Hi everyone! Here is a handy tool–when looking for or ordering sheet music. I think that this will cut out the headache of having to drive to the music store. Search for any composition and you should be able to order right away. I also created a new page on the website specifically for Sheet Music Searches and Ordering. Have Fun!
I found free Music Theory classes….online:) I know. Exciting. Tres Superb. And, there are different levels of classes. So, here is the link and I want you to go through…..(dark, evil voice) all of them.
Je ne pense pas, Tim. See, living in Belgium wasn’t a complete waste of time—I can say, “I don’t think so, Tim” in French. Anyhow, per your request, I watched America’s Got Talent last night for the first time—and didn’t walk away with great feelings—just my opinion. If you and I were playing a round of Pictionary, I was the “drawer” and I needed you to say the title of the show is, “America’s Got Talent”–this is what I would draw for you:
(Funny afterthought–three drawings representing three judges?) I had to add the moose….it represents Mrs. Amy saying-”Give PBS a try instead. PBS can be pretty cool sometimes!”
When you’re a musician, you have to be paired with the right pet. I do believe that I have the ultimate dog, at least for me. When I play the piano, she blocks my foot from the peddle to stop me from acquiring tendonitis of the ankle. When I play the violin, she growls at me every 15 minutes to make sure that I take a break from practice. When I sing, she stares me down with a “Sad Panda” stare–who would ever need Simon Cowell when you have a Piper.
Growing up as a military kid meant one thing–moving. I don’t know exactly why it worked this way, but my Dad’s moving orders were always scheduled for July. So every other July (more or less), we packed up the mini-van and went on that three week vacation before landing in our new state. Our vacations were awesome–awesomely predictable. My dad had the Holiday Inn Hotel directory, and we managed to stay in a Holiday Inn every 200 miles en route. So, I think I can proudly say that I have personally stayed at every Holiday Inn in the Mid-west ( I know, cheesy, somebody please pull me off the stage.)
Every road trip, we would make our way to Michigan–and there, I would find my personal paradise –my cousin’s music collection. My cousins were always extremely generous and I would get to walk away with all the popular music of the day. You see, most of the time I was sooo serious about my music education–I would generally only listen to classical music, thinking that if I surrounded myself with classical music all the time–I would get ahead. But when we were on road trips, I was on vacation from my violin education and would explore the music I felt like “normal” people got to listen to–I felt like I was really living.
Now that several years have passed, I look back and think, I put too much pressure on myself as a kid. Too much pressure to be the greatest student, greatest performer–the wonder of wonders. There is something to be said about being diligent and disciplined–but there is also something to be said for living a balanced life.
Well, it’s July. I don’t move from state to state anymore, but now I make it a point to live with more balance in my life–all of the time–well, most of the time—ok, some of the time. But for you my students and blogger friends–study hard but give yourself a gift– live a balanced life all of the time—then, you’ll be really living.
I am horribly burdened with Tendinitis and Carpal Tunnel. I think it’s a musicians curse. At one point, my hands were swelling so much they were inching into a larger dress size –and were loosing blood circulation. I have had my share of physical therapy, medication and medical exams, but they all come to the same conclusion. “Oh boy, you have a problem.” Through my doctors, I have learned to take some steps to help alleviate some pain. (Students, take me seriously on this, because I first started having problems at the age of 15 and it only got worse from there.)
1. Never practice for more than 15 minutes at a time without taking a break. (Which I know this isn’t always easy–just do your best.)
2. Stretch before you practice. http://musiced.about.com/od/beginnersguide/a/exercises.htm
3. If you start to feel much pain after a practice, go to a doctor!
4. If (or should I say when) you are diagnosed—do some studying up—learn how to deal with what you’ve got!
In general, if you regularly find yourself dealing with pain—please, please go to the doctor. They will be able to help you so much more than me giving you a little advice! And last but not least, never ignore the inevitable—because problems never walk themselves to the door. Happy weekend!
Remember the show, “Green Acres?” The premise of the show was–finding humor in people and the situations they create when they try to function out of their element. Guess where I am going with this?
As we approach the weekend, I want you to think about how you could expand your mind through new life experiences. I already know that some of you, “hate” fine arts events. “You have to dress up and stuff.” You feel weird because you don’t feel like you don’t know how to act or how to dress. Take the pressure off–yes dress up a little–but be you, go as you are. And if you make a blunder–mentally playback the “Green Acres” theme song after the blunder and it will cheer you up.
On the other hand, if you are already used to the “Fine Arts” events–you do something different as well. Go to a country fair and listen to some rustic, country fiddlers. Soak up something different for once—and if you make a blunder because you don’t know what “Chitlins” are. Then, mentally sing the “Green Acres” theme song for your comfort—but instead take the Zsa Zsa Gabor part.
So, go out, expand your mind, and if you still hate your adventure, let me give you some words from my favorite character, Uncle Buck—the ultimate fish out of water (who rolled with it anyway).
Miles: Where do you live?
Buck: In the city.
Miles: You have a house?
Buck: Apartment.
Miles: Own or rent?
Buck: Rent.
Miles: What do you do for a living?
Buck: Lots of things.
Miles: Where’s your office?
Buck: I don’t have one.
Miles: How come?
Buck: I don’t need one.
Miles: Where’s your wife?
Buck: Don’t have one.
Miles: How come?
Buck: It’s a long story.
Miles: You have kids?
Buck: No I don’t.
Miles: How come?
Buck: It’s an even longer story.
Miles: Are you my Dad’s brother?
Buck: What’s your record for consecutive questions asked?
Miles: 38.
Buck: I’m your Dad’s brother alright.
Miles: You have much more hair in your nose than my Dad.
Buck: How nice of you to notice.
Miles: I’m a kid – that’s my job.
Happy Friday, class! Today, we are going on a virtual field trip to Abbey Road Studios in London. This studio is one of most famous recording studios in the world. Maybe one day you’ll be recording there:)
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