I was just responding to a friend on-line here today when asked about Angeline the Baker. I posted this tune yesterday, mostly as a teaching piece to give beginners an idea on how to build a tune rhythmically off a basic tune line. When I was explaining what was meaningful about the tune, it was how an 8 year old boy, a student of mine, Henry, loved to play this tune. He'd play it every chance he got. Well, Henry died at age 8 in an accident and I can't play that tune without thinking of him. A lot of tunes either mark a certain event for me or bring back memories of good times (mostlly) and some sad ones, like Henry, I think that's one of the things I love the most about music. The emotion, the way you can play a tune and put what you are feeling in the moment into it. When I was playing the Oopik Waltz that is posted here, I was in the recording studio, and I was thinking....better put everything you feel into this one Diane, cause it's gonna mark your time here. Try to say everything you feel with the music. Play in the moment. Enjoy the moments. It could all change tomorrow. Also remember when you play, you will bless someone with your playing. You don't have to be the best. Sometimes it's better when you aren't The point is that someone will think what you played was beautiful, or they may be inspired to play themselves because they saw that you were doing it. You just never know....
2 comments
on “Tunes mark the times”
SlowPockets Says: Thursday, July 5, 2007 @6:41:41 AM
Diane, Great advice and I can't agree with you more. Many tunes I play are directly related to someone and an experience. My strongest example is this. I played with a good friend, Bob Whatley, for over 17 years. We ALWAYS ended our sessions with "Home Sweet Home" because that was the tradition he had when he played with his father when he was growing up. When he died a few years years ago from cancer, his request was that I play two hymns on fiddle at his funeral - "Into the Garden" and "Just as I Am". When I finished, I couldn't help but to turn to him laying in the casket and played "Home Sweet Home." Even though the chapel was packed, Bob was my only audience. Those three tunes are indelibly ingrained in that experience and I still get choked up when I play them - and even now as I recall that moment!.
