Finally!!!!!

No more rainy days!!!! Metaphorically, this means that I've now found inspiration for my thesis and I'm damn excited to spend the next year exhausting every aspect of the topic. The Irish Bouzouki!!!! Basically, its the bass version of a mandolin. The little time I have to play is mostly spent with the bouzouki, as I've fallen in love with its beautiful tone and feel. In Irish Trad, one can play chords to accompany, play melody, melodic harmony, or a combination of all three. It's super diverse and a ton of fun to play!!

In discussing other thesis options with my director today, he casually mentioned bouzouki as he knew I'd taken to playing it. He then brought up the fact that nobody - that he or another professor knew of - had ever done a full e

xamination of bouzouki in Irish Trad. (It's a relatively new instrument, but has been widely accepted into Irish music.) My ears perked up, and we spent the next 45 minutes talking about ideas for the papers I have due in a month, and how I can use them as a part of my thesis to come.

I'm so stoked I can barely contain myself!!! To this point school has been interesting, but not to the point that I'd like. Its been more stressful than anything. But, now that I have a vision, I'm fucking stoked!!!!! I've already got a list of names of bouzouki players in the area, as well instrument makers. I was already thinking about taking bouzouki lessons in the spring, this just seals that in stone!! I couldn't be more excited about this project!!!

I've got to consult the head of the MA Trad program and get her approval and thoughts, but I think I'll be good to go!!

This has already changed my outlook for the year. I'm so happy.

My mando, and the new addition...