Day 238: Best horn playing
36yearsago.com
Vienna 1971—A Student Journal
A year of music, study, travel, sightseeing &
friends.
Day
238 — Best horn playing
27-March-1972
(Montag–Mon.)
TRANSCRIPT
Excellent day.
Played my horn at lesson. Best I ever played. Good
tone, tonguing, breathing—relaxed. And for once, I
was partially satisfied with myself. No doubt, it has
something to do with my talks with Jean-Pierre on
horn playing and the horn. He knows an extraordinary
amount and has exceptional insight into the problems
and conceptions of horn playing and horn design. I
feel as if I am beginning to learn a lot about the
scientific and logical cause-and-effect attitude.
I’ve always thought that way and I know it’ll help.
Also, was able to get some work done on my electronic
music work. Slow, but accomplished something.
At night, did some typing. Letter to Indiana for
school info.
Very satisfying day.
REFLECTIONS
Best
playing. Wow, the
best playing on horn. Perhaps it is a psychological
thing and Jean-Pierre has just gotten me to not be so
hard on myself. Perhaps it’s just a relaxation thing,
a breathing thing. I really don’t remember. It’s nice
to see that I’m a bit positive. I’m certain that my
complaining will return but today, I’m positive.
Indiana
University. I’m not
certain who steered me to write to Indiana U. for
information. Indiana was known as having a great
music school. Well, plans do sometimes come true. I
did teach public school for two years after my return
to the U.S. but then I left my teaching to pursue my
Masters in composition—at Indiana University. And,
after an extended period for my dissertation, I
graduated with a Master of Music degree in
composition.
Yes, it was a good day.
John
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