Feb
9
Submitted by diana on February 9, 2010 - 12:28pm
Back in the fall, I was approached about playing the tenor banjo for the Washington & Lee Symphony rendition of the Afro-American Symphony. I didn't...yet....play the tenor banjo, but I do play the guitar, the banjo, and miscellaneous other string instruments, so I looked at the part. It consisted of 37 measures. How hard could it be? So, I signed up. I figured it's winter, and though I had no inkling of the number of days I would be snowed in, I figured winter is still a great practice season.
I think it is a very humbling experience for any teacher to learn something new! I had to learn how to play 14 different chords. Then, I had to learn to play them and change them very fast. In one part, I change on the off beat 20 times in a row. If I am the slightest bit slow, I end up playing on the beat. And, playing it at mm 116 is MUCH, MUCH harder than playing it at 108! I have done it, but it hasn't been easy!
This is your official invitation to come and hear the W & L symphony play Saturday night, Feb. 13, at 8:00 p.m. at the Concert Hall in Wilson Hall at the Lenfest Center in Lexington, VA. Click here for more information.
While you're there, figure out what instrument you'd like to play and give it a try. It is a fun and rewarding journey...especially during a winter where we seem to get a foot of snow every week! This is the perfect setting to hunker down and practice.
