I played all the classics... obviously the William Tell overture and 1812 overture were favorites along with others. I started the violin in forth grade, Dad and Mom were big in square dancing and wanted me to be a fiddler. I could do that but as a violinist the classics are where it's at.
7th grade started Jr high, our instructor/conductor Mr Englesman was a task master, perfectionist, had an ego. As well he should. he was first chair, first string violin of the Phoenix orchestra... means he was the best... could play any instrument and nationally known. Besides school he would book us all over and many events. He was arrogant and not easy to please or get along with. I thought I got rid of him when I moved to High school in the 10th grade... he came in to class at the end of the year and announced he was moving to the high school, so I had him for 6 years.
In orchestra there are first string violin and second string violin, they play different parts at the same time, first string is a bit harder, second string a bit easier but both important. First chair of each section leads all those behind them.
In high school I was first chair, second string. Mr Englesman said I was plenty good enough for middle of the pack in first string but would I accept first chair of second string, as my timing, rhythm and form were perfect to lead. So that's were I played for 3 years.
Jr and Sr years he got us in national competitions, we took first in San Francisco once, second a lot of times. We were damn good, not just the average squeeky school orchestra.
Best place we played was Grady Gammage at ASU, Frank Lloyd Wright designed and the acoustics are unreal. It was a national competition. Mr Englesman said before the event we wouldn't come in first, as these events favor out of state competitors because they have to travel so far... we were local. 1812 overture, and when that last note ended and moved around that hall, the hairs in my neck stood up and a tingle down the spine, a standing ovation... we knew we were the best.
I don't like classic music to listen to... but it was different playing it, being part of it, working for it, at a high level.
I played all the classics... obviously the William Tell overture and 1812 overture were favorites along with others. I started the violin in forth grade, Dad and Mom were big in square dancing and wanted me to be a fiddler. I could do that but as a violinist the classics are where it's at.
7th grade started Jr high, our instructor/conductor Mr Englesman was a task master, perfectionist, had an ego. As well he should. he was first chair, first string violin of the Phoenix orchestra... means he was the best... could play any instrument and nationally known. Besides school he would book us all over and many events. He was arrogant and not easy to please or get along with. I thought I got rid of him when I moved to High school in the 10th grade... he came in to class at the end of the year and announced he was moving to the high school, so I had him for 6 years.
In orchestra there are first string violin and second string violin, they play different parts at the same time, first string is a bit harder, second string a bit easier but both important. First chair of each section leads all those behind them.
In high school I was first chair, second string. Mr Englesman said I was plenty good enough for middle of the pack in first string but would I accept first chair of second string, as my timing, rhythm and form were perfect to lead. So that's were I played for 3 years.
Jr and Sr years he got us in national competitions, we took first in San Francisco once, second a lot of times. We were damn good, not just the average squeeky school orchestra.
Best place we played was Grady Gammage at ASU, Frank Lloyd Wright designed and the acoustics are unreal. It was a national competition. Mr Englesman said before the event we wouldn't come in first, as these events favor out of state competitors because they have to travel so far... we were local. 1812 overture, and when that last note ended and moved around that hall, the hairs in my neck stood up and a tingle down the spine, a standing ovation... we knew we were the best.
I don't like classic music to listen to... but it was different playing it, being part of it, working for it, at a high level.
Kent
cool story Kent.
The things we learn because someone posts something off the usual topics.
The desert is a true treasure for him who seeks refuge from men and the evil of men. In it is contentment In it is death and all you seek (Quoted from "The Bleeding of the Stone" Ibrahim Al-Koni)
I understand that some music can get you a little teary eyed. I taught in Tucson from 1972 to 2003. A few of the schools like Wakefield and Pueblo had a strong mexican influence. I can remember riding the team/band bus back from a Pueblo football game. Quite a few of the band members also played marachi music. One of the kids would hit a few notes on his trumpet and the entire bus would begin to sing an old traditional mexican song. This would repeat with a series of songs for the entire trip!
Linda Ronstadt performed some traditional songs in the collection called Canciones de mi Padre. Linda is amazing!
This will link you to several. Within this set is a song called Cigarra aka cicada and man does she belt out those long notes!!! IMO some of Linda's best work.
By the way, The guitar Jimmy Page used is called a Fender Telecaster B Bender. I has linkage in the back of the body and when you push down on the neck, it allows the bridge to move enough to raise the note played a half note higher. I'll bet Wheelchair Bandit was familiar with this somewhat rare guitar!
![[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]](https://i.postimg.cc/xd8GS4Sc/503-F54-E5-4000-48-FF-B417-2-DE2-E7-AAB5-B3.jpg)
