Level Up

Hello!

Scatter-brained and sloppy, here is an update on my life:

My life is wonderful, not scatter-brained, and not sloppy. I have a path, a direction. I have focus. That is very nice. I do not just have piles of undeveloped passions, like papers on the desk of an author who never finishes anything, I have a coherent collection of devotions and thoughts that are all weaving together in one life-long project.

Here are the latest musical developments (that's to say...the update on my life):

Months ago, I posted fliers around the city/music schools in search of a practice space. I didn't get a response for a while. In mid December, I received a call from a trombonist with an enticing offer; he knew of a room I could use, 24/7, but in order to gain access to it, I had to play in this Wind Ensemble that uses the room to rehearse. Gosh. What a morbid trade. Having to play in a band to gain full access to a studio. I obviously turned that down immediately. I wouldn't do that unless it were also free, and the band was sponsored by the Freiburg Metro System, giving all members free passes for unlimited use of Freiburg Public Transportation.

Turns out that is exactly the case. I now play in a Wind Ensemble (with one other trumpet player who is insanely good and one trumpet/flugel player who is sanely good), have an incredibly awesome studio room (large, full of instruments of every kind, with small kitchen, heated, always accessible, have my own key, don't pay a penny), and have a year-long card to use all public transportation in Freiburg.

We play Michael Jackson covers.

After my second rehearsal with the VAG Musikverein (Freiburger Public Transporation Music Ensemble), our percussionist came up to me and very enthusiastically starting giving me advice about my trumpet playing. Who is he to do such a thing? He is a Tuba player in his final semester of his Masters program for Tuba Performance at the Conservatory here in Freiburg. He is good (not insanely good, not sanely good, but-oh my- italicized good). He is one of the most passionately musical people with whom I've ever had practical contact. You go to the BSO or see Dave Brubeck in concert, you're witnessing some serious musical passion. But this guy is taking me under his wing. We've been practicing together 2-3 times a week, and I am learning so much. I've been able to up my daily practice endurance because of Bora, this tuba dude. It's a great feeling.

Also. Gary Barone, my trumpet teacher at the Jazz and Rock College, has officially invited my to play in the elementary Big Band (which he conducts) at the Jazz and Rock College this upcoming semester. Very cool.

All of that kind of makes it sound like I'm serious about trumpet. That is one hundred percent correct. I am serious about trumpet. It may also make it sound like I'm good. That is not correct. What is however true, is that I'm getting better. Futhermore, I will continue to get better because I practice- attentively, meticulously, and correctly- everyday. That is a fact.

This is my space. It is big. It is removed from residential areas; I can play at midnight and not a single person will hear me.

Hmmm how can I shake this post up a bit? I'm reading a fantasy book about demons that come out of the ground at night and devour humans. It's pretty good. Work is great. German words are really cool. Here are some really cool German words:

-Begriffsstutzig: Begriff=concept. Stutzig=puzzled, perplexed. "Concept-puzzled." English translation: dense, thick-headed.

-Nachzügler: Nach=after. Zug=train. "After-train." English translation: straggler.

-Prügelknabe: Prügel=beat-up. Knabe=boy. "Beat-up-boy." English translation: scapegoat.

Have a great Friday!

-Ben.

:D