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Post by edcat7 on May 8, 2017 10:33:31 GMT
I'm here in Mykonos for six months and hope to busk in my spare time (after catching up on my sleep). How many tunes should be in my repertoire?
I'm intending to stick to simple easy to play and when my confidence and technical ability increases to introduce more difficult tunes.
One major problem is I have backing tracks for some hulusi pieces but am not confident enough to play without mistakes at such a speed. Should I not use the backing tracks altogether?
Ed
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Post by davidmdahl on May 9, 2017 16:44:46 GMT
I don't know that is useful to target a certain number of tunes to know. Several years ago I put together a play list of tunes that were at or near performance readiness. Since then the list has grown some. Tunes that need work get extra attention, or I put them on the back burner. Over time, I work up more tunes to performance level, while keeping the entire list up to snuff. The key for me though is to focus on one or two at a time, and not try to learn too many at a time. My practice sessions usually include a couple of current and new tunes.
As for backing tracks, I use them whenever possible. Often times, the speed is uncomfortably fast. I handle this by loading the MP3 into audio software, and slow down the tempo. Sound Forge will do this, but there are others as well. I also will sometimes raise or lower the pitch. Dramatic changes in tempo and pitch can distort the sound of the track, so the results are not always usable for performing.
A few months ago I purchased Magix Samplitude Music Studio. I haven't used it much, but I think it does a better job of pitch and tempo changes, without the distortion that I get with Sound Forge.
Have fun!
Best wishes,
David
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Post by edcat7 on May 13, 2017 19:37:08 GMT
Thanks David, I'm afraid my computer skills haven't improved since I joined this forum. Worse my laptop is faulty and I'm at this moment typing from an internet cafe.
Best wishes from sunny Mykonos.
Ed
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Post by edcat7 on May 21, 2017 8:41:33 GMT
I'm now up to speed with 3 hulusi tunes; (a fourth one is nearly ready) 2 dizi tunes and three erhu tunes. I've even got the full traditional costume so I look like a Taoist monk. Now the difficult part is to overcome my natural shyness, not to look like a dork and take the plunge.
One thing I've noticed though: the island is teeming with Chinese tourists who don't seem much interested in traditional Chinese music. I get a better response from American ones.
Ed
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Post by davidmdahl on May 22, 2017 3:20:45 GMT
Yah, about that. I attended a concert of Chinese music yesterday with pipa, yangqin, and erhu. Three of the tunes were Western: Czardas, Libertango (Piazzolla), and Country Roads (John Denver). The arrangements and performances were very tasteful, fortunately. I am into Chinese, and Vietnamese, instruments for the traditional music. But, as you noticed, audiences appreciate good tunes of whatever source. Many Chinese have apparently lost touch with their traditional music. That's too bad, I suppose, but in an other point of view, all music belongs to everyone. Libertango doesn't really belong to me more than to a Chinese erhu master.
Best wishes,
David
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Post by paulv on May 24, 2017 14:13:20 GMT
I agree. I've noticed over a few years that my former erhu/jinghu teacher erhu student level dropped to a single high school student. It seems that Chinese families living in the US are "American-ized" and want their kids to study violin/piano and nothing from the "old country".
Regards,
paul...
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Post by davidmdahl on May 24, 2017 15:48:28 GMT
It's my impression that Western music is more popular than traditional Chinese in China as well. Popular music is smothering everything, but there does appear to be a thriving Western classical music scene. The Central Conservatory and related institutions do keep producing musicians of astonishing skill. It is hard to know what the average audience values though. My ensembles tend to perform what we like. Maybe that explains why we are not living like kings.
Best wishes,
David
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Post by edcat7 on May 24, 2017 16:05:23 GMT
There's a busker here who (tries to) play the saxophone. He certainly looks the part and I'm told from my Greek colleagues he earns solely because he has a sweet dog.
I had a few dry runs; everything except the costume and begging bowl. This was mainly so I got used to playing in public. Phew it's hot here, the temperature is affecting the reeds in my hulusis.
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Post by paulv on May 25, 2017 13:16:14 GMT
It's my impression that Western music is more popular than traditional Chinese in China as well. From what I've seen when I visited China in the past, is that the country is moving toward being "westernized". The younger generation are mostly into pop music (Michael Jackson singing/dancing/grabbing their crotch) and culture (coloring their hair blonde, etc), but there are younger people who are getting into Beijing Opera (makes me happy) and others who are getting into the traditional stuff. I've noticed that a full orchestra in China does have erhus and other traditional instruments in it. Regards, paul... |
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Post by davidmdahl on May 25, 2017 16:39:27 GMT
The Shanghai Theatre Academy was in Portland May 7-9, performing various Opera styles. Many of the singers and instrumentalists were indeed young, and very very good. The standards are high.
Best wishes,
David
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Post by paulv on May 30, 2017 12:32:14 GMT
The Shanghai Theatre Academy was in Portland May 7-9, performing various Opera styles. Many of the singers and instrumentalists were indeed young, and very very good. The standards are high. Best wishes, David Agree -- the standards are very high. I always try to catch the opera concerts on CCTV-11 that feature children. It amazes me how kids 8 yrs old (and younger) can sing really well and also do the dances/movements required for opera performance. Besides the high standards, there is a lot of discipline involved (seems to be, just by the way they perform). Regards, paul... |
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Post by edcat7 on Jun 6, 2017 12:00:46 GMT
I think my busking days are over here in Mykonos. I normally practise at the seafront but today I wore the full Taoist costume and put my hat out. I was removed by a "jobs worth" who threaten to call the police.
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Post by Blue on Jun 6, 2017 13:39:20 GMT
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