Gentle readers, I am retiring this blog as many things have happened since my last entry. My life has taken so many twists and turns that have brought me to the next phase in my life.
I've started another blog that's radically different from this one so I'm doing a clean break between the two - ping me privately if you're interested but be aware that it's pretty mono-focused.
Thank you for following and reading my writings. I hope it's brought you at least one smile to lighten your day.
Friday, September 11, 2015
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Maturity and Power
When I was a little child, I would grab a pencil and start waving it joyously in the air pretending to be a conductor whenever a classical piece was playing on the family tape deck. It was mostly to annoy my eldest brother who was trying to enjoy the music and I usually got a thrashing for it but since I was going to get hit regardless, why not make it count?
For most of my life, moving into positions of power was a key factor in my life planning. It still is today but with a much lower priority. You see, I used to aim for positions with authority because I was under the assumption that authority means security. That's not entirely incorrect either - people in positions of authority can usually see the corporate change truck that hits them, either with a glancing blow like a reorg or a fatal one like a layoff. However, the whole Authority = Security equation fails in its raison d'etre - to retain a position and not be unemployed. You can usually duck the bullets for a short while but in the end it all comes apart.
Took me years to figure that out. If this blog just taught you something valuable and saved you years of painful discovery, please send your appreciation to... ;)
It's no secret that I'm aiming to be a chamber violinist sometime in the coming years. It's also very clear that I have at best only a very slim chance of being successful, if any at all. As I mentioned to a dear friend just last night, some people keep hope alive by buying lottery tickets. This whole chamber violinist adventure is my lottery ticket and no matter how slim the chances may be, it's still better than buying a lottery ticket.
I'm aiming to be good enough to be a second violinist in an orchestra and I'm not particularly fussy as to whether it's an amateur or professional band of musicians. All I know is that I come alive when I play and that's all I care about at this time. So far, I've only played in a very short duet and I loved it. To be in an ensemble of chamber musicians making music is definitely on my bucket list and if I can do so semi-regularly, it would be a dream come true.
Not interested in conducting though. Between actually making music vs. the person directing the flow, I'd prefer to be one of the nameless many in the strings section actually playing, thanks.
For most of my life, moving into positions of power was a key factor in my life planning. It still is today but with a much lower priority. You see, I used to aim for positions with authority because I was under the assumption that authority means security. That's not entirely incorrect either - people in positions of authority can usually see the corporate change truck that hits them, either with a glancing blow like a reorg or a fatal one like a layoff. However, the whole Authority = Security equation fails in its raison d'etre - to retain a position and not be unemployed. You can usually duck the bullets for a short while but in the end it all comes apart.
Took me years to figure that out. If this blog just taught you something valuable and saved you years of painful discovery, please send your appreciation to... ;)
It's no secret that I'm aiming to be a chamber violinist sometime in the coming years. It's also very clear that I have at best only a very slim chance of being successful, if any at all. As I mentioned to a dear friend just last night, some people keep hope alive by buying lottery tickets. This whole chamber violinist adventure is my lottery ticket and no matter how slim the chances may be, it's still better than buying a lottery ticket.
I'm aiming to be good enough to be a second violinist in an orchestra and I'm not particularly fussy as to whether it's an amateur or professional band of musicians. All I know is that I come alive when I play and that's all I care about at this time. So far, I've only played in a very short duet and I loved it. To be in an ensemble of chamber musicians making music is definitely on my bucket list and if I can do so semi-regularly, it would be a dream come true.
Not interested in conducting though. Between actually making music vs. the person directing the flow, I'd prefer to be one of the nameless many in the strings section actually playing, thanks.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Leveling Up (part 2)
I absolutely love the violin, far more than I've ever appreciated any other instrument. I think it's mostly because I'm just beginning to realize the full potential of the instrument, its complexity, richness and range. It's like upgrading my automobile from an automatic transmission to a manual gearbox only to find a hidden row of buttons marked "Turbo Boost", "Oil Slick" and "Espresso Dispenser".
I'm looking at the pieces I'm practicing and the pieces I hope to play someday. Then I'm taking a look at the pieces the professionals play. I'm never ever going to master this instrument. I'm going to try, gods help me.
I'm looking at the pieces I'm practicing and the pieces I hope to play someday. Then I'm taking a look at the pieces the professionals play. I'm never ever going to master this instrument. I'm going to try, gods help me.
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