Flautist?

I've been playing the alto flute for about 2 weeks now, and I think I'm getting pretty good. I've figured out that blowing straight into the hole on the end isn't how you're supposed to make sound, though it was working for me for a while. I had a very nice wind sound, and I could make it louder or softer depending on how hard I blow. Upon learning that the tiny hole (called the em-bow-sher) in the side of the other end was the receptacle for my mouth-wind, I became very embarrassed and decided to get a book to act as reference for the more arcane practices involved with flauting. Since then, I have managed to place my fingers properly on the keys, make a puckered face in the mirror, and pretend to play first chair in the LPO to the Lord of the Rings soundtracks.

Seriously, though, I have been improving, and can hit nearly any note in its range with little hesitation. The flute is a fairly complex instrument, in both its construction and performance, and is all the more rewarding for it. I enjoy woodwinds primarily because they allow me singular control of each note from multiple sources (breath, fingers, etc.) that you don't get from the piano or guitar. (Bowed) Strings are similar, as the pressure you apply with the bow coupled with the speed with which you bring it across the instrument can dramatically alter the sound. The cello is a particularly rich example, as its range stretches across some particularly vibrant notes. Brass is much less subtle for the most part, with the exception of the horn. Man, that thing is sweet.

Ok, you caught me... I write music. Lots of it. Orchestral, jazz, techno, more orchestral than anything, but still. I just spent about 30 minutes trying to find a way to upload one of my clips to no avail, so you'll have to hold out on proof of my composership until I figure out how to get space on the internet. For free. Ain't gonna happen, I know...

OCRemix.org is an excellent site for both lovers of excellent music and video games, and even lovers of both excellent music and video games (See the way I utilized psuedo-ambiguity for humour? I'm a regular Tycho). I frequent it frequently, my shopping list of titles and authors in hand, and download like a preteen with a credit card on iTunes, excepting the fact that these fan-made remixes are free and thus require no credit card. Sorry, djpretzel, I wish I weren't so cheap, but... Yeah. Moving on!

I'm starting a Links section adjacent to the entries, where I will include links (obviously) to sites and articles relevant to the most recent post. What I'll do with them after they've lost recentity, I don't know. I don't care. They don't matter.

- Piers

Anything that is too stupid to be spoken is sung.
- Voltaire