Firing up the crowd

[ubizmo]

I just got back from the Broad Street Run, in Philadelphia.  No, I didn't run, but my daughter did; so we went down to cheer her on.  It's not a cheery day here, alternating between light drizzle and soaking rain.  Since there was a lot of traffic, and a lot of detours, we stationed ourself in South Philly, at about the 8 mile point (the race is 10 miles).  There were over 26,000 runners, so it was a river of people flowing past, and by the time they got to us they were a pretty ragged bunch.  Considering the weather, it was surprising to see as many people as there were, gathered along both sides of Broad Street to support the runners.

Naturally, I had my MO around my neck.  Rain is no problem!  So I decided to play, to give a lift to the tired runners.  I chose--what else?--the "Rocky" theme.  It's amazing how this thing can be heard, even outdoors in a crowd.  As I played, people in the crowed starting singing along (well, there are no words, so they were just singing "da da dahhh, da da dahhhh, etc) and it certainly brought a smile to the faces of the runners.  So I alternated between that and various bugle calls.  Then I got an inspiration and played the "Chariots of Fire" theme.  A few people came to shoot video of me, so I guess I'll be appearing in more Youtube videos.

You just never know when these things will come in handy.

Ubizmo

[Spatolo]

So I decided to play, to give a lift to the tired runners.

Man, you got balls.

(well, there are no words, so they were just singing "da da dahhh, da da dahhhh, etc)

R O T F L

[Karl B]

This is what's amazing about musically talented people.  I assume you haven't practiced these songs ahead of time with the foreknowledge you'd be playing them at the marathon.  Yet you were able to perform them with enough confidence and experience that you weren't afraid to mess up in front of probably hundreds of people.

This is why I *NEED* to learn to read music and need to *KNOW* what notes are where on the ocarina.  I guess that would be half the battle?

Congratulations and I'm constantly amazed to hear of your playing experiences!

Karl B

[ubizmo]

I assume you haven't practiced these songs ahead of time with the foreknowledge you'd be playing them at the marathon.  Yet you were able to perform them with enough confidence and experience that you weren't afraid to mess up in front of probably hundreds of people.

I never played either song before in my life, or even thought about playing them.  I don't even particularly *like* the Rocky theme, but it seemed appropriate.  I wasn't too worried about messing up in front of a crowd of people like that.  It's not like being on stage with everyone expecting something special.  Both songs are simple--especially "Rocky."

This is why I *NEED* to learn to read music and need to *KNOW* what notes are where on the ocarina.  I guess that would be half the battle?

These two things happen at the same time.  You learn where the notes are on the staff and on the ocarina.  And that is half the battle.  The other half is just doing it, just picking a simple song and working it out without looking at any notes or tabs.  At first, it takes forever, but it gets easier.  Before I started playing, I just thought about the tune in my head for a minute.  I could tell the first 3 notes would be either DFG or EGA.  But I knew the tune went down lower a couple of bars later, so I went with EGA, then ABE.  So it's EGA, ABE, EGA, ABE.  Then it goes lower: DCDCDE... and so on.  I may have fumbled a few notes the first time through; after that I just belted it out, with Celtic ornaments and everything.  I throw them in anywhere!

The thing about playing by ear is, there's no "wrong" note to start on, but some starting notes make for easier play than others (i.e., fewer sharps and flats).  I'm lazy so I always try to play in easy keys.  If you're trying to work out a song by ear and it seems like everything is a sharp or a flat, try starting on a different note.  It's trial and error, but you get better at it just by doing it.

Ubizmo

[Spatolo]

It took me a WHOLE weekend (from morning to evening) to learn my first tune by ear, it was "farewell and adieu ye fine spanish ladies", and the instrument was a tin whistle. I can say withouth exagerating that I used mostly a brute force algorithm at the time (I mean, that I played EVERY possible note until I found the right one. I had no clue about intervals, I mean that I could not recognize them AT ALL - and I still have troubles, expecially descending ones, don't ask why)

[onewhohopes]

Inspiring story. I've performed on the stage too much so I would be too afraid of being laughed at or something to do anything like that.  I would find it very strange to be recorded by other people, too.

Maybe you'll end up being called an ocarina guru on YouTube as well. 

-Tom

[Karl B]

Ubizmo,

Before I started playing, I just thought about the tune in my head for a minute.  I could tell the first 3 notes would be either DFG or EGA.  But I knew the tune went down lower a couple of bars later, so I went with EGA, then ABE.  So it's EGA, ABE, EGA, ABE.  Then it goes lower: DCDCDE... and so on.  I may have fumbled a few notes the first time through; after that I just belted it out, with Celtic ornaments and everything.  I throw them in anywhere!

That reminds me of watching a painter on TV many years ago.  He would put a few lines here, a few strokes there, dab here, swipe there... and what was just looked thrown together ended up to be a masterpiece. (At least to my eyes.)  So to me this just amazing.

So for you it might be a note here, note there, ornament here, ornament there and *POOF*... a masterpiece! 

Karl B

[ubizmo]

That reminds me of watching a painter on TV many years ago.  He would put a few lines here, a few strokes there, dab here, swipe there... and what was just looked thrown together ended up to be a masterpiece. (At least to my eyes.)  So to me this just amazing.

I remember that guy!  His name was Bill Alexander, right?  He did mostly landscapes in oil, and he'd just chatter away while he painted, mostly using the brushes to make various patterns and textures, and it all seemed so simple.  I tried it once and it was a complete train wreck!

Ubizmo

[Karl B]

Couldn't tell you his name for sure, but it sounds like the same guy.  I think he had a beard, mustache and curly hair. (I could be wrong there.)  (And I never tried to duplicate it.  Talk about train wreck, that would have been a doosey.) 

Karl B

[Noah]

I think Karl's thinking of Bob Ross (owner of the best hair of all time).  I don't know if I've ever seen Bill Alexander, but yeah, those PBS painter guys have (/had) some ridiculous skillz.


Ubi, great song choices, and congratulations on being awesome as always!  But how can you not particularly like the Rocky theme? (I'll let you off the hook if you like the movies, though)

[ubizmo]

I think Karl's thinking of Bob Ross (owner of the best hair of all time).  I don't know if I've ever seen Bill Alexander, but yeah, those PBS painter guys have (/had) some ridiculous skillz.


Ubi, great song choices, and congratulations on being awesome as always!  But how can you not particularly like the Rocky theme? (I'll let you off the hook if you like the movies, though)

Ohhh, Bob Ross, yep.  I was thinking of this guy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0umr1SE2M8M.  I used to love to watch him.

As for the Rocky theme....maybe we need to do a group collaboration on that one.

Ubizmo

[Karl B]

Yeah Noah it was Bob Ross.  I looked his name up on Wikipedia and they had his photo.  Here is a quote from there as well:

Each painting would start with simple strokes that appeared to be nothing more than colored smudges. As he added more and more strokes, the blotches transformed into intricate landscapes.[5]

--Wikipedia, Bob Ross article

That's what I remember.

Karl

[FredDooolie]

the "Rocky" theme.
(well, there are no words

"Gonna Fly Now" - Rocky
Music by Bill Conti and Carol Connors
Lyric by Ayn Robbins

Trying hard now
it's so hard now
trying hard now

Getting strong now
won't be long now
getting strong now

Gonna fly now
flying high now
gonna fly, fly, fly...

Although we usually sing:
Getting high....getting high...
Sucking eggs now.
Punching meat now.

[FredDooolie]

It took me a WHOLE weekend (from morning to evening) to learn my first tune by ear, it was "farewell and adieu ye fine spanish ladies",

Is that the one Richard Chambermaid sang in "Shogun"?
I promised her rings for her fingers....something something for her flaxen hair....