Just in case you need a little motivation for your day

Optimism

I am determined to have a good day. I hope I did well on my theory test. I'll find out sooner than later. Sigh...maybe working out will make me feel better about everything.

one of those days

I don't know if I woke up on the wrong side of the bed or what, but I have been having such a 'blah' day today. Almost like I am merely going through the motions of life. Woke up, took a shower, went to school to warm up and practice for about 2 hours, wind ensemble for another 2 hours, break, piano literature for an hour, break till 7 o' clock ensemble. Go home, take a shower go to sleep. I have to remember to stay out of my head and in the present. Wind Ensemble was very good today, the horn section sounded really good and I think we are finally beginning to get outside of ourselves with our tone and intonation. If I can think in retrospect if I am glad I came to ECU, I would have to say yes. I can honestly say, that I have grown so much as a person, a player, and Lord knows ECU has humbled me in so many aspects. When the weather is like this (gloomy) I am always put in a terribly down states which sometimes overwhelms me. Like always, I shake it off though.

The real world outside of the music building is reminding me of its existence once more. Rent is due, need to get an oil change, pay my assistant, and pay the light bill/phone bill. Everything always hits at the same time.

Off to Live,

Deron

Good Day

So I braved the weather and went to school early to study for my theory 4 test. I really had no idea what the heck the test would be on because the material that we went over was so on the surface that I couldn't think of what we would possibly have a test on. There was plenty on the test however; a section where we had to write in 9th and 11th and 13th chords; a section on tristan and Mahler; and a little figured bass/descending chromatic sequences.

It wasn't that bad, and afterwards I had plenty of time to get ready for my lesson. I dedicated this lesson to Strauss and played excerpts from Ein Heldenleben, Don Quixote, Don Juan, And Till Eulenspeigiel Merry Pranks. I also did the 3rd movement of the Gliere Concerto which sounded great! It is really great when hard work pays off.

Private lessons are a process. You work and work all week on specific things that will make your playing better in the future; you climb towards the peak of the mountain on to, at the end of your lesson, to be placed at the bottom to climb up once more. Most times you never actually make it to the top, but on select occasions you make it high enough to feel good about your accomplishments. Needless to say, I feel pretty good right now because I had two great lessons in a row. Texas and Brevard application submissions are coming up, so I need to get back acquainted with the Mozart 2nd concerto exposition. Class at 4, rehearsal at 6, dinner at 7:30 for my fraternity brother, then free for the night.

Off to live,

Deron