Tad Abstracts blogs

Current Playlist...

tadr — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:20:16 -0700

Eric Dolphy. Dizzy Gillespie. Charlie Parker, Booker Little, Chet Baker, Jon Faddis, Mile Davis, Stan Getz.

BeBop is not easy.

tadr — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:05:04 -0700

Enough said.

Trumpet Seduction

tadr — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 17:59:10 -0700

I knew it would come back around to bite me. About 2 weeks ago I picked up the old brass axe and was able to blow a few notes around the house. I walked right into the temptation and let my self get carried away quickly.

I am afraid to say I have lost the battle against the seduction of the horn.

What does this mean?

I should probably let you know where I left off.
Along time ago I was accepted to the majestic East Carolina University's school of music. Somewhere in my first year I was silenced by the private trumpet teachers strong suggestion that my embouchure was completely wrong and I would have to make a major change. In other words, the way you play is bad and if it goes your are going end up really hurting you face. At first I thought no big deal, I can do this...
Those were my last words before the grueling expectation of performing current studies while trying to relearn the damn trumpet at the same time.

Long story short, I like writing better anyway!

Fast forward a decade....or more.
So here I am, knowing what I have to do to fulfill my dreams of being a trumpet professional, I have read 1 million Internet articles concerning lip pressure, embouchure types, exercises, you name it.
I know it will be tough.
I am in the category of comeback player now. I can only practice when loud is not an issue. I have second guessed this twice but continued on. I am getting ready to take private lessons again.

I am freaking pumped.

Red Caboo-sus (Rough Draft)

tadr — Sun, 10 May 2009 20:39:06 -0700

If I was a red caboo-sus, I'd move to massachusets, where I'd become the leader of the trains. And coming round the bend, you wouldn't see me on the end, but in the front with steam in my veins.
If I was a blue trombone, I'd ask you to leave me alone, untill you could play the perfect note.
,,. rough.

I have questions for the Wood Pecker (Rough Draft)

tadr — Sun, 10 May 2009 12:04:57 -0700

Hey Mr. Wood Pecker!
How is it that you,
don't lose your balance,
don't lose your virtue?

Hey Mr. Wood Pecker!
How can you not,
break all your innards,
with that racket you got?

How is it,
that you don't lose your head?

Open Offering

tadr — Sun, 10 May 2009 11:53:47 -0700

Just an offering.

If you or any one you may know is in need of music for a legitimate helpful cause I would love to contribute... just send me a line.

Music for little monkeys.

tadr — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 10:24:49 -0700

Formulating the next project. Moving it forward and gatheing the troops.

Note to self.

tadr — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 09:50:40 -0700

Theory is everything.

Just an update.

tadr — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 18:49:28 -0700

So it has been awhile since I have posted... I have been working out some theory kinks and as well practicing for the Possible World gig coming up on 5-29. This has taking it's toll on writing so I guess we can leave it as that.
One of the cool things that I have been getting into is sampling and it's use in music. A major influence of mine is Joe Zawinul and his use of sampling and vocoder, if you have not checked out any of The Zawinul Syndicate then I recommend you do that immediately, it is one of the most amazing things to hear his techniques. Setting this stuff up for live though is taking some time and I have just been kind of scratching the surface of the sample world.

For now... I must go bck into my cave.

Pondering Ideas of the forgotten.

tadr — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:12:02 -0700

Many a moon ago I was able to play with a group of very talented musicians, I have written about them in the past here.
As of late I have had a lot of contact with these guys through the majik of the Intertubes. Of course this always stirs up emotions for me as these guys were more family than friends, and some I have not seen in 10 Years... However, as if we just said goodbye for a practice evening, we are suddenly talking about the possibility of playing out again in the future.

Who knows? ... I will keep you posted.