It is summer now in the Northern Hemisphere, and people are wont to travel and take vacations. I recently had the opportunity to attend a music technology workshop in Carson, WA where I enjoyed my time in the Columbia Gorge and the small towns of Stevenson, Carson, and Home Valley, WA.

As I’ve mentioned before in Musician’s Motivator, vacations provide a chance to change up your practice routine. For me, playing my tenor sax in outdoor settings while out of town, was fun. And, I met other musicians and music appreciators in these small towns.

A Swimmers’ Serenade

On the first day out, I walked down to the local beach in Home Valley. In Home Valley Park, there is a campground, a swimmers beach, and a windsurfers beach. At the swimmers beach, on the lone picnic table, I set my sax case and put together my horn.

I began my practice with a free-form improvisation, inspired by the mighty Columbia River. The Columbia Gorge is a scenic area that stretches 80 miles and serves as part of the border between Oregon and Washington. There is plenty of inspiration here!

Up rode a man on his bicycle. Rolf is a local musician whose band, Jive Turkey, plays county fairs and other civic events in the area. After our friendly chat, I went back to my playing. A little later a group of teens arrived to swim in the roped-off area of the river. I greeted them and continued playing.

After my improv warmup, I worked on a few songs; Misirlou, Jeanine, and Bewitched. Two men and one woman paddled in on their outrigger canoes , expressing their enjoyment of the tenor sax serenade. “That was beautiful! I wish you were here every time we went canoeing.”

Birthday Song For Sophie

As I packed up my horn, a little girl strolled up to me. “Can you play some more music?” she asked. “Well,” I replied, “I’m all done for the day, but I can come back tomorrow.” “Oh! I can’t come tomorrow,” she said, “It’s my birthday!” Holding up four fingers, she said, “I’m going to be this many.”

“Happy Birthday!” I exclaimed and began singing the birthday song. When I got to the third line, “Happy birthday dear …”, I paused and she sang her name; “So-phie.” We finished the song together. What a sweet moment.

Panther Creek

The next day, I ended up not going back to the river beach. Traveling between my motel in Home Valley and the conference in Carson, I would drive up Bear Creek Lane and cross Panther Creek at a secluded bend in the road.

I noticed a pull-off area at the West end of the bridge. This was where I did my practice for the next couple of days. It was a private setting in a wooded area beside a burbling creek. I enjoyed great playing sessions in this spot and some friendly interactions with the few passing motorists.

Say Goodbye to Self-Doubt

Some of you may be thinking, “I can’t play outdoors. I’m not good enough. I don’t know any songs. People will stare at me.” Whatever you may be thinking, let it go. No matter what you play, be it known songs or your own improvisations, the listeners out there will enjoy it. People love live music. Whether just getting a kick out of the novelty of live music outdoors, or listening and recognizing the song you are playing, the typical passerby will give you a thumbs up.

True enough, some people will not say anything or pretend to not see you. And that is just fine. You’ll get more practicing in.

Practical Considerations

You may want to prepare yourself for outdoor playing with mosquito spray and clothes pins (hold down music in the wind). While you’re at it, take along a can of Doubt-Be-Gone. Spray on and repeat as needed.

If You Enjoyed This…

You may get a kick out of these recent Musician’s Motivator articles:

• Inspiration On A Nature Hike
• What Makes A Memory
• What Do You Do When…
• Silly daGilly

The next edition of Musician’s Motivator is due out on August 25, 2010. See you then!