You know when you were little and you'd sit in front of a fan and talk into it, just to get that weird vibrating sound in your voice? You know, the one that makes you sound like a cross between ET and the kid from the Shining when he's saying 'Redrum, Redrum'...?
Well, that was all fun and good when you were a kid, but when you're trying to practice the flute (so that maybe, someday you can buy your own groceries and swipe your credit card without complete and total panic racking your entire body), and what you hear is some kind of mutated bird that obviously has been doing way too much crack...well...that's not the greatest. It kind of makes the practice time a little less efficient...less productive, if you will.
So, what's the alternative? I guess to turn off the fan and let the flute slide all over your bottom lip like it has gluestick glue on it? That's fine and all, but it tends to make me get out of tune. A little. Or a lot.
So I guess the other option is to go to my 'new' school and practice in the basement practice rooms there. And that's fine. But the thing is, practice rooms are depressing to me. Especially when there is no-one there and the rest of the hall is dark and quiet...and it's gorgeous outside...that results in my retarded line of thinking that goes something like this:
"Why am I here? I don't want to be playing scales"
"You're here because this is what you do. Get used to it."
"But, I'm not even that good anyway. I've just been fooling people. Anyone could do what I do. And blech, it's dark down here."
To which the other side of my brain has no answer, and I either just ignore my entire stupid thought process and keep going, or pack up with a tremendous feeling of guilt and take a walk outside and try to figure out what the hell I'm doing.
So yeah, maybe the school practice room thing isn't the best idea. Maybe it'll be better once more students are there...but for now...I guess I'm just going to try to point the fan in a different direction and hope that it still circulates the air in a manner sufficient enough to eliminate the glue...and put the poor little drug-abusing bird to rest.
8 comments:
Been there and done that. Summer before my first season in New World Symphony I was practicing like a mother because I was scared.to.death. Oklahhoma. House sitting with Mrs. Greyhound. First summer of marriage. No AC. Ceiling fan changes heldenhorn sound into maddening "whomp whomp whomp" on your dome.
arrrrrrrrgh. The humanity.
is it mostly pieces, or mostly scales...
i've got lots of AC.
but, it still depends on the answer above...
Is there another air conditioner that you could borrow or would you like to buy one as a gift from us? Love, Mom
bold--hmm..maybe half of each? i could do the scales while you're working or something.... :)
mom--it shouldn't be hot for too much longer; i'll survive!
greyhound--connections with new world symphony, eh? any chance you could get them to actually call me? i've been on the sublist for all of eternity with no luck...
EXCUSE ME!!!! Is this the same Curly Su who did Ironman France on a whim? Of I'm sure that just anyone could do that. I think this is also the Curly Su I heard give her last Cleveland flute recital. A recital that had me in utter amazement because I know I could never produce sounds like that or give meaning and soul to a sheet of music. I used to play clarinet in junior high so I appreciate the talent and committment towards your music, I know I couldn't.
No. Not everyone can do what you do...you little song bird you.
At least you're trying to practice-that's what counts!! And you should take the New World audition again if you can-it's always good to give them a reminder (says another New World alum!).
Oh, I can't beleave another person like me: flutist and triathlete!! Nice to meet you! Nice blog
Could you practice outside? I've wondered before about playing piano outdoors.
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