I remember listening to a CD of the very Gallic singer, Mireille Mathieu. She sang a song in praise of an old man who was an inspiration, a veritable "abri," a refuge, for her. In the middle of the song, a octogenarian actor, apparently well known in France, begins to rap--yes, I rap--in response to the singer's praise. He raps goodbye with the following words--I have never forgotten them, although this was over twenty years ago, long before I became a senior--"Je suis vieux, mais j'ai des projets!" ("I am old, but I still have projects.") This is the secret of any age. When younger, the projects are often imposed, so one should really do one's best to find employment that one really likes--or at least likes. When one is older, provided that one has enough means not to have to decide whether to eat or to purchase life-sustaining medicines, one has the happy opportunity to impose projects on oneself. (To be without projects invites the buildup of pernicious, immaterial plaque which will sclerose the soul.)
As if I need new projects! I exercise a lot. I write a lot. I play msic a lot. Well, I can improve a bit on spending time with friends--which I much more than occasionalluy do--and spend more time on medical education. But this is, after all, my music blog, so I will concentrate here on 2012 music projects.
You might know, dear reader--I've informed you before--that I formed a chamber music meet-up some time ago. www.meetup.com/The-Baltimore-Musicophilia-Meetup. I did this in the firm belief that music is far too important to be left to the talented hands of professionals, although such musicians are, of course, the core of musical life. Playing music thrills the less talented too--and if we practice enough, our music can delight anyone who wishes to listen. To those of us for whom music is not merely entertainment, but a profound experience, categorically and sublimely different from the noise that drowns out the songs of daily life, I wish you a year of good listening, or even better, a good year of playing music with others!
By the way, dear reader, no need to read any further, unless you are curious about whether an amateur musician's resolutions will succeed or be mere words by March, as is the fate of resolutions in general. The primary purpose of this little article is to document intentions, in order that progress can be assessed t a later date.. And if these words inspire you to come up with a musical project for yourself--even if it is only to listen to great music on a regular basis--let me know, for I will be very pleased for you indeed.
2012 MUSIC RESOLUTIONS
So far there are only three--Enough, says my practical side, enough indeed.
1. The Gershwin Project
For a while I've had a book of arrangements of Gershwin songs. They are jazz arrangements by Lee Evans, and they are terrific. The songs, of course, are among the greatest in the American songbook. There are thirteen; I've already recorded one in memory of my brother-in-law Vij. The resolution: record one each month. Put together a cd of all of them at the end of the year. Uh-uh, friends, you know what your new year's gift will be next year. The songs are not easy, especially if I intend to play them at tempo and with feeling and flair, which is, of course, my intention. It will take hours and hours of practice! We'll see.
2. Project Cramanatom
Almost every week my friend Cris and I play music together. He is as fond of music as I am--and that means a lot--and has an excellent ear. (How he can play everything without reading it is a bit of a mystery to me. I play sometimes by ear today, and am getting better with computer ear training, but Cris is at a level far superior to mine.) I enjoy playing with him very much; he is also part of my music group. We've been playing some classical pieces and some standards; I would like to record at least six of our pieces during the next year.
3. Music and Technology
Well, time to join the twenty-first century. Got to start using the programs that will print sheet music according to my instructions. Explore getting a keyboard which will record what is played upon it. An I-pad for sheet music use, etc.
Well, combine that with writing projects, I've got my work cut out for me! Hope all of you will keep delightfully busy in the coming year with work you really love! And if you're interested in how these resolutions will be realized, please do stay tuned! Suggestions or comments are, of course, always welcome.
As if I need new projects! I exercise a lot. I write a lot. I play msic a lot. Well, I can improve a bit on spending time with friends--which I much more than occasionalluy do--and spend more time on medical education. But this is, after all, my music blog, so I will concentrate here on 2012 music projects.
You might know, dear reader--I've informed you before--that I formed a chamber music meet-up some time ago. www.meetup.com/The-Baltimore-Musicophilia-Meetup. I did this in the firm belief that music is far too important to be left to the talented hands of professionals, although such musicians are, of course, the core of musical life. Playing music thrills the less talented too--and if we practice enough, our music can delight anyone who wishes to listen. To those of us for whom music is not merely entertainment, but a profound experience, categorically and sublimely different from the noise that drowns out the songs of daily life, I wish you a year of good listening, or even better, a good year of playing music with others!
By the way, dear reader, no need to read any further, unless you are curious about whether an amateur musician's resolutions will succeed or be mere words by March, as is the fate of resolutions in general. The primary purpose of this little article is to document intentions, in order that progress can be assessed t a later date.. And if these words inspire you to come up with a musical project for yourself--even if it is only to listen to great music on a regular basis--let me know, for I will be very pleased for you indeed.
2012 MUSIC RESOLUTIONS
So far there are only three--Enough, says my practical side, enough indeed.
1. The Gershwin Project
For a while I've had a book of arrangements of Gershwin songs. They are jazz arrangements by Lee Evans, and they are terrific. The songs, of course, are among the greatest in the American songbook. There are thirteen; I've already recorded one in memory of my brother-in-law Vij. The resolution: record one each month. Put together a cd of all of them at the end of the year. Uh-uh, friends, you know what your new year's gift will be next year. The songs are not easy, especially if I intend to play them at tempo and with feeling and flair, which is, of course, my intention. It will take hours and hours of practice! We'll see.
2. Project Cramanatom
Almost every week my friend Cris and I play music together. He is as fond of music as I am--and that means a lot--and has an excellent ear. (How he can play everything without reading it is a bit of a mystery to me. I play sometimes by ear today, and am getting better with computer ear training, but Cris is at a level far superior to mine.) I enjoy playing with him very much; he is also part of my music group. We've been playing some classical pieces and some standards; I would like to record at least six of our pieces during the next year.
3. Music and Technology
Well, time to join the twenty-first century. Got to start using the programs that will print sheet music according to my instructions. Explore getting a keyboard which will record what is played upon it. An I-pad for sheet music use, etc.
Well, combine that with writing projects, I've got my work cut out for me! Hope all of you will keep delightfully busy in the coming year with work you really love! And if you're interested in how these resolutions will be realized, please do stay tuned! Suggestions or comments are, of course, always welcome.
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