Right now I have one of the coolest jobs I've ever had. I get to spend my days thinking about innovation. One of the projects I've spent a lot of my time on recently is a contest sponsored by my employer, Cisco Systems, looking for innovative ideas from outside the company. We just had an article published in Business Week about the contest. We were trying to learn how we could tap into innovation globally and have been amazed by the creativity and enthusiasm of the participants from all over the world.
Disclaimer: Because I've actually named Cisco, I have to add this disclaimer that says that what I've written in this blog posting reflects my personal views, and not necessarily those of Cisco.
One of reasons why I've been fascinated with Christopher Dungey is the commitment he has to change his process of making cellos to improve the sound. He's invented a new endpin and a new tailpiece that make cellos sound better. I've been able try out some of his prototypes and give feedback. It's fun to be part of the process of improvement, which is why I suppose I don't mind the process of learning how to play the cello - which for the entire time I've been playing has been all about changing what I've been doing to try to make my sound better.
4 comments:
That is fantastic that you have the opportunity to play hand made cellos and be part of the process for improving them.
I've been playing my $600 cello (which I actually bought for $100) for about 10 years now - before that I played rented instruments from the conservatory. It might be nice to play a fancier cello, but it sure wouldn't help Schoenberg sound any better.
Sorry if that sounded like a slam against the art of cello making, it was not intended to be.
It's just that if someone can't afford the best, they should still get something they can afford and start playing, rather than giving up and not playing at all.
It's a wonder that we continue with this difficult task of learning the cello. Just when we think we've figured things out we find a new wrinkle. Or a new way. But there is so much satisfaction involved, even with just the smallest step forward. That's what keeps me involved.
The Dungey project sounds interesting.
I think that the player makes the most difference - but it sure has been fun to try out gadgets for the cello that improve sound! I agree that the process of learning how to make a better sound is a large part of the fun and challenge of playing...and that it never seems to end!
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