http://manyhatsmusic.com/news.html Michael Engberg: News Jannis' PHPRss class - http://www.jannis.to/ Mon, 06 Feb 2012 02:42:48 -0800 http://manyhatsmusic.com/news.html#75 http://manyhatsmusic.com/news.html#75 Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0800 Music is one of life's great pleasures! - Michael Engberg - News http://manyhatsmusic.com/news.html#74 This time out, I heard several very fine performances. I particularly enjoyed Paraguayan guitarist, Berta Rojas, Croatian guitarist Ana Vidovic, and Russian flamenco guitarist Grisha Goryachev. And this is in no way meant to slight Pepe Romero, who played the opening concert for the convention, as well as a fine performance of the Concerto de Aranjuez on Saturday evening of that week. But while this was my first time to hear Pepe in concert, I have been aware of his place in the world of guitar for some years (he was inducted into the GFA's Guitarists Hall of Fame this year), and I have heard him often on recordings. The particular thrill with the other aforementioned players was in discovering new and exciting performers. All of them played with stunning clarity, execution and interpretation. It's the kind of playing that typically makes me want to go back to my room and practice (alot!!!).
On Wednesday of that week, I played hookey from the convention, and Pony and I cruised Austin's clubs on 6th street to hear the variety of live music featured there. We found a place called Darwin's Pub and stopped in for a drink. On walking in, there was a singer-songwriter/guitarist who, I have to say, was pretty unremarkable (three of the four songs we heard him play were esssentially the same tempo and using the basically the same strum pattern....yawn). I can't remember his name, and that's probably to his advantage at this point. But he was followed by a rock band that consisted of four of the toughest butch dykes I had seen in years (forgive me; I know that may be very politically incorrect, but their demeanor earns such a colorful description). The name of the band was "Girls Will Be Boys", and whatever first impression made by their swagger and appearance, I have to say they had a really good sound; sort of a cross between punk and southern blues, with just a hint of jazz by way of the lead vocalist. In short, I liked them.
I caught a couple of workshops, as well as a couple of private lessons. One workshop was somewhat provocative: that of a Brazilian guitarist named Marcus Tardelli. He was joined by his manager, who did alot of speaking on Tardelli's behalf (Tardelli having some limits to his use of English at this point). The manager described Tardelli's evolution as an artist as "a program of self-directed exploration of the guitar" which is a rather creative way of saying that he is largely self-taught. One of the more unusual features to his approach to playing is occasionally bringing the thumb of his left hand up from under the neck to play on the fingerboard (usually as a small barre, or sometimes just a single note). And occasionally he would use the back of his index or middle finger tip to create a small barre. All of this is presumably to allow some unusual chord voicings. Now, I don't necessarily have a problem with this as such (I have since been messing around with it a little on my own, and I can see where it could possibly be useful on occasion). But, in addition to this, he generally had his guitar on his right leg, which was then elevated a good bit by a footstool, which resulted in his right shoulder being hiked up a good bit. And it looked like he was using this shoulder and the right arm to sort of clutch the guitar (to perhaps provide some sort of stability?) for those occasions when he did this unusual application of his left hand. In this I had some concerns, because it at least looked like there would be a good bit of tension involved. Since it was a workshop, I had a chance to inquire about this, but Tardelli insists there is not tension involved. I still have my doubts. At one point I rather boldly asked, "How old are you?" I was told he is 33 years old. Forgive me, but I would be curious as to how this particular posture and approach holds up in another 15-18 years. I don't wish the man any ill, but in this particular matter he goes counter to almost every guitar teacher I have come to work with and respect. In addition, I saw a bit of bouncing in his right hand, which again tends to indicate tension. Much of this can be forgiven when you are still relatively young, but less so as time marches on.
In addition to the workshops, the lessons, and the concerts, I spent a great deal of money on several books of music and nearly a dozen new CD's, which means the convention will be with me for months, or even years to come. Still, I am resolved that I won't wait another 30 years before attending another GFA convention (I may even consider next year, in Columbus, Georgia).]]> http://manyhatsmusic.com/news.html#74 Wed, 07 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0700 Music is one of life's great pleasures! - Michael Engberg - News http://manyhatsmusic.com/news.html#73 Not even a week went by when one of my private guitar students (at the Olde Town Pickin' Parlor, in Arvada) told me about a friend of his, Brad Bailey. Brad was laid off from his job over a year ago (so, among other things, this means a loss of his health insurance). Then, a couple of months ago, he was diagnosed with stage IV cancer. He has a wife and two teenage daughters. It was decided by the Pop/Rock Ensemble that we would organize an evening of music to raise money for Brad and his family.
This event is taking place on Tuesday, April 27th, at the D-Note (in Olde Town Arvada). It starts at 5pm with a middle school jazz band that includes one of Brad's daughters. At 6pm, I will do a set, followed by the Abbey Rogues, who play an eclectic mix of medieval, renaissance, celtic and balkan music (and yours truly, is of course a member of this fine, if somewhat eccentric band). At 8pm, the jazz band, Zazemi, will play, and the Pop/Rock Ensemble will take the stage as the headliners at 9pm. To say that the range of music that evening will be eclectic could be understating it a bit. Everything from jazz to blues, to folk, country, and many styles of rock will be featured. The Pop/Rock Ensemble will be playing tunes by the Beatles, Buddy Holly, the Clash, the Sex Pistols, Dire Straits, Bare Naked Ladies, and many more. And by the way, I need to say in the most straightforward fashion, that I am mighty proud of my students; not just for the performance that they are about to give, but for the fact that they have taken up this cause of helping out some folks who could use a hand.
So, anyone reading this, if you are in travelling distance of Arvada, want to hear an evening of great music and make a positive move on the karma wheel, come on out and join us (and feel free to bring along 42 of your closest personal friends).]]> http://manyhatsmusic.com/news.html#73 Mon, 19 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0700 Music is one of life's great pleasures! - Michael Engberg - News http://manyhatsmusic.com/news.html#72 All was going well. The tune in one where I can play it more or less as long as necessary, but there's a natural place to sort of build to a climax, and it looked like that should coincide nicely with the appearance of the bride. All was going well until the arrival of the Flower Girls. They were sisters (or one could only assume, given how much they resembled each other); about ages 8 and 4, I would guess. They were moving along, strewing flowers along their way, and got to just about even with where I was sitting and playing, when the younger flower girl (doing justice to any mule one would ever meet), stopped and would go no further. Her older sister, noticing that her sister had fallen behind, came back and tried to gently grab her sister's elbow to nudge her forward. Little Sister then grabbed a handful of flower petals out of her basket and pelted her older sister in the face. About this time, it was everything for me to just keep playing (with a straight face, no less).
Still, Little Flower Girl did not move. Mom finally had to come and bodily lift her out of the tableaux. Older Sister then continued down the aisle, followed by the bride.
Still, this is just the sort of thing that tends to make a wedding memorable. Later, after I'd packed up my guitar and equipment, I went to give my regards to the bride and groom. They were posing for pictures. Just as I got there, the photographer was making his best effort to coax something even vaguely resembling a smile out of two scowling flower girls.
Well, good luck with that.]]> http://manyhatsmusic.com/news.html#72 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Music is one of life's great pleasures! - Michael Engberg - News http://manyhatsmusic.com/news.html#71 We took to feeding him to help him heal, and allow him the luxury of not having to move about to much. Pony told me that he was not originally feral, or he would not have recognized the dry food we shared with him as something edible.
He did heal up, and took to wandering a bit. But he remained a frequent visitor; moreso over the last few weeks (as summer began to turn to Fall, or so I thought). It got to where he was there to meet me whenever I emerged from the house, or returned from a day at the college, or my latest gig. Many times, I would sit on the front stoop with him in my lap, wanting nothing more than a lot of stroking.
"Sometimes you pick your cats, and sometimes your cats pick you," I said to Pony. And between Tigger and me, we wore her down and convinced her that the house could accomodate a third cat.
A friend of ours (who happens to be a vet) told of us a clinic where we could get him neutered, get him shots, get him tested for feline leukemia and/or FIV (the feline version of AIDS). Last night (Monday night), we put the other cats upstairs while we let Tigger into the house and sequestered him in the spare bathroom by the kitchen. Pony took him to the clinic first thing this morning.
Tigger tested positive for the FIV. There is no cure; only the danger of infecting other cats. We had agreed that the most compassionate decision under such circumstances would be to have him put down. Pony was good enough to wait until I got home from work to give me the news.
I am a bloody, sentimental fool.
I have only known this little, grey critter for a couple of months, and yet I am sobbing over the loss of him (heaven help me if/when something should happen to our other cats). It can be argued that, this way, he died a bit more peacefully. All I can say is that we tried to do our very best for him.
We really, really tried.]]> http://manyhatsmusic.com/news.html#71 Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Music is one of life's great pleasures! - Michael Engberg - News http://manyhatsmusic.com/news.html#70 Ideally, I'd like to see some sort of single-payer system. My wife worked for the Australian government for several years, and as a consequence has much to say about Australia's government-run healthcare system. She is frequently appalled when hearing about people going bankrupt, losing just about everything, because of some health crisis. She has also pointed out the savings that are possible with a single-payer system, and the fact that even with such a system, Australia still has private health insurance companies that offer supplemental policies (for better care, or elective surgeries, such as plastic surgery or whatever). In other words, it would not doom America to adopt such a system. One of the things that contribute greatly to the strength of American culture was our ability to recognize a good idea when we saw one, then use it (or even improve on it). But then again, the notion of universal healthcare was first discussed in this country in 1915. And it has been shot down ever since by opponents generating the most outlandish and irrational sorts of fear. They are hard at it again this time. And the problem is that fear is so very irrational. It can override almost all objective, intelligent thought.
Failing a single-payer option, I would at the very least want to see a "public option" offered. We need something that stands a chance of keeping the private health insurance companies at least moderately honest. It seems to me that most people recognize that the present situation is not sustainable. Something has to be done.
Something has to be done.]]> http://manyhatsmusic.com/news.html#70 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Music is one of life's great pleasures! - Michael Engberg - News http://manyhatsmusic.com/news.html#69 Most of the time, I think that I've come to terms with things. Parkinson's goes in only one direction. My mother is dying. Most of the time, I think I have processed that bit of information. But then, every once in awhile, something will hit me in just the most perfect way, and send me into tears. 'To be expected, I suppose.
So now the Fall semester has begun at the college. I have some 19 private guitar students, plus Music Theory and the other classes. It promises to be another very busy season. But sometimes busy can be good.
Still, I've GOT to make time to finish the various recording projects I've been tinkering with (for ages, now). And there's this book I've been threatening to write for... well... for years, now. I have vowed to finish a first draft before the year ends, so I need to get a bit more serious about that.
One day at a time, I guess. Do the best with the time you've got (God, that sounds entirely too platitudinous!).]]> http://manyhatsmusic.com/news.html#69 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Music is one of life's great pleasures! - Michael Engberg - News http://manyhatsmusic.com/news.html#68 I remember a Friday afternoon in August, on one of those particularly bad days (when the odious job of cleaning the outhouses left me smelling ever so ripe), that my Dad had picked me up from the job, and, as we drove from Mediapolis back to Burlington, we heard on the radio the announcement that Elvis, the King of Rock, had died.
I thought about this on Thursday afternoon as my wife and I were driving home from an afternoon of running errands. The sky was weeping from one of a series of afternoon storms that we had seen over the last few weeks. And we heard over the car radio that Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, had died of a cardiac arrest.
So Michael and Elvis both shared the title of "King" in the entertainment industry. And, ironically enough, Michael was married for some time to Elvis' daughter, Lisa Marie.
But I wonder how much farther the comparisons may eventually go? Will Neverland become a tourist site like Graceland (it seems almost more suited for such, what with the carnival rides, a potential petting zoo, video arcade, and whatnot)? Will people become as fixated on Michael as some fans of Elvis have? Will there be Michael Jackson impersonators playing shows in Vegas? Who knows?
But, on a more personal level, Michael Jackson and I were born in the same year. I have outlived him (not a huge accomplishment, there). It seems very sad to see someone pass so suddenly. Michael Jackson lived longer than Elvis, but fifty does not seem at all that very old to me anymore (clearly!).
I was reading somewhere, recently, that Julia Child's career didn't really start until she turned 50 (the same with the composer, Rameau, I believe). At this point, no one would make any great comparisons between Michael Jackson's career and my own. I am sure that folks reading will this present blog may find it extremely presumptuous that I even mention myself in the same breath with Michael Jackson. No, I will never match his accomplishments, to be sure. My career will never be confused with his.
But his passing is just one more reminder to me that the gift of life is quite fragile. Every day must be used as fully as possible. There is much that I still wish to do before I leave this earth (something Michael Jackson and I likely share with the vast majority of people).]]> http://manyhatsmusic.com/news.html#68 Sat, 27 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Music is one of life's great pleasures! - Michael Engberg - News http://manyhatsmusic.com/news.html#67 He came to me looking to learn to play the guitar. It wasn't always easy for him to shape his big, meaty fingers onto strings and frets, but he worked at it with the same attention and determination he'd shown to anything else he put his mind to.
After awhile, we became friends, and the lessons evolved into something of a barter system: he'd help me keep my battered old van running, and in return I'd show him something new on the guitar, here and there.
For a few years, I would set aside the better part of a day to visit George at his machine shop. We'd chat a bit, and maybe go to some favorite greasy spoon restaurant he knew about for a bit of breakfast or lunch. Then we'd come back, look at my van and see what needed doing. We might have to travel over to the auto parts store to pick up a thing or two (and chat with the guys he knew there), and we'd usually end up changing the oil along the way, as well. And somewhere in and amongst all this, we'd break out the guitars and do a bit of playing. It was a good friendship.
George had Type 2 Diabetes, and he had a diet he was supposed to be adhering to, but he wasn't all that great about keeping to it. He had the glucometer and the bag of lancets to test his blood sugar, and he had the insulin to use in case the blood sugar was on the high side. And that was pretty much how he tended to things.
It was some years ago that one of my favorite guitars was stolen out of that van of mine, and I was understandably very upset about that. Around about the same time, George's wife turned in bed one morning to find George had passed away in his sleep. Peacefully enough, as I understand it. His was not a bad life, all in all. He left behind a couple of kids and a lot of friends who were glad to have known him. Suffice to say, I was doubly upset to lose two friends within the same short span of time. And even though I do believe George had a good life, all in all, he was 57 years old when he passed away, and I can't help feeling that was too soon by a good deal (especially since I turned 50 myself, just last October).
I'm thinking of George these days. I had my visit with the dietician at the Kaiser Permanente clinic last Monday. I was also issued a glucometer, with the lancets and strips and all. In showing me how to use it, my blood was tested for the third time in about ten days. The first test has shown a blood sugar level of 120, the second one was 126 (which is borderline diabetic, and hence the glocometer, and the session with the dietician). The third test was 119, so I was heading back into better territory, as it were.
It is the opinion of the dietician (and alot of other people willing to volunteer an opinion) that if I could drop about ten pounds, I just might dodge this bullet; drop the blood sugar "naturally", without having to resort to medication, insulin shots, or whatever.
The "natural" method, then, involves a bit more exercise, and a diet of about 1800 calories per day. I'm off to a decent enough start: I've managed to hit the gym everyday since Monday (just taking today off, with plans for maybe a long walk this evening). And I think I've been coming in fairly close for hitting the calorie target. But that has been something of a challenge. It's not just a matter of smaller portions (although that's a big part of it), but some foods have to be amended, or just outright eliminated.
But this is where I find myself thinking about George again. I remind myself that I have a choice. A real choice. I can learn this new discipline, or I really can just eat whatever I want, whenever I want. And, in doing so, I could very well end up diabetic, with all the complications and griefs that can come with that. And I could shorten my time on this earth. And although there is much about food that I dearly love, there is much more to life than just what I eat (or how much).
So I remind myself that it is my choice; that is within my power to decide the quality of my life and the shape of my future.
And so I am also reminded of Alcoholics Anonymous. The folks at AA realized long ago that if you tell a person they can never have another drink for the rest of their life, they WILL have a drink. They will look at an imagined span of weeks, months, or years, and their resolve will collapse under the weight of all that time. So AA teaches you to take things "ONE DAY AT A TIME"; because most folks can handle a day. So you say, just for today, I will not do this thing.
For years, I've been telling my guitar students about this disciplinary strategy. What works for taking a destructive thing out of your life can also be used to incorporate a constructive thing into your life, I tell them. I suggest that they take it one day at time regarding their practice, and not worry about the weeks, or months, or years, that it may take to become a "good" guitarist.
One day at a time.
Now, I am confronting that wisdom in a new and very direct way. I need to be more attentive, more conscious about my exercise and my diet. If I think about going years under such a regimen, I could get angry and rebellious (easily!!). So it's a one-day-at-a-time thing for me, at this point.
Now, I also want to stress that I am not looking to obsess about this health issue. I don't want diabetes (or the threat of it, at this point) to define me. On the other hand, there is something else that all of this has brought to my attention in the last week or so. I have become aware that the vast majority of this blog, quite intentionally, has been focussed on music, in one way or another. And it still will be, to a good extent. But music itself does not exist in a vacuum. It is informed by the life around you. The things that bring you joy, the things that challenge you, all that is life somehow finds its way into the music you make (or at least I believe it should be so).
And I would say that paying attention to the threat of diabetes, the influence of my genetic heritage, and.... all of that, causes me to think about what it means to live and to make music. It makes me look at the various flowers and vegetables that my wife and I have planted over the last few weeks, and admire the growing things. It makes me look outward a bit more, and I think that is all to the good.
And I have been made to realize that there is this distinct possibility that I won't live forever, and therefore I should maybe move a bit more aggressively on some of the dreams and plans that I have contemplated over the years. There is much to do, and I really don't know how much time I'm going to have to get everything done, so I may want to get to it with maybe a little more urgency. And so you find your inspiration from wherever it may come.
By the way, that guitar that got stolen out of my van was recovered about a year later. I named it George, and used it in recording much of my second and third CD's.
Here's to you, George.]]> http://manyhatsmusic.com/news.html#67 Sat, 23 May 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Music is one of life's great pleasures! - Michael Engberg - News http://manyhatsmusic.com/news.html#66 Look, I really do think about my health. What's that handy little catchword? Proactive. I try to be proactive about my health. I exercise, I don't smoke (no cigarette has ever polluted my lungs), I meditate regularly (have been since high school), I don't drink to excess (the occasional beer or glass of wine, and no hard liquor in years).... all of that.
And I get my annual physical. And I do listen to the doctor. The last few years, the doctor has been saying that the blood glucose level is a bit high (103 in 2006 and 2007, and 102 in 2008), and I know that I have a something of a sweet tooth, so I decided to do something responsible about it. I used the season of lent as an excuse (and I think I may have written a bit about this in an earlier blog, but... oh well). I actually started a couple of weeks before the beginning of lent, about late January.
I gave up sweets, for the most part: no cakes, candies, cookies, pies, or other vehicles of processed sugar. I traded in Lucky Charms and Coco Krispies for healthier cereals (like Cheerios, and whatever). The only thing that passed for a treat was unsweetened apple sauce, lowfat yogurt, and a box or cup of raisins, here and there).
And it was not easy. I mean, I did have a sweet tooth, to be sure. But I looked at it as sort of a zen bhuddist exercise in awareness (and an exercise in will power, of course).
So I was actually rather looking forward to my next visit with the doctor and seeing how my disciplined paid off.
About a week ago, the doc had me go into the lab for a blood test, so we could have the results on hand during the exam. The doc shows up with the results of the blood test. Glucose level: 120!
Holy shit!
Wait a minute! (I ranted). I told the doctor all about my new diet and all, so, seeing as how I had skipped breakfast that morning (and sort of fasted by default), he had me do a second blood test.
The results of the second blood test: 126.
Borderline diabetic.
And now I have an appointment for Monday to see a dietician, and to get a glucometer, to measure my blood sugar on a daily basis.
My wife has had to endure my ranting. And she's been very good about all of this. She immediately went online to do a lot of reading up on this subject, and bought a few books, as well.
Me, I listen to what she's read, and take it in. But I have to admit that I am still in anger and denial mode. And bargaining. Bargaining is in there, as well. Because, after all, the bargain I had made with my body was, I will do these healthy things, I will exercise and watch my diet and all that, and you... body.... will appreciate that and stay healthy. And by the way, I still feel very, very healthy.
But I have to admit that this shit scares me some. First of all, there is a history of type 2 diabetes in my family (my father was diagnosed with it when he turned 50, and I just turned that magic number myself last October). But that is why I have exercised and done all these other way healthy things. I was trying to better my chances. I read somewhere that, especially after age 50, genetics only account for some 20% of your health and longevity, and the rest is lifestyle.
Now, I am feeling that I have little control over this shit. I mean, I did the stuff I was told to do, that was supposed to improve my circumstances, and instead of the blood sugar going down, it went through the roof.
There's another issue to all this: healthcare. Yes, I have health insurance, but it's with a whopping huge deductible, and a Health Savings Account that is as yet still woefully under-funded (between paying various bills, plus trying to keep a 401k afloat, I'm stretching every dollar as far as I can). I know I'm not alone in this. My main stategy for healthcare has been Stay Healthy. Don't get sick. When I talk about all those proactive measures I exercise (including exercise), it's because I am trying to avoid, as much as possible, succumbing to that giant sucking sound that is the U.S. healthcare industry. My wife (having enjoyed the "socialized" Australian medical system for most of her life) is appalled to learn of the many people who are forced into bankruptcy from one medical crisis. And really, it could happen to me. I try to be careful. I work damned hard at it, in fact. And that is just one more reason, why having something like borderline diabetes rear its ugly head, after all my efforts, is frustrating and a bit frightening.
So I hope that this country might figure out a healthcare program that actually helps cover folks; folks like myself, who are trying really hard to maintain a productive life of some quality, and don't relish the thought of losing everything because of a medical condition or crisis that overwhelms all your precautions.
Yeah, I'm still ranting. There is still a great deal of anger (and some bargaining, and maybe a little bit of denial). Some degree of depression is bound to find its way into the mix as well.
So if I could only find a clever way to channel this into a good song or two....]]> http://manyhatsmusic.com/news.html#66 Sat, 16 May 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Music is one of life's great pleasures! - Michael Engberg - News