The very cold life of a musician.... (Ulog #39)
Well, the last week I've been on tour and playing in some very nice theatres and concert halls... but this morning I left on an early train to try and get in time for a little job in The Netherlands, playing a cantata for a church service. Ahhh... the life of a freelancer, always mercenary, never knowing when the next job or paycheque will be coming from!
Haha... it's not quite that bad, but if there is work and it fits, I generally take it. I like to see what is going on, and I'm happy to be playing regardless of the level! I often find there is much that players of different levels can learn different things from each other, if you only just care to look and listen!
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However, the venue (whilst being a lovely cathedral with great acoustics!) is absolutely and thoroughly bone shockingly freezing! Outside it is about 3 degree Celcius (43578.5687194380138 degrees Fahrenheit), and I think it is probably about the same on the inside... or perhaps more generously, around 5 degrees Celcius!
The reason for this is that the cathedral is so big, that it isn't worthwhile heating it. If they tried, it would be a giant waste of energy and being incredibly inefficient. Knowing the rational reason doesn't help take the mind off the cold though....
To top it all off, the organ is around a quarter tone lower than usual (we tune to A=415 Hz). For the strings this is not too much of a problem, other than our strings are slack and the instruments can't speak well. But for the winds, it is a complete nightmare!
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On the plus side, it's a pretty nice church that they have us playing in, and an absolutely beautiful Bach cantata. So, on that front, I'm pretty happy with things! My colleagues are quite able players, but the attitudes run the gamut from optimistic to thoroughly jaded.... In more difficult situations, I find that I'm more happy to have less battle-worn jaded colleagues. I don't really find that that sort of attitude really makes anything better....
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Posted from my blog with SteemPress : http://www.gamerjokerbreadder.com/2018/11/25/the-very-cold-life-of-a-musician-ulog-39/
Beautiful setting. Must have been a great experience to play there
Nope! I was frozen!
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Oh yes, Christmas concerts in church.
In the beginning, I was always freezing and in the end sweating.
Lots of emotions!
:))
Next to my parents there is a small old chappel, that has thick walls. You were freezing there inside in summer...
Well, in summer it can be a nice escape from the scorching sun! Well, at least if it is scorching outside...
_
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howdy sir bengy! Oh my gosh that church is beautiful, it's breath taking! They don't build em like that anymore. Anyway I hope it went well and that your fingers didn't get numb, I'd thank that would be the biggest concern, do you ever wear gloves until it's time to play?
The gloves aren't really so much use if your hands are already cold! Although, I do sometimes use the things that produce heat when you break them... I just didn't have them with me this time...
But yes, the church looks pretty awesome though! There is something about the old old architecture that is quite impressive and timeless... although, it probably is on the impressive stuff that survived the centuries anyway!
yes sir bengy, howdy this fine Saturday! The grand old churches like that one and the cathedrals are just mind-blowing, I don't even know if we have the artisans who could build such things anymore.
No, I guess not! Also, not a cheap labour force and lots of time! Also, I guess the style is a little different to modern styles! There are some really impressive modern buildings too... we shouldn't just stay in the old styles!
howdy sir bengy! I agree that we shouldn't just stay in the old styles but for some churches I think they should because I don't think those classic styles can be matched with modern designs. There is a grandeur and majesty that can't be obtained, in my opinion. Thanks for replying sir, I know you must be super busy!
That sounds tough. I can understand not wanting to heat the whole thing, but maybe they could have space heaters installed so that at least where you're sitting isn't as bone-chillingly cold.
Yeah... although, I'm not sure how much space heaters would have helped either... but at least it would have been something!
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