Whirlwind of Amazing Energy
Posted on November 11, 2011 with 0 comments
As I sit here and blog in my warm apartment, stretched out on the couch like a cat (ironically with a cat at my feet and another one desperately trying to find a good spot - and another one pretending he doesn't want to join in because he's new to the pack...) I breathe a sigh of relief, as this is the first time in a long time that I've done this kind of lazing around. Of course, I need to pack, I need to prepare music, I need to tidy up. But for now, the warm air pumping in feels glorious and the fuzzy critters that surround me are lulling me with their purring and kneading.
I estimate that this will last approximately 14 more minutes. And I will enjoy every one of them.
It's amazing how much changes in our lives in the blink of an eye. For performance artists, you work hard at a show, and after the performance, it's over. Your one shot deal. I don't care if you're playing it tomorrow - that's a whole separate performance. Tonight's audience came for tonight's vibe, notes, visuals, tuning, whatever you're bringing to them. It's a gift. If you think about it, musicians are like Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, Cupid - we give our gift to those who choose to attend, and especially those who choose to pay attention! But it's not our choice who comes or not - how they listen or not. We just do our best and let them choose their mode of appreciation. Or not.
I heard a story recently about some well-known musicians, hired for a gig that perhaps they think is beneath them. They didn't appreciate the act of gift giving. They rolled their eyes, made jokes, and MISSED playing the music RIGHT! Or even WELL! The audience got cheated. Santa's sled was empty. What a shame!
I've been heard saying "don't be the jerk" when talking to folks in master classes, lectures, or just chit chatting about being artists. I like quality artists, but quality is more than how well known you are. Quality is the amount of effort you put into performing, how much you love what you do and how it shows, and how willing you are to challenge yourself. Anyone who does their best is never the jerk.
Anyway, that was that - a situation I was not a witness to, but heard stories about. Good vibes, people - keep it happy. Musicians don't do this to get rich, we do this for the artistic wealth - the shared love between other artists and audience. We're in this to have a great time and enhance each others lives. Right?
Last week, after a few auditions, I was lucky enough to be cast in yet another tv commercial, playing the trumpet! Again?! Did you see the one I shot a few years back with my daughter (goodness, she was so little!!! She's almost as tall as me now!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCijeEwyT2k
This one was just me, I think she's given up on trumpeting for now (but damn, her singing voice is great and her pitch is scary good!!!) We'll see how it comes out when it airs - will post when I see it (or let me know if you do - we don't have tv here!)
Yesterday, I attended a rehearsal in Minnesota. In NYC. Via Skype. Technology rocks. Next week I'm heading out to Frozen Country to hang and play and chat with the Bemidji State University Big Band - we're doing a little tour out there and then playing on home turf - and I'll also get to play with the High School band too! I'm prepared to have fun, and hope I don't feel too old next to the young whippersnappers! Gotta dig out some warm clothes... brrrrr! Very excited for some amazing performances, got some sweet big band arrangements of a few of my originals in there!
I think my 14 minutes is just about up, but one more thought. Life is so uncertain. Last night, a young lady lost her life in NYC, hit by a car going to a club where many of my friends were performing (I wasn't there though). I didn't know her, but Rest in Peace. http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Daniela-DErcole-Killed-Crossing-Street-Broadway-NYC--133696503.html?fb_comment_id=fbc_10150389547993351_19815265_10150389610228351#f1705c41a4e2d18
A moment of silence. Take a breath, be grateful for the air in your lungs, the beating of your heart, and the love that you have. Make every minute count, even if you spend 14 of them on the couch with your fellow cats.
And now, I have work to do, I'm tired but happy. I know that my life is a gift. I love my daughter, my partner, my friends, my animals, my choices, my words, and every day I decide to smile and do my best. I feel fortunate, but I think we all are. We just need to open our eyes and see the fortune around us, within us.
xo,
NP
I estimate that this will last approximately 14 more minutes. And I will enjoy every one of them.
It's amazing how much changes in our lives in the blink of an eye. For performance artists, you work hard at a show, and after the performance, it's over. Your one shot deal. I don't care if you're playing it tomorrow - that's a whole separate performance. Tonight's audience came for tonight's vibe, notes, visuals, tuning, whatever you're bringing to them. It's a gift. If you think about it, musicians are like Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, Cupid - we give our gift to those who choose to attend, and especially those who choose to pay attention! But it's not our choice who comes or not - how they listen or not. We just do our best and let them choose their mode of appreciation. Or not.
I heard a story recently about some well-known musicians, hired for a gig that perhaps they think is beneath them. They didn't appreciate the act of gift giving. They rolled their eyes, made jokes, and MISSED playing the music RIGHT! Or even WELL! The audience got cheated. Santa's sled was empty. What a shame!
I've been heard saying "don't be the jerk" when talking to folks in master classes, lectures, or just chit chatting about being artists. I like quality artists, but quality is more than how well known you are. Quality is the amount of effort you put into performing, how much you love what you do and how it shows, and how willing you are to challenge yourself. Anyone who does their best is never the jerk.
Anyway, that was that - a situation I was not a witness to, but heard stories about. Good vibes, people - keep it happy. Musicians don't do this to get rich, we do this for the artistic wealth - the shared love between other artists and audience. We're in this to have a great time and enhance each others lives. Right?
Last week, after a few auditions, I was lucky enough to be cast in yet another tv commercial, playing the trumpet! Again?! Did you see the one I shot a few years back with my daughter (goodness, she was so little!!! She's almost as tall as me now!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCijeEwyT2k
This one was just me, I think she's given up on trumpeting for now (but damn, her singing voice is great and her pitch is scary good!!!) We'll see how it comes out when it airs - will post when I see it (or let me know if you do - we don't have tv here!)
Yesterday, I attended a rehearsal in Minnesota. In NYC. Via Skype. Technology rocks. Next week I'm heading out to Frozen Country to hang and play and chat with the Bemidji State University Big Band - we're doing a little tour out there and then playing on home turf - and I'll also get to play with the High School band too! I'm prepared to have fun, and hope I don't feel too old next to the young whippersnappers! Gotta dig out some warm clothes... brrrrr! Very excited for some amazing performances, got some sweet big band arrangements of a few of my originals in there!
I think my 14 minutes is just about up, but one more thought. Life is so uncertain. Last night, a young lady lost her life in NYC, hit by a car going to a club where many of my friends were performing (I wasn't there though). I didn't know her, but Rest in Peace. http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Daniela-DErcole-Killed-Crossing-Street-Broadway-NYC--133696503.html?fb_comment_id=fbc_10150389547993351_19815265_10150389610228351#f1705c41a4e2d18
A moment of silence. Take a breath, be grateful for the air in your lungs, the beating of your heart, and the love that you have. Make every minute count, even if you spend 14 of them on the couch with your fellow cats.
And now, I have work to do, I'm tired but happy. I know that my life is a gift. I love my daughter, my partner, my friends, my animals, my choices, my words, and every day I decide to smile and do my best. I feel fortunate, but I think we all are. We just need to open our eyes and see the fortune around us, within us.
xo,
NP