PSA: Please Support the Arts!

First off, the whole starving artist thing is a myth, in some ways.

That is to say, most artists prefer to actually have food to eat, and would no more enjoy the art of starvation than they would, say, enjoy cutting off their ear and mailing it to a spurned lover. There are always exceptions.

As with all myths, however, there is a basis of truth behind the fiction. Here, the truth is most folks who make art need to hold down a job or four, or go through all other manner of difficulties to support themselves and still somehow manage to find time to create art.

The way that plays out in reality, is that they work at something to pay food and bills, and then time comes to do something with their art - such as produce a recording - and lo, they find it's a rather expensive endeavor. Stops most folks cold, speaking from personal experience.

Once upon a time, rich patrons used to support their favorite artist for a variety of reasons. This system was not without drawbacks - after such a large (or not) investment, the arrogant snobs often wanted control, some going so far that they would claim the work as their own (even when it was painfully obvious that a hack composer, no matter how allegedly noble, couldn't compose a requiem mass *that* beautiful.)

Well, now's your chance to be one of those rich patrons - without any creative control or the big outlay of cash that requires, thus completely avoiding the arrogant snobbery all that entails - and support the arts: help julianafinch finance her album, and get great music as a return on your modest investment! Clicky to find out more!

Saturday Updatia

Last night, Justin and I wrote our first string quartet. Well, sort of - I was originally going to write something for string orchestra, so I grabbed violin, viola, cello, and bass - sure, it's four parts, but with only one violin part, it's not quite your traditional one.

Still and all, it turned out okay, if only we could figure out how to get Finale NotePad to change the title required at the outset. Until then, this piece will be forever labelled as "A Test" as it was my first try with the software.

I've since written the opening of "Kitchen Sink" for two violins, a cello, two timpani, a bass drum, and percussion. This morning, "Harpsichord" for two harpsichord (surprise!) and four timpani was very nearly composed. Well, the timpani part is complete, but there's only a wee bit of the first harpsichord and quite a lot less of the second.

I also collected a bunch of sea shanties - although I still can't find the tune for The Dreadnought (which is based on an older tune The Flash Frigate or La Pique.) I also grabbed a few other folk tunes that I'd like to learn.

One of my favorite Christmas tunes is Lord of the Dance - and I found Simple Gifts as a tune and as a nice arrangement for fingerstyle guitar. I played through it twice, and am going over it piece by piece until I can get it to flow smoothly.

In other, non-musical news, Dave from Air Dynamics stopped by and I signed contracts to get the dehumidifier, radon, and water treatment installed. The plumbers will be here Wednesday, and Dave will be here Thursday to do the radon and dehumidifier. I'll add details to the project after lunch - grilled ham n' cheese!