Flute is not trumpet

 I was up all night but still got at least an hour's practice in. Since I wasn't practicing, I'm back on page 14 in the book. 

I've been doing far too much of "trumpet-like" exercises like trying to make a tight little embouchure, doing octaves on the headjoint. I think that exercise has its place but for now I'm just going to stick with the book. The "Rockstro" alignment is working better  I think, and I still need to find out what works best for me, personally. I probably need to Google things like "right hand placement flute" too, because I can't figure out whether I want my right thumb under, or the tip against, the body of the flute. 

I had a lot of trouble with a "burbling" sound from the flute being too far rolled in and it still "wanders" a fair amount. You just know James Galway has a position that's just - click! - there and rock-solid reliable. I'm sure he's put in at least 2X the 10,000 hours though. 

And a horrible thing! I noticed a ding, like a cut from a sharp edge, right on the blowing edge of the sound hole of the flute. How in hell did that happen? The two used flutes I have, have "been around the block" and they don't have dings like this. I did a tiny bit of sanding and a lot of burnishing and rubbing and have it pretty much gone. But hell that's about a $500 head joint if I wanted to replace it. 

I slept in until 2. 

I had 4 things to pack but one was missing (because I'd gotten rid of it - that was smart) so I packed the remaining three and headed for the post office at about 5:30. For some reason my headache is bothering me and it was even before I did some exercises as I'm getting in the habit of doing at the start of my day. 

I got some celery and peppers at 99 Ranch after visiting the post office. There was a guy set up with a "keytar" and a speaker, not on the sidewalk right in front but in front of one of the "islands" in the parking lot. He didn't sound very good. I shouted out, "Play 'Free Bird'!" unhelpfully. He was gone when I came out.

Then I went up to the little Filipino store for some salted peanuts and got some near-beer at the liquor store there, then rode back. I didn't find anything other than some rather useful flat boxes (good for books and manuals) and rode back here. 

On my way out I'd gone by the cement plant and there had been a car parked by the curb, with ... some people doing something, frankly I didn't pay attention. I went by that same way coming back and there was a guy sleeping on the sidewalk. But not a homeless guy with bags and stuff and dirty clothes, this guy looked like a regular worker, clean and shaven etc. He was sleeping pretty soundly too. So I'm thinking he's drunk and passed out. At least whatever time he wakes up, at least the cement plant is right there and there's usually someone around. And some new tenants are moving into both front units in this complex and are working until pretty late getting moved in so there's light and people moving around. 

 

Ken emailed and said he's feeling better so that's good news.