Progress

Since I started working my way through the Rubank Advanced Method for Flute exercises I've found that in some ways they have been more helpful than the Taffanel-Gaubert 17 Exercises. For one thing the Rubank tells me what keys I'm working on. I finally can see the differences between the different variations of minor keys (natural, harmonic, and melodic). I can often recognize which kind is being used in the music I'm playing. And I haven't even reached that topic in my music theory reading. This will make a difference when I return to the Taffanel-Gaubert.

As many of you know, a couple of months ago my office was moved from the fifth floor to the second. As a result, I almost never use the elevator anymore to get to my office on Two or my colleagues offices on Five. Even though it's only been two months I'm noticing improvement in my stamina. I'm developing leg muscles again--and not a marching band in sight!

My cold followed by the bout of diverticulitis postponed playing the Bach piece at church, but the music director says we can fit it in almost any Sunday once I feel ready to play it. Which shouldn't be very long now.

Lots of small steps add up to some real progress.

Office Update

For those of you who asked about how I was settling in to my office on the second floor, here's a picture of what it looks like now. I have pictures on the wall! It's also been physically beneficial being on the second floor. I use the stairs a lot more, since it's only two flights from the lobby to my office and three flights up to the fifth floor where my colleagues are. I'm developing leg muscles again!

Anyone know where I can find a relatively inexpensive print of one of the Monet Rouen Cathedral paintings or of Harold and the Purple Crayon? I have another wall that could use some art.

Peace,
Jeff

Slow Period

For the past month I've had a series of medical issues. First it was the head cold I dealt with last month. The lingering cough kept me from practicing for a couple of weeks. Then, just as I was getting back into my routine, I ended up on the hospital for five days over Easter. This evening I picked up my flute for the first time in a couple of weeks. I kept it to a minimum, about 35 minutes. Just enough time to run through the next set of technical exercises, work on Frederick the Great's Daily Exercise #25, and play through some tunes from the Barnes Book of English Country Dance Tunes, Vol. 1.

Next week my routine will be interrupted once again by business travel. I've learned that taking my flute simply adds needless weight to my baggage. I rarely have time or space to practice. I may take a couple of pieces of sheet music and load a couple of versions of each piece onto my iPod.