Strong Bad

Strong Bad's latest email.

http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail152.html

This guy kills me.

If you need an explanation about the characters just go to the main web site.

Pressure?

Playing the tuba again has been a very mixed experience. Overall, it is good but it has produced some moments of 'why am I doing this?' From the expense of lessons and instruments, to the weird feeling of sitting next to someone who is clearly judging you as you have paid him to do, it can be a bit demoralizing.

I have tried to convey to Nathalie that, in music anyway, that you are first bad then good. Despite the stories about Mozart and other geniuses (who were purportedly never bad), you have to be bad at playing something first. It's just part of the deal. Eventually you might become proficient; you will surely improve. For people who have natural talents at anything or demand that they never embarrass themselves in public, this can be non-starter. In other words, it can prevent you from trying something. This is the biggest barrier when adults learn for the first time.

I've been trying to overcome some of this myself. As I have said before, I initially repel much of the tuba music and orchestral situations that I've experienced in the past. But in a sense, I'm short changing myself. It is okay not to like that stuff. But, I don't know if it is all that simple - a negative subjective judgment.

I've tried to allow myself to have an open-mind and occasionally, I've been surprised. I've really improved in the short time I've been playing. I have some very different thoughts about playing (now versus college years) and find it very easy to practice for more than one hour. I even enjoy some of the stuff that I really thought I would hate. It might simply be that there is no pressure. Was there pressure before? I felt it but where did it come from?

I don't know but I've even considered upping the ante. I've considered getting an 'orchestral' tuba (a CC not the BBb that I have) . I'm not sure where this is going but that seems okay for awhile.

Practicing

There is a long, more reflective post in my about music, but for now I'll stick to something a little more pragmatic.

Artists figured out that they need studios, and musicians should replicate this kind of workspace for themselves. Musicians have other problems that artists don't have (and vice versa). A musician has to periodically move his axe to the gig so you need enough room to move around, pack up and you might need two of some things in the case and in the studio - valve oils, or other things that you don't want to have to hunt around for.

Here's what you should have if you are going to practice an instrument:

1. Access to a keyboard. A keyboard makes replicating the sound of a piece (or scale) very easy. It is both visual and aural. When you don't know what something sounds like, play it on the piano (easy and slow) to put the sound target in your head. The idea of seeing notes on a page and envisioning (with your ears) the sound is very advanced. Putting the musical idea in your mind's ear is important and one of the most overlooked parts of instrumental instruction.
   
2. A metronome. Tapping your foot is considered gauche. It is also unreliable. You must develop an internal metronome, but you do that by having an external one to start. I have excellent 'time' but this single addition to my practicing makes it possible to focus on other aspects of my practicing and later integrate the sound and meter.
   
3. A recording device. Also overlooked. A simple dicatation machine can suffice. You must listen to what you are doing. You develop ticks such as audible gasping for air that must be heard in order for you to believe it because your mind is so engaged in other things. You will hear whether you are playing in time. I was surprised to see how many teachers use laptops for this now. Why not?
   
4. A music stand and a desk (or bookcase) where you can keep your music and get at it easily as long as a place for water, rag, and other supplies (valve oil, cork grease, etc.) It's gotta be easy or you don't do it. Playing a difficult passage in the key of B (five sharps - remember?)? Go find that method book and play some B scales for a bit. Loosen up those fingers.
   

Just some thoughts.