Its All Russian to me

Today was day two of rehearsals in music week. II had a record twp rehearsals today for the same performacne both at three hours each.The music still does not sound right but its coming along. Its a whole lot of russian that we have to learn. Then after all that russian fun I had my first jazz piano class. I knew it was going to be interesting seeing jazz taught in a country other than the US.

he first activity of the class was a live audition in front of the class. Holy God. The tutor (professor) told us to do a standard and a blues progression. I attempted a bit of Autumn Leaves (special thanks to Dr. Coxs' Jazz Audiation class) and I did ok on the blues progressions. There are some really incredible piano players in the class and I just happen to be the youngest and only American in the class. So in the tutors eyes I have a special responsibility to do well in this class because jazz was born in America.

Today, I had a thought. The british love their lunch hours. Except the lunch hours are never just an hour. Its pretty much up to the luncher. In the US when you break for lunch someone covers your desk or whatever. In the UK when you go out for lunch they padlock the doors and perhaps do not show back up for hours. This is really funny. There are two schools right next to goldsmiths campus. I can actually see the school children playing in recess. Might I comment that it seems as if students are always in recess. From the beginning of the day till about 2:00 in the afternoon children are playing. Do they learn? I guess the teachers are on their lunch hour(s) and therefore do not mind the children during the day. So the children have formed their own school day consisting of nothing but recess. A truly great day.

Cheers