As we slowly emerge from two and a half years of dealing with the pandemic and imposed isolation for part of it, I have been pondering the next chapter of my life. I stopped performing during the lock down and coupled with some minor tremors in my hands (it’s not Parkinson’s Disease according to my doctor) I retired from performing. Because of that I felt like I didn’t have a reason to practice…..so I didn’t. Honestly I felt lost. Like I had lost my mojo or something. I put a small amount of effort into my podcast but I realized that my vision for that was myopic. And I totally ignored this blog.
Well, it’s time to rethink, reinvent, and rejuvenate. This new blog is a start. It will deal more with my weekly professional life, dominated primarily with teaching.
My podcast, “Creative Conversations with Roger Humphrey”, was conceived as an opportunity for the audience to eavesdrop on conversations I had with various people in the arts. I always thought these conversations were interesting and would appeal to a variety of people. I was wrong. The chats were informal and unstructured and it showed. The audience yawned and kept away in droves. So, with the help of my wife, I will reinvent the podcast for season 4. I’m not entirely sure where it’s going but it will evolve into something better I’m sure.
Currently I’m creating an online ukulele method for beginning adults. This will include downloadable sheet music and instruction videos. The written material is completed and I’m in the process of creating the videos. I’m not sure if there is any significant interest but it keeps me out of my wife’s hair. I mean I’ve got to do something with my day. I don’t want to be a greeter at a store and I don’t know how to build bird houses so…..
Even though I no longer perform I still have the desire to play for people so I create videos and post them on YouTube. The videos aren’t great and you can see me struggle occasionally but hey……you get to watch for free. So there is that. Also it’s usually some very pretty music that you wouldn’t normally get to hear. I do hope you’ll take the time to find me on YouTube and listen occasionally. Here’s the link: https://www.youtube.com/user/Kohno10/videos
I would also like to take a moment to thank those of you who have read my blog, listened to my podcast, and listened to my music. I hear from some of you occasionally but I would love to hear for more of you. Comments, complaints, suggestions, whatever you’ve got. I’m going to keep putting stuff out there so you may as well have a hand in the decision making process.
I expect to publish a new blog installment weekly. If you would be kind enough to hit the “subscribe” button you’ll be notified when it drops. The videos on YouTube won’t come as often, but hitting the “subscribe” and “like” buttons helps me out a lot.
Thanks again. See you next week!