# Doper Musicians - Amateurs, Teachers, Pros - Whatcha working on? Sept. 08 edition **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 22, 2008, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-musicians-amateurs-teachers-pros-whatcha-working-on-sept-08-edition/464709 "2008-09-22T18:00:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-musicians-amateurs-teachers-pros-whatcha-working-on-sept-08-edition/464709/61 "2008-09-25T22:23:31Z")
> [@Jragon](#): > > Anyway, as a rank Amateur (only one year of music theory and going to a school that doesn’t offer any music classes) I’m composing the entire soundtrack for the game I’m working on. Considering I’ve only ever done a 74 measure, 8 instrument piece before this it should be an adventure. Especially since I have a mad case of cadence-block right now (Cannot. Finish. Phrase). I also desperately need a new composition program, Finale Notepad is great and all, but it has too many limitations for something this in depth. But I’m looking at other composing programs before I just buy Finale main. If anyone knows any really good ones I’d be grateful. Finale use here - I’d recommend something other than Finale! It’s a great program for subtle or complex tweaking of a score (such as what [this guy](http://www.aaroncassidy.com/music/solo.htm) achieves), but for more straightforward work Sibelius seems to offer greater productivity. ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-musicians-amateurs-teachers-pros-whatcha-working-on-sept-08-edition/464709/62 "2008-09-25T23:39:55Z")
> [@Jragon](#): > > > [@Cunctator](#): > > > > (1) A mix of symphonic choir and chamber choir works, anchored by the Mozart Requiem: > > > > Lux Aeterna (Elgar)\ > > Amazing piece isn’t it? I played the wind arrangement on my Carnegie Hall trip last spring. Yes, it’s rather lovely. We last did it in 2005 and the audiences really loved it. > [@Malacandra](#): > > > [@Cunctator](#): > > > > (3) Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius with the SSO > > That’s it, I now officially hate you. Dream is one of my unfulfilled wishes - I like to kid myself I have the voice to sing the Priest and Angel of the Agony, and I have literally dreamed of singing Profisisceri, anima Christiana… more than once. My favourite part is when Gerontius sings _Novissima hora est._… I always start crying at that point. I’m really looking forward to the performances. We’ll be under the baton of [Vladimir Ashkenazy](http://www.sydneysymphony.com/event_detail.asp?s=706), so that should be fun. Some more information about the other programs I mentioned earlier: [Mozart Requiem](http://www.sydneyphilharmonia.com.au/concerts/2008/MozartsRequiem.html) [Oriana](http://www.sydneyphilharmonia.com.au/concerts/2008/Oriana.html) ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2008, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-musicians-amateurs-teachers-pros-whatcha-working-on-sept-08-edition/464709/63 "2008-09-26T01:15:26Z")
> [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](#): > > **squeegee** > I’m so sorry to hear that - any word from doctors about why, and when it’ll feel better? Thank you, good Minister, for the sympathy. I have no real diagnosis or prognosis on the wrist. My GP told me to wear a brace for a few weeks, come back if it still hurts. I came back, and she sent me to six weeks of occupational therapy. Since I started OT, about two weeks now, things have really slid downhill; I can’t even open a doorknob with that hand now, not without great pain. I’m not sure I fault the OT – its been pretty gentle stuff: apply alternate heat/cold, try another brace, very gentle stretches, ultrasound. Nothing very stressful. The therapist thinks its the tendon that runs from the top of my forearm to the top of the first joint of my thumb (I don’t remember the latin for it); it was very swollen in that area off and on this week. I’m going to give OT another week, and if things don’t start turning around, I’ll head back to the GP. Sadly there don’t seem to be many treatments for this sort of thing except wait-n-see; things usually straighten themselves out… except when they don’t. ---
**Author:** ![Flander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8c91f0/32.png) [@Flander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flander)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2008, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-musicians-amateurs-teachers-pros-whatcha-working-on-sept-08-edition/464709/64 "2008-09-26T03:14:28Z")
> [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](#): > > Sorry I can’t find any of the pros doing it on YouTube, but here are a couple of impressive performances - sorry that the sound quality does not match the playing. > [Matt Palmer](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54txdiTofxs) > [Axel Giudice](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdURanQXaJU&feature=related) OK, holy crap. :eek: If I can pull that off (picking on an electric, mind you), then I’d be Og around here! I’ll let you guys handle the hard classical stuff. _plink __plink__ plink_ _PLIIIINK_ meedeleemeedeleeMEEEDELLEEMEEEEE!! ---
**Author:** ![Seven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Seven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seven)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2008, 8:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-musicians-amateurs-teachers-pros-whatcha-working-on-sept-08-edition/464709/65 "2008-09-26T08:34:06Z")
I’m wrapping up a house deal which will allow me space to build the new recording studio at the other end of the property. ---
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2008, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-musicians-amateurs-teachers-pros-whatcha-working-on-sept-08-edition/464709/66 "2008-09-27T02:32:57Z")
> [@Flander](#): > > OK, holy crap. :eek: If I can pull that off (picking on an electric, mind you), then I’d be Og around here! I’ll let you guys handle the hard classical stuff. Well, now, if those vids scared you off, I humbly apologize - such was not my intention. If you look a little further, you can see other videos of guys who play it a lot slower and a lot more carefully. Anyway, it’s easier on an electric. Not easy, mind, but easier. Big secret to hammers and taps - it’s the accuracy that counts, not the force. Lenny Breau used to practice his hammer-ons on the table - just the weight of the finger coming down, nothing more. Can’t wait to hear a clip of you laying down some serious Randy Rhoads… ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2008, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-musicians-amateurs-teachers-pros-whatcha-working-on-sept-08-edition/464709/67 "2008-09-27T07:15:21Z")
> [@Cunctator](#): > > My favourite part is when Gerontius sings _Novissima hora est._… I always start crying at that point. For me it’s the closing section, the chorus of the Souls in Purgatory and leading on to _Softly and gently, dearly ransomed soul_. I read a comment once saying “If this doesn’t break your heart, check yourself in for a transplant.” > [@Cunctator](#): > > I’m really looking forward to the performances. We’ll be under the baton of [Vladimir Ashkenazy](http://www.sydneysymphony.com/event_detail.asp?s=706), so that should be fun. Now you’re just taunting me! :smack: 🆒 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-musicians-amateurs-teachers-pros-whatcha-working-on-sept-08-edition/464709.md?page=3)