New 'hotrod' PC ordered...reading the dots...

[Trapdoor2]

OK, preliminary diagnosis on my old PC is that both hard drives are spinning up and appear to be in good health. I should be able to access them and transfer all files to the new computer. I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that this all works out!

The new PC has been ordered and is a Dell 17" "studio" laptop with most of the 'bells and whistles'. 4g memory, a 320g hard drive, CD/DVD read/write, HD screen, upgraded video, etc, etc. It should be delivered before mid-June. Until then, I'm limited to access from the PC here at work.

Of course, this has resulted in a bit of "computer withdrawl" while at home. The results are primarily that I have been practicing more. And...for the first time, I have actually learnt a bit of music directly from the dots. Lansing's "A Darkey's Dream" is pretty much a 'first position' bit of basic stuff and I was able to trot it out pretty quickly. It helps a lot when you have the tune running in your head. ;-) I could have probably worked it out by ear. Still, I very little trouble with it...

Then I attempted an unfamiliar piece. Ooooh...much more difficult! Ihad the devil's own time with the rhythms...counting time, etc. It also doesn't help when the dots have no fingering suggestions. I think I'll find another piece that at least has LH indications and try again!

I figure if I keep at it, I should be sight-reading from notation in a decade or so. ;-)

[marc dalmasso]

congratulations for the new PC ; I fix myself my PC and with the economy , i can have a ....banjo for example ; I never have had serious problem with these ,; 10 years ago , i was friend with a guy from West coast , he was the captain of Bill gate ' boat and i was on the boat in Monaco; may be my PC feel that and he keep quiet .... My friend Jimmy wanted to show us the 8 hundred tousend US $ stratocaster Bill buyed from jimmie hendrix ; see , the best old tubaphone #9 ' banjo is inexpensive ...

[Trapdoor2]

Yeah, I understand the cost issue. I could have gotten a very nice Tubaphone #3 for the price of this PC. Still, my wife has been complaining about the old PC for some time, so this new one should make her happy for a little while. ;-)

[Adam]

Glad to hear the hdd's are in good working order on your old pc. I can certainly relate to your efforts with learning to read the dots ... As you say, if the tune is in your head it's easier. But then there's those other (ugly) times when I don't know the tune and that's when the ol' self-doubt kicks in - "Is this supposed to sound like this??!?" Eventually, though, the fingers and brain click together and you suddenly "hear" the tune and that's an exciting moment ... And that keeps me going with the next one.

I found this little motivational poem in one of SSS's Journals a few days ago ... A useful reminder for any of us when stuck on something in our playing:
http://classicbanjotunes.com/images/for_beginners.png

(I bought the domain 'classicbanjotunes.com' for the database I'm working on ... )

[Trapdoor2]

I love bits of doggerel like that. Very true, it is easy to do it as not...you just have to stay the course. It will be a "two week" course for me, so I may have to break out the Bradbury or Grimshaw tutors and start at the front. I suppose I ought to find a Weidt waltz or something to work on otherwise...tutors and I tend to part company in just a few days. Perhaps the Grimshaw will do better as at least I can listen to Rob's exercises to get something in my head.

[Trapdoor2]

Holy Cats, the new PC was delivered today at lunchtime. Hmmm...ordered the evening of May 25, Fedex delivered it @ 11:30am today, May 28. Hard to beat that kind of service.

It is pretty much 'plug 'n' play', so I probably should be back online @ home tomorrow (I have a gig down at the Coffeetree tonight). Will be experimenting with all the new features as soon as I can get to it.

[Trapdoor2]

Woo hoo! I'm back on from home. New PC is very nice, still going thru the setup stuff...but at least I'm here.