Author: SecondTry
Date: 2021-04-30 18:25
Beth:
This thread was a really good idea.
In addition to all the reasons any of us have for Covid compromising our health: physical or mental, from the compromise to our quality of life, to those we've lost, let's just say that the pandemic has hit musicians harder (given the social aspect of their craft) than HAM radio operators: no disrespect to the latter, their hobby, by its very nature, minimally impacted.
And among musicians, let's just say that it's harder for us musicians who "spew contaminants" when we play (i.e. wind players versus string musicians) that are particularly impacted: no disrespect to any artists intended.
I miss the groups I played with: not only the musical aspects but the social ones and friends I don't see. I was depressed about it for a while but inspiring by a speech I heard about feeling better about yourself during this time by helping others.
One of my best friends and stand mates when we play, who knows everyone "music" within 50 miles of us, brought me into a small virtual symphonic band
that uses the JamKazam software product.
While truly grateful for any opportunity to play during Covid, and thankful for the technology that exists to help us get through it (i.e. can you imagine how much more difficult Covid might have been in the 1970s, not simply medicinally by technologically?) JamKazam was a shareware product in its relative infancy as recently as a year ago, with TONS of software glitches. It had been introduced before Covid with lukewarm reception, but became popular with the speed of wildfire after quarantine. Issues with musicians latency of sound, the software crashing, people dropping in and out: we shrugged our shoulders and were glad for what we had.
Not that long ago JamKazam transitioned into a pay model for all users, not jut professional ones: which turned out to be a good thing IMHO. For a minimal subscription fee the software makers agreed to take much of the proceeds to hire programmers to improve the product: which seems to be updated now almost weekly and IMHO is showing improvement.
Not long before this, I decided with this friend to develop my own JamKazam group: a clarinet quartet with some of my favorite people from the groups that have been temporarily cancelled.
I describe the group as "a therapy session that happens to use our shared love of music as its construct." Mental health experts suggest that routine and socialization are key in these times, and weekly we meet online, with cameras on, to discuss the week's events, thereafter turning the cameras off, and playing music we've found at free or shareware sites. I'm fortunate that this group is competent, appreciative and has wonderful people in it. We play medium difficultly pieces, "warts and all," in a judgement free zone that keeps our chops up for the times, we hope soon, that we can physically play together again.
JamKazam pretty much requires its participants to have a direct (not WiFi) connection to the internet. Keeping the groups small and physically close (e.g. within 50 miles of one another) seems to help with performance.
Soon, all players will be two weeks passed their second shot. We look forward to playing in person as a quartet or members of the symphonic groups we met at, as they resume.
Post Edited (2021-04-30 18:28)
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The Clarinet BBoard
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