Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Performing on the Kalimba:
Prepared Piece with Breathing Room

Even on the songs that I am most familiar with, sometimes I lose concentration for an instant, and I hit the wrong tine, and BOP! I'm falling in outer space. Fortunately, the kalimba is forgiving, and I can usually figure out how to fall right back into where I'm supposed to be. Rather than treat this as an error, treat it as a minor miracle, an opportunity to shine a little extra light from the kalimba, or an opportunity for your thumbs to remind YOU just how amazing they are. These little excursions will open up your music and provide a little space.

On the other hand, such moments are the perfect places to insert longer improvisations. Start by playing around with the themes you've already put out, and slowly drift away from those, as if you are waking up and becoming aware of the shape of something by feeling it with your hands. Float, fly, explore.... but always keep one finger touching your original prepared piece, and have faith that you will find the way back into the song, and finish it out in confidence and strength.

This is the best of both worlds - being tight and being free too.

By the way: I ask that you hold me and my partner Deb in the light right now. That's a Quaker way of asking you to pray for us, or to think of us. Tomorrow is our very big day!

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