At last I have names AND photos of all my instruments! Okay, so the piano's not mine - much as I wish it was. But I still feel like I own a part of it... or it owns a part of me. Anyway, this first photo is Vella, my flute. She's got a rather interesting story behind her name. We (Caitlyn and I) were in search of a name - or rather were trying to discover which name belonged to her, because we believe that everything has its own name and you just have to discover it, or so we like to think. Anyway, we providentially ran out of rabbit pellets at the same time as our usual animal feed store, so we had to buy some from a different store. The different brand of rabbit pellets was called "Vella." It didn't take us long to realize it was perfect. It started with 'V' (the 2 flute teachers at the ANU School of Music both have names starting with V), it suited her character, and we later found out that the name meant "beautiful." So she is essentially named after a brand of rabbit pellets.
This is Edgar. Edgar means "wealthy, magnificent, or royal spear," or something along those linges. Obviously the spear bit doesn't apply, but it was nice to have a name that described the magnificent royalty which is present in all pianos. Taking this photo brought into sharp realization the true difficulty of taking photos of shiny, reflective objects!! If only you could have seen me balancing on the stool trying not to be in the reflection when I was taking this photo...
Last, but not least, is Alexander, who has been introduced previously. Not much of a story behind his name, but we all agree it suits his colour and tonal qualities. Interestingly enough, a cellist who started coming to a local music ensemble about the same time that I started playing bassoon in it also happens to be as crazy as me to name her cello - and coincidentally she named it Alexander too! It feels good to know that Alexander (the bassoon) will have a friend - and one with the same name, for that matter.
I know, the photo emphasises the piano more than the bassoon - I couldn't help it, though, as I didn't have anything else to stand the bassoon against that didn't look worse. I thought the bassoon and piano looked quite elegant together, though.
By the way, if anyone has any tips on how to take good photos of shiny objects, I'd love to hear them!
WOW, how big is the basson? It looks huge. For some reason I thought it was the same size as a recorder.
ReplyDeleteK.C.
Lol, it's about as big as woodwind instruments get! It has an internal length of 2.5 meters, so has to be doubled over itself for manageability, making it about 1.34 meters. Interestingly, it comes apart into 5 little pieces which fit in a case about the same size as a viola case - only it's much heavier. The Italian name for bassoon -fagotto - actually means, literally, "bundle of sticks."
ReplyDeleteI have no idea why you thought it was recorder-sized... actually, I wonder what that would sound like - probably something like an oboe, but squeakier. Interesting...
Matthew.
Wow, by now you've probably played all the instruments set for study in GK, so that part must be a breeze!
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of recorders, have you ever seen an octosubcontrabass recorder? It isn't that small...=D
Blessings, Esther
I don't actually recall seeing an octosubcontrabass recorder - although I've seen a couple of photos of octosubcontrabass flutes (can't remember exactly what they're called - I think there are several different names) and heard quite a bit about them, because I know someone whose teacher specialises in playing them and is apparently one of the world's leading low-flute players. Apparently a contrabass flute is abnormally high for him...!! :P
ReplyDeleteYes, I have actually played all the woodwinds (except saxophone... one day...), so GK is really easy! Not so much because I already know everything, but because studying becomes real when I can relate to it more. Not to mention I've always had a real passion for woodwinds!!
Matthew.
I have been meaning to comment for a while, but have never got around to doing it. So finally I am commenting. I really like you instruments' names. They are very catchy and sophisiticated. We don't name our instruments, well, the two instruments we have at the moment. Your only the second person I have heard of who name their instruments. I mustn't hang around very musical people. A friend of mine has named her cello Wilbur and the bow Burt.
ReplyDeleteI don't know many other musicians that name their instruments either - only the really crazy ones like me do! I really like the idea of giving different names to the cello and bow, though.
ReplyDeleteHow's your 40 hour famine going? Obviously you're still alive... ;-)