Drinkies With Bernard...?

So, as you've no doubt seen from my last post, my week has been manic. But today I've been pondering why I'll miss the Concert Band so much; I mean, I go along every week and lug the bari with me. Then when I get there I get laughed at by other players, ignored by Mr Bean and angry with myself for not being better at what I do.

It's not even that hard. Especially the bari part.

And seriously, Mr Bean doesn't actually acknowledge my existence about 98% of the time. Not that I want him to turn up every week, make a beeline for me and start to talk to me like an old friend, but during rehearsals, it would be nice if I was classed as an instrument. Most of the time, I'm actually a trombone or a euphonium, occasionally I'm a saxophone and very rarely I'm just a bass, but most of the time I'm just not mentioned when he asks the part I play to practice a particular bar.

But I've been thinking, I'm really going to miss that band next year; they may be insufferable idiots at times, but they're my insufferable idiots. Even though I am quite possible the most dispensible person in the band, and everyone knows it, it's been a big part of my life to turn up for an hour and a half every Monday to sit there next to Hannah, bored out of my brains. Any other band that I'm ever in, no matter how mind-numbingly boring and tedious, will never quite be as fun without being fun, if you know what I mean. Which you probably don't.

At Concert Band, there was always the potential for a laugh, whether it be at the expense of Ben, Mr Bean or the entire percussion section. Like the time Mr Bean was losing his voice and every time he said the number "three" (which was quite a lot) he sounded like a creaky door. Or when Mr Bean spent ten minutes lecturing whoever was drumming about a rhythm which should've gone "rum dum dugga dugga dum!" but didn't. Or a couple of weeks ago when Mr Bean asked the band which famous piece of music was famous for the particular cadence we were playing and Ashley answered "Dynamite by Taio Cruz."

Nothing will be quite the same as the time we had the conversations with the rest of the band out of the windows at the back of the hotel on tour either. We must've spent about an hour with our heads out of various windows shouting the odds at each other because the teachers were patrolling the corridors. That was an excellent evening, although probably not for the teacher who found us...

So, I guess what I'm saying is that I'm going to miss all these people, although why I have no idea. It's not perfect, but it's my band. And I'll miss them. Especially my girls (and Seb.)

All That Free Time I Have

So, many a thing has happened in the last few days. Here is a brief round up:

Monday:

• Concert Band

Tuesday:

• Gardening at the church (saw George)
• Went shopping
• Choir rehearsal#1
• Choir rehearsal#2
• Job interview
• Wide Game (wore trousers on my head - why not?)

Wednesday:

• Painted Scout Hut (Annexe, indoors)
• Didn't find the dead badger, left it for Becky and Jess
• Got ready for the ball
• Went to the ball
• Calmed down Jacqueline and Beccy

Thursday:

• Explained to Jacqueline and Beccy what happened Wednesday night
• Choir rehearsal#3
• Hung out with Martha
• Choir concert
• Sung for Wernykins

Friday:

• Went shopping
• Booked Doctor's appointment
• Photos with Becky (around Cuffley)
• Saw "ABBA" - they weren't fantastic, to be honest

Saturday:

• Bike
• Bought some medicine for my eye
• Saxophone
• Went to Charlotte's party

Sunday:

• Went to church
• Wandered around the school fete with my "peeps"
• Got sunburn (yes, I'm so white I burn that easily)
• Went to Leo's concert, which was fabulous by the way (saw Ben, Ashley and George - I think they may be following me)
• Laughed at Ben, Ashley and George's "dancing"

Monday:

• Sorted out things sold on eBay
• Became involved in multiple Scout crises
• Went to the Doctors, nothing is wrong
• Went to Concert Band
• Drinkies with Bernard and the gang 

So, as you see, my enormous amount of free time has been somewhat eaten up; maybe next week will be slightly less manic?

More Musical Adventures Of My Brain

Well hello again dear readers. Thank you very much for bearing with me in the large gap since the last post; revision, school and just life in general must, unfortunately, take priority over this blog. I've been pondering music recently because somehow it's managed to play and even bigger part than normal in my life. It's obvious to people who do a lot of bands and music that there are some very prominent stereotypes of musicians, especially those who play certain instruments. Well, in my experience, some of these are more accurate than others, so here's a list of some of the most astutely observed ones, and a couple I think could do with updating.

PERCUSSION - Almost all loud, proud and think they're God's gift, both to women (percussionists are almost all men) and to the band. The only two full-time female percussionists I've met aren't like this, but they do fit the final stereotype - amazingly proud of their instrument.

TRUMPETS - This is an interesting one. Male trumpet players (who are easily in the majority) definitely fit into the stereotype of loud, self-assured jokers. Every band has at least one trumpeter like this; thinks the world revolves around them and that they're never too loud. Female trumpet players, not that there are many - I've met four - are incredibly different from what I can tell: quiet and shy in general, but certainly loud enough when performing!!!

BASS - This is primarily aimed at bass guitarists, but can also be applied to any bass instrument or voice to be honest (including the bari sax): quiet, pensive, hairy and incredibly attractive... You can figure out if I'm joking for yourselves on that one, but personally I've always preferred lower instruments.

TROMBONES - OK, most anyone who knows me knows that I have a massive soft spot for trombones and their players, but this stereotype is actually so true as to be unreal; loud, egotistical heavy drinkers (a common theme for brass players in general) but with the added bonuses of lack of hygiene standards (spit everywhere, even on poor Sam) and a willingness to sleep with anything that moves - another one I've found to be particularly accurate (not from personal experience, worry not!)
[SIDEBAR]: Any instrument which can be pulled out in moments of boredom to form an impromptu Teddy Bears Picnic has my vote!

GUITARISTS - Everybody knows somebody who can play the guitar, and the general stereotype here is that they will whip out their geetar and give you a "tune" anywhere, anywhen. But to be honest, it's very dependent on the type of music they prefer and the person themselves. There are so many categories of music that guitars fit into that stereotypes for pop bands are different to those for big bands or folk ensembles.

SAXOPHONES (you knew it was coming) - One of the funniest stereotypes for me, saxophonist are considered laid back, casual people who are more happy to improvise than read music and would rather do solos than standard band stuff. In reality, saxophonist fall into two camps: those who fit this stereotype (Ben Vize springs to mind, and the lovely Tyler Rix) and those (like me and Hannah and people) who are perfectly happy just to play what's written and then sometimes complain when it's a little boring. So, the woodwind-like saxophonists and the ones who think they're brass players.

There are, of course, other stereotypes I could go into: string players, clarinets, oboes, flutes and so on, but I'm aware that this is becoming a very long post, so I'll limit myself to these few. Thanks for reading, I know I make absolutely no sense sometimes, but thanks for sticking with it.

 And I've meant no offence by this post, it's just an observation. I really do love you all, musical friends. Even the percussionists.

A Couple Of Thoughts

• Students would probably concerntrate better outside at this time of year
• ... Unless they were out by the lake and there were ducks wandering around
• Why does Mr Archer like pizza so much?
• "Manic Panic" is a much better band name than "Jumbo Jumble"
• "Jumbo Jumble" is really difficult to say, even in your head
• Green is a calming colour because it reminds us of springtime and nature and peace
• I have no idea why some people think it's unlucky to wear green, but some think it's lucky
• Why do I wear long sleeves if I spend the entire day rolling them up?
• "Jumbo Jumble" sounds like a kids' game, in which you have to untangle elephants
• Stanley has pen on the back of his neck
• ... And his ear
• People's clothing colour changes based on the weather
• English people are very silly inasmuch as they don't learn other languages
• ^^ This is probably due to the Americans
• How did Actual Advice Mallard become a thing?

Soul Band

My favourite people in the entire world (minus one). Except that several of this year's members (Chris, Harry, Harry, Hugo, Asa, Irene) are missing, so pretend they're there too :)

Another fantastic night last night guys, especially the choreography of the trumpets! I am going to miss you so much next year, but I'm sure you'll be glad to see the back of me (especially Jack, who has to put up with my playing at the closest range!!!)

Christmas Fever

Today, my fellow internet nerds, I have done very little, yet again. This is because it's nearly Christmas and nobody can be bothered to do any work. (It does mean we'll have to work super hard at the beginning of next term, but that's a problem for future people, not us :-) )

Today I have:

• Worn a fabulous hat
• Turned up at 8:25am
• Wound up Ben, George,Tom, Ashley, Seb, Peter, Harry and Chris
• Cheered for Eduin (Captain Vegan)
• Played the bari sax (correctly, unlike some...)
• Got told off by Ben for dancing
• Had a driving lesson with Peter Andre
• Turned up late for Chemistry
• Learnt how not to deal with a chip fire in Chemistry
• Almost got blown up by Mr Archer in Chemistry
• Had a chat to Mr Archer about his Christmas plans in Chemistry
• Sold jewelery in the Lunch Hall with Martha, Maria, Misa, Anies, Emma, Beccy, Hannah and Charlotte
• Leila also turned up
• Danced with Anies, Hannah, Beccy and Leila
• Turned up at the Library
• Been called "Emma From Emmerdale" by Seb and Aidan

So, as you can see, Christmas is making me incredibly productive :)