Life of a Musician - Robin Hill... is 6 Years Old!

I can't believe that another year has gone by and that 'Life of a Musician' is now 6 years old!

Last year, on its 5th Birthday, I reviewed the blog in general and highlighted some of the most popular post: 'Life of a Musician - 5 Years of Blogging'.

This year, as always, has been eventful.
There have been laughter, tears and the occasional tantrum, as one would expect when following the life of any musician trying to travel the globe these days.

A major highpoint was the release of, 'Standing on Air', which was accompanied by a, 'Making of Video', in which Robin talks openly about his eclectic approach to music and offers some insight into composing and the recording process.
You can read the post here: 'Standing on Air - Robin Hill arrives on iTunes, Amazon etc...'

As part of the promotion of 'Standing on Air' we were extremely proud of the video made by our eldest son Oliver, 'Chill 22', which you can watch below.



There's more about the track, 'Chill 22' here.

But it hasn't all been good.

Unfortunately the release of the new CD was hampered by Robin breaking his arm.
This is a dreadful situation for anyone, but for a musician it brings its own sort of terrors.
Read 'Psychology of the Injured Musician' for more details.

We have also launched a brand new website, packed with information, videos, pictures etc. More about that here.
From the site you can join our mailing list and keep up to date with new releases and the 'soon to be avaialable' sheet music.

One of the most popular posts this year has been, 'The Scale' from The Guitar Gymnasium', which is an extract from Robin's book, and is a must for any player wanting to improve their technique.

As always, travel has played a large part of Robin's day to day life, and as is often the case these days, there are frequently traumas to cope with.
'Fly with a Little Help from Lebrecht...' was probably one of the most frustrating situations Robin has had to face, when an airline refused to allow his guitar in the cabin, even in a paid seat....

The next year of, 'Life of a Musician', promises to be just as exciting.
There are plans for more videos and another album is already underway. So there is plenty to look out for over the coming months.

There are now 727 posts in the archives, scroll down the left hand sidebar, and feel free to have a look around.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you all for reading and for making 6 years of blogging so enjoyable.

And Now the Violin...

It has been a particularly busy time here.
With Robin only home for a week, and the number of remaining days disappearing rather too quickly, we have a lot to organise.
Alongside his usual preparations for travelling, and normal pre-concert level of practice, Robin is working on the new pieces he will need for the concert with Izzy Cooper in August.
It's very exciting to hear so many samples of incredible music coming from the music room, as Robin works on arrangements.

Alongside this, son number one has gone off for three days at an outdoor pursuit centre, which is always good for increasing parental anxiety...
Meanwhile, son number two has been putting on the pressure for a while now, to learn the violin.
(Incidentally, Robin started his musical career on the violin aged 7, but after a couple of years insisting on playing it like a guitar, it was decided that he should make the change, and the rest, as they say, is show biz history...)

We decided son number two must be serious about this, as he spent the best part of 1/2 term pouring over manuscript paper, and 'composing' his own pieces.
Consequently we have made the ear splitting decision to purchase a violin and see what happens.
So far, he has carried it everywhere with him, performed his 'music' to anyone that sits down for longer than 30 seconds, and taken a bow at the end.
Robin has of course timed this perfectly.
Buy violin for a five year old.
Listen carefully and enthusiastically for a few days.
Then disappear for the best part of the next month and leave me to continue with the encouragement...

Now I'm off to find a teacher.

Time, Travel and Twitter.

Recently we have been looking at the various tracks on 'Arrival', and neglecting the day to day life of this particular musician.
Well, as always, there has been plenty going on.
Robin has been practicing for many hours, every day, as you would expect.
But, if you've been following the 'tweets' you will know he has also been preparing new pieces, composing, thinking of new CDs etc.
All of these activities are an essential part of the process when an active musician.
Also, you'll be pleased to hear, that Robin has been enjoying life at home.
Just having time with the family brings a great deal of pleasure.

But he's more than ready to perform for an audience once again, which is a good thing, as today he has two separate private functions, one in Yorkshire and the other in Cheshire.
Logistically it is possible.
Whether he'll be home between the two I'll have to wait and see.
Robin is also playing tomorrow evening, and then flying off on Sunday morning.
Which leaves me with the challenge of preparing all his concert clothes for packing whilst he's still wearing them...

I am constantly looking for new and interesting ideas to add to the blog and make your read more enjoyable.
Twitter, which I added not too long ago, and have already mentioned, is an ideal way of updating with little snippets of information.
But it seems it can also help in more serious situations, read this CNN report, 'Student 'Twitters' his way out of Egyptian Jail'.

Track 3: Sons de Carilhoes - Joao Pernambuco

The third track is 'Sons de Carilhoes' by Joao Pernambuco.
Pernambuco was born on the 2nd November 1883, in Jatoba, Pernambuco, Brazil, and named, Joao Texeira Guimaraes.
After moving to Rio he told so many stories about his home state that he quickly became known as 'Joao Pernambuco'.

Pernambuco came from a poor family but learnt the guitar from an early age.
Whilst living in Recife, and then Rio, he had to supplement his composing and playing by working as a blacksmith and then as a labourer.

As he was illiterate he used to have to ask others to write his compositions down, and sadly, several were stolen.

An example of this is, 'Catulo da Paixao Cearense' which was transformed into 'Lunar do Sertao' and then became the unofficial Brazilian anthem. Unfortunately it was credited only to Catulo, and only recently has been properly acknowledged as Permanbuco's composition.

Between 1914 and 1919 Pernambuco became extremely popular and Villa-Lobos helped by transcribing and registering several of Pernambuco's songs to prevent any further loses.

Pernambuco was an important Belle Epoque composer of seminal choros, jangos, valses, toadas, and cancoes.

'Sons de Carilhoes' is a beautifully melodic and rhythmic piece which is closely related to the samba (which we discussed yesterday).

It has long been a favourite of Robin's and, despite the problems that Pernambuco faced as a composer, is one of the most optimistic pieces which Robin plays.

Composers and their Idiosyncrasies

Composing music is a large part of life here and many people seem interested in the processes involved.
Some composers appear to need to be in the right environment for the muse to come upon them.

Khalil ibn Ahmen, (718-789) a poet and musician from Iraq, could only compose when street workers were making a noise outside.

Christoph Gluck, (1714-1787) the German composer is said to have insisted that he could only write his music when seated in the middle of a field. He did actually suffer a stroke whilst in a field and died a few days later. Who knows what piece he was working on at the time.

Robin doesn't appear to have any such foibles.
He tends to compose when the mood takes him, wherever that may be. Sometimes he wakes up in the morning, (and occasionally in the night) and an idea has been germinating whilst he sleeps. He will then act on it either at the guitar or the piano.
Other times he'll be playing a piece and a simple musical phrase will come to mind, and again, he'll leave what he was doing to work on the new idea.
Frequently an idea will surface when out walking.
Many times Robin has returned from a walk, and disappeared for hours, working on a piece that was created whilst walking the dogs.

In this case he has something in common with Ludwig van Beethoven.

He was apparently offered a salary by three Austrian noblemen that would guarantee him four thousand gulfen a year if he would walk each day from sunrise until noon, because he composed better while walking.
I don't know if he took them up on the offer but if there are any like minded noblemen, or anyone really, prepared to pay Robin to go out for a walk every day, then please feel free to contact us...

Sunday Morning Composition with Robin Hill

As we all prepared to go out, Robin settled at the piano for a quick blast, to let off some steam.
After such an intense few weeks of classical guitar playing, he finds it very relaxing, and enjoyable, to just play whatever he feels like.
This can be old favourites, which he will also sing along to, or occasionally, we challenge him to make up a song 'in the style' of someone else.
This provides us with many happy hours of music making.

It's also a need that Robin has.
Music is always on his mind, and, it's good for him, and all musicians, to try out new things.
Today, however, we had son number two's 5th birthday party.
Just as we were all nearly ready, Robin came up with a nice riff, and played it over and over a few times, expanding it slightly with each repeat.

We all wandered off, knowing, it may be a while before we could leave.
But time wasn't on our side, so Robin quickly put the notes in the computer, for fear of forgetting them, and off we all went for a noisy but highly enjoyable party.

Of course, the first thing he did on his return, was to listen to the freshly composed piece, and continue where he left off.
We both realised that this often happens on a Sunday.
We're not really sure why, but, it could be that when home, this is one of the only free mornings he has.
Maybe all this music is floating around in his head until the opportunity arises to release the beast.

This particular piece would make an excellent T.V. theme tune. When it's complete I'll have to add it to my ever growing list of pieces of music to promote.
All I need now is another few hours in every day.

Last Night of the Proms and Choral Composition

Whilst Robin was out last night I thoroughly enjoyed watching most of the 'Last night of the Proms'.
Conductor, Jiri Belohlavek, did a wonderful job and produced excellent performances from all the musicians.
The BBC Symphony Orchestra seemed to be having a ball, after what has been a very busy season for them.
To see so many people around the country, enjoying the music and the tradition of the Last Night, is very touching indeed, and can only help promote classical music globally.
The orchestra is such a mighty instrument, that we do well to remind people that to hear so many talented musicians in one place, is truly a spectacle not to be missed.

It also helped me.
Sundays, usually, are the only day of the week that we get to relax a little.
This morning was one of those days which was a real delight.
Robin started listening to the choral piece that he is currently composing, and I felt in a much better position to comment after hearing the 'BBC Symphony Chorus' last night.
Somehow it helped focus my mind, and my ears, on the possibilities available when working with voices, and I understand much more the effects that Robin is achieving in this new work.

The piece isn't completed yet, but it will be a very exciting day when it is, and even more so when we get to hear it performed by real live musicians.

Cyclic Changes

I'm so pleased Robin didn't delete the fugue section of the piece I was discussing yesterday.
We listened again and both felt it did work.
It just shows that sometimes you have to take a step back and let the subconscious work on things for a while before revisiting.
Some changes have taken place and the whole piece is coming together very nicely.
It's just a case of how much can be done before Robin goes away.
I'm sure he'll be very tempted to continue composing, whilst on his next trip, and in some ways it would be easier.
No noisy children, dogs to walk, students to see, etc...
But the fear of an eager audience may outway the urge to compose.
It will be interesting to see when he comes home again.

Meanwhile here the sun has been shining.
This is such a rare occasion this summer that we have all tried to make the most of it.
Robin has recently rediscovered the joys of cycling and has spent many happy hours with son number one covering some rather large distances.
Family commitments are yet another distraction for the active musician, but it is essential to get a balance, especially as the school holidays enter the final stages.
Not to mention the fact that he will be leaving me with them for the last week....
Blogs may be a little brief then!

The Lonely Life of a Composer

Robin has a trip looming which requires him to enter 'high practice mode'. See yesterdays blog for the reasons.
But he is torn.
He is also in the throws of composition.
A new piece involving orchestra and choir.
When he picks up his guitar to practice he feels the pull of the computer to continue composing.
When he's at the computer the guitar is calling him back.
Consequently he is doing both.

All day I heard this struggle going on in the music room. It began to feel like I was married to 'Sybil', a character from a book of the same name, with multiple personalities.

Late in the evening I was called.
"What do you think if I get the choir to go into a fugue here?"
It was my turn for the stress response to kick in.
We listened to the whole piece so far, about 6 minutes.
I was familiar with the first 4 minutes as I'd been hearing it on and off all day.
When the new part arrived I was unsure.
The stress mounted.
Was all this responsibility on me?
If I say, "No, it doesn't work", will he delete it? I may deny the world something that they would love, just because I was tired and in the wrong frame of mind...

"Let me hear it again". I wanted more time.
We listened.
To my relief Robin then said, "I don't think it works."
He had taken the pressure off me in just a few words.
"Well, I don't think it does, but don't delete it yet. Lets listen again in the morning."
He left it where it was.

The reality is that whilst Robin wants my opinion, he's really only using me as a soundboard.
Who am I to say what will work. I'm not a musician.
But he wants reaction.
He needs to see how others will hear it.
Ultimately though he will make the decisions.

He knows what he's doing though.
From experience his own pieces have always been exceptionally well received in concert. Whether they be solo, duo or orchestral.
The fact is that nothing ever gets to the point of being heard by the public unless he is happy with it.

As Johannes Brahms once said, "The hard thing is not to compose, but to let the superfluous notes fall under the table."

Creativity and the Wife of a Musician

Today has been taken over by composing - again.
It is the only thing I know that will keep Robin away from his guitar for more than a few hours.
It's all Pat Metheny's fault.
If we hadn't listened to 'Last Train Home' the other day Robin wouldn't have got out both his electric sitar and traditional sitar.
From that a riff was created and recorded.
Tabla added, yes we have those too, and Robin is something of a frustrated percussionist.
Before you know it we have a piece of music reverberating around the house.

Son number one was enlisted to add some vocals and I thought that was the end of it.
But no.
A new, extended version is now being created, with choir and orchestra.
The score becomes more elaborate by the minute.
When I ask what is to become of this new piece I'm told, "That's your department, I'm composing it and playing it, you do the rest."
Err, OK.

We had set aside today to complete many outstanding jobs.
Suffice to say that none have been dealt with as yet.
This is the problem for the wife of a musician.
You can't plan ahead.
Just when you think you have his attention for a couple of hours to get things done, he goes and has a musical idea, and you know you might as well go with the flow as nothing will distract him.

I'm sure most people wash the car, mow the lawn, that type of thing, on a Sunday.
Ohh well, I can't get in the way of creativity.
I learnt long ago to just let him get on with it and enjoy the music.
I guess I'll have to go and rehang that door myself...

The Goodbye Look

This morning Robin repaired a nail and tentatively tried it out.
A musical phrase was quietly played.
Then again.
Then again.
It was unfamiliar to me but I very quickly realised what was happening.
The phrase grew and became 10 or so bars.
Sure enough, after a few more minutes, I was called.

I could tell as soon as I saw Robin's face that a new piece of music was being born.
He played it to me and then went on at some lengths to explain what was going to happen next.

Here's the problem.
I have a good ear and was able to discuss the piece as far as it went. It was obvious that it could turn into a great piece of music. The main theme is swirling round in my mind and I'm unable to clear it.

But the whole piece is in Robin's mind. He has the look he gets only when his mind is completely taken over by something new which has to force its way out.
He explained what all the instruments would be doing, and appears quite clear in the direction the piece will take.

I however will have to wait.
Whilst the notes remain in Robin's head alone, I am unable to understand completely what he means.
Even when they are committed to paper I don't have the skill to follow a score and 'hear' the notes.
But when he plays them to me, well, that's a different matter.

I know from experience that I will be drafted in with increasing regularity as the piece progresses.
Expected to listen and comment on the process as it is created.

But this is good.
How many people are in the privileged position that I am?
So often musicians are asked how they go about composing.
Usually they are unable to say.
I know though, for Robin, anyway.
And it starts with a look - as simple as that.

Variations on a Theme?

Can you identify this piece of music?

It's fortunate Robin plays from memory as this is what he discovered when looking through the final page of some music...



It appears that we have a budding composer in the family who felt that the original required a little something extra.
I suspect son number two is involved and I'm quite impressed that, at the age of 4, he appears to have grasped the concept of triplets!

Anyone for Tennis

Robin takes a break from guitar practice to have a game of tennis. In fact he has two. One of singles and one of doubles.



He's actually very good at tennis, (he should be his father was a Wimbledon umpire for many years) and I'm quite relieved I'm not on the receiving end of some of his serves. There would be many balls floating in the Indian Ocean by this stage soon to be washed up on a beach in Madagascar.

Between tennis tournaments Robin has spent some time composing. I look forward to hearing his new pieces on his return.