To The Porch

I woke today knowing that I must play on our back porch amplified today in preparation for the Takoma Porch gig tomorrow.  I wanted to do this on Wednesday but did not make it happen and yesterday I practiced in the early morning so could not move it outside.  Then the rest of the day was packed.  This afternoon I hit the back yard a bit later in the day then I planned but I was out there.

The guitar/amp combo sounded better than I thought it would.  I was playing through a couple pieces when I realized that in 24 hours my set would begin at 4:15 pm.  So I played through the set.  Different distractions than usual trees blowing in the wind, a low flying helicopter, birds singing and children playing. But I played on. I'm ready.  Afterwards I put on new strings and played a bit more.

I'll be on the porch of 7063 Eastern Ave tomorrow.  Let us hope for good weather.  Check the link for other artists and locations.   One of the many reasons I love Takoma Park.

Be Alive in a Sea of Change

Practicing a set for performance is different from fantasizing about playing the set for imaginary people.  The first is working on the stamina of playing the various pieces each with it's own technical challenges and emotional arisings. This also allows me to determine how the flow of moods and tempi interact with one another.  Pretending in the mind about any aspect of a performance or its' impact merely detracts from the music.

Yet the mind will wander by forecasting into the future or holding onto the past.  This happens within any given piece with anticipating difficult sections or whether I can build up the emotional content of the work and by hanging onto a mistake.  To just remain with the notes being played sets the stage for what is to come and for what has come.  Remaining present with the process in rehearsal or performance ensures music has a chance to arrive.

If I can be aware & alive in rehearsal, I have a much better chance chance of being alive within the sea of change of performance.

I will be performing two sets at Takoma Porch on Saturday May 16, 2015 at 4pm.  Over 40 diverse musical acts will be performing on porches around the City of Takoma Park.  I hope to see you there.

Photo by jeronimo sanz