#good thing that the last line post that went up earlier was ivory focused

[westywrites]

Find the Word tag

I'm finally getting a chance to go through posts I've been tagged in from the past who-knows-how-long (far too long)...

The last ones that are in recent enough memory for my activity feed to actually show me are a couple of Find the Word tags from @imbrisvastatio - thank you so much! This is my favourite tag game by far!

from one post, I need to find the words: pressing, bruise, midnight, and sunlight

from the other post, I need to find: flame, pressure, reflection, and familiar

I tried some of my other wips and wasn't having much luck, but I knew Essence of Stars (book one of The Corvine) would definitely have all these words. I'm not at all surprised to find 34 instances of "flame(s)" in draft 3 as it is now, but I was very surprised to find "midnight" only appears once and "sunlight" only twice!

Given the length of this post, I'm going to stick the excerpts with all the found words under a read-more

PRESSING

“Lennox.” It was [Avenir]. She was alright.  He stumbled forward, reaching out to her.  “Don’t touch me,” she begged, pressing further into the corner. “You shouldn’t be here.”

BRUISE (I've definitely shared this excerpt from the prologue before, but I love it, so here it is again)

In the dim light of the nearing dawn, blue-tinged shadows cast solemn hope between the graves. A raven settles on the thatched roof of the preacher’s house. Behind it, the sky is the colour of a bruise that might never heal. Silence lies heavy. The church bell is still hours from ringing its joyous call to wake the village. A town dying along with its rotten crops.

MIDNIGHT

The kid jumped, so focused on him they hadn’t noticed the others coming from the other room. They stepped back, shocked. “Mother knows you?” “Mother?” The kid didn’t seem to be using it as an affectionate term like Lennox might call her moeder. But they were far too light-skinned to be biologically related to Mevrou Geheim. They weren’t white but definitely didn’t have her midnight skin. Besides, she had never mentioned any children.

SUNLIGHT

The sharp sting of feathers across her cheek sent her tumbling backwards. A raven’s call pierced the quiet darkness. At the edge of the tear, a fox swished its tail. The raven soared after it. Cambridge opened her eyes in a shadowed alley. The golden evening sunlight was blocked by the crooked walls of the shops on either side. A round, red lantern hung above the entrance to the narrow dirt road of the market.

FLAME

Lennox hailed her as their hero. [Avenir] had never felt more like a monster.  Her own essence had turned into the very flames that haunted her. The heat in her veins was a nightmare on a leash, crying for the chance to be set free. A wildfire eating her from the inside out.

PRESSURE

“What are you doing?” [Avenir] asked, rage burning inside her. The pressure in her head and chest turned into heat. She was trapped. Her nightmares writhed in her mind. All she wanted was to leave, but she couldn’t go. “What is this?”

REFLECTION

Before her, a puddle shined bright, reflecting the stars and doubling their brilliance. [Cambridge] knelt beside it. In it, her face stared back at her. Visible. Her smile screamed joy, and she felt alive. She felt good. Happy for the first time in far too long. Her reflection smiled at her. Her cheeks were rosy from running, her lips pink against her pale white skin. She ran a hand through her long, silken hair. It shimmered in the starlight, so blonde it appeared white. The girl in the reflection looked like the princess of a fairy tale. Cambridge could imagine how Lennox might describe her.

FAMILIAR

On the other side, a shadow fell. A woman appeared, a beautiful woman with pale skin and dark hair. She was familiar somehow. Cambridge remembered sadness distilled into starlight. But when the woman smiled, her teeth were sharp.

These excerpts ended up very centred around the girls, and you know what? I'm happy with that. Avenir and Cambridge deserve the attention. And they definitely deserve more love than the plot allows me to give them.

I will tag you back @imbrisvastatio and I'll also tag @impaledlotus @lux-scriptum @ratracechronicler @muddshadow and @kaiusvnoir

No pressure at all, but if you're interested, I would love to see excerpts from your writing with the following words: brave, fear, steady, shake/shiver, and strange

[vintagemichelle91]

Chance Encounter Series: Late Night calls to the ADA

Author’s Note: Had this little drabble in the back of my pocket for ages and finally had a reason and courage to post it! Here is more Barba and Miss Fashionista for you lovely readers! Thank you to my dearest friend @rauliskafan for looking it over and sprinkling her fairy dust over it to make sure it was perfect! @yourtropegirl I hope you enjoy this! It is NSFW!!! I hope everyone else enjoy!!!

           Returning to your hotel room for the night after successfully attending the dinner for Givenchy at their salon following a glamourous fashion show, you settled into the lush cushions with satisfied exhaustion. Three hectic days in Paris.

But you had left your heart behind in New York.

Busy as you were, there was barely time to even glance at your phone and answer his texts or phone calls. Every single time you had a chance, you realized you kept missing him, making your heart sink. You missed him beyond words... those last few dates had been unforgettable. Save for the last one at the precinct. Nonetheless you boarded the plane with tears in your eyes.

With a sigh, you started getting ready for sleep in the fluffy king size bed. Where you were destined to toss and turn alone. How you wished Rafael was here with you at this very moment. Lying in any bed made no sense without him. You loved how he sometimes hogged the covers in the middle of the night and the tender way he would spoon you from behind. His hands always wrapped protectively around your waist, and he would bury his nose in the crook of your neck. Never had you felt so loved. Never did you miss anyone more.

Quickly, you went about the room getting your things for your nightly routine. Maybe you could give him a call right now to see how he was doing. It was already early in the evening in New York. Was Rafael still in his office?  You washed your face, brushed your teeth and hair. Sliding into a light blue baby doll slip, you proceeded to rub lavender lotion all over your body to help you relax even more.

When the job was done, you crawled between the sheets and tapped away at your phone to reach Rafael. It only rang twice.

“Hi, cariño…” Rafael greeted you with a yawn.

“Hey, were you asleep?” you asked worriedly. “It’s way earlier there then here.” And Rafael was never one to call it a night at eight o’clock in the evening. If anything, his paperwork was just getting started.

“No, no... just looking over some stuff. Long day and still not done,” Rafael replied sounding a little more awake. “How was your day?”

“It was great. But let me tell you that running from show to show in six inch heels all day long is not ideal.” The sound of his chuckle sent your heart soaring.

           “Yet, I am sure you looked fabulous as always.” His loving tone was so sincere that you melted further into the ivory sheets.

“I try my best, counselor,” you smiled. How you wished you had him in front of you so you could kiss him! “What about you? How are things going with your case?” Despite the fact that he caught a break with that pimp, evidence was sparse.

“Way to kill the mood,” he scoffed. You could already picture him rolling his eyes. “But since you ask, not good. Witnesses are too scared to come forward.”

           “I’m sure you will find a way to make it work. You always do.” Could your words bolster his spirits from what felt like millions of miles away?

“You have no idea how much I needed to hear that,” he said.

So mission accomplished.

“However, I can’t figure out…”

           “Oh I find it impossible that you can’t figure out everything,” you said cheekily.

           “Your confidence in me is very much appreciated. However, what I can’t figure out is why you are still awake.” His voice deepened with so much promise, and you let out a breathy laugh. The Egyptian cotton felt like absolute heaven against your fingertips. They reminded you so much of his bed. No question; you would give up your vintage Chanel bag just to be in his arms.

           “I was out at a dinner. You know how mindless mingling goes. But I made sure to get back at an hour where I could finally talk to you, counselor.”  

           “I’m glad. I was getting a little worried that maybe you forgot me.” You pictured his pout in your mind and clutched the phone tighter.

“I could never forget about you. No chance,” you replied truthfully.

“Not even when you’re at all those fabulous shows and traveling the world?” he questioned playfully.

“No, of course not... not even then.”

“I am so relieved to hear that,” he murmured.

“And I am so relieved to finally hear your voice, counselor.” You sighed and sank deeper into the sheets, his words making you melt, like a waking dream come true.

“You are?” Rafael asked. “Are you in bed?”

“I am. You should be here. The view from my window is breathtaking….” Your tone turned softer. “The Eiffel Tower just lit up.”

“Sounds beautiful. Although…”

You sat up as he trailed off.

“Although what?” you challenged.

“I don’t think I would be wasting my time on the Eiffel Tower. My eyes are only for you, Miss Fashionista,” he said, his voice low and seductive.

You smirked and decided to go along with his little game. “I am a sight. Especially since I’m wearing your favorite light blue slip right now.”  Your voice took on a sultry tenor. “You know the lacey see through one with the matching panties.” Pulling the phone away from your ear, you snapped a racy picture of yourself and sent it to Rafael as proof. “Think someone just sent you a message.”

Rafael groaned in response when he opened your sexy picture. “You have no idea how much I wish I could touch you right now.”

“Tell me how you would touch me,” you asked.

Rafael Barba never backed down from a challenge, and you knew as much. “Well… first I would start by kissing those beautiful lips of yours. Gently biting your lower lip. Then slipping my tongue into your mouth and tasting yours while my hand slowly glides up the length of your silky leg…”

You could feel the heat rise as you closed your eyes and imagined him there with you. “Mmmm… you know how much I love your hands… your lips. I would kiss you back passionately as my hands grasp your arms. I would lean into your chest… needing more.”

Your breath hitched when he sighed.

“Then my hand would have to get rid of those panties while I continue to kiss down your neck. How’s that?”

“Almost as good as the real thing,” you moaned.

“Let’s see what else we can do.”

You waited in silence, your heart beating faster until he finally spoke again, his voice drizzling over you like the sweetest stream of honey.

“I want you to touch yourself,” he started. “Massage your breasts and imagine my hands on you.”

“I am already doing the last bit,” you said as you began to rub your breasts, feeling your nipples harden through the sheer fabric. His words… his voice already had you hot and bothered. You had set the phone down next to your big fluffy pillow and placed him on speaker. Thank god the hotel had thick walls.

“Muy bien cariño…” He replied with another groan. He sounded heavier, slightly out of breath. No doubt he was touching himself, and you smiled wickedly at the image filling your fevered mind. “Imaginame acariciando tu cuerpo.”

“Oooooh yes, baby. I imagine your hands all over me. Touching me in all the right places.” You sank further into the soft mattress and spread your legs wider. One hand slowly reached your throbbing clit. Oh you were so wet just picturing Rafael’s hands there.

“Good girl. Now I want to hear you come for me.” It came out almost like a command, but a moan lingered at the back of his throat. You pictured him pumping his massive length, and it set your body aflame as you slipped off your panties and focused on your aching center.

“I’m so close, counselor.” Your fingers caressed the spot where you needed his cock most, teasing your folds before he would thrust. “I… c-can imagine you filling me up and… ooooh yessss!” You voice was hoarse and you gasped for air as you felt yourself clench around your fingers, your orgasm rushing over you like the warmest wave.

“Cariño…. oh god!” Rafael groans of exquisite pleasure rang loud through the speaker, and you relished in the sound as he came on his own continent, the ocean and time zones evaporating as you turned your lips to the phone with a contented sigh.

“That was amazing… with just your voice…” You were breathless as you laid in the bed, completely and deliciously exhausted. “Rafael, I cannot wait to get home to you.”

It took a few moments for Rafael to respond back. When he did, he sounded sweeter, sexier than ever.

“I’m counting the days.”

“Soon, I promise.” Three more long days until you flew back to New York. To your love that was waiting for you with the voice of an angel. “Get some rest and dream of me, Rafael.”

“I always do,” he said. “So I’ll see you there?”

“Not if I see you first,” you answered, hanging on the line until the sound of his voice lulled you into the most beautiful sleep.

[stupidpianist]

16 october 2018

08:00: Turned off alarm, “forced self” not to go back to sleep immediately by thinking, “if you win this battle, you’ll start the day off with a victory, not a defeat,” realizing the latter part of this sentence was redundant, but unable to stop myself from thinking it anyways.

Apologizing to all my “liveblog fans” for the low quality liveblog yesterday, was still feeling very under the weather for almost the entire day. After the last update, I lay down in bed, thinking I was just going to “rest my body a little,” and then, like, literally a second after I lay down, I fell into the deepest nap, which lasted just under four whole hours. I guess my body was a lot more exhausted than I thought?? Regardless, the day felt distinctly “over” after that nap, so I looked at things on the internet (music reviews, YouTube, you know, “the usual”) until around midnight, showered, fell asleep again at one am. Feeling good about that, that I got so much sleep yesterday, like, so much.

Might explain why I woke feeling refreshingly “refreshed” for the first morning in a long time. Still coughing A LOT, but definitely feel a bit less sick than yesterday.

08:10: Turned off alarm for second time after lying in bed with eyes closed, sometimes alternating to eyes open, staring blankly at ceiling. Turned to my side and checked phone, which I keep charging on the nightstand to the right of my bed (the right if you’re lying down on it, not facing it). Briefly checked Facebook, Instagram, skimmed news headlines, checked weather.

08:12: On Tuesdays and Thursdays I have to make an 8:30 class in “McMed,” the medical building situated near the base of one of the ways to get up Mount Royal, so it’s a bit of a trek, and it’s a good twenty-plus minute walk from my apartment. I’ve found that if I power walk, I can get there in around seventeen minutes, depending on how long my strides are. So I need to “hustle,” gotta “hustle my butt to class,” gotta “push my butt up that hill.” Glad the weather is feeling like autumn, but the temperature is, characteristic for Montreal, “dropping rapidly” already… I fear it won’t be “sweater weather” for much longer...

Stood from bed, then, in an “extremely efficient manner,” I feel, in fluid, unstopping motion, put on brown corduroy pants, black short-sleeve t-shirt, flannel over shirt, “bunny sweater” over flannel, filled water kettle with water, set it to boil, went into the bathroom to “assess the situation” of how I looked, splashed water on face and hair, brushed teeth, placed yerba mate bag in mug, poured hot water in mug, put on boots, then sipped from almost-too-hot mate while taking a selfie of me sipping from it to put on Instagram story. Thought, “nice, nice, good job,” while stepping out apartment, knowing I would make it to class on time, and that I was atypically feeling ungroggy, though also a bit dim and unmotivated, though also unstressed, probably a result of the emotional stunting effects I always feel when I have a cold.

08:34: “Made it” with a minute to spare. Sitting in the furthest back row of the large lecture hall. Hey, between you and me, this is actually the first lecture in this psych stats class that I’m going to sit “all the way through.” I know what you’re thinking, please don’t think it, because I already am. I’m such a terrible student, I know, and I’m wasting so much money. The professor for this class is so efficient, and also so empathetic; she took a break partway through the lecture to ask us humorous questions from an old survey given to Americans, like, twenty years ago, including things like: “do you put on your socks and shoes in the order sock-shoe-sock-shoe, or sock-sock-shoe-shoe,” and “do you twirl your spaghetti when you eat it, or do you cut it into pieces?” I laughed “heartily” when nobody raised their hand for sock-shoe-sock-shoe. That order does seem hellish, to a significant degree, to me, at least, though the actual survey of Americans two decades ago said that around a third put their feet-things on in the order sock-shoe-sock-shoe. What the hell.

Got first assignment back and laughed again when the TA who graded it didn’t give me points for the question which I knew I answered inefficiently, though I wrote next to my answer, “I know this is, like, the least efficient way of solving this, but I am so tired please cut me some slack.” Worth the loss of points, in my opinion. At least it gives the graders something to laugh about through the endless hours of mindless marking? In my English midterm last semester, I just rewrote all the questions I didn’t know the answer to, to things that I could actually answer, like, I’d change “Name three German Romantic poets who influenced…” by crossing out “German” and writing in “English,” then writing the answer to the new question I created.

Found myself “pleasantly enjoying” this lecture, but still finding “complete lack of enthusiasm” in knowing I’d have to finally force myself back into the practice rooms to “tickle the ivories” after not touching them for three days as a result of debilitating cold. Picturing Sylvester Stallone saying “this… is not gonna be fun” in his usual gruff delivery, then grimacing slightly, and standing up from previously seated position.

09:49: Thinking, “onto the practice rooms,” while walking to practice rooms. Weather feels “brisk,” like a Subaru commercial. Thoughts while walking: -Going to start referring to eating/drinking as “taking things to the face” -Would people really not wear ripped underwear? re: another survey question asked in class -Maybe I need to “get caffeinated” before practicing, need to update liveblog anyways -Dude vaping Juul-like device, remembering that Juuls are now officially shipping in Canada, except Quebec -Cannabis is going legal in one day here, seems so surreal

Making decision to stop at Tim Hortons on the way to “take a large coffee to the face.”

10:04: Holy crap the line at Tims is almost “out the door,” there’s no way I’m gonna wait for a coffee, heading to Java U instead.

10:10: Mission successful. Large light roast coffee in hand, chosen over dark because of its higher caffeine content. Chose maple milk to put in for the first time ever, feeling “cheery” and “full of grins.” Gonna drink it while updating liveblog in music library, then practice.

10:46: Hey, what’s up, I’m just finishing up today’s first liveblog update!! Now I’m going to post it!! Then I’m going to walk to the practice rooms and practice for a few hours!! Today is going well, I hope your day is going well too! Wow!! I’m thinking the word “wow” a lot today! Wow!!! Here’s some more Kero Kero Bonito lyrics to brighten up your day if it’s going bad, or make it even brighter if it’s going well!! I love you! 

I got so much time today I got hopes and dreams and plans all yet to be made So look out the way 'Cos I'm coming through now I got something to do And I'll try As I might To keep up with the light 'Til I'm into bed for the night

I got so much more to say I got books and tapes and canvas bearing the weight But they're not arranged 'Cos it takes too long and I'm still moving on But I don't Even know Where I should be trying to go So I guess I'll follow my nose

And I can't help but think about If the sun ever stays down Will I notice or will I Just be sitting around Ticking a list off Rueing what I said wrong But dawn still greets my windowpanes And as long as I shall Wake up in the morning I got plans

I got so much time today I got so much time today I got so much time today I got so much time

13:40: Okay, so, a good almost-three-hour session. My hands felt like mush for the first hour-and-a-half, which was expected, but after going through the Beethoven and part of the Alkan, they felt strangely not as bad as I thought they would. Feel like I was “hyper-focused” for the first ⅔ of the session, and then only “sort-of focused” for the final third, but it was overall really nice.

Feeling skeptical at how smoothly today is going… Where’s the catch? What’s going on? Something bad is brewing on the horizon, isn’t it… Oh heavens look, it’s me thinking pessimistically again, I’m really not a pessimistic person, why do I keep doing this. Have to “reel in” this sort of behaviour. Today is going well and I’m putting in effort towards having a productive day, and sometimes that effort aligns with chance events that cumulate to a smooth, sometimes even “good” day, that’s all, right?

Gonna “call it” on this session, feeling energy/focus storage for piano “depleted.” Feeling semi-proud of myself for making it to nearly three hours without feeling “depleted” earlier, usually my sessions are most productive capped at two hours, and then if I try to continue I end up wasting more time than I actually use practicing. Might return to the practice room again today before going home, I really should be doing at the very least four hours, but maybe I’ll keep today at three hours, just because starting up again after a few days of not practicing and immediately jumping back to four-plus hours might be a little hard on the tendons/joints?? Is that just me making excuses for myself? I’ll see how I feel after my next class, I guess.

Walking to McLennan now to study a bit, see ya soon.

13:54: At workstation in Cybertheque. Weird “phasing” effect going on in my head right now, like, sounds are slightly off-balance? Not that they’re louder in one ear than the other, like, sounds sound dizzy to me, right now, if that makes any sense… I’m not describing this well…

Stomach in a bit of pain, a result of having coffee on an empty stomach and not eating anything yet today. Maybe I’ll get something cheap before class starts at 17h. Yeah, I think that would be the best option… Don’t think I’ll “last” til the end of class if I don’t. Do I go get food now, and then try and study?? That seems like a waste of time going back-and-forth so much, maybe I’ll try to “tough it out.” Yeah, okay, that seems the best option, gonna start studying now, wish me luck.

14:27: Oh no, oh no, seems impossible to “scrounge up” the motivation needed to study effectively, I’m just reading more on Ghost right now, this is bad, this is bad, don’t do this to yourself. Maybe this can be counted as the “study break” between practicing and studying?? Maybe I just won’t be able to get any studying done during this little chunk of time? I’m fine with that, I’m fine with that, I think… Still have time after class ends at 17:30 to study, can always study at home, “in the comfort” of my “tiny abode.” Shoot shoot shoot why didn’t I bring Knausgaard with me, now I don’t even have any reading material. Oh! Oh! I can read Megan’s Liveblog from my phone!! Yes yes okay, perhaps I’ll just “nip on out” for some food, then, and then head directly to class? That might work…

[zncuaccretion]

2/05/18 – 2/11/18

                       Like clockwise 6:45 a.m. came early on Monday as another week of my training began. I collected myself, although, wit not intact and headed for Altgeld to begin with music theory. Shortly afterwards I trekked across the main drag and headed to the bazaar where I could purchase the aromatic dark liquid that familiarizes myself with the functioning world…

                       Monday has turned into one of my heaviest practice days of the week. I really enjoy how much I can accomplish on Mondays. I like being able to start the week off productive. I took my normal post on the second floor of the castle and began my typical practice habits with ear training for an hour. My rigorous ear training has started to kick in and I believe that ear training is becoming a hallmark in my routine. I am really excited to see how much progress I will make by the end of the semester.  

Once I finished my ear training for the day I grabbed my time card and began punching in for the day. I have been really incorporating strangeness into my practice routine. I spent my normal warm-up routine really handicapping myself with balancing act and blackout debuffs. I have noticed also that my eye brow problem has somewhat diminished. Eventually, I believe I will be able to eradicate this problem adding less stress and tension into my playing.

What made this Monday particularly interesting was I decided to jump on the bench and play with the ebonies and ivories which I had been neglecting for sometime now. However, I must say that it was really enjoyable to start noodling around on the piano again because of the amazing visual resource it provides. The trombone itself is such and abstract concept with many subtle nuances, such as sharp positions.

           Although, I have been having an exponentially better time this semester than last this week I was met with some conflict in one of my ensembles. I am not a good solo player by any stretch of the imagination, but I appreciate that my instructor gives me solos in order better to develop that skill. When I see a solo written on my music I get extremely nervous and usually this results in a failed attempt at playing the music correctly. Next, the ensemble stops and I feel awful for wasting everyone’s rehearsal time. However, on top of playing the solo out of time I have not been matching certain articulation in specifically the solo sections of the piece. One of the hardest challenges I face as a musician is erasing what is set in my brain because once something is in there it is in there for a while. Hopefully, I can recalibrate these solo sections with the proper time and articulation because it frustrates my instructor, ensemble, and myself.

           After my ensemble I usually reflect a bit on my way back to the bazaar for my second cup of the siren’s liquid.  I needed to cool off a bit because I was a bit upset with my how my battle went. I then concluded my days practice with some sword sparring studies, including, major scales with high slurs, octave studies, etude practice, and some sight reading.  

           Although I had a lousy rehearsal yesterday.  Tuesday brought some really new and exciting opportunities. I warmed up before pedagogy class and was pleased with how my tone and intonation sounded.  I particularly did not feel too awesome about how my lesson ended up going. Much of my time was spent on this jazz exercise that was clearly out of my vocabulary. Perhaps in the future I will revisit this particular exercise with the deftness that is required to meet the demands. Although, my lesson may have not been as great as other lessons I have had this semester I was given a manuscript that acts as a rite of passage in the trombone world. I was handed the Bitsch rhythm etudes and was excited to delve into these challenging works which focus on rhythms, note groupings, and articulations.

However, once I had a moment of down time after my other ensembles I purchased my solo for the semester which I am extremely excited about. I chose a work from Danish composer Launy Grondahl. “Grondahl composed a number of chamber works including two sting quartets, several orchestral works, and three solo concerti, among which the trombone concert of 1924 has constantly remained in the repertory (Koncert for Trombone of Orkester).” Personally, I think this challenging piece has some of the most beautiful and powerful statements in the trombone arsenal. I have been wanting to tackle this since I heard it in undergrad, but I needed to do some serious practicing in order to spar on par with this behemoth.  A new set of challenges have emerged for this semester and I cannot wait to navigate through a sword fighting rite of passage and slay a behemoth.

           Wednesday was pretty standard I completed my hour of ear training and had music theory tutoring. All in all, I am becoming much faster at identifying and analyzing music. I mentioned earlier that I thought that I had made good progress on my ear training I am also making some excellent headway on music theory too. I have noticed I have gotten a lot better at identifying certain chords and how they function in certain exercises. Compared to where I was last semester I believe that I will be in good shape by the end of the semester as long as I keep reviewing theory. Interestingly, my brother refers to music theory/ composition as the way of the warrior where I chose to pursue the way of the sword. Often times he tells me that if he had chosen to pursue music seriously he would have gone for composition as opposed to performance. I still inquire about this from time to time because of the enormous talent my brother possesses when wielding his axe. However, the ultimate irony is that he has a better ear than I do and he is hearing impaired.  Anyway, sometimes I get lost on anecdotal analogy tangents, but I thought it was worth mentioning…

           While doing my buzzing routine I love stumbling across songs that I have not listened to in some time. I happened to find one of my favorite Watrous tunes, “Smooth Talk, which features him whistling over a few choruses too. I complete my normal warm up routine focusing on alternate positions which I am starting to enjoy knowing that I can utilize them in my playing. However, one thing I have noticed when incorporating alternate positions into my routine is that because of how long the pipe of the horn gets. The horn requires more air to be put through in order to get a great sound. Not only is learning my alternate positions getting me to A to B faster, but it also helps with breathing too. Once I made it to a good stopping point I headed down stairs for my wind ensemble rehearsal. I hoped that I could redeem myself today because of how poorly I played on Monday.

Whenever I play janky in an ensemble I try my best to remedy what went wrong, but sure enough lightning struck twice in the same spot, things went awry, and I started to slip into the darker shades of my mind. Rehearsal went poorly again and I nearly blew a fuse post rehearsal, but managed to keep my cool. Interestingly, having two bad rehearsals is pretty rare for myself, but on the brighter side it keeps me modest and in a practice room. Sometimes it is awesome to be able to see the good out of something bad.

           One of the big buzzwords that has been circulating around the castle this semester is articulation. Most of my teachers have been harbingers of articulation because of all of the Bernstein we are playing. Not only that, but I feel as though some of my teachers were pretty impressed with last semester and it is time to take certain ensembles to the next levels, so after my rehearsal I went back into the practice room to got through minor scales at 120 focusing on every other note being articulated with an accent.

After going through my other technical exercises of the day I dug right into the first Bitsch etude which is challenging, but sounds impressive when the fragments of the etude all connect. The big challenge of the piece though is once again articulation most of the first etude focuses on an accent of the three eighth note patterns and it is usually followed by staccato notes. The etude is in 2/4 it focuses on weird rhythmic groups to get the player familiar with odd note groupings and rhythm.

Friday happened to be another day of revisiting an artist that has released new content. I learned that Elliot Mason had recently released a new solo album and someone had already transcribed one of his solos which some of his lines sound reminiscent of Rosolino. Before, Now and After features some of veterans of the NYC music scene including Sofija Knezevic, Tim Hagans, Brad Mason, and Joe Lavano.  

Elliot also plays with his brother and the two released an album a few years ago titled Two Sides, One Story. These English brothers grew up in a musical family where they were constantly playing jazz from a young age and sat in with some of the higher end English jazz bands. “By 16, Mason left England to join his brother Brad Mason at the Berklee College of Music… He moved to New York City after graduation and now resides on Northwestern University’s faculty… Mason currently plays with the Jazz at Lincoln center orchestra with Wynton Marsalis (jazz.org).”

One of the coolest things about Mason is his custom-made horn which looks like something out of the steam punk subculture. His horn has a ornate pattern around the parabolic curve and it also contains a really unique bell flair. I guess every epic swordsman needs a trademark swift foe faller.  One day I may set out on my own journey to claim my own legendary sword once I obtain my M.M.

Saturday concluded my musical week with me developing some content for ZnCU. I wish to keep making content for my blog, including, basic practice tips and ideas that I have regularly utilized throughout my practice routines/ sessions. Hopefully, I can keep creating content and education resources for ZnCu and eventually I would like to produce more audio and video content. Anyway, despite having a week of some ups and downs with my ensembles I still managed to finish the week with some fun and interesting practice exercises.

One thing that I really enjoy doing when I have to opportunity to practice piano is work on transposing basic melodies in different keys. I do this on trombone, but it is nice to see how these tunes are laid out on piano too. I experiment with really cool jazz voicings in harmonies. Eventually, I would really like to re-harmonize these transposition tunes with unconventional vertical accompaniment. However, I still need to get more of the unique harmonies under my fingers. Once I become more familiar with the voicings I can easily transfer said harmonies onto my horn to open up some really interesting note choices for solos.

… As the days press forward my skills become sharpened through hours of sparring mentally and physically. However, in the feint echoes of the distance a lumbering monster slowly encroaches on your position. The only opportunity to survive the inevitable confrontation is to pick up your sword and slay the monster outright… Ghrondhal killing foresight….