Random Monday: Connecting Dots

A chain of ideas
Over the weekend, I did some significant revising in last Friday’s post. Under the sub-title “a new pathway becomes old,” it now reads:

In a very broad sense, we learn things in order to forget them.

As time progresses a method like the one suggested here gets refined, condensed and processed into a bare essential – something that might hold great meaning and worth to its users. Eventually it may even pass into deep memory and become a pathway upon which greater things are built.

As implied by the graph chart above, I am suggesting that different learning pathways can exist on the same continuum – in a range from deep-thoughts out to no-thoughts.

Since I assert that learning pathways are dependent on context, I would also suggest that there is ample room for multiple paradigms.

I did this re-write in order to tie in an underlying message that connects recent posts and speaks towards certain issues (and fallacies) related to our field. If you missed it, the trail goes in this order, beginning with the comments section of the first link below:

• ‘Radical’ Embouchure Experiments, IV – Using a Visualizer
  The story begins.
• Random thoughts on ‘natural’ technique, embouchure study and sports analogies
  Does a ‘natural’ approach exist?
• Using the Karpman Drama Triangle as a Teaching Tool
  Too much drama can stunt your growth and cloud your mind.
• Knowing Your Line: Planning for Success & Improvement
  Being aware of limitations is key towards improvement.

Glorious sounds
A nice review at Chicago Classical Review of the Chicago brass section in concert.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it (?)
Phil Collins gives very good reasons for embouchure care and practicing away from the instrument. This comment in particular caught my interest:

Beating the lips into submission is one of the mindsets I was raised with unfortunately. Mind-over-lips has its place but also has its consequences. Denial of our limitations is not the strategy for improvement. When your lips scream at you, you need to listen. A wise approach to playing is not a warrior approach nor is it a wuss approach. Finding your balance is critical for long term lip life. Chop-protection is as valuable as chop-building.

Imagine no orchestra music
At The Horn the possibility of a world without symphony orchestras is imagined.

Horn tone in context
Jonathan West gives a good overview of different sounds for different groups. In this sense, musicians are like actors, many times needing to wear different hats for different roles.

Salaries drop, players leave
From Columbus, an article that suggests a sign of our times. The comments are particularly interesting to read.

Random videos

A very nice animation of the diaphragm, lungs and rib cage in a respiratory cycle.

* * *

Marc Papeghin and friends.

* * *

The Berlin Philharmonic Horns performing Der Freischütz.