is still on the line
Had no patience for as a kid, had no interest in the lyrics, just like most of my current students. Now the lyrics impress me as much as trying to […]
looking for a cause or a strong cat without claws
For the next 7 weeks the students present seminars on different records focusing on the songwriting contribution of each record. Yesterday was the first one, The College Dropout by Kanye […]
the ability to hear
not too many years ago, teaching an ensemble but the college had over enrolment problems, at the last minute moved classes to a rehearsal space business. It was the first […]
sign on the window
There is a sign I noticed driving into London today, a sign for a head shop – the title of the store actually. Large posters of royalty in the windows, […]
Through being cool
Standing in the fluorescent, reeking-of-bleach-cafeteria, four women (two middle aged and two seniors) occupying all the positions behind the grill and cash register. The math on minimum wage and a […]
Songwriter
Student asked me for help because they have nothing to say in a song. Guess my job is explaining that this situation also is a song and they just said […]
2,1,4
Kale chips, salt, nutritional yeast. Left hand, G, perpetual peace Replay, loop, symmetrical tricks Apples, juiced, this blood sugar fix Driver, screams, pedestrian runs Protest, cops, tasers on stun Naming, […]
nilan
Part of driving a car in a big city is adjusting to endless hostility and selfishness. Surprising to catch a break at Bartlett and Davenport near rush hour the other […]
winning
7 yr old boy surprised me by playing row row row your boat by ear. i surprised him by making a bass line for it. his sister surprised us both […]
when i grow up
working on a new piece and while trying to balance left hand and right hand, i’m reminded of the the effort involved trying to train one’s mind or the assumption […]