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It's been a while since I posted about how the revival of my saxophone career is going.
I'm now into the second year with a local band and we have weekly rehearsals. I have continued to have weekly private lessons with a teacher in Amersham.
I supplement these sessions with daily practice at home (I haven't had any complaints from the neighbours - yet !!!!!!!!!)
I'm pleased with my progress and I've settled in to playing second alto in a section of 5 saxes. Sometimes when the lead alto player can't make it to rehearsal I get to have a bash at the first alto part - I love that - the pressure is on and there's no hiding place !
Our next gig is on 14th December in Chalfont and we will also be playing a number of Christmas carol sessions out and about locally as we did last year. All proceeds go to charity.
We are currently rehearsing :
'The Peanut Vendor' - made popular in the 50s by the Stan Kenton Band.
'What a Wonderful World' - the definitive version is the vocal by 'Satchmo'
'Peter Gunn' - my favourite version is this one : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xME2VC56ubA .
Our version has been rearranged for a big band by our Musical Director and is great fun to play.
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'Blues Brothers Medley' - some of the numbers from the film and again great fun to play.
The year has gone much better than I had hoped for, and I'm enjoying every musical moment of it !!
Hello Harry - nice to speak to you again.
If I may be so bold to say it - you are a success story - certainly of the Let's See What Happens blog. Of course I am humbled in a polite way to consider passing judgement on any more than that.
I would love to hear you play this year - at least I will certainly be making the effort to listen to those songs you mention and through them, try to learn something more of the saxophone.
My own endeavours are at present directed at cross - stitching - but the pipe chanter is still very much in the wings...
Posted by: Tom | 10/05/2007 at 08:14 PM
Thanks Tom - nice to hear from you too.
I think I have bloggers block and find it hard to regulsrly find something that might be generally interesting to write about. Apart from music my other major interest
is working at my golf game - not very interesting !!
Good to hear your chanter is waiting in the wings and now that you have your new 'studio' shed can we expect some progress ??
What do you mean by cross stitching ??
Posted by: Harry C | 10/05/2007 at 10:18 PM
Good stuff, Dad. I think Tom is right, for once, you're the success story of let's see what happens - I might make you a medal.
Posted by: Paul H. Colman | 10/05/2007 at 11:36 PM
Go and check out my blog to see what I'm up to Harry.
Basically Dan Germain sent me an e.mail one day coming over all big about himself and I told him I'd show HIM clever. He challenged me to go ahead and show him and so I had to think of an idea of how to do it.
It took me about a minute to decide to buy a church kneeler / knitted hassock kit and make one to put in the shed (he thinks I'm giving it to him) - and that that would show him clever.
I went through a bit of an epic journey to find the right one - and it has arrived and I'm now on track to finish it sometime next summer (at this rate)
Posted by: Tom | 10/06/2007 at 08:55 AM
PS if you need some stuff to write about I'm overflowing with it. I can syndicate some out to you if you like. I'll keep the offensive stuff for my blog - you can have the least rude stuff.
Posted by: Tom | 10/06/2007 at 08:56 AM
I read the blog Tom. I'm staggered by the range of your hobbies and interests. The hassock will be powerful response to your challengers.
I'm touched by your kind offer of your 'less rude stuff' to write about on this blog, but I'd never get away with it. You are a 'one off' Tom - and I mean that in the nicest possible way !!
Posted by: Harry C | 10/06/2007 at 10:05 PM
I've got a wizard idea for the hassock, too Harry - this will be no ordinary hassock.
I understand you want to keep me away from your blog's posts. I understand.
Posted by: Tom | 10/12/2007 at 12:18 PM
Come on Tom I always look forward to your comments.
Posted by: Harry C | 10/13/2007 at 11:47 PM