Thursday, January 26, 2006

The Big Band Chart Writes Itself

In a conversation the with my mom the other day, she commented about how I seem to be very good about starting assignments and not procrastinating. Apparently in college, she refered to herself as "Last Minute Linda". Then she thought for a second, and went on to ask, "But with these projects like writing a big band chart, don't you have to wait for a time when you really feel good and mentally clear to get anything done?" My response was "I don't know, it's not like I work on it every day, but every time I sit down ideas magically float to my head, kind of like a fist."
Sure I have moments where I say "what section should I have play this line?" or "Is this idea maintaining continuity with the style I want, or am I going off on a tangent?" or "is this section to short or too long?" So when I have those moments I get up and do something else. Usually by the time I come back I have some sort of solution in mind.
So writing a completely original chart is not a laborious, painstaking process for me right now. My pencil seems to magically vomit graphite onto my manuscript paper. I never find myself spending time staring at a blank score.
The ego boost of having my chart played at a concert is probably really helping. I know my musical ideas are valid, I don't feel the need to second guess myself all the time right now.
Don't you love that I'm so inspired by writing music I was inspired to write in my blog?

Sunday, January 22, 2006

The Fox and the Crow

A CROW having stolen a bit of meat, perched in a tree and held it in her beak. A Fox, seeing this, longed to possess the meat himself, and by a wily stratagem succeeded. "How handsome is the Crow," he exclaimed, in the beauty of her shape and in the fairness of her complexion! Oh, if her voice were only equal to her beauty, she would deservedly be considered the Queen of Birds!" This he said deceitfully; but the Crow, anxious to refute the reflection cast upon her voice, set up a loud caw and dropped the flesh. The Fox quickly picked it up, and thus addressed the Crow: "My good Crow, your voice is right enough, but your wit is wanting."

In other news.....

This quarter is a little less busy, leaving me some free time to visit friends!
I played at Baba Budan's last friday, and am trying to book other gigs.
My big band chart will be performed by the Jazz Lab Band on Sunday, February 5th.
I've been sitting in with salsa bands a lot.
I auditioned for Carnival Cruise Lines, and plan to audition for Disneyland next month.
Things with Trent are still going strong ^.^