Power is constantly running
I lamented in a previous post (CF And a bit about writing…) that writing is subversive to my personality, my method of madness. I don’t listen to drum n’ bass because I like it, I just like doing a lot of things in a hurry – it’s the soundtrack to my life. Other people’s montages are real time for me.
New toy
I am often asked how my new book is coming along. I often reply, “Oh, it’s been stalled because of [insert miscellaneous activity].”
My new six-month activity is learning the drums. Earlier this year it was metalwork, last year it was motorbike riding, the year before was papier-mache. I think a pattern is emerging: my attention span for interests drips and drops into a beautiful mosaic formation. [Ooh! My new activity for next month!]
Drum kit - $900
Drumsticks, metronome, practise pad – $100
Cost of bond forfeited after being kicked out of unit for noise pollution – $1500
Downloaded songs and beat sheets – free and illegal
Keira becoming typically distracted by something shiny or another activity despite being broke and homeless – priceless.
Old habits…
I was training my ear the other night and I realised I can’t shake the writer out of me – I applied a literary creative approach to the musical creative process.
I prefer seeing the notations on paper, akin to words on a page. A few drummers have told me they can’t read music [Dave Grohl famously can't read music: "I learned to play by ear. I wasn't trained and I can't read music. What I play comes straight from the soul."] and play by ear. This is a skill I would love to fine tune [oh, the pun was most definitely intended].
Training my ear has been going well. I can listen to a very simple rock beat and play along to it, picking out the hi-hat (open and closed), snare and bass. BUT I also feel the urge to write the drum notations on sheet music. I feel more comfortable writing and seeing a story of the beats, and understand the flow of the beat much better because of it. [Perhaps, though, this "literary" approach is more a "retentive" approach.]
…Die hard
But I have noticed I do apply a literary approach to most encounters in my life. Most notably, I view the people in my life as characters [many of whom I have killed three times in my "mind script". I'm willing to accept that not everyone who thinks leggings are pants or couples who buy a pet and call themselves its "mummy" and "daddy" are moronic, but I haven't yet seen evidence to support this theory].
So while my activities/passing novelties take time away from my book writing, I am pleased that some sort of literary process is occurring. And just like that….the guilt melts away.
Now, to justify how I can equate book writing to shopping…
- Me reading and writing books/sheet music. Same diff.
5 comments
bare says:
July 23, 2010 at 9:36 am (UTC -5 )
Cost of bond forfeited after being kicked out of unit for noise pollution – $1500!?
bare(Quote me in your comment) (Reply directly to my comment)
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Keira says:
July 25, 2010 at 1:52 pm (UTC -5 )
Well, that’s the potential cost when I do get kicked out. And I think I will soon, Jimmy Eat World “Get It Faster” is a bit of a loud song. Sorry, neighbours. They are definitely not my good friends.
Keira(Quote me in your comment) (Reply directly to my comment)
Follow my tweets @: keirawong
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
bare says:
July 31, 2010 at 6:41 pm (UTC -5 )
lol.
bare(Quote me in your comment) (Reply directly to my comment)
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
John Knight says:
August 2, 2010 at 1:16 am (UTC -5 )
Interesting thoughts on notation. I started out reading from about day two or three in drumming. I’m not sure if it’s that or the synaesthesia, but nowdays I see kick drum notes in front of my eyes mapped out in time and space, as a section of elongated black orbs…. (no I’m not on drugs, lol!)
John Knight(Quote me in your comment) (Reply directly to my comment)
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Keira says:
August 3, 2010 at 7:06 pm (UTC -5 )
Haha, I do like your synaethesia! As we discussed before, I am afflicted in a similar way with writing/words. I wonder if I can merge the two?
Keira(Quote me in your comment) (Reply directly to my comment)
Follow my tweets @: keirawong
Like or Dislike:
0 
0