Prior to my first face-to-face meeting with K (Fall of Freedom presentation piece collaborator), I quickly changed out strings on the Prisloe.
My thinking being: if we are going to live-perform our evolving ensemble presentation piece in 3 weeks, I need to have freshly broken in strings for the momentous occasion.
Weeks of private student lessons and daily personal practice sessions take their toll on any set of strings. However, I will mention that the plus side of old strings is that I feel freer to work on my prepared guitar pieces. 😊
That said, I made the switch from the old, dull, thuddy, non-resonant set to a fresh new, crystal clear, deeply resonant set.
It’s amazing what a new set of strings will do for one’s sense of well being.
“The thing of it is, regardless of the strings used, music is played, compositions are created, techniques are explored, expanded and maintained. For myself as a musician, each time I re-string one of my instruments, there is a sense of expectation. A moment in time where everything seems possible, opening up a wide world of sonic possibilities, hopes, dreams and deep expressions of my (he)art flowing through my fingers into the outer realm.
me, Laura Bruno Lilly
And when the right strings are strung, those aural rewards inspire and invigorate…
The thing of it is, regardless of the strings used, music is played.
Life is lived.
And when the right strings are strung, life is magical.”
Due to time constraints, we both agreed a ‘fast production’ of our Fall of Freedom presentation to be the #1 priority. To that end, our collaborative performance piece will be using elements of electronic manipulation of my composition (classical guitar) and his instrumental inflections (trumpet), as a background base for the performance of voice-over adlib spoken word phrases, poems, etc taken from the 641 wc list.
It’s a start. And I’ll keep you updated on it’s progress.
Laura, reading about your new set of strings is like reading poetry. There’s so much excitement; it’s electric and infectious. <3
Madame Poet – your comment is an honor to receive! ❤️
<3
That was cool reading about the feelings restringing your instrument gives you! A moment of time where everything seems possible sounds like an exquisite time!
🙂
Reading your wonderful description of re-stringing instruments, it sounds almost ritualistic, preparing to participate in the mysterious act of creation and giving birth to something new.
And a random Jim Morrison line immediately came to mind:
Give us an hour for magic*
*from the An American Prayer album
As a fellow creative, you picked up on the soul of my re-stringing description – spot-on.
As for the An American Prayer album – how did I not know about this?! Perhaps timing is everything, I’m sure I’d not get out of it back in my younger years what I am gleaning from it at this time of my life. Thank you for leading me on this path of new discovery!
And to quote part of your reply: how did I not know about this? Your reply I mean! Not sure if I got a notification or not but somehow I’ve overlooked it. Glad that you’ve sought the album out – I’ve always loved Morrison’s Severed Garden, set to Albinoni’s music.
WP…😖
I so enjoyed your post, Laura!
Thanks for stopping by, teacher! 😉
My pleasure, Laura!
Laura, I never thought about what it was like for a musician to put on new strings. This is a big deal in the sound and music, and how the musician feels. Thank you for this. I loved your quote!
🙂
Much more exciting than a new broom!
I am filled with anticipation and admiration.
You’re right on that! I’m enjoying the process, especially knowing it’s a way to use my (he)art as protest/activism/social statement.
BTW: your comment brought to mind a great blues tune – Dust My Broom. Here for your entertainment:
https://youtu.be/5jcGY7NbaQw?si=NmmTsWb4s_CisLb4
I feel your excitement and enthusiasm! It is magical! Can’t wait to hear more after your performance.
Thanks, flower-sister!
Laura, it sounds like a very exciting and worthwhile project! Congratulations on the new strings! May they add a magic touch! 🎶🎵🎶
Thanks Cheryl!
I thought that maybe you had to “break them in,” but like the description says, “when the right strings are strung.” It sounds like a mix of art and science.
You’re correct, there is a breaking in period (stretching to keep pitch). But the types (nylon, gut, steel, phosphor bronze, etc), gauge extra thing through several levels of heavy), length of time in use and environmental affects of the strings themselves make a difference on sound, tone, and ease of play. Yes, a combo of science and art for sure!
What a lovely ode to new guitar strings. Even though I don’t play, I can feel your delicious anticipation of the beautiful music you will elicit from them.
I like that you called this an ode to new guitar strings – makes it sound poetic! Thanks for your equally poetic comment!
I’m happy for you that you have new strings. Also, I love these lines:
“The thing of it is, regardless of the strings used, music is played.
Life is lived.
And when the right strings are strung, life is magical.”
Words to live by.
Happy to pass on a little ‘string-theory’ view of life to you, Marie.
Am so looking forward to hearing this!
I’m enjoying the process, that’s for sure! Plus, collaborator K and I seem to work well together.
Laura, I love what you said: “For myself as a musician, each time I re-string one of my instruments, there is a sense of expectation. . . . And when the right strings are strung, life is magical.” It’s like a paintbrush in the hands of a master painter or a pen/keyboard in the hands of a writer. Something seemingly small or ordinary becomes magical.
Spot on, L.Marie. Spoken by one who knows the feel of a pen in her hand! 😉
Yes indeed! 😊