Playing My "Biolin."

Bristol loves the violin. And lately whenever I play, she plays her own!

Too cute.

Grandpa is currently getting Bristol's violin fixed. It is a tiny tiny violin that belonged to my sister Hailey. We are so lucky to borrow it! Bristol is so excited! 

I've always believed in the statement that says,

"The richest child is poor without music."

Well, I like to say, "The richest child is poor without 'good' music."

Music is so important in all of our lives. I have been fortunate to be able to play musical instruments all of my life. And not only that, but to have been raised knowing the value of good music. I don't like music that is demeaning, or makes you feel angry or agitated. (And no, I don't just listen to classical ;)) Music has the power to do so many things. It enriches our lives. 

I used to practice my violin or the piano when the kids were napping. Not any more! They love to hear me play. They could be in a different part of the house playing with their favorite toy, but as soon as my bow hits the string, they come running/crawling in! 

On hard days when things just aren't going right, I put on Primary Children's songs. Bristol instantly starts dancing. It's amazing the good qualities that are taught in those songs. 

I hope that you are filling your kid's minds and ears with good music. And if they show an interest in playing an instrument, put 'em in lessons. It is well worth the money. Consider it an investment really! 

I could go on and on about this one...maybe later!

I found this a bit interesting. What I would have given to be on that subway. 

Perhaps he would get an amazingly huge turn out if he did a free concert

that was publicized first? 

WOW.

By Wedding Live Band- The Raw Note (Albums) 

"In Washington DC , at a Metro Station, on a cold January morning in 2007, a man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, approximately 2000 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

After about four minutes, a middle-aged man noticed that there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds, and then he hurried on to meet his schedule.

About four minutes later, the violinist received his first dollar. A woman threw money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.

At six minutes, a young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

At ten minutes, a three-year old boy stopped, but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head the whole time. This action was repeated by several other children, but every parent - without exception - forced their children to move on quickly.

At forty-five minutes: The musician played continuously. Only six people stopped and listened for a short while. About twenty gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.

After one hour:
He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed and no one applauded. There was no recognition at all.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, Joshua Bell sold-out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100 each to sit and listen to him play the same music.

This is a true story. Joshua Bell, playing incognito in the D.C. Metro Station, was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people’s priorities.

This experiment raised several questions:

In a common-place environment, at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty?

If so, do we stop to appreciate it?

Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this:
If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made…
How many other things are we missing as we rush through life?"

Video : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myq8upzJDJ
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Music Fixed, Almost

I play the violin, or the fiddle. 

Whichever I feel like calling it at the moment.

My violin in Carthage, Illinois. *

When I was a Sophomore in High School, I received the best Christmas present EVER.

My violin. It is beautiful. 

I was taking lessons at Hartz music shop in Meridian. 

I walked into the room, and my teacher wanted me to play a new violin they had in,

just for fun.

I fell absolutely in love with it, and fortunately Santa figured it out.

Well, years have passed and this poor fiddle has been through a battle.

It has lived in Utah, California, Canada, Illinois, and Idaho.

This may be cool if you are a person, but not a very fragile piece of wood.

I took her to the shop.

Sigh.

It is going to be a long haul. Some compare it to going in for major surgery.

A crack in the wood that was once sealed, is now completely laid open.

Yuh oh. Because it costs a pretty penny, it will have to stay open.

I'm sorry. But! It has new strings, new pegs, and a new bridge. 

That will do for now! Hopefully we can still make some great music together.

And spread the word. I am taking students!

Both classical and fiddle. 

So excited!

*Yes, you just might recognize that window.

The Right place, The Right Time

Don't you just love it when you feel like you are in the right place at the right time? And things just click into place? It's like a breath of fresh air.

Often during my day I feel like I'm running at 100 mph trying to get things done, and so is everyone around me. It's exhausting. I've been trying to slow down a little bit, and wouldn't ya know it. Some good things have happened!

A couple of days ago I ran an errand to buy a metronome. On my way out I hear behind me a car door shut. I usually don't look, but I did. And guess what? My high school orchestra teacher! Ha! Who would have thought!

Then today I gave a violin lesson. (Her first with me.) It went really well, a few things to work on, but it should be a great relationship. While "getting it out" on facebook my Elementary and Jr. High orchestra teacher commented on my wall. Even crazier! This turns into an e-mail, followed by exchanging numbers.

And why would I tell all of you this?

Sometimes we put the past behind us, but I like to cling onto the people and the feelings that I have/had for them. I think it's so great to rekindle relationships and pick up where you left off. (Especially now that I'm an adult) and not a pupil. This is so great!

We are all people with feelings, lives, hard times, and good times. We all have talents, and we all have a story to tell. Remember that when you are in contact with people throughout your day. I'm so excited to meet up with  "people from my past" and get to know them better.

It is so fun living where I grew up again and bumping into old acquaintances. Hopefully I will bump into you too!

Lessons

I have a new violin student.

She starts in 45 minutes.

I know, I shouldn't be on here.

But for some reason I have been really nervous about starting back up in the teaching world, and I just had to get it out to somebody.

Why?

Maybe it's because I have kids, maybe because it's been a year since I've had a student. 

I don't know. I'm just a bit nervous. 

Everything is ready to go...just missing a few books lost in the move.

I'll find them by next week hopefully.

OR

Maybe I'm nervous because I love playing the violin, and I just want my student(s) to also.

(Yes, I hope I get more students.)

So, wish me luck. I'll let ya know how it goes.

So "...rosin up your bow and play your fiddle hard..."