Best posts made by GeorgeB

@kehaulani said in Star Spangled Banner:

There's a BIG difference in Lady Gags's interpretation and many others. Her's, while modern, was respectful, at the same time modern with a use of contemporary harmonies and rhythms. It was emotional as a means of singing tribute to those fallen, yet avoided the hot-dogging, melismas of many of her predecessors.

I am not a US citizen so maybe my opinion doesn't count, but I agree with kehaulani. I have heard many versions over the years ( some pretty horrid ) and I really felt Lady Gaga's is one of the best. So much heartfelt emotion and from a gal with a voice that's the sweetest thing this side of Heaven.

UPDATE

Just want to let you all know that last night during the 20 minute break from practice, I went to my car in the parking lot, sat in the back seat and played a variety of easy exercises that included long tones, lip slurs and some scales including chromatic scales. I took a good rest between each exercise and figure I played about 12 or 13 minutes of the 20 minute break. When practice resumed I played the remaining 40 minutes of practice without any embouchure problems.
I guess not playing for 20 minutes was encouraging edema. I don't know, but I do know I will be continuing to play during the breaks from now on.

@Kehaulani
Great find, Kehaulani. That will give me something to do after I finish practice tomorrow morning. Thanks so much for posting.

@butcha

Good to hear from you, Butch. Our band is able to practice but we have to wear masks when we're not playing and cover the bell with a nylon cloth when we play. We can only play 30 minutes, then leave the room and let it air out. Takes about 20 minutes. Then we play another 30 and call it a night.

There are 33 members in our band but only half of them are practicing once a week. Absolutely no concerts.

A real bummer.

George

@eatontkd

Welcome back, sir, from an old goat who started up again after a 50 year hiatus.
I have 1962 Conn Victor 5A in my collection of horns. Large bore .485 and beautiful sound.

My neighbors are very kind and look ward to the summer months when I play on my back deck in the afternoons. So I guess I'm not doing too badly.

@SSmith1226
Very interesting, Steve. Living up to responsibilities, well that says a lot about the man, doesn't it.

@dale-proctor

I'll bet the Miata comes with a beautiful case...

@butcha

Great to see and hear that you are alive and kicking, Butch. When I made my comeback in 2016 after a 50 year hiatus there was one big difference, I was now, at age 79, sporting a full upper denture and a partial lower denture. It was like learning to play all over again, but it can be done. You have the determination and the love for music that is needed so I have no doubts whatever that you will be playing well long before you think.
George

@SSmith1226

Thanks, Steve, that virtual exhibits link was interesting and entertaining. The thing I have always loved about Satchmo is that no matter where he is, on stage, in the movies, at home or wherever, he is just plain Satchmo, the man.
I am so glad I got to see him in Concert. He always made time for fans after the concert. This one was in Halifax sometime in the 60s and when I got to talk to him I told him he was one of the reasons I played the trumpet. He just laughed and said, "yeah, man, next time, bring your horn ". I will never forget that moment.
It was fun meeting Trummy Young, too, but all he wanted to know was where could he find a party to go to.

@dale-proctor

Thanks, Dale

@curlydoc
The older I get the more difficult it is to play good clean low notes below the staff. What helps me, beside moving to a larger mp .650 to .664, is to start at C on the staff and blow long notes down to #F, then back up and down again a few times a day. Also intervals from on the staff to below are helpful.
Good to hear you are back at it,
George

@Dr-GO
Thanks for getting the thread back on track, Doc, but isn't that Headhunter Album thing some kind of a dig ? C'mon, now, let's be nice.

@bigdub

Great piece of work, Wayne. Man, that is one lighthouse where I'd actually pay to be the keeper.

@stumac said in A real OLD comebacker here:

I will be 81 at the end of this month, I feel young compared to a flute player in our Orchestra who is 90 and a visitor to the Big Band a couple of weeks ago, a Clarinet and saxophone player still blowing at 98.

Regards, Stuart.

@stumac said in A real OLD comebacker here:

I will be 81 at the end of this month, I feel young compared to a flute player in our Orchestra who is 90 and a visitor to the Big Band a couple of weeks ago, a Clarinet and saxophone player still blowing at 98.

Regards, Stuart.

Yeah there is a 95 year old chap playing violin for the local classical music orchestra. But no one older than me in the two local bands I have or am playing in.

In the Giufreddi series there are a lot of lip burners that are beyond my ability but I managed to play I Promessi Sposi but had to drop an octave on those high Cs near the end because my old chops were tiring. But, man, that was a pretty piece of music, and great playing by Giufreddi, of course.

@bigdub

Aw, gee you were only kidding. I had already started to pack...

@bigdub

I remember the movie and wondered if I was crazy for liking it. But it was a well done movie and I actually felt sorry for Florence when she came to realize she was not the great opera singer she thought she was.

Now don't start throwing things at me but I have never been a student of his work and with me it was always a case of take him or leave him. But I have to say, he sounded pretty damn good here at Newport in 1955.

@bigdub

Wow. Excellent work on all that detail.

@barliman2001

I don't think my ears could handle a side B.