The Musician's Musings

From alaricmacconnal :
1. You play many different types of musical instruments. What was your very first one and how did you get started?
My first lessons were on piano when I was 7 or 8. My mom got a used upright for me and I took lessons from an older woman, who I remember not liking very much because she made me sing, and I didn't like to sing back then. I found out from my mom that I also was very critical of her, which of course she didn't want to put up with that, but I honest to God don't remember that.

2. What are your top three favorite musical genres?
1) Classical (Neo-classic, Prokofiev and the like)
2) Progressive and hard rock/metal (Yes, Dream Theater, Def Leppard, Queen)
3) Techno

Now, I really can't leave it at that. Funk is too dear to me, and if you consider a capella a genre, that's gotta be up there, so it's too difficult to narrow down to just three.

3. What is the thing you like best about teaching (and the worst)?
Best: Seeing kids get it, and liking it. Those joyful 'a-ha!' moments are really special.
Worst: Abject apathy. I have students who stick it in my face on a daily basis that they don't care, and *want* to fail my class, because music is not important.

4. If you had the chance to go back in time and observe, when and where would you go?
I would go back either to San Francisco in 1967 or Houston in 1972. The former because I would love to see the cultural and music revolution of the time at its source, but barely accessible to my early memories in the days of dial phones, no internet, and black-n-white TV. The latter because I have an odd desire to be where I was just a young'n so I could recognize my home town in an age past, but I'd *be* there. Just too young to understand. Yes, I'm weird. I know.

5. What superhero would you like to be, and why?
I was infatuated with the Incredible Hulk as a kid, because he had the ability to change and take control of the situation, but was not in control of the change. Then I heard of transformers, and watched the cartoon, and was hooked. They could change, when they wanted to, and do more than any one person ever could. Hell, I'd still like to be one of those if I could.
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And now for alfiechat 's:
1. If you could go back in time and meet any particular musician, who would that be and why?
That's a tough one. There are so many good, interesting composers that I would love to have met and talked about music. I'm going to say Beethoven, for his use of emotion, for knowing how to break the rules, and for his finding joy amidst his pain.

2. If you hadn't become a teacher, what career path would you have taken and why?
Originally I'd gotten my degree in music composition, and wanted to get my master's degree in composition from Rice University. Not getting admitted led to my education and career as a teacher. I imagine I would've continued my quest to earn a living writing music, but I don't know how well that would've turned out.

3. Other than your family, what do you consider your greatest accomplishment to date?
As much as I'd love to name a particular work I've written, my greatest accomplishment is continuing to reach out to the kids in Wilkinsburg and trying to make a difference in their lives.

4. What particular incident in past or present United States History has had the greatest impact on you?
I'm guessing here, please forgive my ignorance. I'm going to say the passing of Act 80 in the PA legislature, necessitating professional development, and giving the opportunity for some useful music-related workshops that I've taken.

5. Is there any place that you would like to visit that you have not had the opportunity to do so?
Here's but a short list:
-New Orleans
-The Alamo
-Australia
-Germany/Austria

Next batch of questions...

For ariannawyn:
1. Have you ever used your calligraphy and illumination skills for non-SCA purposes? If so, which was the neatest project?
2. What superpower would you just *love* to have right now?
3. If music had worked out perfectly for you, what would you be doing right now?
4. What brand-spanking new hobby would you love to take up, given all time and resources?
5. Who's your favorite apprentice? What do you get the most enjoyment from going to events?

For ka3ytl:
1. What's the coolest thing about OES?
2. What's the wildest thing you've done in the last 12 months?
3. Which is more worth it- teaching where you are or staying involved in A Phi O?
4. What kind of car would you love to have?
5. If you weren't a teacher, what would you be?

And finally, for amynicole717:
1. What's the best part about living in Cleveland?
2. Who's your favorite classical composer? (any era)
3. Which is more rewarding to you- reading or listening to music?
4. What superpower would you just *love* to have right now?
5. What do you want to be when you grow up?

1. What do you find funny?

How much room do I have??
-Mel Brooks, Robin Williams, Tim Conway, Benny Hill
-Puns. They may be the lowest form of humor, but they fascinate and amuse me.
-Well-timed slapstick, like Conway/Korman on the Carol Burnett show.
-Voices and accents. I giggle nearly every time I hear " MOTHER! " from Daffy. Hearing comdeians use all sorts of accents is hilarious, no matter how un-PC it is.
-Sound effects. Especially Ryan Stiles and Colin Mockery (sp?) on Whose Line Is It Anyway? I am normally doubled-over after each bit because Ryan is so good at those sound effects.

There's more, but that comprises a l

2. Which is more important: determination or talent?

Determination. Of the two you mentioned, that is what I lack more of. I have talent and ability, but with more determination I can do more. Someone with less ability could do more than what I'm doing as well.

3. How many musical insturments do you play?

I play, on some regular basis:
-Trumpet
-Piano
-Recorder
-Guitar
-Taiko drum

I don't play these much, but can quite well:
-Clarinet (my first wind instrument)
-Baritone

I can play, but less ably:
-French horn
-Trombone
-Flute
-Alto sax
-Snare drum

4. Who in history fascinates you?

Beethoven, for his determination to focus on joy in his music when his world was filled with confusion, hate, bitterness, and disappointment. Oh, and silence.

5. What you expect from yourself when you go to an event?

I expect to be just as courteous as I try to be around people normally, but probably a bit more. I expect to find pleasure in seeing others do what they enjoy doing- fighting, costuming, or whatever is going on at the event. That's a slightly tricky question since a lot of the time I'm watching my daughter, so my focus is on her, not on me, but I enjoy seeing friends and doing some things that I enjoy doing, like trumpeting, singing, playing in the consort, and maybe even heralding if I'm lucky. :-) (no fighting... yet)

Interview from dicea:

1) Explain secondary function chords in terms of functional harmony, please include at least one example of a modern or well known piece that illustrates secondary function.

A secondary function chord, or "pivot chord," is a chord that functions in two seperate keys. This chord is used to transition into a modulation to a different key. The best modern and well known example I can think of still falls short of your request, for which I apologize. The tune is "Liberty Bell" and y'all know it from Monty Python. If you take the final chord as the foot comes down and goes "thpbthth!", that chord is at once the tonic chord of the original key as well as the dominant chord of the following section. As in every traditional march, especially those of John Phillip Sousa, the middle section or trio modulates to the sub-dominant key (if you start in F, the trio is in B-flat, and goes back to F at the end). My example falls short because Monty Python never plays the trio section, so I doubt many people know how that section goes.

2) What is the hardest part of composing music with intentions of selling it.

Trying to balance what I'd think would sound cool with the formula of what might sell. I don't want to jump off and do my thang, only to be snubbed for doing so. However, what I am doing with my collaboration is similar to how I was writing for Cut Once, my ska band. I want to take a traditional form, or formula, but tweak it in a way that is inequivocably mine, and hope it doesn't offend or put off those execs making those decisions. I hope that works.

3) If you could teach a class in the SCA that could help others gain a better understanding and appreciation of one element of music, what element would that be?

"Appreciating How Music Was Experienced Back Then, 101" From what I've read, we've romanticized so much of musical expression, very little of it has pure function now. I'm not passing judgement, but few "regular Giuseppes" out there want to hear Gregorian chant or anything before 1450 because we have nothing in our modern discography that really matches what music was like in the 14th century and before. Voices were without vibrato. Music was more functional, not decorative, especially with the religious works and the procession pieces. I'd teach people how to listen with an open ear and appreciate- not like, nor love, but to acknowledge and value what music was back then.

4) What is your greatest talent?

Um, I think it's my general musical aptitude. I've done everything to some extent: performed (vocal, woodwind, brass, percussion), composed (orchestral, choral, band, ska, pop), conducted (choral, orchestral [once], band) and taught (privately, professionally, elementary/jr/sr high, choral/genearl/instrumental). I can pick up an instrument and at least get around on it, though I claim to be a virtuoso in nothing. I can remember songs by their exact chords- sometimes when channel surfing on the radio, I'll hear one chord, but I know what that chord is in the context of that song. I don't know if that counts as talent, but I think it's one of my greatest strengths.

5) Do you think that period music and modern folk music can/should coexist in the SCA?

First: Can? Yeah. I think a lot of modern folk music, at least that sub-section that's about the SCA, is done in the tradition of the period, though not in the exact musical and lyrical language of the period. It has its place, and sometimes in certain bardic circles that can be heard along with a period ballad and fit right in. It doesn't work everywhere, but it can and has existed for a long time. I believe the modern folk music outdates period music when taken in the context of the SCA, anyway.

Secong: Should? Yes. Again, it has its place, and it's a great outlet for many SCAdians for the tradition of passing on those stories about the SCA and those in it. I don't think it should be everywhere, in every campsite or at every event, but I don't think it should be taken out of the Society.

dicea, thanks for making me think. I hope I've answered your questions well enough. For the rest of y'all! If you want to interview me, post your questions in the comments. If you'd like to be interviewed, let me know and I'll respond in the comments.

( *tap*tap* Is this thing on? )

More will follow in another post

Gakked I say! From fraterrisus I say!! I dare say y'all know the rules, and I'm not responsible for the lack of capitalization.

leave me a comment saying, "Interview me."
i will respond by asking you five questions. i get to pick the questions.
you will post the answers to the questions (and the questions themselves) on your journal.
you will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post (or a separate post, but not too long after).
when others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

If anyone wants to give me the 5-question interview, write it in a comment and I will post the answers. I've not done this yet, but it's high time I should.