Well sombody's got to be second!

OK. I'll go second. Ernie O'Byrne was born in Greeley, Colorado in 1947 and
moved to Palo Alto, CA when he was 5 and to San Diego a couple of years
later. Just about that time they sent around a list in school of instruments
and I picked trombone, but my arm wasn't long enough. My second choice was
English Horn, thinking that it was actually a horn, but there were none for
rent and they were $500 to buy (like $5000 now) so that was out. Third
choice--flute--and am I glad. I had great teachers and a very wise mother
who knew how to keep me playing without pressure.

I went over to the dark side about 10 years ago and have never looked back.
I currently live in Eugene, OR and run a specialty nursery with my wife
(www.nwgnursery.com) growing hellebores. We have large gardens, both veggie
and ornamental, 2 greyhounds, 2 cats, 2 peacocks and a flock of chickens. We
love hiking and traveling.

I play with a small ensemble of alto recorder, cello, and harpsichord. We
play for Eugene Symphony fundraisers and at a local venue across from the
library about 6 or 8 times a year. What has been very good for me about that
experience is that it has forced me to play in flat key signatures because
of the recorder.

At the risk of being accused of being teacher's pet, I will out myself and
identify myself as Student Alpha in the 5/17 blog. What is true is that I do
practice a fair amount, i.e. try to put in some playing time every day and
try to examine body mechanics while doing so. I don't do as many long tones
and scales as I should, but the slow practice on difficult passages has been
an invaluable suggestion and it really works. Also, with the benefit of
private lessons since Kim is in Eugene, we have figured out that I am
"mashing" the flute onto my face, which is affecting the tone, needless to
say. Quite a difference when I don't do that!

Well, this is long-winded enough. NEXT!

Ernie O'Byrne
Northwest Garden Nursery
86813 Central Road
Eugene, ORegon 97402
USA
USDA Z. 8
Phone: 541 935-3915
FAX: 541 935-0863