http://arioso7.wordpress.com/2011/07/08/clementi-and-crickets-videos/

I thought my well of ideas for blogs had dried up until the crickets invaded my musical sanctuary at roughly 10 p.m., Thursday, July 7th jumping in as a full choir during the slow movement of Clementi Sonatina Op. 36 no. 3.

(Here's my first investigation of the noise which appeared to be coming from the patio area) Be prepared to hold your ears.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4wRWXYDJpA

After a few door slams, I resumed my videotaping:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZv6XlTPG0k
***

The last I recall, crickets had infiltrated the city of Coalinga, California in the early 80's and were found everywhere, in toasters, on skillets, underfoot, in bed clothes.

Now two decades+ later these "chirping" creatures had relocated  to my place in Fresno, competing for recording time.

To make matters worse, Aiden cat's snoring was of no help. He was in the choir though hiding out in an undisclosed area.

More often than not, he leaped onto the window sill knocking the wood blinds about, creating an undesirable percussive effect. Then he turned around and made a crash landing, sending a table full of nick knacks sputtering in all directions at the softest part of a musical phrase, or at the tail end of videotaping. I always threw up my hands in frustration. It was take after take burning up Hi 8 cassettes like there was no tomorrow.

Meanwhile, I'd thought Haddy Haddorff (My newly acquired console piano) was well insulated from noise since she was not placed near the windows or front door. That's why I chose her for the Clementi...

Now I'll have to reconsider my recording environment, and factor in when the crickets take an intermission. I'll start by doing a Google "Cricket" search. 

Here's what I found:

Crickets

"In many Asian countries crickets are considered good luck. In some European cultures it is a common practice to keep crickets as pets. Small cages are made just for crickets. The cricket isn’t looked on as fondly in America. Although they don’t pose any particular health risk to humans or our domesticated animals, they can chew on and severely damage crops, fabrics and many stored items. (I'll check of my fig tree, which is in full bloom)

"Crickets are sometimes confused with grasshoppers because their bodies have similar construction. Although crickets are distantly related to grasshoppers, they are much more closely related to katydids.<strong> Crickets are known for their nocturnal “chirping”. Only the male cricket makes this sound as he attempts to attract a mate by rubbing his wings together. The sound that the cricket makes is unique to that species and a well trained pair of ears can tell them apart.</strong>