically inclined" person from peers and colleagues.
At the end of the masterclass, Mr. Barron answered our questions and hearing him speak about his time in Boston and everything he went through...the journey he took was truly the journey of an artist. He spoke on some compelling topics on conductors, soloists, and how to reach audiences and generation with music...after all he said you got the sense that music wasnt only his career...music was something that came in and out of his body like wind...it was truly a part of his life.
After a class like this with such an interesting man, I could only imagine how wonderful his experiences might have been over forty years. I hope that when I play in an orchestra, I can always realize that it is an unbelievable blessing.
As I was compiling my music for the upcoming audition I am taking masterpieces were blaring in my head as I flipped through each page. Mahler's 3rd and 5th, Schubert's 7th, Tannhauser...etc.
I can remember hearing these and falling in love with them every time I hear them and to be on stage to play them...I'm afraid I might cry out of pure ....whatever it is that is beyond ecstasy.
"a little thought to follow"... I will have to get to this later as it is about time for a short nap followed by a serious work out!
-James
The evening began with Mr. Barron playing two pieces. In this modern age of rigid idealism in trombone playing, Barron played with a fine touch to beautiful music making. With the guidance of a few fine teachers in the Houston area (Bob Walp and Thomas Hulten in terms of this subject), I have realized that my own personal playing and overall outlook to music has turned greatly academic and "proper". In comes Ronald Barron, and though his performance was far from being "perfectly impressive" I could not stop smiling while he was playing and I was in awe of how relentless his efforts of making music were. I had to breath in deeply and exhale because I almost felt like every phrase he played lifted off layers of baggage I had built over the years. No he didn't always have the ideal sound or articulation (according to some) but it isn't about what is ideal...even if it is totally wrong.
Musicians inspire audiences with strong, heartfelt art.
This is something I tend to forget...and I've always been someone who was considered to be a more "musically inclined" person from peers and colleagues.
At the end of the masterclass, Mr. Barron answered our questions and hearing him speak about his time in Boston and everything he went through...the journey he took was truly the journey of an artist. He spoke on some compelling topics on conductors, soloists, and how to reach audiences and generation with music...after all he said you got the sense that music wasnt only his career...music was something that came in and out of his body like wind...it was truly a part of his life.
After a class like this with such an interesting man, I could only imagine how wonderful his experiences might have been over forty years. I hope that when I play in an orchestra, I can always realize that it is an unbelievable blessing.
As I was compiling my music for the upcoming audition I am taking masterpieces were blaring in my head as I flipped through each page. Mahler's 3rd and 5th, Schubert's 7th, Tannhauser...etc.
I can remember hearing these and falling in love with them every time I hear them and to be on stage to play them...I'm afraid I might cry out of pure ....whatever it is that is beyond ecstasy.
"a little thought to follow"... I will have to get to this later as it is about time for a short nap followed by a serious work out!
-James
Thursday, April 15, 2010
The Power of Music
It's amazing how beautiful music can be...it can shake the tears out of you in a split second. And when someone plays it, or sings it, and it flows out of them so effortlessly...so naturally...that is a person who has it right. That is someone who is in a very beautiful state of themselves.
It's such a shame that music for many musicians has become an execution of skills rather than a celebration. I mean, if you go to a church and you watch them praise, whether or not you believe in their God, you will know that music to these people isn't something that they are merely "capable of". Music to these people has to come out of them whether they like it or not and they sing because music is beautiful. They sing, not caring what comes out, but rather only knowing why they sing. And i've noticed people with deep church backgrounds (such as southern baptist churches, cheezy praise band churches...etc) who end up in the performing world tend to have a special quality to their playing. Whether God has blessed them with that or not is unknown but their sincere experiences with shouting love through music is known.
It's such a shame that music for many musicians has become an execution of skills rather than a celebration. I mean, if you go to a church and you watch them praise, whether or not you believe in their God, you will know that music to these people isn't something that they are merely "capable of". Music to these people has to come out of them whether they like it or not and they sing because music is beautiful. They sing, not caring what comes out, but rather only knowing why they sing. And i've noticed people with deep church backgrounds (such as southern baptist churches, cheezy praise band churches...etc) who end up in the performing world tend to have a special quality to their playing. Whether God has blessed them with that or not is unknown but their sincere experiences with shouting love through music is known.
Monday, April 05, 2010
The Dual Life
So today is 8 weeks from my Milwaukee Symphony audition. I feel like this is the readiest I've ever been before embarking upon preparations for an audition...if this makes any sense to you.
During this period, I will try my hardest to remember a few things...
a) Despite a highly pressurized atmosphere and rigorous preparation, it is still music after all.
b) It's not me vs. the 70 or 80 people or so for one spot...for most of the audition, it is me vs. me.
c) I do have what it takes to be a world-class musician. I have hints of it now...how is that for modesty?
and
d) I'm not a little twerpy trombone kid so that always keeps me from getting too nervous. Its amazing how many little dweebs you see at these auditions...dude, go drink you a cold one.
It's just music...enjoyment is the up most priority. VERY HARD work is necessary for me but I can do it. I can't guarantee a win, I can't foretell the future and say that I will have gotten everything in order both physically and mentally...but I can have a perspective that will hopefully lead to the aforementioned results.
Also...
Im currently sitting at 285 lbs after spending much of 2009 around the 265 lbs mark. Although I like the heavier weights, I'm afraid that it has taken a toll on my knees. I don't plan to lose a lot of weight but rather, lose only about 5 pounds and to focus balancing my body out to ultimately turn myself into a bigger person all around...this should help me with any bodily stresses. Something about being a muscular 280lbs seems really ....well....badass to me. At 265 I was just a bit too dainty for my taste. Being 280 dense in muscle will be quite a task, however.
I've also been toying with the idea of throwing again next season. I've been coaching the past few years, and though my throwing isn't quite in shape, every once in a while I'll flin that discus out there and feel like an absolute new man. My perspective has changed, my life is different, my throwing intellect is better...why not I say. One thing is certain, if I do decide to throw again, I will devote myself to being absolutely stronger as I did not in the past. In the past, I was just strong...compared to other little dweebs. Bench was about 370, squat was about 550. Yes, the technique is of paramount importance, but being strong as all hell does not hurt. Id like to get the bench up to about 430 and the squat to about 630. Also, I've realized the absolute importance of the core in the throwing motion. Id make sure that is in order as well.
Many people get the wrong idea that throwers should be merely big...that is foolish. Unfortunately, you see a lot of throwers who totally disregard their bodies and as a result their throwing is well...terrible. The ideal thrower will have size but not at the expense of not being graceful, quick, and dynamic.
later,
James
During this period, I will try my hardest to remember a few things...
a) Despite a highly pressurized atmosphere and rigorous preparation, it is still music after all.
b) It's not me vs. the 70 or 80 people or so for one spot...for most of the audition, it is me vs. me.
c) I do have what it takes to be a world-class musician. I have hints of it now...how is that for modesty?
and
d) I'm not a little twerpy trombone kid so that always keeps me from getting too nervous. Its amazing how many little dweebs you see at these auditions...dude, go drink you a cold one.
It's just music...enjoyment is the up most priority. VERY HARD work is necessary for me but I can do it. I can't guarantee a win, I can't foretell the future and say that I will have gotten everything in order both physically and mentally...but I can have a perspective that will hopefully lead to the aforementioned results.
Also...
Im currently sitting at 285 lbs after spending much of 2009 around the 265 lbs mark. Although I like the heavier weights, I'm afraid that it has taken a toll on my knees. I don't plan to lose a lot of weight but rather, lose only about 5 pounds and to focus balancing my body out to ultimately turn myself into a bigger person all around...this should help me with any bodily stresses. Something about being a muscular 280lbs seems really ....well....badass to me. At 265 I was just a bit too dainty for my taste. Being 280 dense in muscle will be quite a task, however.
I've also been toying with the idea of throwing again next season. I've been coaching the past few years, and though my throwing isn't quite in shape, every once in a while I'll flin that discus out there and feel like an absolute new man. My perspective has changed, my life is different, my throwing intellect is better...why not I say. One thing is certain, if I do decide to throw again, I will devote myself to being absolutely stronger as I did not in the past. In the past, I was just strong...compared to other little dweebs. Bench was about 370, squat was about 550. Yes, the technique is of paramount importance, but being strong as all hell does not hurt. Id like to get the bench up to about 430 and the squat to about 630. Also, I've realized the absolute importance of the core in the throwing motion. Id make sure that is in order as well.
Many people get the wrong idea that throwers should be merely big...that is foolish. Unfortunately, you see a lot of throwers who totally disregard their bodies and as a result their throwing is well...terrible. The ideal thrower will have size but not at the expense of not being graceful, quick, and dynamic.
later,
James
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