Sometimes I Just Have to Stop Myself

Sometimes I just have to stop myself.

"Stop doing what?" you may ask.

Tangents.

My downfall is tangents.

It all starts very innocently then I delve deeper and deeper.

~*~*~*~

Right now I am doing some pretty intensive research.

This is not a new thing.

I am the one who still has all essays and term papers I've ever written that had a musical theme.

I am the one who at a music conference in 1996 met a university professor called Edwin Gordon who is associated with the Gordon Institute for Music Learning (He founded the institute. See www.giml.org). He also offered me a position as a research assistant.

My response at the time was, "Sure, I'm a research nerd!"

But then I declined the offer explaining I was content with my position. That the idea of going back to school did not appeal to me as I'd only been out of school fewer than 10 years.

Blah, blah, blah.

Excuses, excuses, excuses.

At the time I did not realize the amazing opportunity before me. 

(Very few know of this offer. And no, I do not regret my naïve decision for I might not be where I am today had I taken it. But....who knows!?!?!)

Little did I know that I would be a university professor one day conducting my own research.

~*~*~*~

Today it was this song that sent me off on a tangent.

Phillida flouts me

I had found the song appealing and thought I would arrange it for a small ensemble.

Then my search began.

It is an example of a song about unrequited love from the 1600s.  Many songs of this kind were written during that time period by the troubadours.

I listened to a variation of the song (it did not match the music given above).



Then I looked in to the man, John Coates, who is singing on this video. He was a famed English tenor.

Then I found more verses to the song and started a file.

Then I looked up "Phillida" to see where it came from and what it meant.

Then I found other poems that used the name Phillida.

Then I just had to stop myself.

One song.

A wealth of information.

To continue another day.

Homemade Music

                  

There was once a day that if music was to be a part of your daily life, it had to be homemade.

Young people today can't imagine not being able to log-on, hook up, or turn up their music. However this, mere listening, does not require "homemade music."

*I* can't remember a time when I couldn't turn it on (be it the radio or record player) to listen to music.

But, once there was a time when, if you wanted music, you had to create it yourself.

Homemade music.

And it is not as long ago as the Renaissance period (1450-1600). During this time people were expected to be able to contribute musically to the evening's entertainment. If unable to do so they quite possibly were not invited to social gatherings.

Where would you stand if this was the policy today?

Would you like it if you were only invited to people's houses based on whether you could sing or play an instrument?

How would you rate?

I imagine some would be left at home.

Fast forward a couple centuries.

During the 1800s it was a status symbol to own a piano. It wasn't just for show or as a dust collector as often happens today.  It was played. Children and young ladies were tutored in the playing of music, if not on the piano then on some other appropriate instrument.

Fast forward to the 20th century.

I have heard those in their 70s and older remark about the times when they gathered around the piano and just sang the evening away.

I can't imagine a more glorious way to spend time with friends and family.

When's the last time you've done that? 

Never?

I don't imagine you're alone in that response.

Sad.

I would like to see a revival of homemade music. 

I would like to see people gather socially for the sole purpose of making music together.

I plan on doing more than just write of this here. 

Stay tuned.

We shall one day gather to create homemade music.