General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsI'm posting less frequently these days.
While that may be cause for celebration by some, it's not for lack of interest, really. I'm spending a lot of my time learning to play a new musical instrument, and am finding that much more interesting somehow than DU, just now. I'm making steady progress with that, and that's a rewarding sort of thing. It doesn't matter, really, but I hope to be able to join a local community band and add the voice of my newly-found euphonium to the group. That's still a way off, but I'll get there, if I stick to my regular practice schedule.
We're between elections right now, and there's not a lot going on. Nobody has announced as a Democratic presidential candidate, so discussions about all the things wrong with Hillary Clinton aren't that interesting to me at the moment. The potential candidate who seems to be getting a lot of support from some on DU keeps saying she isn't running, and the other popular figure still hasn't decided whether to become a Democrat.
I figure that will all sort itself out in a month or two, and the discussion will become more interesting again. By then, I'll be further along the path of learning the euphonium. By Spring, I should be ready to play with others. In the meantime, there's an election in 2015, and all of the city council members in St. Paul will be up for election. That will be interesting, but not to DU. The presidential election primary campaigns will begin, but there's time yet to work on that.
Meanwhile, my work is increasing, thank goodness, thanks to a growing economy and increased confidence by the small businesses I serve. I'm now on a retainer basis with my primary client, so I'll also be a little busier with work. My resolution for 2015 is to build that business up more and focus on earning a little more money. Between that and practicing so I can play well with whatever community band I join is going to keep taking up more time. So, DU is going to get a little less attention from me, since nothing here is really pressing. I'll keep reading DU, of course, and will add a reply to a thread or two, now and then, of course, but I may not be as visible for a while.
I'm rethinking my priorities a bit, and am opting for something that actually builds up my local social outlets and rewards me with some sense of achievement. I'm not getting any of that from DU. I'm weary of the daily infighting and posturing that seems to be the foundation of discussions here, so I'm opting to step back and let others carry that on.
Anyway, it's time for my afternoon practice session and scale exercises. I'll be back tomorrow, but not on the kind of regular basis I've been hanging around here. As 2016 approaches, I'll probably return more to do my usual calling for GOTV efforts, but that didn't really accomplish much in 2014, so maybe not so much as before. I'll see you all around from time to time. This afternoon, I'm working on the Db, Ab, and Eb scales. That's fun. Hard work, but fun.
chickenfairy
(33 posts)And since you brought it up I'll never get tired of discussing how awful a human being Hillary is!
MineralMan
(146,331 posts)Dr Hobbitstein
(6,568 posts)Cool instrument. I was never good at brass, myself. If it's got strings or reeds, I can probably play it, though (with enough practice).
I've been teaching myself mandolin lately. Interesting instrument. Trying to remember the fingerings is difficult after 20 years of playing guitar.
Good luck, MM!
MineralMan
(146,331 posts)new. I don't have much experience with brass instruments, but have always loved the sound of the euphonium. I found one in great condition on Craig's List for a ridiculously low price, so I bought it a couple of weeks ago this Friday. New interests are the best interests, as far as I'm concerned.
Dr Hobbitstein
(6,568 posts)I've played sax for 25 years and, as I said before, guitar for 20. My lips just never liked to buzz for brass. Tickles too much.
MineralMan
(146,331 posts)It'll take a while to build up a brass embouchure, though, for sure. It seems to come pretty naturally for me, though. The right notes come out if I think about them. Fingering system is really simple, too. It's fun so far.
mmonk
(52,589 posts)on something new. It's always good to learn new things and sharpen the mind instead of being buried in politics. You will be happier and with a fresher outlook by doing so.
Response to mmonk (Reply #5)
Hassin Bin Sober This message was self-deleted by its author.
Ptah
(33,037 posts)Forty-four keys.
I regret not taking more piano lessons, but I am enjoying
the rediscovery of scales and chords.
MineralMan
(146,331 posts)Have fun!
Ptah
(33,037 posts)I enjoyed the tuba most of all.
MineralMan
(146,331 posts)I used to have. Besides, I don't want to lug a tuba around. I've played a little tuba, though, and like all of the low brass instruments.
sakabatou
(42,174 posts)>.<
Quackers
(2,256 posts)I just couldn't justify the extra cost of 88 keys with two girls and a third baby on the way. I do remember though, the very first time my brain finally allowed me two use both hands independently of each other. That was a huge milestone for me!
ManiacJoe
(10,136 posts)I started playing the trumpet in the 4th grade. Many years ago between contracting jobs I added a euphonium and flugelhorn to the collection as all three-valve horns play the same way.
Woodwind to brass, that is a very different set of mouth muscles to be used.
MineralMan
(146,331 posts)I was mainly an oboe player, which builds a strong embouchure. I remember picking up the french horn of the player in our woodwind quintet once, just for fun. She was shocked that I could produce a very wide range, from pedal tones to very high notes on her instrument. The embouchure seemed very similar to me.
I'm discovering that tone production through three octaves of the euphonium's range isn't really a problem. The real issue is fatigue. My chops are pretty out of condition. That'll return soon enough, though. For the brass instruments, a good ear and knowing what note is supposed to be produced appears to be a primary function. I'm not having much problem with that, really, so far, and have figured out how to make the euphonium sound like a euphonium. That's a good thing.
F4lconF16
(3,747 posts)Heck yeah, it does. Been playing my oboe for the first time in a couple years. It's been wonderful fun, but man, it hurts. I can only play for 15 minutes at a time
I know exactly what you mean about the french horn. I did the same thing when my brother learned to play one. I also thought that it was easy to pick up and get good tone from a bass clarinet, even though people always complained about the high register--maybe just better ability to adjust embouchure and airflow? I know oboe is far better suited to developing those skills, since it's unplayable without them.
Good luck if you go back to playing oboe again--that switch destroys your embouchure
"and have figured out how to make the euphonium sound like a euphonium. That's a good thing."
That's basically how I learned to play my instruments
jwirr
(39,215 posts)the loop through the holes and I think I might have more luck with an instrument. Happy New Year.
MineralMan
(146,331 posts)gwheezie
(3,580 posts)I like reading you so look forward to when we get into primary season again but it sounds like you have more exciting things to do right now.
BeyondGeography
(39,379 posts)the more certain I am that, after indoor plumbing and electricity, music is the best thing we've ever come up with.
MineralMan
(146,331 posts)I've been away from playing with other musicians for too long.
TexasProgresive
(12,158 posts)I received a catalog last spring out of the blue. I can't remember ever ordering anything from them. Anyway there was this beautiful archtop electric/acoustic guitar that was affordable. I drooled over it for a while and actually threw the catalog away. My wife said, "Father's day is coming up so why don't you quit mooning over that thing with a crank and get it." She's a violinist and looks down on the guitar.
So anyway you are now an euphoniumist is that a euphemism for something? Here I'll do it for you--
MineralMan
(146,331 posts)It's just a tiny tuba.
malaise
(269,157 posts)Happy New Year MineralMan
MineralMan
(146,331 posts)madinmaryland
(64,933 posts)I have the dart board up, and that seems to suck down hours of time!! Of course on the other side of the basement, my wife has her woman-cave!!
Glad to hear work is going well. We had a very good year in the firm I work for, and the next couple of years look even better.
MineralMan
(146,331 posts)Sounds delightful!
KittyWampus
(55,894 posts)MineralMan
(146,331 posts)I love all end-blown flutes. I was at the Field Museum of Natural History many years ago. They have amazing exhibits of anthropology. In the gift shop, I picked up a South American fipple flute. I went into an exhibit of some South American culture downstairs and saw an instrument very similar to it, so I sat down cross-legged on the floor. I familiarized myself with the scale of the flute, and then improvised some minor key melodies there. Not many people around, and I got into it, while looking at the exhibit. When I looked up, finally, there were a couple dozen people standing there listening.
I guess I looked surprised. I got a bit of applause, and then left. I figure they thought I was part of the experience. I've done similar things in other public places. One was at Coventry Cathedral. That drew a small audience, too.
ErikJ
(6,335 posts)uses similar mental abilities as music. Makes travel more worthwhile too.
MineralMan
(146,331 posts)Liberal_in_LA
(44,397 posts)MineralMan
(146,331 posts)LOL!
ErikJ
(6,335 posts)Recalling facts and events you might have learned 2 years ago as quickly as possible to crush their falsehoods keeps the mind sharp.
Liberal_in_LA
(44,397 posts)tularetom
(23,664 posts)In grade school (60 years ago) I was a trumpet player, and not a very good one. Our school band was supposed to participate in a memorial day parade in Sacramento, and the band director wanted to weed out the less talented musicians in order to make the band sound better. My head was on the chopping block. But I had an ace in the hole. I was a big kid and they needed somebody to play the sousaphone in the parade. They tried a few kids who weren't up to carrying the thing four or five miles on a hot spring day, so the director approached me and asked me if I would give it a shot. I said sure and found that in addition to being one of the few kids big enough to handle the damn thing, I actually had sort of an aptitude for playing it. I continued in the band through grade 8 as first tuba player, but in high school I decided I liked sports more than music and dropped the band in order to play football.
I never touched a brass instrument for the next 40 or 50 years, but in 2006 I saw a show on PBS on something called "A Tuba Christmas" where volunteer tuba players assembled for an impromptu concert of Christmas music at various locations throughout the country. It sounded like fun so I got online and found out there was one in Sacramento, 2 hours or so from my home. I couldn't find a sousaphone but I found a euphonium through the music teacher at the high school district my daughter worked for. I bought it and began practicing and by the next Christmas I was good to go. So I contact the people in charge, went to the designated location, practiced with 40 or 50 of my fellow tubists(?) and participated in the concert. It was a lot of fun and I was determined to continue to do it. But by the next December, real life intervened and family matters prevented me from going back. I haven't done it since, but I still have the euphonium and thanks to your post, I got it out today and tootled around on it for a few minutes. Maybe I'll try it again next year.
Incidentally if you are interested in the Christmas program, there are opportunities to participate all around the country. Here's a link for you: http://www.tubachristmas.com
MineralMan
(146,331 posts)I know about Tuba Christmas, and plan to do that next year here in the Twin Cities. Sounds like a hoot!
JEFF9K
(1,935 posts)You won't have to practice so much, if at all.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)Hear ya.
peace13
(11,076 posts)I play French horn. I am happy for you! Keep at it!
eppur_se_muova
(36,289 posts)lovemydog
(11,833 posts)scales four hours a day at age 90. Someone asked him why and he said 'I can get better.'
Keep it up as long as it makes you happy MineralMan. Happy new year to you and your loved ones.
Skidmore
(37,364 posts)this fall. I'm going to share that with her. She really is enjoying learning this instrument.
lovemydog
(11,833 posts)Cello is a super instrument. Happy new year to you and her and all your loved ones.
Hekate
(90,793 posts)ellenrr
(3,864 posts)Jesus Malverde
(10,274 posts)Happy New Year Rockdude.
treestar
(82,383 posts)Enjoy the music!
yuiyoshida
(41,861 posts)riqster
(13,986 posts)Enjoy.