My gf and I use midis for to be rehearsing songs for to be doing musicals (and in her case, operas as well)

I like the sound and idea, AM.

What program do you use to make things like that?

I really like the end.

I hate the MIDI sound. Ech!

Music to my ears.

What I hate is that I can't figure out how to do a decent key shift betweem instruments. I haven't had anything like music theory since sixth grade.

The sound is still nice if you can acclimate to the kinky timbres a la midi.

Noteworthy Composer, EN. A Google search will turn it up. I tried several midi-making-and-editing programs out, and found this one to be most to my liking.

I climbed the tree in my back yard for the first time yesterday.

Tek, what musicals did you rehearse for in that way? I've heard some pretty good midis before, but hard to believe they can be accurate and complete enough to help someone practice to perform professionally.

Do you have the paid or trial version?

How did the tree feel?

Two cool places that I went exploring last week:

N 45°34'49.24" W 122°44'40.08"

Those boats were there too. The smaller one is used to go to shore and to row out to the bigger one. A guy lives on the bigger one, and he was on shore that day and I talked to him for a bit. There are other cool things to explore around this area.

N 45°35'11.02" W 122°45'40.07"

That whole park is very relaxing and has a great view of the waterfront. I also climbed on the base of the bridge, which is easy and fun.

N 45°30'56.82" W 122°42'26.29"

I also walked along this road and visited attractions at both ends of it with some friends on Saturday. It was good.

I went free the whole way. The tree felt like stepping into one of those magic pop-out stereoscopic CG pictures. Those images that are totally abstract until you cross your gaze just right, and then you see a cat, or a barn. Climbing our maple felt exactly like I would expect that to feel.

Turn, and there's a branch, and it's almost like the branch is coming out of you. And then a budding branchlet skitters across your face, and you see things go from massive sky to moderate branch to tiny leaf-bud, in one swiftly progressing sequence of events, in real-time, actualized physically.

It still scares the pants off me being up that high though.

It's been my experience that midis are perfect for use as accompaniment (for personal rehearsal anyway), especially on a cd while one is driving. It's a way to stay in tune and in rhythm and it's no-frills, so it doesn't take much space/memory at all. Also, I can hear myself better because of the more 'timid' nature of the sound in the background. It's great, too because let's say your cue is based on a french horn solo or some crap like that...well, you can program in a french horn sound and it is not too terribly different than waiting for the real one (unless your horn player sucks ass).

Musical theatre is also not as rigid as classical recitartion or opera. 'Course I say that knowing full well that my gf uses midis for her operatic songs also...and she loves 'em. Very soon we're hoping she can audition for a lyric opera group in Asheville.

Professional theatre performance is not as uptight as it may seem. As long as you look good, sound good, and don't fuck up to badly, behind the scenes can be a zoo. I know 2 girls who, before I signed up with this particular pro theatre, had flashed their tits at the director from the wings....WHILE he was performing a role in his own play (last minute cancellation from one of his minor roles).

I want to hear you sing.

Do you have any recordings, of bits and pieces of musicals you've taken part in?

I'll see if I can upload something to youtube from homemade dvds of some of my shows. Never done it before and I have rehearsal tonaight....but I'll try to do it soon.

If you want to see a picture of me as Marcellus in 'The Music Man' go to jaredbradshaw.com --he played Harold Hill. I'm the guy on the left, 5th photo down. Click on that photo and you'll be led to more of them. Scroll down to see our production stills. etc. I think there are 2 more of me.

Sweet.

I was never into theater. I can stand being onstage toa certain extent, but I think having a dozen or a hunderd other peoples' roles all intertwined and interdependant with mine would be a serious stage-paralysis inducer.

That show had 56 or so actors and played to a 900 + seat fine arts center...at or near capacity every night.

I eat that stuff fo bruffust, shoot. :)