2:52 p.m. - 2005-12-09
expert textpert
I've been spending most of the last few days arranging songs by the Beatles for eight brass players. I've been really surprised to learn how little I actually know about brass instruments, given that I've been standing right next to them ever since I was in junior high school. Even questions of something simple like range are more complicated than I would ever expect. Unlike, say a keyboard-type instrument where, aside from pitch, every note sounds pretty much the same, each wind instrument favors a certain frequency, depending on the instrument's size, shape, etc. This means that certain notes in certain ranges will vary in clarity, which means the arranger has to be careful about balancing the instruments properly. Fortunately, I'm no arranger so I don't have to worry about any of that: just smearing a bunch of notes on the page all willy nilly is plenty good enough for me.
Luckily, we have a brass player in the house to help clean it up a little, to clarify what I wrote for the other brass players, who speak a whole other language. For instance, what most of us call "a note" is to brass players "a CONCERT note". This is due to a thing called TRANSPOSITION, which I would try to explain, except first I would have to think about it and that would cause me beat my head against the wall, possibly marring the paint. I don't like having to try to think about transposition. Or "c" clefs. Don't get me started on "c" clefs; we'll be here all night.
The brass octet is led by Kia and is a one-time thing for a benefit we're playing on Wednesday, which will consist entirely of songs by John Lennon. A LOT of them. There are about thirty people performing, about two songs each. I think the organization we're raising money for is trying to prevent pro-concealed weapon legislation from being passed in Wisconsin, and handgun violence in general. I tend to be a little confused about bills like "Conceal and Carry", or whatever it's called, and the proposed anti-gay marriage amendment. I can never figure out if the politicians who support them are 1) cynically manipulating the citizenry by playing on their fears and emotions to provide a smokescreen for their REAL agendas, ie using their office as a taxpayer-funded money-laundering racket, 2) just acting like the hateful, dumb hick assholes that they are. Or 3) both. The fact that we have a bunch of legislators in Wisconsin going to trial for felony extortion points to 1. On the other hand, Wisconsin has no shortage of hateful, dumb hick assholes. On the other hand, you can be a dumb hick asshole but still be cynical and manipulative. On the other hand, some of the pols going to trial have no record of asshole hickery and have a relatively progressive record. Like I said, it's all very confusing. Politics, transposition, who needs the headache.
But getting back to the John Lennon entertainment benefit event on Wednesday: Sure, it will be a good show with lots of diverse talents and all. But the REAL reason I'm excited about it is there will be an actual bed onstage. And the band I play keyboards in is playing a couple of songs. Finally, I will realize my dream of playing keyboard in bed! The culmination of all my dreams and aspirations! Surely this will be the best Festivus EVER!
