London 2

Today was more sewing and finishing off some of the table runners that I wanted to make.  Looking ok and a worthwhile project and thankfully sewing machine now behaving.

I tidied up around lunchtime and showered and changed ready for trip to London again.  No.2 had bought tickets at the Festival Hall for my Christmas present.  We had early dinner first although I wasn't particularly hungry managed a prawn cocktail and a few of No.2's chips!  

I did not know the music being performed but it was sublime and watching the orchestra showing such passion for their craft was wonderful.  We wondered why the chap playing the kettle drums appeared to be 'kissing' the top of the drum and fiddled constantly with the 'taps'.  Guess what I googled?

A timpani player might put their face (specifically, their nose) near the drumhead for a few reasons, primarily related to listening and tuning the instrument. This can include "kiss-tuning" the drum, where the player loosens the membrane slightly by gently pressing their nose against it, and singing into the drum to hear sympathetic vibrations. Additionally, some players may put their ear close to the drum to listen for subtle changes in pitch or to assess the overall sound.