new thread
It has mine. In both negative and positive ways. An example of a negative way is that I don't swim nearly as often as I used to. I love to swim and I used to swim every time I went to the beach. Now, I usually stay out of the water unless I am planning on washing my hair that evening anyway. Or even sometimes when I do go into the water, I'll put my hair up in a bun and keep my head dry. If it's not already a "washing night" then I don't want to make it one.
An example of a positive way is that having long hair has made me more understanding and tolerant of the differences in other people. I think that I treat everybody with more respect now.
Your thoughts?
In my particular case it has changed nothing. I was born being my own person...........have never let anyones remarks phase me nor bother me. I am me and they are them. If they don't like me........tough!
I am always polite to others. If a negative remark is thrown my way I respond with positive comments to that person or even compliment them. Ha ha ha...........this gives them no where to go and they can't get to me.
Funny thing, I am well respected despite the fact that I do not march to the beat of Societys Drum and never have. But, I have achieved international acclaim. And it was ALL done "my way."
Well said - we should all be ourselves and be polite to others, even when they don't do much to deserve it.
Just out of curiosity, in what field have you achieved International acclaim? I wonder if there are other famous longhairs on this board.
Although I have been a longhair to some extent all my life, in the last 10 years when it has been at its longest, I have learned to sympathise more with other oppressed minorities.
As a Composer of Classical Music. Considered "Non-Progressive" by the Critics here in the US because "they say" I am a "copiest" of the French Composers Claude Debussy(1862-1918) and Maurice Ravel (1875-1937.) An absurd statement as both of these Composers were completely different! But,I take it as a compliment. :-) The English, Germans and especially the "French" perform some of my works. How I Compose comes naturally to me and began before the age of 5 (although at that age I did not know how to notate on paper what I was playing on the Piano or hearing in my head.) The "sounds" must have been born into me I think. A Publisher of mine at Leduc + Cie of Paris once told me on the phone: "One is never acclaimed in their own land." So, guess I am for the most part following a type of pattern that has existed for Centuries for so many of the Composers. Not all.
If I am still known AFTER my death, once gone, most likely the US will "suddenly" want to tout the glories of one of THEIR Artists! (Sure.......there would be $$$$$ in it for them...........and it sure wouldn't be going to myself 6'under.) This doesn't matter to me however.
If through the gift of Music I can bring some happiness to the people of this world, of this I care the most.
That's very intersting. I too am interested in Classical music, and have had a couple of very modest works performed, but not for many years. My interest in music has of necessity been more passive in the last 25 years or so.
Are any of your works available on CD?
I don't think so anymore............but IF they are they were ALL produced in Germany (4 seperate Discs: "Gelsenkirchen-Horst") by the great German Organist of today: "Friedrich Storfinger" who discovered me by accident and sought me out. These CD's were available in the late 90's in Europe. He sent me copies, but as far as I know NONE were exported to the US. (Reason? Money I think which we are all about these days..........but I could be wrong and hope I am in my thoughts.) On these discs other Composers of the past, (Guilmant, Rheinburger, Franck, Mendelssohn etc.) are represented as well. I was and am the ONLY living Composer he will perform works by. He played only published compositions of mine, but has also performed "unrecorded" a number of unpublished Organ Works.(Very very difficult to play and NO publisher will take these on.) 7 works in all made it onto CD's. Comissioned by him was a "Concerto for Organ and Orchestra" completed in 1999. It was never performed.................(Storfinger thought it a little too "easy" for him.) But then, he is a Genious who gobbles-up all the most difficult pieces which few can play. Such is his reputation. I was NOT keen in writng this commission as the Full Modern Orchestra pitted against Organ is a bad contrast of "alikes." He didn't like the idea of a "Classic Orchestra" which is the ONLY thing which would work. Such is the nature of a Commission I guess. Do your best and hope they like it.
Beckenhorst Press released tapes of new Choral scores sometime in the late 80's. On these I was represented by 2.
And a "Private Commissioned work" for some Church in Chicago of Three Chorals (without accompaniment) plus one other work was released in 2002. But I don't believe in this case the CD was meant for other than that particular Church. They sang the pieces beautifully!
I didn't realise we had so much talent in the field of Classical music on this board.
I'll see if I can get hold of some of your music from somewhere. I'm a great fan of Sibelius, Tchaikovsky, Delius, Elgar (and many others) myself.
Hope you are able to. If not, after a couple of weeks starting July 4th (as I am going to be away) email me and perhaps I can at least make some tapes-up of some of the pieces.
I am also a fan of Sibelius. Ever notice how his music has such a brooding quality to it? And Delius...........sensational short Tone Poems so dreamy.
Have a nice 4th.
Justin
Wow, Justin dude, you're an artist and composer?! They go great together!
I am a composer too, but haven't published any of my works yet, I compose music in the form of 2 styles, Similar to Ludovico Einaudi and the second style similar to Pagainini and Bach. I guess as I get older I will establish a more permanent style in my compositions. I love modern and Baroque Music. I'm hoping to gain a scholarship to Muisc College by next year, wish me luck! :)
Also, what intruments do you play?
Hey Surferdude-
You really took me by surprise. Sure will keep my fingers crossed for you that you get that Scholarship. And I well know what it is like for the "natural" to be able to write in a certain style with ease, while other styles are impossible. Most probably you NEVER studied Composition(?)...................I am convinced it cannot be taught. One is either born with the ability or not. (The Collage professors for the most part are "Faux" Composers.) They "teach" Composition but cannot really compose themselves with one exception: ATONAL! That has proved itself a failure now for about 100 years but is so easy to do. I dare say a Baby sitting at a keyboard sometimes sounds better! The inventor of it all, Arnold Schoenburg DID have talent to begin with. At the end of his life in the 1950's he regretted the course he took but said: "Well, if I hadn't done it somebody else would have." (Of course certain things have to be learned dealing with notation..............but of "inventing" your own pieces? No course anywhere can teach that.)
Instruments I play or have played professionally are Pipe Organ, Piano, Violin, Viola, Clarinet and Recorder.
Please write me if you want to know how to get something of yours into publication. These days it is harder than ever before. But perhaps I could go into detail of what you are up against.
My favorite Composers? Ravel is #1 and has been ever since I learned of him. Bartok fascinates me and always has. Early Stravinsky Too. Brahms unusual writing in the lower registers is so full of mud........and yet what a genius he was. Grieg is a Gem WAY AHEAD OF HIS TIME! Modern Music (circa 1900-1930) talks to me the most. And for some reason the "pre-Bach" music is the other that "talks to me." Bach.............(and this is really stupid to say) leaves me cold for the most part even though the greatest Composer ever. I think in his case it is because his writing is just too complex and lacks the feeling of freedom.
Ha ha ha.................kind of ironic isn't it. Classical Musicians have always been called LONG HAIRED. Well, guess we fit in. :-)
I am very happy that you have these talents Surferdude. The "average person" will never know what it is like.
All the best-
Justin~
ps: What instruments do you play?
Hey, Justin. Really neat to hear there's a composer on here. I'm in high school band, playing percussion, so I do have some experience with historical composers. I can't say I really have much knowledge about them, though, as I know and admit that there are a lot of famous classical pieces, and probably composers, that I haven't heard of. Your mention of Bela Bartok just made me compelled to post here, though, because last year, the music our marching band chose for its marching show was Bartok's Dance Suite. Really technical music, especially compared to that played by most other marching bands. My band is The Woodlands High School marching band, from The Woodlands, Texas, USA.. I'm not sure if you have much experience with marching band or not, but we're one of the top-ranked bands in the States.
Just wanted to let you know about our show and say how neat it is to have an acclaimed composer among our ranks. Hope you can keep up the good work with your music.
Thank you so much for writing and your very kind compliments. Sounds like you are in an extra special Marching Band. Great! Glad you are having this extra special opportunity. In HS I was in one also........as a Clarinet Player..............but back then it was Sousa Marches. :-)
Bela Bartok (1881-1945) for a Marching Band takes this Composer by complete surprise! And of all pieces.........."Dance Suite!" (An Orchestral Piece of about 18 minutes duration with his usual changes of 5/8 to 3/8 or 7/8 meter per about every bar or so throughout. Whoever arranged it for Band must have been very clever indeed! Hmmmmmmmmmmm............it is just so difficult for me to figure-out which of the 5 connected pieces within that Suite were used? Certainly the 3rd section is the most "catchy" and the ONLY somewhat "Traditional-sounding" of that whole work. But to March to? Oh well............I would have to see that Band Score.
My poor parents. They didn't understand Bartok at all and I can now well see why. I remember at 15 playing his 6th dance in Bulgarian Rhythm on the Piano and upsetting my mother so that she grabbed the music off the Piano and tore that Microcosmos book to shreds! Bartok was so unique. Ever notice his total usage of Unison writing which prevail? In listening to vintage recordings of this Genius it becomes obvious that most musicians
play his music opposite of how he did. They "bring-out" ALL the dissonances where as Bartok had a subtle way of "hinting at them" and actually making his pieces sound musical.
That poor composer. He and his wife escaping Hungary to the US just in time before Hitler invaded. A good friend of theirs invited them to a lovely cottage in Riverton VT. which I have been to in New England. The scenery there is beautiful!!!! Bartok liked it there as it reminded him of his native Hungary. But he cut short his visit as the War was tormenting him so much and the illness which was to take his life had allready started. He returned to the NY appt. early and worked on his "Concerto for Orchestra" of which he is best known for today.
Thanks again for writing of your Band. A GOOD "Concert Band" these days is almost a lost art.
What are you going to do when your hair grows so long that it touches the Drums? lol. :-)
Dance Suite was definitely a very difficult and unexpected piece for a marching band to play, but I think we did pretty well with it. As for which movement of Dance Suite it was, I'm not exactly sure, but I'm checking right now. Dance Suite was technically only the opener and closer parts of our shows. The "ballad," though it wasn't the typical one at all, was The Miraculous Mandarin.
I'd like to find you a recording of our music, but I really don't have any idea where I would, unfortunately.
By the way, as another side note, two years ago our band played John Corigliano's Tournaments and Piano Concerto. The piano concerto had to be my favorite part of the show, because I'm in the pit (AKA front ensemble, sometimes) rather than the drumline, and the entire beginning of the Piano Concerto was a percussion feature. That was an amazing show.. We placed 8th at the Bands of America Grand Nationals that year, too.. That was an amazing year.
I never really knew all that much about Bartok before this, so thanks for informing me.
Heh.. As for the comment about a GOOD concert band.. Our top band this year performed at the Midwest Clinic, out of 5 HS bands from around the world. That was certainly an honor.. We also were awarded the Sudler Flag for our achievements over the past several years. This year was certainly one of numerous accomplishments..
As for my hair, I actually doubt I'll have too much of a problem with it.. If I make drumline next year, it'll all just be tucked up under my hat. Otherwise, in pit we don't HAVE hats, so I won't have to worry much at all. I don't really play drum set at all, either.. Used to play, but I haven't touched one for at least two years now, probably. I'm strictly a concert percussionist, pretty much.
Speaking of hair.. I don't know that you've ever actually posted a picture of yours before. Or have you? I don't recall seeing one..
Well. Looking for Dance Suite, I'm finding some samples of it online. We started with a bassoon solo at the beginning, anyways, and went into the piano part, although it was greatly abbreviated. Included parts from the rest of the Moderato, then went on to the Allegro Molto.. Again, abbreviated, of course. We only have 10 minutes to play all of our music, so we don't have much space for the less important elements of the music.
Anyways. The Allegro Vivace was really the main theme of our entire show. We played that melody one time through with a clarinet solo, then the full band. That was an amazing part of the show. Just thinking of that actually gives me shivers. *grin*
After Miraculous Mandarin, our closer was begun with Comodo, then pretty much went back through parts of the first three movements, and I believe ended with the Finale, (...logically...) though I can't find a sample of it online. So we had parts of all five movements in our show. I really wish I could find you a sound or video file of our show, but I don't have any idea where I would.. I'll have to look around and see if I can find anything. I might have it on CD, actually.
..This's definitely gotta be the longest post I've ever made on here. *grin* Guess I'll end it now, then. I'll try and find our music arrangement if I can.
It would be a pleasure to hear if you ever do. Young refreshing talent "untainted" is sometimes the best of all. It has the most "life" to it.
You are most welcome.
I think you are ever so lucky to be in the right place at the right time. What an opportunity! Just great!!!!! :-)
Glad you won't be troubled with your hair. As for a "Concert Percussionist," that is fabulous! Percussion is VERY important, and most people do not realize the practice that goes into it being every bit as difficult to do well as the other instruments of the Orchestra.
Alas, this is true unfortunately. To date there has never been a photo.......and I am also camera shy. My brains do not function well when it comes to electronics..............and Computors? Forget it! (Until recently I was using a device similar to a Web TV. It died and I was forced into buying the most inexpensive Dell Computor there is. I thought that by this past June that I would buy a Digital Camera and ONCE AND FOR ALL get some photos on. (But then, hundreds of $$$$$ came up in Auto repairs.) So much for the Camera. :-( I called the guy who tends to my computor and as of only three days ago HE agreed to take the photos and put them on for me. (Whew!) But then what happened? His Camera was STOLEN! As of tomorrow, July 4th) I am leaving to be with relatives in Florida followed by they coming back to my place. This shoots-down 2 weeks. Oh well........with luck before July is over. You WILL eventually see sometime after the 18th of July. Hope it doesn't break your screen however. lol.
That is how the Piece begins.
The Piano only appears in the third section as I recall. Someone has "cut-down" the Suite to 10 minutes, but if a GOOD arranger, probably did it well..........especially if YOUR BAND performed it!
Hey...........my posts about music lately haven't exactly been so short either. :-)
until later-
take care and all the best......
Justin
Thanks about fingers crossed for the scholarship, I'm working hard for it. I forgot to add I love Jazz music!
I've never had composition lessons, but I've had private music theory lessons so I know how to notate onto sheet music. When I ask my school music teacher about composition lessons he looks at me daft lol, like there's no such thing! He's probably right,
how CAN you teach composition?!
I guess you're born with it. None of my family are musical in any way, my sister was good at the recorder and that's about it, I'm the only one in my family who's musical, strange isn't it!
I just love music, almost all types of music, I think rap is my least favourite.
I have played Clarinet before, but I now regularly play Saxophone, Piano, Violin, Viola, and Guitar.
I think after graduating from music college I might look more into publishing compositions, right now I'm not that bothered, I've got better things to do than worry like Beethoven and Mozart did! Like growing my hair out :)
My favoutite composer must be Bach, he manages in my own opinion to produce such rich sound in his music, his fugue's and his use of minimalist-(is that the right term?, I study music in Welsh)
You're right about the average person not knowing what it feels like to have these talents. When avergae people listen to music, they only hear the topmost layers, while trained musicians hear a lot deeper into the music. I am just about to start the Cello, after a few heated debates with one of my music teachers, she believes that "Violinist's don't play 'Cello's too! I love the 'Cello and I desperately want to start playing it, maybe hireing one from a shop is the only way.
Hey there "Maestro" :-)
Yes..........I DO hope you get it. Certain Jazz I like also. (Mostly Blues..............just like Maurice Ravel did on his one and only trip from France to the US in the late 20's.)
GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You are all set to go then. And to notated correctly is a MUST so that others can read and understand what you have composed.)
School Music Teachers for the most part are the worst musicians of all I have noticed throughout my life. They studied "Music Education." They DIDN'T study being creative, how to think for themselves and lack common sense about what to do as a teacher. They lack the "feel" for music unlike the true musician who is specializing in one instrument as a vocation. They, (Music Ed Teachers) used to be the poorest paid of all.................even less than the Janitors. But now they are sitting on cloud nine with lots of $$$$$$$ for knowing little. Too bad. (This is ONLY a general statement and opinion of mine soley, for there ARE ALWAYS exceptions.)
You can't.
This is my belief also.
Guess that is just life. Quite often Music will run throughout whole familys. But I have had students of exceptional talent who come from familys devoid of any musicians at all.
Yes, Music puts one in another world which is hard to describe but can only be "felt" as one is lost in it..........and this "feeling" is only as long as the music. When over, you're back to Earth again. What a strange but wonderful art when you think of it. It evokes all kinds of emotions within with people. No other art has the power over the sole of a person as does that of Music. It can reduce one to tears because of its great beauty............and it can also excited and thrill one to the point that they jump to their feet in extasy!
Yes.........growing the hair out is definately a blast!!!!!!!!
Perhaps she is a School Music teacher? Her statement is 100% incorrect! This is total ignorance and stupidity on her part.
I have enjoyed these music dicussions so much Surferdude. You really have the "smarts!" :-) After tomorrow AM I will be absent for nearly 2 weeks as I am going to Florida to see relatives and they coming back to visit a bit with me after the 1st week here on the West Coast.
Just to let you know that when you don't see my name for a while it isn't because I have lost interest in this Hyperboard. NO WAY! The guys here are just so terrific.
Hope you are having a nice Summer and that your hair continues to grow at such an enormous rate. Are you ever lucky!
All the best-
Justin~
ps: When I return and see what is going on on the Hyperboard I hope not to suddenly read that you have decided to take a Lawn Mower to your hair. It compliments you greatly and looks fabulous. But.........if I read of the "Lawn-Mower" I fear I shall pound the lowest note on my Piano, breaking the String and shout NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-O
My behavior toward hair care has certainly changed, when compared to my short hair days. I am now more conscious of environments that may put my hair (and me) at risk, but it hasn't stopped me from activities I enjoyed while being a short hair.
And I also spend alot more time in the 'shampoo aisle' than I used to.
The first time I grew it out, my mother, who was always and remained opposed to my hair length for her entire life--remarked that I seemed more confident and mature. Yet she still kept pitching for cuts.
I think perhaps (for some people anyway) one of the funny things about the parent-child relationship is that you have to disobey them in some way in order for them to respect you and appreciate you as an adult. If you're smart, you find some way to do that that isn't self-destructive, and growing your hair out is a pretty good way to do that.
On the downside, I still find myself squirming a bit under people's stares, not wanting to look back at them. I wish that would go away.
I think the biggest effect is in building my evening schedule around the time needed to wash and dry my hair. This is a nontrivial undertaking (~2 hours).
Ed
I definately spend more time with it, I'm sure this will become more evident when it gets long.
When I had long hair in the past, the strange stares, occassional rude comments, and people keeping their children far away from me in the check-out lines at stores did not affect me in a negative way, but rather positive. I realized I did not appreciate being judged by my appearance, and began doing that much less to others. Today I'm one of the most tolerant people I know (I'm sorry to say that wasn't always the case).
A funny story from back then, I was working as a tutor in a mathematics lab at my local college. A black guy came in with an afro about two feet tall (no exaggeration). I remember being a bit surprised to see he was carrying a Calculus book and not Algebra or general math as was most common. At the time I had hair halfway down my back, was probably wearing ripped up jeans and an Iron Maiden shirt, probably no more intellectual in appearance than someone with a huge afro. When he asked for help and I came over to him, he made it a point to tell me he was working on Calculus. When I informed him that I had taken Calculus and could help him, he tells me it was Calculus 3, not just 1, which I had also had. We were stereotyping each other, and both had a big surprise! This and some similar incidents did open my mind a lot.
Isaac Newton, who invented calculus, also had long hair.
A great contributor to modern mathematics, mechanics, fluids, optics, and I'm sure many others. A great example to help dispell any negative long-hair stereoptypes!
I don't swim as much as I used to - not that I care about getting my hair wet or anything. The thing is I do use a bit of(and I'm whispering here)"a bit of colour" to mask a hint of grey in the roots. Swimming seems to wash the colour out a bit.
I'm a fairly shy person, but funnily enough, having long hair has made me more assertive, like when I walk into a pub or somewhere, I subconsciously put on a bit of a front, like I'm thinking: "if I was in the least bit worried by what you guys think I wouldn't have survived two and a half years without a haircut, would I!"
cheers, B55
It's definitely made me a much more confident person. I can remember about four years ago when I started to grow my hair I had it cut and felt so awful afterwards.
On the downside I have become painfully over-sensitive to almost everything whether it's other people's hurts that are close to me, or my own that have been caused by soemone else.
If there's one thing I do know it's that I couldn't possibly exist as I am without my hair.
Same here. Not having hair for me was like not having a name. My mane gave me an identity.
Until I had an identity, I felt a great emptiness but I had no idea what I was missing, I just felt something vast was. Having an identity is what makes one feel human. It enables one to acquire a sense of self and a sense of values. It enables one to confront and deal with the rough spots in life.
I would never go back now, to being the "nobody" that in the pre-longhair days I was.
Whenever I think about cutting it, I sorta get the same feeling. I ride the Metro every day, and I keep thinking that I'd be "just another guy on the Metro" with the standard issue newspaper, laptop carrying case, khakis, etc.
What's also interesting is that people in our office building and the nearby shops automaticly know me even though I may not know them. When I shaved my beard for the summer, this guy on the train came up and mentioned it because he knew me from riding the same train every day, and we had an interesting conversation that morning. It's kind of an antidote to my introverted tendency not to make contact with new people.
I got to be friends with someone I see on the bus everyday because he had long hair. He knew of a record shop in the town where we both work - I asked him where it was and the next day we went together. That was six months ago - we've been going every week since and we share lots in common.
"Same here. Not having hair for me was like not having a name. My mane gave me an identity."
Exactly how I feel too but I havn't found anyone who understands me, I mean, hair means nothing special to them.
