Seven? Check. Four? Check. And Now Four More.

15. February 2008 · 3 comments · Categories: Ramble

We’ve had seven rehearsals and four performances of Rigoletto now. So far, so good. Four to go!

I’m really enjoying the run, but tonight was one tough night; I had UCSC in the afternoon, giving a sample lesson (If you’re reading this, hi R. G.! Great to meet you!), and then I played some grad students works there until 5:15. The final work consisted of a ton of pitch bending. I’ve decided that is taxing on the embouchure. My mouth is tired. In a major way!

I arrived back home at about 6:30, and had to leave for opera a little after 7:00, since I have to, for my own comfort, get to the pit nice and early. By the third act I was feeling like soprano singing Gilda must feel as she is lying in that bag. Kind of stuck. Waiting. Waiting. Except if I had been stuffed in a bag, waiting for my next entrance, I probably would have fallen asleep! But I carried on. I persevered. I played my part.

I hope you are all happy to hear that.

Stable? Who Needs Stable?

15. February 2008 · Comments Off on Stable? Who Needs Stable? · Categories: Links

Finally, the study exposed a pattern between a person’s musical preference and his character.

Fans of hit parade music, hip-hop and R&B tend to be nicer and more extroverted. Rock-lovers, by contrast, are more introverted, sloppier yet more open-minded to new experiences.

People who love classical music are nicer, more precise, more open to new experiences but emotionally less stable.

I found it here. The article begins with “sexy videos” and how they influence kids … especially girls. (Duh.)

And it’s nice to see that I can take credit, too, for my children liking classical music. Heh. Gee … do you think they paid attention to me? Naw.)

The impact of sexy videos was greater on girls than boys. This was due to the fact that girls are generally more influenced by their immediate surroundings, especially by their mothers, researchers said.

Boys in contrast do not appear to be influenced by their family when it comes to their music taste – except when it comes to the like or dislike of classical music.