Thursday,
July 9, 2009
The challenge of the alto clef
I'm
now two lessons into learning the viola, and so far the fingertips on
my left hand are kinda sore (apparently I won't develop actual calluses
the way that guitar players do, but they will eventually toughen) and
I've learned the note placement on the upper two strings and some extremely
basic songs using the guitar position (aka pizzicato, or plucking the
strings). Did you know that Mozart wrote the music to "Twinkle,
Twinkle, Little Star?" The things you learn.
And then there was tonight, when I learned how to hold the viola using just my chin and shoulder. I get to use my new bow at my next lesson, whee. Also, since I already have hella musical experience, my teacher seems to think that I may be able to play something in the recital come September.
Um...recital?
Apparently the look of naked fear on my face didn't deter him at all, so it looks like I will be practicing my little heart out for the next six weeks. Oh, well -- that which does not humiliate us to death makes us stronger, yes?
However, I do have to say that I'm digging the instrument. Interestingly, the book I'm using (Essential Elements 2000 for Viola) comes with a CD and DVD so that you can see and hear viola players do their stuff, which is lovely except that the frigging tuning track starts out with this orchestral opener and a dulcet-toned announcer welcoming me to the track. All I want are C, G, D and A tones so that I can tune the strings, thank you very much. And I'm still reading the notes in treble clef, which is kinda annoying -- I really have to figure out how to associate the correct notes with their alto locations.
Okay, there's a reason why you need a rest day
Because
if you swim 6 days a week and you get your tubby body up to 45 laps,
your muscles are gonna, well, hurt.
Of course, now that I've gotten into the habit of swimming I actially felt kind of guilty that I didn't get into the pool yesterday. However, when I got on the scale this morning and discovered that I'd lost .8 of a pound anyway (most likely water weight from inflammation of sore muscles, but whatever), I decided it was a good thing nonetheless.
One thing that IS frustrating me about the scales, however -- I can see the changes in my arms and legs, and even my tummy is starting to shrink the tiniest bit, which is all good. But scale-wise I've lost almost nothing, which is somewhat frustrating. I don't know if I'm replacing fat with muscles (I'm more used to doing that when I lift weights, but I suppose I would increase muscle mass somewhat with swimming), and I'm not complaining about the physical changes. I would just like to see a downward shift in that magic number, as well. If nothing else, my feet would appreciate it.
Yes, I'm starting to get pumped about next weekend
Especially
after listening to the beauteous and talented messers Combs and
Gordon do a rather tasty radio
interview with Patt Morrison on KPCV Southern California Public Radio.
They talked about the structure of the show (it's essentially a fictionalized
recreation of one of Poe's recitals, during which he makes a couple of
toasts too many and melancholy hijinks ensue), and JC recited a poem
as Poe. Even on radio, the power of the man's words really come across,
so this should be a hella good performance.
Of course, now I'm trying to figure out how early I should get there -- it's general admission (aka a scrum for good seats), and Patrick was saying I should get there at 5:00 PM for an 8:00 PM curtain. I think that may be a tad early, but he is the Nathan Lane of mid-central Illinois dinner theater, so he knows whereof he speaks.
Tell you this much, though -- if I'm waiting that long, I'm definitely leaving the heels at home. I'm vain, not stupid.
Acceptable in the 80's
Yeah, yeah, I know Patrick, it's not Doctor Who, but this is great nonetheless. For all you Blake's 7 fans out there, you can thank Walt for this: