The Waiting Game

In the absence of live shows and any meaningful work, April saw me largely contemplating my next (small, gradual) steps. I’ve been buoyed to see the myriad of different ways colleagues are reacting to this sudden harsh shift, whether it be online performances, workshops, or even helping out in the local supermarket or hospital. Inevitably the Beautiful company wanted to do their own version of those performance-at-home videos, so we have all recorded instrument tracks and vocals (all with video!) from our respective homes and that should be out in the wider world in the next few days. I got the impression everyone appreciated a little musical project to allay the repetition of lockdown…!

I have been looking to upgrade my own at-home setup as my current keyboards are pretty old. I purchased a Roland RD-2000 stage piano and have managed to successfully get it communicating with my laptop, ready for any future piano track etc. I even took the time to need the operating manual from cover to cover! Throughout May I plan to do a similar thing with MainStage (which I’ve only ever used passively rather than programmed) and eventually get into the real nitty-gritty of Logic. I would have done that this past month, but the combination of sunny days and a toddler running around has meant I’ve been outside in the garden more often than sat at the keyboard.

There has been a smattering of work meetings and colleague catch-ups via Zoom (largely involving a coffee or a beer, let’s be honest) and occasionally I have had to remember how to keep the brain ticking over for professional interactions! Life seems to move quite slowly these days compared to pre-pandemic, so talk of future projects brings quite the mental jolt. I’m still not looking too far ahead, though, just waiting to see what restrictions are eased first and what effect that has on any prospective work. Until next month!