Spring Cleaning

This week I offer a short and sweet post as I am on my way out the door for some Spring skiing/snowboarding. Yep, Spring is upon us and I am feeling reborn. The malaise that typically coincides with the completion of a relatively major project is gone, and now, I am ready to subject myself to much more; projects and malaise. Portrait of a tortured artist? Or an artist that loves torture? I hope I am not THAT cliche ridden.

The days are getting longer which gives me more time to retreat from the sun (I am a salamander), hide away in my bunker, and get to work. Right now, I am all about industriousness and full on output...with some quality control of course. I don't know, maybe I am falling victim to the latest rash of Home Depot commercials - turning up my "doing dial" - or something like that. But really, this is also about staying busy and staying positive in a down economy. It is no secret that gigs have been tough this year, all things are slow, so, I am working on controlling what I can while I can.

My wife often asks me what I do during the day when I am home working. In a nuttshell, in no particular order, and with variable attention and priority, here is what I am working on. ALL of which will be completed by year's end. Here it is in writing. It shall be done. If I could sign this blog, I would use twenty pens to do so.

My current work flow and projects in process:

• Spinning some solid ideas for new solo compositions.
• Completing work (at least back in the groove) on the next New Roots Duo CD. The tunes are getting close and recording should begin this Summer.
• I have outlined and have begun arranging the Christmas CD. Yep, I am going to do it.
• Getting closer to starting my etude project/teaching method.
• Finally transcribing my pieces and will have them available for sale on my site as I get them done.
• Setting up shows/gigs.
• Playing shows/gigs.
• Scheduling and keeping up with various rehearsals.
• Practicing, practicing, and practicing again.
• Always listening. Always.
• Researching new pieces and ideas for instruction.
• Teaching.
• Keeping up with business junk and general promotion.
• Blog.

Of course, all of these options could be sent back to committee for review. I also reserve the right to repeal any and all subjects based on feasibility. Geez, I don't want to bankrupt my soul.

Happy Spring Everyone!

Just Walking Around

Dan said, "Let's just spend a quick 10 minutes on this." And then, we were off...

I have been decompressing from my CD release and accompanying release concert the past couple of weeks. Just kind of walking around both literally and figuratively; stuck in a moderate rut. Coming down from these peak events can be so draining and it always takes some time to find my feet again, stand up, balance, and start moving on to the next thing.

Dan and I were setting up to begin working through a routine rehearsal session. We have both been more preoccupied with our other projects as of late but remain committed to writing and rehearsing as a duo in an effort to release another collection of music later this year. We were tuning, chatting, etc, and then I started to play a rather simple, lush, chord progression on my baritone guitar to warm up. Dan started playing along and the beginnings of a new piece of music were born.

By the end of the session, we had the framework, or at least a bulk of the main ideas for a complete piece. You never know when these moments will occur and it's funny how sublime ideas can emerge after some time away and extended periods of nothingness. This wasn't the intention of our rehearsal. What was on it's way to being  somewhat standard ended up being somewhat liberating.

Moments like these serve as a reminder of why I make music in the first place. It is so easy to get bogged down by the business, the criticism, the stalled progress, and the emptiness. But every so often, there is a light. Even a new sprinkle of a musical idea can serve as a fine elixir to ease the ailment of creative and professional stagnation. It is even bigger than. When one is so consumed  by their work, it can influence the overall perspective on life and existence. I am serious. Looking inward, mining the dark interior caverns, following an idea to it's ultimate apex, or ultimate demise. When you are fully consumed with this process, you forget everything else but the music. And, no matter how brief, said process is crucial to maintaining the mental and spiritual health of any musician. These are the only times when I feel that I am truly living in the present, completely centered.

So, 10 minutes and 1 hour later we had a new tune. I am still walking around. However, I definitely have a new spring in my step.