Music among friends

[davidmdahl]

Sunday afternoon was a musical highpoint for me since at least the Tet/New Year celebrations. My teacher's group The Portland Orchids & Bamboo Ensemble, performed as usual at the Portland Chinese Garden, and I joined in on erhu, zhonghu, and a little duxianqin. It is a wonderful setting to play Chinese music. The weather was very cooperative. The light breeze through the open windows of the tea house was all the air conditioning we needed.

After a few hours of music, we packed up and proceeded to Jim Binkley's for a touch of guqin. Jim is a wonderful musician and very knowledgable about Chinese music. It is always a lot of fun to listen to his stories about the tunes. Jim's performances in his living room of such tunes as Yang Guan San Die stayed in my mind long after we left for dinner. Listening to guqin while sitting in a comfortable chair, looking out the window at the breeze blowing through the trees really beats listening to a recording.

Best wishes,

David

[Charlie Huang]

Indeed, Master Binkley's style exceeds many of his contemporaries.

[calden]

David:

Sounds like a super-excellent way to spend a Sunday. I'm so envious (in a good way) that you have musicians to play with and listen to right in your own backyard. I am looking forward to eventually visiting Portland this summer and playing some music with you.

Carlos

[davidmdahl]

I look forward to your next visit, Carlos. That is very much overdue.

I most definitely feel lucky to have so many opportunities to jam with Chinese musicians. Portland is the place to be!

Best wishes,

David

[davidmdahl]

Last weekend was another adventure in Chinese music with the Portland Orchids & Bamboo Quartet. On Saturday we played for the funeral of a Chinese man who died at 88. It was moving to hear about his life in China and Oregon.

On Sunday we played at the Portland Chinese Garden. I arrived a little early, and began playing erhu by myself. Usually I prefer to play under the cover of the ensemble where it is easier to hide my mistakes. Much to my surprise and pleasure, there was $5 in the tip jar by the time the other musicians arrived.

If I did not already have a reason to practice, the prospect of playing tunes in public is a great motivator. As the paraphrase from Samuel Johnson goes "The prospect of being hanged focuses the mind wonderfully." Performing has a way of showing what could use more practice. I don't like to make the same mistakes too many times. <g>

Best wishes,

David

[oltrelogo]

Amazing! I am also looking forward to finally visiting Portland this summer and playing some music with you.

[holdencaufield]

What pieces did you play for the funeral?