It's the last week of our regular school year piano lessons. For something a little fun, I brought out my new toy - er, teaching tool. A giant floor piano.
My students and I are not quite as adept as these players, but we're having fun.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Bob Dylan turns 70
Happy birthday, Bob Dylan!
Because I'm sure you're reading this.
***
I discovered Bob Dylan when I was twelve, after watching Martin Scorsese's documentary, No Direction Home. My mind was kind of blown.
I started to sing and play his songs, and I memorized 17 out of 20 verses of his "It's Alright, Ma, I'm Only Bleedin'" before I thought "When am I ever going to perform this?" and quit. Now I regret it just a bit. I remember on a road trip to Upper Michigan, we picked up on a radio station from an American Indian reservation, and it was playing "Desolation Row."
After about two verses Dad--who dislikes Bob Dylan's music--gave a groan and said, "Is it done yet?"
"There's about 10 more minutes left, Dad."
Then he rolled his eyes and groaned again.
So, whether you love him or hate him, there's no denying the impact he had on music and a whole generation. I don't want to get too maudlin, but I think I would be a very different musician had it not been for the work of Bob Dylan.
If you've got an hour, listen to MPR's documentary on his early days in Minnesota, from Hibbing to the Twin Cities.
Because I'm sure you're reading this.
***
I discovered Bob Dylan when I was twelve, after watching Martin Scorsese's documentary, No Direction Home. My mind was kind of blown.
I started to sing and play his songs, and I memorized 17 out of 20 verses of his "It's Alright, Ma, I'm Only Bleedin'" before I thought "When am I ever going to perform this?" and quit. Now I regret it just a bit. I remember on a road trip to Upper Michigan, we picked up on a radio station from an American Indian reservation, and it was playing "Desolation Row."
After about two verses Dad--who dislikes Bob Dylan's music--gave a groan and said, "Is it done yet?"
"There's about 10 more minutes left, Dad."
Then he rolled his eyes and groaned again.
So, whether you love him or hate him, there's no denying the impact he had on music and a whole generation. I don't want to get too maudlin, but I think I would be a very different musician had it not been for the work of Bob Dylan.
If you've got an hour, listen to MPR's documentary on his early days in Minnesota, from Hibbing to the Twin Cities.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Quality and Quantity
Most of the time I feel like I appreciate quality over quantity. Despite this, my brain likes to combine two or more awesome things to see if they can become even more awesome, most of the time in a blinding flurry of excitement. These things include:
Jimi Hendrix on the accordion
M&Ms and pizza
Muppet's version of "Monty Python and the Holy Grail"
My favorite computer games from my younger days, SimGolf and Yukon Trail, which is like Oregon Trail, but more snow and frostbite.
This is where the blinding flurry of excitement comes in, clouding the need for an actual objective. Complete 18 holes of golf without being bit by a rabid sled dog or contracting cholera? It forever stays in the planning stages.
Needless to say, none of these things worked out the way I'd hoped.
I have to keep reminding myself that one All-Powerful Marvel of Awesomeness can look good on paper, but not so much in reality.
So, I'll watch the first Pirates of the Caribbean and pretend the others don't exist. Maybe you'll hear Jimi Hendrix on the accordion again, but for sure I'll keep my M&Ms and pizza separate. Quality, not quantity.
Jimi Hendrix on the accordion
M&Ms and pizza
Muppet's version of "Monty Python and the Holy Grail"
My favorite computer games from my younger days, SimGolf and Yukon Trail, which is like Oregon Trail, but more snow and frostbite.
This is where the blinding flurry of excitement comes in, clouding the need for an actual objective. Complete 18 holes of golf without being bit by a rabid sled dog or contracting cholera? It forever stays in the planning stages.
Needless to say, none of these things worked out the way I'd hoped.
I have to keep reminding myself that one All-Powerful Marvel of Awesomeness can look good on paper, but not so much in reality.
So, I'll watch the first Pirates of the Caribbean and pretend the others don't exist. Maybe you'll hear Jimi Hendrix on the accordion again, but for sure I'll keep my M&Ms and pizza separate. Quality, not quantity.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
My Way vs. Bob Marley's Way
Things don't go my way sometimes.
Yesterday--a beautiful, warm day-- I went to a place and asked about a summer job, and they said, "We're hiring, but not for the summer." My confidence deflated a bit.
Then this morning I wake up, and am greeted by my brother with, "The dog threw up." Which translates as, "Clean it up." He quickly exits the scene to take the dog for a walk, so I do what I gotta do and find the carpet stain spray stuff in the red bottle.
But then--and I know how cliche this must sound--Three Little Birds came on the radio, and my attitude changed. Every little thing is going to be alright. Doesn't mean that it'll go my way, but that it will be alright.
Yesterday--a beautiful, warm day-- I went to a place and asked about a summer job, and they said, "We're hiring, but not for the summer." My confidence deflated a bit.
Then this morning I wake up, and am greeted by my brother with, "The dog threw up." Which translates as, "Clean it up." He quickly exits the scene to take the dog for a walk, so I do what I gotta do and find the carpet stain spray stuff in the red bottle.
But then--and I know how cliche this must sound--Three Little Birds came on the radio, and my attitude changed. Every little thing is going to be alright. Doesn't mean that it'll go my way, but that it will be alright.
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