Help our Minnesota colleagues out - send an email

Dear Bass friends,

I promise not to make this blog into an everyday political rant, but today, well... today we simply have to take notice of what is happening in Minnesota.  For 11 months (you read that right), they have been locked out by their management of a vastly differing vision for what an orchestra is.  Their management is basically asserting that all musicians are the same, so why not replace seasoned veteran players with kids right out of school?  And pay them a fraction of what the current musical staff gets paid?  No harm, no foul, right?  And no one will know the difference.  Right?

We all know the difference.  My 5 year old daughter will know the difference.  In fact, when I play for kids, they ALWAYS know good sounds from poor ones.  (Please understand, dear students, that how you play at 20, as good as it seems right now, is not nearly as good as how you'll play after working for decades and continuing your practice every.single.day.)

I applaud my colleagues for taking a hard line on what it means to be an artist of high calibre in this country.  I know that they have given up vast amounts of time and money (did I mention they've been locked out?  No unemployment is available to them, no benefits, they are doing this all on donations and fundraising that they organize.  Talk about commitment)

Here's where you come in: I need you to email the board for the Minnesota Orchestra TODAY.  They are meeting tomorrow and the volume of email that hits them tonight and tomorrow morning will speak volumes, will let them know that the world is watching and we are fed up with their union-busting tactics.  Here is the email from the musicians of the Minnesota Orchestra with the details of how you can help.  Be polite, but be firm in your passion for preserving the high standards that this orchestra represents.

http://www.minnesotaorchestramusicians.org/call-to-action-contact-the-board/

There is an easy way to group email the entire board, just follow the link where they've grouped them for you.

THANK YOU !!
Gaelen

Back to School, part 2

i just opened my copy of The Next Level Bassist from Rannan Meyer today and was blown away with the amount of info from Rufus Reid and David Allen Moore on one of my favorite topics:

PRACTICING!

check it out here-http://www.ranaanmeyerentertainment.com/#!the-next-level-bassist/c1po3

yes, you'll have to subscribe, but it is free and he doesn't send out any thing besides these issues.

I was reminded by a great example in David Moore's article one of the chief reasons I keep practicing- to get through those plateau times  He has a the analogy of learning to do splits.  You get into the position as best you can, and support yourself with telephone books.  Each day you rip one page out of the top book.  That can be the same for practicing.  Some days you just won't see gobs of progress but keep at it.  Do your daily practice as a way of "ripping that page" and getting you closer to your goal.

Happy practicing!

Gaelen

Gettin' ready for school - all of us, that is.

I am still overwhelmed at the busy-ness of August and my inability to fit in a "regular" practice routine.  I've been doing lots of travel, and using the car/bus/airplane time to do mental practice, but brother my chops are in rough shape!  Can't wait for this latest, and last, trip to be completed so I can resume feeling like a Real Musician.

Meanwhile, this email came to me recently and I wanted to share it with all of you: a series of professional development webinars that Polyphonic hosts throughout the year.  They are FREE!  and I've participated as a viewer several times in the past.  My main interest has been in hearing how young graduates from music schools are carving their own paths in the new classical music scene (you know, post 9/11 economic bust, new anti-intelligence culture, etc.).

But the very first one they are offering is the one I would most like to direct your attention to.  It's with Don Greene, my hero!, who coaches athletes, military and now musicians in achieving optimal performances.  He's the one who set me on the path of mental practice.  It's September 16 at 8pm Eastern time, and they usually last just under an hour.  Once you register, they tell you all the technical details of how to log on and participate.  (it's easy, trust me)  There is usually a Q and A at the end that is moderated - you type your questions to the presenter and the moderator chooses which ones to pass along.

I highly recommend these free webinars.  We're all in it for the long haul, the atmosphere for live performance is changing so rapidly, and there is sooooo much to know and learn.  Take advantage of tools like these and keep yourself "in school" and open to new ideas.

Happy practicing!
Gaelen