A little self examination after my first 14 months playing whistle. I think I can safely say I can ‘play’ the whistle. My ear has improved tremendously. Last year I read all my carols on sheet music. This year I can play them off the top of my head.
But I realize the hard work has really just begin..learning to play well and just what this means..
It means every note will be pure and clean.
It means getting my speed up.
It means working on my breathing so that I do not run out of breath just when there is no place to take a breath.
It means getting the tempo right all the time.
It means learning my rolls etc so well that I do not have to stop and think “how do I do a G roll?” every time I come to a place to use it.
It means having fun.
It means enjoying your music. (RIght Lee?)
It means looking up tunes that interest you.
It means helping others as you progress.
It means you’re an Irish musician!
The music played well,
when words fail,
says all that needs said,
to any who need to hear.
What to Play Next?
Play the heart of it.
Play joy, sorrow, longing, and mystery.
Play impish, snippish, mischievous, prankish.
Play hope, dread, confusion, and consternation.
Play rage, regret, worry, and wonder.
Play the sunrise, moonrise, and the first cup of coffee in the morning.
Play the babes first step, the bridal dance, and the last step to grave.
Play the seaside, the canyon, the rapids, and the falls.
Play the thunderstorm, the mist, the first sunny day of spring, the gentle breeze of the last leaf falling, the snowflake caressing the window pane.
Just play.
All these thing I aspire to but above all I must
Enjoy My Music,
Lee Marsh
[ This Message was edited by: LeeMarsh on 2002-12-11 10:33 ]
Lee I some times think you live in a poem. Would that I could aspire to your tenents.(peradimes,a your asperations, a ideal, oh you know what I mean, Dale just has me so freaked out)
On 2002-12-11 11:15, Blackbeer wrote:
Lee I some times think you live in a poem. Would that I could aspire to your tenents.(peradimes,a your asperations, a ideal, oh you know what I mean, Dale just has me so freaked out)
LOL Lee; I read that this mourning. Report card day was always a day of dread for me. But I sang in the choir and always got Bs in religion and the nuns just loved me so I didnt flunk until the 6th grade where I had a laie (lay?) teacher. Of course they told me if I went to summer school they would pass me but I calmly told my mother that realy I didnt do my work during the school year, what make them think I would do it during the summer. Never liked school one bit. If it hadnt been for football and chores I surely would have dropped out.
It means, at least to me, being happy as a utility player, and being grateful for the “real” whistlers like Mick Woodruff, which is where I was for a few days last week…at the feet of the Whistle God. I practice long and hard, but with the asthma and the arthritis, I’ll never be able to play like Mick and that’s OK!
