Are there any classically trained musicians around here? I'd like to see the different backgrounds you guys have and share our experiences/knowledge.
I've been studying music since the age of 12 (23 at the moment). I'm a cellist, studying at Vincent-d'Indy School of Music, and piano is my second instrument, specializing myself in jazz piano more and more. With all the theoritical classes I've been through, I've also composed several chamber music pieces as well as electro-acoustic pieces performed in Montreal (University of Montreal, Concordia University, Montreal's Conservatory of Music, etc.).
I started studying viola, piano, and theory at Victoria Conservatory around age 13, was about half-way through a double major in composition and viola when an accident messed up my right arm more or less permanently. I ended up doing other things, but I still a regular at classical concerts around Vancouver. Because I'm only playing for fun these days, took up the horn a year ago ( no bow arm dexterity needed ) and I'm about good enough for some amateur ensembles, though I've no loftier aim - just happy to be playing something again.
I write music, but just for myself. It's a great thing that there are so many notation programs around these days.
I started studying viola, piano, and theory at Victoria Conservatory around age 13, was about half-way through a double major in composition and viola when an accident messed up my right arm more or less permanently. I ended up doing other things, but I still a regular at classical concerts around Vancouver. Because I'm only playing for fun these days, took up the horn a year ago ( no bow arm dexterity needed ) and I'm about good enough for some amateur ensembles, though I've no loftier aim - just happy to be playing something again.
I write music, but just for myself. It's a great thing that there are so many notation programs around these days.
Formerly counts for sure : I'm sad to read that an accident got in the way of your major, but glad to know that it didn't got in the way of your passion for playing!
It's cool that you took the horn and I'm guessing it's the French horn? It's such a difficult instrument, the accents and all the attacks must be so precise. At the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, I always criticize the horn section because they have such a hard time getting it right... If it's the English horn, then it has the most beautiful tone of all instruments, bar none for me.
Notation programs are great these days, but I'm not happy that Sibelius disapeared. Now, Finale 2014 is my notation program, but I feel that Sibelius 7 was the best one out there.
This Christmas, I'll be on the West coast (from Montreal) and I'll spend a couple of days in Vancouver, so I'll try to find any concerts (though I doubt the VSO or the Opera will have any events for the time being).
French horn. The notation and breath control required weren't as hard as I'd thought they'd be going in, but accuracy is very difficult. The best way I could describe playing to someone who plays a keyboard instrument is imagine a keyboard where key size scales with range, with the low notes being big paddles and the high notes toothpick size: the low notes tend to be sluggish and accuracy is hard up high, so a lot of time is spent getting eveness and proficency throughout the range. It's definitely fun, though: ensemble playing was my great joy on the viola, so I'll be seeing what I can find in regard to fellow amateurs for wind/brass quintets.
If you're in Vancouver definitely check out what's happening at UBC: they tend to have more adventurous programming. Music on Main has also put on some memorable concerts. Last year the VSO had a new music festival in January; I'm not sure if they're doing that again, but Tovey seems genuinely enthusiastic about new works.
French horn, I honestley think it has to be the most difficult instrument to play. I'm struggling sometimes with pitch accuracy in the higher part of the cello's range (like 7th position and on), but French horn is the hardest. It's quite a change from viola to a wind instrument! What are you playing this time? Prepering anything to join an ensemble?
I'm practicing like 15-20 hours a week (not much honestly) because I'm auditioning in September 2016 for an orchestra. So far, my program might be a bit weak : for solo cello, The Swan by Saint-Saens and Vocalise by Rachmaninoff. Orchestral excerpts: William Tell Overture (the solo part), Brahms' 2nd Symphony and if I have time, Beethoven's 9th Symphony (the recitative).
Also, I'll be only in Vancouver around Christmas for a couple of days, going to Seattle too. I was in Vancouver last Christmas too, but UBC didn't have anything to attend (I even looked out for Simon Fraser). I don't know about Music on Main, but I'll definitely check it out.
I've been studying music since the age of 12 (23 at the moment). I'm a cellist, studying at Vincent-d'Indy School of Music, and piano is my second instrument, specializing myself in jazz piano more and more. With all the theoritical classes I've been through, I've also composed several chamber music pieces as well as electro-acoustic pieces performed in Montreal (University of Montreal, Concordia University, Montreal's Conservatory of Music, etc.).
What about you guys?
Aggro: Naya Burn RWG
Combo: Scapeshift RG
Control: Jeskai Control UWR
Legacy
Control: Miracles UW
Aggro: Burn R
Does "formerly" count?
I started studying viola, piano, and theory at Victoria Conservatory around age 13, was about half-way through a double major in composition and viola when an accident messed up my right arm more or less permanently. I ended up doing other things, but I still a regular at classical concerts around Vancouver. Because I'm only playing for fun these days, took up the horn a year ago ( no bow arm dexterity needed ) and I'm about good enough for some amateur ensembles, though I've no loftier aim - just happy to be playing something again.
I write music, but just for myself. It's a great thing that there are so many notation programs around these days.
UTeferi, Temporal ArchmageU's prison: blue is the new orange is the new black.
Mizzix Of The Izmagnus : wheels on fire... rolling down the road...
BSidisi, Undead VizierB: Bis zum Erbrechen
GTitiania, Protector Of ArgothG: Protecting Argoth, by blowing it up!
GYisan, The Wanderer BardG: Gradus Ad Elfball.
Duel EDH: Yisan & Titania.
In Progress: Grand Arbiter Augustin IV duel; Grenzo, Dungeon Warden Doomsday.
Formerly counts for sure : I'm sad to read that an accident got in the way of your major, but glad to know that it didn't got in the way of your passion for playing!
It's cool that you took the horn and I'm guessing it's the French horn? It's such a difficult instrument, the accents and all the attacks must be so precise. At the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, I always criticize the horn section because they have such a hard time getting it right... If it's the English horn, then it has the most beautiful tone of all instruments, bar none for me.
Notation programs are great these days, but I'm not happy that Sibelius disapeared. Now, Finale 2014 is my notation program, but I feel that Sibelius 7 was the best one out there.
This Christmas, I'll be on the West coast (from Montreal) and I'll spend a couple of days in Vancouver, so I'll try to find any concerts (though I doubt the VSO or the Opera will have any events for the time being).
Aggro: Naya Burn RWG
Combo: Scapeshift RG
Control: Jeskai Control UWR
Legacy
Control: Miracles UW
Aggro: Burn R
French horn. The notation and breath control required weren't as hard as I'd thought they'd be going in, but accuracy is very difficult. The best way I could describe playing to someone who plays a keyboard instrument is imagine a keyboard where key size scales with range, with the low notes being big paddles and the high notes toothpick size: the low notes tend to be sluggish and accuracy is hard up high, so a lot of time is spent getting eveness and proficency throughout the range. It's definitely fun, though: ensemble playing was my great joy on the viola, so I'll be seeing what I can find in regard to fellow amateurs for wind/brass quintets.
If you're in Vancouver definitely check out what's happening at UBC: they tend to have more adventurous programming. Music on Main has also put on some memorable concerts. Last year the VSO had a new music festival in January; I'm not sure if they're doing that again, but Tovey seems genuinely enthusiastic about new works.
UTeferi, Temporal ArchmageU's prison: blue is the new orange is the new black.
Mizzix Of The Izmagnus : wheels on fire... rolling down the road...
BSidisi, Undead VizierB: Bis zum Erbrechen
GTitiania, Protector Of ArgothG: Protecting Argoth, by blowing it up!
GYisan, The Wanderer BardG: Gradus Ad Elfball.
Duel EDH: Yisan & Titania.
In Progress: Grand Arbiter Augustin IV duel; Grenzo, Dungeon Warden Doomsday.
I'm practicing like 15-20 hours a week (not much honestly) because I'm auditioning in September 2016 for an orchestra. So far, my program might be a bit weak : for solo cello, The Swan by Saint-Saens and Vocalise by Rachmaninoff. Orchestral excerpts: William Tell Overture (the solo part), Brahms' 2nd Symphony and if I have time, Beethoven's 9th Symphony (the recitative).
Also, I'll be only in Vancouver around Christmas for a couple of days, going to Seattle too. I was in Vancouver last Christmas too, but UBC didn't have anything to attend (I even looked out for Simon Fraser). I don't know about Music on Main, but I'll definitely check it out.
Aggro: Naya Burn RWG
Combo: Scapeshift RG
Control: Jeskai Control UWR
Legacy
Control: Miracles UW
Aggro: Burn R