<![CDATA[My Music and Musings - MUSINGS]]>Thu, 06 Apr 2023 18:49:01 -0400Weebly<![CDATA[REACHING FOR THE TOP.....OF MY CELLO MOUNTAIN..(Part 1)]]>Fri, 22 Jan 2016 20:39:50 GMThttps://www.mymusicandmusings.com/musings/reaching-for-the-topof-my-cello-mountainpart-1
I have had this musing on my mind for about five months when I decided to make some drastic changes in my music world... and....reach for the top of my cello mountain...

The beginning of a New Year is always energizing and exciting for me as I look ahead and plan what I want to accomplish in it...I know this year will be  a most challenging one in my cello journey :-)

I want to write about my journey  as it progresses, so , there will be sequels as milestones are reached...I have not yet figured out how to do that logistically,  but, I will:-)

My goal when I restarted playing the cello , many years ago,  was to be the very best cellist I could be....for me, that meant making smooth beautiful sounds and playing  music I loved....the good thing about a goal like that is...you never know when you have reached it...      ...who knows what could happen if I worked just a little harder...so, I keep working ...I realized several months ago, I needed to make changes if I was to make ongoing  progress and play the music I expected and wanted to play...

The first step I took was to take the summer off from lessons...I worked harder than ever on my own and while I was working I gave much thought about things like technique, sound, and the music I saw in my future if I was to continue as I was.....this time off, which allowed me total freedom with my cello efforts,  was the best thing I ever did  ....and I made some serious decisions during that time.....

In every musician's life who is learning to be better , there comes a time to move onto a different teacher...to gain different perspectives, techniques, and also, as in my case,  to play more advanced music....a difficult decision, for sure, after so many years,....but, it was one I knew had to be made...

I always had a piece of music in mind that I considered the top in cello difficulty...You don't hear many professionals playing it (publicly)  due to its challenges...a point my new teacher, Heidi, makes when I get a bit glum about my progress :-)..this piece of music is by Bach...from his Sixth Solo Cello Suite...Sarabande ...

Over the past few years, I have been collecting various editions of Sarabande 6...I have eleven of them :-)....In my initial emails with my new teacher.... Heidi....I gave her a lot of credit...she never batted an eye when I said I wanted to learn Sara 6...she said it would be a huge mountain to climb...it was way above my technical level....but, one that would be doable with very hard work and she would support me every step of the way....She suggested that Starker's edition is the one I should go with ...

My journey with Heidi and Sara 6 started the 2nd week in August and words can not express the excitement, the challenges, and the knowledge I have experienced since that first lesson....

Sarabande 6 consists of 32 excruciatingly difficult measures full of almost impossible chords...I felt from the first that it would take about a year and a half at best to be able to actually say I could play it...the process is very slow ..for several reasons...first the understanding of "how" to play each chord...then the work to accomplish this ...then tying all the measures and chords together to sound like music...it is a process of continual improvement and expanded understanding......

I feel privileged to be in a position to learn it and it is such a joy to accomplish these chords...fortunately, I have solid support with Heidi who knows what needs to be done...tells me...and all I have to do is..do the work....which is a pleasure...

So, after 5 months, where am I in this adventure?....as for the understanding part...I am 3/4 of the way thru...I am about to start working on the last 8  measures of the 32.....as for the playing part....it is an ongoing process of building on minute successes over time.....it has taken me the 5 months to be able to record the little preview I am giving here...it is a slow process of many hours every day...but, well worth it....the top of ANY mountain is :-)

At the top of my cello mountain, there is another piece of music sitting next to Sara 6....it is the most beautiful music I have ever heard a cello play....Haydn's Adagio from his first Violin Concerto... yes, violin....there is no edition to be had for cello....so, I am in the process of transcribing it for solo cello...I am not sure when I will finish and when we will be starting it....I like to stay focussed on one major project at a time....as a rule ...but,in one of these sequels, I will start talking about it, I am sure :-)

Thank you for stopping by and reading the first sequel of my journey to the top of my cello mountain:-)

This little preview is the first 4 measures of Sara 6's 32...or for non- musicians..the first phrase of the music story...
]]><![CDATA[MUSING ABOUT MUSIC.....     MINE...]]>Sat, 11 Apr 2015 17:52:22 GMThttps://www.mymusicandmusings.com/musings/musing-about-music-mine

Lately, I have been giving a lot of thought to music ...my music....both the composing and playing of it ...and....where  I'm  going with it all and how do I feel about it...

Recently, I was asked how I composed my cello songs..did I think about words in my mind...like lyrics?.....the question got me to thinking ...how do I compose these little songs?..they seem to just happen for me.....

When I composed Zadlo's Song...I was very clueless as it was my first...I wrote a little paragraph about Zadlo and then the notes and their time values came along....the very  knowledgable person who started me on this  composing path told me that if I ever got stuck ...I could use this writing words technique.....It worked wonderfully for Zadlo's Song but, I never needed it again.. as I never got stuck  again...but, I am prepared if I ever do :-)....

My compositions always start off with an intent....a thought....an idea....and usually feelings...an example would be my Opus song about my "adopted" penguin and his rescue and eventual release to his real world...it was like a movie with associated feelings playing in my mind....that is why I love to write a little story description about each piece ...as there are meanings at the base of each music piece I compose.....and that is exactly how I want it to be and would not do it any other way....

I explained , my newest composition,  Yearning... on its page and that was all about a feeling I had when I first heard some notes from my Tango....so,  that music  had no picture ...just a feeling  ...and I matched the music to that feeling...

I understand..but not too well...that much music is composed by math now..it is like a science..with very complex explanations that I do not understand , nor do I have any inclination to because it is  a very unromantic and unemotional way to make music....Recently, I saw  a Rachmaninoff quote that refers to this "analytical music"....it was beautiful and reassuring and I related to it.... no wonder his music is so beautiful...I have included it in the Quote section at the end...

I am planning my future works now....I have two in mind...one will be the visulatization technique and the  other will be based on a rhythm and some visual imagining, also...that one will be ... THE ELEPHANT SHUFFLE  ...and the one where I will have to do a lot of imagining will be...THE PLAYFUL ELEPHANT...then later in the year I am composing one piece with two tempos..a first, for me....a slower one and a fast one...I am excited about this  , so I will share a little about it....I am planning to adopt two penguin chicks this  year from SANCCOB when the orphans start in October or so..they will be named ANDANTE and ALLEGRO....it will be fun...and I love to support this very worthwhile organization...I will see a visual again for this one imagining penguin antics and attempt to match the music to them....in a few years, I hope there will be many released lovely penguins with musical names:-)..They may be released back in the wild but I will still  have them in their music :-)

I have always loved beautiful sounds....and that is not saying...that I love music...there is a difference to me...I have always played what I consider beautiful music with lovely sounds and flowing melodies.....I am fortunate that I have a teacher  that accepts this "quirk" ...she has always told me over our many years together that there is so much music in this world..there is no reason to play or learn something you don't like....

My goal and intent with my music compositions is to take beautiful sounds...notes...and connect them to  express emotions or create a musical story ...it is my fervent hope that my sounds always create beautiful musical thoughts and listening...:-)

QUOTES:

"The new kind of music seems to create not from the heart but from the head. Its composers think rather than feel. They have not the capacity to make their works exalt - they meditate, protest, analyze, reason, calculate and brood, but they do not exalt."- Rachmaninoff

"Inspiration is an awakening, a quickening of all man's faculties,and it is manifested in all high artistic achievements."-Puccini

"Works of art make rules;
Rules do not make works of art."-Claude Debussy

"Imagination creates reality."-Richard Wagner

Note:  I think this following Haydn quote fits me to a T :-)

"There was no one near to confuse me, so I was forced to become original"- Joesph Haydn

Note: This is one of my favorite quotes:

"There is only one happiness in life, that is the happiness of creating"-Frederick Delius

]]><![CDATA[MAKING CHANGES...MOVING FORWARD ...]]>Wed, 31 Dec 2014 15:31:36 GMThttps://www.mymusicandmusings.com/musings/making-changesmoving-forward
It's that time of year, for me, when I  think about where I am and where I want  to go...writing things down has always helped me clarify situations...so, I am.... musing about it:-)......perhaps, you, my reader, are also undergoing some change and can relate to my thoughts...

Over the  past several months,
 many things have been changing with  my music and the direction it  is going...although gradual, I clearly know that "things" have changed with both my composing and cello playing efforts...

It is so interesting, to me,  as I look back over the past year and see the results from  all the small little steps I took that  are creating change for my future music direction...

One of the major changes that I am making  is to concentrate  on my site as my main music and creative outlet venue...I have found from experience of the past few years in various  internet music and social  sites, that I want the audience that my site provides....my site gives me the feeling that  I am on a 24/7 worldwide gig :-)....regular people from all walks of life and cultures listening to my music and reading /listening to my musings..... I have always concentrated my efforts and energies  where I would get the desired result....no matter what I was doing....and for my music...this site is getting all my attention now...

Since composing and my cello playing efforts were increasing and demanding more and more of my day....I needed more available  time....so, I did an analysis of what I was doing that was taking my time and seeing if it was being used to get the result I wanted....I did this over a few months and found that I was doing time draining activities that were not doing me or my goals any good...

Since most of my music activities and communications are online....I took a close look at what I was doing and realized that changes needed to be made quickly to stop the time drain or I would not meet my goals with my cello and composing......

The first thing I did was change my Sound Cloud involvement....it was very time consuming ....this freed up much time ...I still, however,  spend some time maintaining my presence there , but, very little ...also, I was in a few  FB "groups"...they were music groups consisting of musicians but not directly related to my goals and definitely a time drain...I dropped out of them....and I have cut back considerably on my regular FB communications and plan to do a bit more ...

I am able to spend more time now on twitter which I use to promote and share my music and creative efforts that are on my site....this is really satisfying and rewarding to me as I have a wonderful audience and it is unlimited .... it inspires me to work hard to be my best....

There have been changes in my composing path also....it was subtle...but I have come to realize  I seem to write "unusual" music for a cello and it seems to be inspired many times by animals !...I know it is right for me to do this as it happens so easily and the ideas just come so clearly....although, not your "normal" classical/cello composer....I intend to allow myself all the room I need to compose what I want and about whatever subject inspires me....I am hoping to call attention to these animals for their good with my music....and some of this new found extra time will be spent doing this as much as I can....along with composing  more usual cello songs...

A change is happening with my cello efforts , also....a change was called for as I am now playing more complex and challenging music...I need more time alone to work ...and I have changed my lesson structure to get the best result from my efforts....this is most important to me....doing my best with the cello and playing the music I  love...this change has paid off big time and I have just finalized one of my dream pieces...I am almost to  the top of my cello mountain...a few more pieces ...a few more years to go...a large portion of the time that I have freed up is being used for more cello work so I meet these goals .

A lot of my previous musings are about success oriented techniques that I have learned and used thru the years ....this musing is about the result of using these techniques that we hear from people like my favorite fellow...Brian Tracy ....using  these techniques  like time management and planning have become second nature to me  after so many years...it is how I automatically think now....it is hard to accomplish goals we have set and I feel strongly that we need to take  control of the process to get the results we want..this is why I have come to make some of my recent changes....they were needed so I could continue moving in a forward direction towards my goals.....

I should mention ...it is also possible...and maybe even probable that making changes makes other people in our world uncomfortable and unhappy with us.....this has never stopped me from making changes necessary for getting the best result....we have to expect this and not  give in to status quo as it will negatively affect  our desired result...

I have a busy 2015 planned for myself with wonderful music projects in mind...they are both exciting and challenging to me...some of my recent changes will help me  make these ideas a reality....

I am wishing you, my  musing reader, a New Year full of potential and promise....and that you make out of it everything you  want....

QUOTES:
"If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have settle for the ordinary"-Brian Tracy

"If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten"-Brian Tracy

"We cannot become what we want by remaining what we are"-Max De Pree

"The bad news is time flies. The good news is you're the pilot"-Michael Altshuler

"There is only one real happiness in life and that is the happiness of creating"-Frederick Delius

"If you want something in your life you have never had...You will have to do something you've never done"- J.D. Houston
]]><![CDATA[A BEAUTIFUL OPUS.... BUT...NOT A MUSIC ONE....]]>Thu, 04 Dec 2014 14:48:43 GMThttps://www.mymusicandmusings.com/musings/a-beautiful-opus-butnot-a-music-one
This musing is about a South African Penguin chick named ....OPUS....

Several days ago, I saw a posting by SANCCOB..The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds ..an organization that rescues penguins and seabirds....they were asking for people to "foster" an orphaned penguin chick and they call it their Christmas Chick program...They put a photo of one of these chicks and the very sad story about them.....I  knew I had to do that....

It seems that, once a year,  around  October,  the adult penguins go into moult and they can not get food to feed any chicks that have not reached maturity by the time of this moult and are abandoned...these chicks eventually die from hunger or injuries from trying to get food from other adults.....SANCOBB comes and rounds up these chicks....takes them to a shelter location and attempts to save every one they can with medication, warmth, fish, and warm loving hands and hearts.....then, when the penguin chick is healthy and mature enough to make it on his own...he is released to make a natural life...the process can take from 6 weeks to 3 months depending on a number of factors ..the biggest being health....

When I applied for the fostering process , the very first thing I was asked to do was name him :-)...I researched penguin names and there it was....OPUS...opus is used in music titles as a way to categorize music but, OPUS is also a famous penguin in a cartoon I used to read.....Bloom County...There is a photo of this OPUS at the end of the musing....I KNEW with the music connection and the famous cartoon connection..OPUS would be his name :-)..

A few days after applying on their site,  I received a digital package of info about my OPUS....there was a letter which I am including,  the information part of , at the end of this musing , a certificate, a sticker photo of an adult penguin...and a photo of little OPUS....OPUS is A520 to the rescuers and his number is banded on his flipper....so this is really him..not a stand in...I really liked that they do that.....

This letter is so well written ..it is informative and emotional at the same time...Opus was not injured , but, in a weakened condition when they found him on October 10,.....I am glad as the picture in my mind is good one  since there will be no further info forthcoming about OPUS..in thinking about the time frames...in a few weeks or so, Opus will be released to go forth and live his life in his natural world....

When I read the part of them being huddled on the beach ,scared and hungry and then the warm loving hands and fish smoothies....I heard music in my head and I had to write it down....I wrote a little cello song about OPUS  called....OPUS.....NUMBER ONE...it is done but I just finished it last nite (12/1) and have to record it on my cello...so a week or less and I will post it on my site and  update this musing:-)

The evironmental issues are not good as you can see from the letter.....although, not mentioned , this organization deals with oil spill birds of all kinds...this is another future threat to Opus...the letter lists the things we can do...we really need to support the environmentalists who are working on their behalf by donating ..if we can ..and following the other suggestions they give..also, by being politically aware of the laws affecting the environment and wildlife that are being changed or need to be changed in our respective countries....

I plan on continuing my involvement with SANCCOB with support thruout the year and next November there will be another "Christmas" chick to capture my heart:-)...I couldn't give myself a better Christmas present :-)

UPDATE :  The music I composed for Opus is published ...click
HERE.. and another window will open to it :-)
 
Please refer to text musing for the photos and the site address of SANCCOB..

This is SANCCOB's site address should you wish to know more about them ....click and another window will open with their site..

http://www.sanccob.co.za/


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This is the major portion of the letter that was digitally sent....it was beautifully written....
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This is the OPUS in the Bloom County cartoon that I referenced :-) note the dandelions...he used to like to sit in a field of dandelions....well, who wouldn't :-)
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]]><![CDATA[READING MY WAY TO SUCCESS....]]>Fri, 12 Sep 2014 11:58:58 GMThttps://www.mymusicandmusings.com/musings/reading-my-way-to-success
It seems I start out more than a few of these musings by saying I was inspired by a post from a FB friend :-)....this one is no exception....this post requested that we list the top 10 books that had impact on our lives and then this poster listed his 10....wow, I thought...I only read  one  of them...and that would be on my list also... if I had a list....but, I didn't think I had one....so , I moved on with my day and as I worked I thought about that post....I have always read a lot since a child...I must have a list of books....but, certainly not like the lists I saw in response to this post...

It became clear to me as I was thinking that  there certainly were books that had a major impact on my life and  while they did not have that high intellectual sound to them...they became a part of me and changed and helped me  in all that I undertook and ....all that I am currently undertaking...

The first such book was by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle....Sherlock Holmes....I was in the fifth grade...I don't know how I found out about Sherlock Holmes but I   talked to the librarian and gained permission to take out an adult section book....I do not recall the first Holmes that I read....but by the sixth grade...I read all of them....I took them to heart and started to practice the qualities he wrote about..it was fun as I played Sherlock with the people around me ...and I feel to this day these books drove home the point of paying attention to details and helped make me the detail oriented person than I am....I have a quote on one of these musing by Doyle on just that issue....I revisited these Holmes books thru out High School...I never tired of them...so , I would put Sir Arthur and all his books on this list for sure.......

The book that I read and that was on my FB friend's list was Jonathon Livingston Seagull...I was young when I read it  and reread it several times....it was reassuring to me as I personally  related to Jonathon ..I would  put this book on my list also.....

When I started the career push and needed  new skills...the first place I went was to books....Napoleon  Hill, John Maxwell and Zig Ziglar  taught me how to sell....and that started my career ....I sold stuff outside my day job company....I was selling real estate on the side and I sold more houses working week ends than the owner of the business did ...I did everything these guys said and read everything they wrote....these 3 authors and their books would certainly be on my list...

Then there are the  motivational authors, Wayne Dyer, Jim Rohn, and my favorite fellow, Brian Tracy..... these guys kept my thinking straight thru the years and even today as I pursue my dream , I always need vitamins for my mind....I have  a section on this site called that and I feel it is critical to personal success that I supplement my thinking with the right kind of  messages ...These authors and their many books would also be on my list ......

As I am currently pursuing my cello and music dream, there are a few books I could not be without....Maurice Eisenberg's Cello Playing of  Today....Eisenberg was Casals student and when I read his words I feel Casals is teaching me ....another valuable book  that I use for a cello technique resource is Complete Cello Technique by Diran Alexanian....Casals did the Preface to this book and said...that all cellists should consider these words to be his....that is  a strong statement coming from him...and I certainly do....There are  three books  for my composing efforts that I rely on and have from the start....the most valuable as it was found for me on ebay...a most lucky find...is Chord Construction and Analysis by Ray Cassanno who makes chord study so very clear and is a wonderful reference now...and  Michael Miller's two books...one on Composition and one on Theory...this man makes the most complex issue that I could not understand from other books  so clear and simple to implement...he is noted for this  special gift as mentioned by one of his peers in the preface....his books are very useful and helpful to me..and his philosophy of composing is one I agree with , ..he is not rigid and always says...trust your ears not the rules...I am paraphrasing ....I believe that totally...but, the rules usually(but not always) match my ears  and that is a good thing too :-)

As I read over what I have written , I can see why I could not put all this in a simple list...books have been an integral  part of my life and activities from the time I was a very young child getting books for Christmas...I remember two of my favorites....The Shaggy Baggy Elephant and  The Pokey Little Puppy.....to now . as I pursue my music dreams.... and all the countless books of unremembered fiction that entertained me better than a movie...no....a list just wouldn't do for something so important...that is why I wrote... this musing....


QUOTES:

“Those who will not read are no better off than those who cannot read.” -- Jim Rohn

"It has long been an axiom of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important."
Arthur Conan Doyle

"Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body."
Joseph Addison

Note:  This is my personal favorite ...

"He that loves reading has everything within his reach."
William Godwin


"There are worse crimes than burning books. One of them is not reading them."
Ray Bradbury


Note:  a bit of humor for a smile:-)

"I was reading a book... 'the history of glue' - I couldn't put it down."
Tim Vine
]]><![CDATA[ALL FOR THE LOVE OF A....... WOMBAT.....]]>Sun, 13 Jul 2014 11:30:17 GMThttps://www.mymusicandmusings.com/musings/all-for-the-love-of-a-wombat
Please Note:....all titles can be clicked..they are links...also, in the audio...links are not read..so, please refer to the text for them .....
A few months ago...a simple photo posted on someone else's timeline by a mutual FB friend changed my life for the foreseeable future...it has brought fun, joy, purpose, accomplishment and, certainly, satisfaction.

Picture
This is the memorable photo :-)
I fell instantly in love with him...well, who wouldn't? :-)

I did not know what this adorable creature was...I thought it was a beaver!!...but, I was told it was a wombat !!  That started it all for me...the next day I posted that I would write a little blues tune in honor of this creature and a few hours later...I just don't know when to quit it seems, ...  I posted that I would write a whole Cello Suite ....I was in love for sure :-)...and it continued thru the weeks to a page on my site...The Wombat Tribute Page....the page expanded continually with music, photos, and little stories...while I was composing and playing The Wandering Wombat Solo Cello Suite...I was living and breathing wombats in my mind and that is where Wally came from....a story developed in my mind as I composed ...and Wally had a friend...Winston...
So, as I composed the imagined emotions of sadness and happy...Wally and Winston became, and are, real to me...Thus, the story....WALLY, THE WANDERING WOMBAT

I was learning about the perils of the wombat and about the wonderful people committed and working hard to help them...My FB newsline is flooded with  photos and pleas for help and heart touching stories...the likes of which I have never heard before...I knew I, also, wanted to do all I could to help them...

WALLY THE WANDERING WOMBAT  read to my Wandering Wombat Cello Suite was made into a MP3 published on 6/13/14 and is  available digitally thru -out the world....Now , the work  really begins.  Wally has to be marketed  so there are proceeds produced to be given to the wombat efforts by way of Foundations and Sanctuaries in Australia. It is close to impossible for an unknown person, like myself,  to make something happen...this does not mean I am not going to try....

The first thing I did was give the little audio story its own page and explain  it  and what the intent of  it is...and then, I made it easy for people to buy it from various online places..itunes, Amazon, and several others. I then proceeded to do Twitter marketing which I still do everyday....since, I use a lot of photos to gain attention I can not use one of the auto twitters so it is manual thru-out the day and evening....

Last week an Aussie FB friend posted an Aussie radio station song request form..and I sent it in requesting the Wally story....I got to thinking....my request would certainly be deleted by the Programming Manager...but, if many many request forms were sent requesting the Wally story..perhaps they would talk about it and at the very least, play it...create some interest for it...but, it would take a lot of people...where do I find them?...then a light bulb moment...I thought of  you and all the other loyal musing readers...so,....I am asking you from my heart to please take 3 min. and submit this form....they ask only for a Name and email and the song....WALLY,THE WANDERING WOMBAT..you need fill nothing else out...they will send you a thank you email and that is it....that is what happened when I did it....this will cost you nothing but 3 min and could make a major positive impact for these creatures so,I am hoping you will respond positively to my request....I believe if enough people send this ...it will cause some action....here is the link for the form:
http://www.mix1011.com.au/music/requestsong/

Also, here is the link to the Wally story page for your review and consideration:

http://www.mymusicandmusings.com/wally-the-wandering-wombat.html

Today, 7/8/14...from a posting  I did in a comment section of the Australian Geographic last evening.....I made contact with  a wombat sanctuary/hospital via FB and they pledged support in their newsletters and FB page ....she also left a wonderful comment on my Aussie Geographic  posting... which may encourage others to support this effort....should you be interested in viewing that posting and the Australian Geographic.....this is the link:

http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/society/fundraising/2014/07/working-on-the-wombat#comment-1473624008

Please note:  The sanctuaries email address has a typo...this is what caused me to find her on FB...this is their correct site address:  

http://www.cedarcreekwombatrescue.com/

When I told her of the typo...she said, "so sorry, I was feeding a wombat and typing"...( I wished I was feeding that wombat:-) )...

I have many wonderful Twitter followers and if you are one of them, and see one of  my tweets about the Wally story....it would have a positive impact, I think, if you could find in your heart to retweet it.. 

This is my Wally story up to date  and why I have gone wombatty :-) . I know it seems that what I have talked about are small things needed to help....things that take little time and little or no money...it is seldom that by doing a small thing, we can make a big difference in someone's life...I fervently believe, .....this...is one of those times....

I always appreciate everyone who reads my musings....this time, I want to thank you , in advance, for any positive action you take to help these creatures...

QUOTES:
"It's the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen."
John Wooden 

"It has long been an axiom of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important"
Arthur Conan Doyle
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]]><![CDATA[A GENTLER TIME ?....THIS IS NOT IT....]]>Mon, 30 Jun 2014 11:48:55 GMThttps://www.mymusicandmusings.com/musings/a-gentler-time-this-is-not-it
My people experiences lately just causes me to SMH...one of my usual things I say..".this is a tough world"...is proving to be too true....In a gentler time one could rely on a friend or acquaintance  to be sensitive to their feelings and at the very least not  blatantly make fun of them, be mean to them, ridicule them, and just generally show disregard for who they are and what they do....I have seen this happen  with 2 different people this week and meanness over a period of time from another.....

It seems  to me that, overall , sensitivity and kindness generally have been on a decline....I have also seen and experienced a lot of  the opposite , of course...but overall,... kindness and graciousness is on the decline and self -absorption , meanness, and insensitivity is on the increase.

I see and experience those two values   in the media and social media sites I participate in ....since being a musician is a rather new thing for me and really so is FB and certainly Twitter, I thought it was the entertainment industry that encourages  self absorption and insensitivity  but, no....it is  outside the internet world also, although, as I think....certainly not as much. 

Maybe, people on the internet don't see the people they communicate with as "real"..with feelings  and thoughts....that's an interesting  concept that is just too awful to consider.....that would mean there is no trust...no loyalty...and most certainly no friendship and caring ....just people meeting their needs whatever they are and saying and doing anything towards that end......Unfortunately, I have seen this happen too much to people....all of which, has inspired me to write this musing....

At first, I thought it was me...but, then, an author FB friend posted about this issue from her experience...helping people...responding to their questions..with no feed back and no thanks...as I was reading the post  I was appalled but not surprised at the ungratefulness and insensitivity shown her....then, other people started posting their experiences..each one telling me that I am not alone with this thinking...

It seems that shallowness, unkindness, insensitivity, meanness and self-absorption is alive and well....since not everyone is like this....thank goodness....it just seems that way....what to do is the question.....As usual,  I will only speak to what I do ...and those of you who are loyal musing
readers/listeners...know exactly  what I am going to say :-)..

After much thought about this issue, it is my feeling that all these negative issues have to do with an individual's core values....no one with  good character or values does any  of what I have been discussing except as an error of judgement... a mistake...and then handles it
accordingly..like a gracious and sensitive person..everyone makes mistakes..we are human...but, we have to rectify the situation or at least seriously attempt to....when this doesn't  happen, and even repeats..then, I know it is a character issue....and I act accordingly....

Well, I do not plan to change my behavior on how I treat people...as mentioned in another musing or two....people of low character can not make me treat people like they do....I will continue to go out on the limb and treat everyone 100% with kindness until they have shown me they do not deserve it....then, I do not and will not be put in the position of behaving poorly...ie:...being "mad"...angry....and rude....I don't do those things well at all....what I have done and will continue to do is ...distance myself and walk away...this way , minimal energy is expended and I have removed myself from a negative energy situation and most, important....negative people....

I want to talk about when we see someone we know treat someone else badly....I just saw this recently and was discussing this with a friend....I said ...as far as I was concerned what that person did to the other is as if they did it to me....and  I would not give that person any  regard....this is my own personal value system and I know it is tough..but, when  I see someone treat someone they know in a negative manner...I assume , sometime, that could happen to me....an easy example would be...if I know someone is talking bad about a friend of theirs or making fun of them behind their back...I assume if that person was my friend...they would do it to me...I would not hold them in high regard and be around them...

Well, dear musing reader, I hope you have not had these experiences but, based on what I hear from my FB friends and others, you probably have...I am not concerned that you are one of these people because you wouldn't be reading or listening to my musings :-)..

There really isn't a way to stop these things from happening....it's human nature and we meet a lot of people ...so it is bound to happen again...we just have to deal with it the best we can on a case by case basis...and be VERY glad we are not like those people...there is no happiness , joy, or good feelings  inside for them...

QUOTES:

"In  life's journey, you will meet all sorts of characters.  Always remember, never shed a tear for the heartless, corrupt or insensitive." - Krystal Volney

"Don't mistake my kindness for weakness.  I am kind to everyone, but when someone is unkind to me, weak is not what you are going to remember about me." - Al Capone

"Don't ever mistake my silence for  ignorance,  my calmness for acceptance, or my kindness for weakness." - Anonymous 

"Should you find yourself the victim of other peoples bitterness, ignorance, smallness, or insecurities, ..Remember this, things could be much worse, You could be one of them" - Anonymous 

"Meanness demeans the demeaner far more than the demeaned."- Malcolm Forbes

Personal note:  I have never used scripture in my quote section before...but, I asked a dear friend who studies scripture..."what has God got to say about this?"...she said...google it:-)..and I did...and found this ....

"As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him."-Titus 3:10 

"A mean person gets paid back in meanness, a gracious person in grace."-proverbs 14:14
  
]]><![CDATA[DON'T RAIN ON MY PARADE.....]]>Sun, 01 Jun 2014 14:39:13 GMThttps://www.mymusicandmusings.com/musings/dont-rain-on-my-parade
A few weeks ago , I received a saying  on FB that brought  this topic to mind...then , a few days ago, one of my FB friends who is a composer wrote a post saying "someone" had said a few things and that brought a cloud over what he was doing...which was wonderful and unique work.....when I read that post, I knew it was time to write about this topic....people who subtly and not so subtly rain on other people's parade...their successes and joys.....

I have experienced this a lot, during my life, because I am always doing something ... and happy and enthusiastic about it all ....also, usually having a little success with whatever it is.........this always made me a prime target for those parade rainer's comments.   I  just know you, my musing reader, have experienced this yourself...I see it happening to people a lot...like my composer friend...it must be human nature to want to pull someone down  or to put a cloud over something  that someone is doing....I do not know the "why" as I am not qualified to analyze that issue.......but, I am qualified , from vast  personal experience with these types of people, to discuss how to spot what is happening so that no "damage" is done.  By damage ,  I mean a doubting of self  or a negative feeling that could  affect the outcome of a person's goals or dreams...I, personally feel, these people are insidiously dangerous......It's as if you are happily marching along in a parade and a sudden cloudburst opens up over you.....

Anyone can be a "parade rainer"....friends, acquaintances, spouses, SO's, colleagues(especially), and family members...I came from a family of parade rainers  and surviving them gave me a built in umbrella so no one has ever been able to  stop me or slow me down with their rain....but, I have seen others start doubting their dreams and efforts and what was a happy pursuit became a little less happy and  a bit unsure and doubtful....so, it is important that a person recognize these types of people so that their inner umbrella goes up and the comments and sometimes even behaviors bounce off like rain.....

There are no hard and fast guidlines on spotting these parade rainers because usually they do not  "appear" negative....they appear interested in what you are doing or your results....and ask questions  that can start doubtful thinking...especially if it is someone who you respect and/or care about....It is usually a questioning of what you are doing , how you are doing it or the why you are doing it.....followed by either a doubtful look or words..ie...uh hah...oh....or..I see....and they get a thoughtful look...I am sure you can think of many different questions that you have received from these types of people...a  few that stick in my mind are..... huh!..that seems like a lot of work...are you having fun ?...or...why are  you doing that?...I wouldn't do it because...and they go on...or the people who feel a need to tell you a story about someone who failed at what you are trying to do...or...they infer that what you are doing is the strangest thing in the world and ....no one....they   knew would ever do that... or so and so did it a totally different way ....as I am writing , one thing is leading to another but, you get the idea....

I know  you  have met these types of people......even if all you really like to do is take care of your lawn perfectly....I used to do that and people used to love to tell me ...actually infer..they thought I was crazy to care about doing that....well, I was happy and  I have a lovely lawn but, they did not and that was the problem....which leads to me the next issue with parade rainers.....

Sometimes, it is in their best interests for you to stop what you are doing or to not be successful at it....so I usually think about people's motives when they say something negative or positive...yes,  positive words  can be a negative if the intent is a negative one...ie....you have lost weight and are trying so hard and doing so well....your friend says...".you are really doing so well, let's go get ice cream...you deserve it....and you lost so much weight ...I'm sure its ok".....and if you resist, more subtle pressure is applied.....they are complimenting you and telling you  to reward yourself...but, the intent is not positive in 
the least....

I had an issue years ago when I got my first major promotion....I was on the road all day making customer visits....I was enthused as it was an important job to me and it is my nature to work to my full capacity...evidently, the number of my daily customer visits was higher than upper management was used to....I was unaware of all this as I was happily calling on customers and working hard.....2 of my colleagues took me to lunch to explain that we needed to work together  ...they had a good thing going with 2 or 3 customer visits a day...I was doing 6 or 7 every day...this was making them look bad and ruin their good thing ...so they  wanted to jeopardize my new position to play their game and loaf half the day like they did.....I was stunned....at first I didn't know what to say...they applied further pressure..I will not use their words , but, I clearly remember them......I just simply told them, finally, that if they thought 6-7 was a lot....watch the next report that comes out.....this is an example of behavior type parade rainers.....

I do not want to imply that every time someone says something critical, negative, doubting,  questions or disapproves of what you are doing  that they are a parade rainer.  Not in the least.....we just have to be discerning  as to the motive by being aware.

A few weeks ago , I mentioned to a composer friend of mine , in email, that I was working excitedly on a 12 measure Bb Major little cello song...just for fun....and I went on a bit as to why I was only doing 12 measures....
I receive an email back  with concern about how I was doing it....I don't want to get technical here but basically he thought , because it was short, I was going to make one long melody instead of following certain rules.....he sounded doubting and concerned as it was so short ..that it would be as hard as symphony and so on......that is a perfect set up to be a parade rainer....but, such was not the case....I knew what he was talking about and it was a valid concern...this person was watching my back and concerned I was wasting precious time and would be disappointed...he was concerned and helpful...not negative..I assured him , I was following the rules(and thanked him)....and ...sigh...he was correct...it was challenging, but I did it  and received his compliment for the final result...but, I won't be doing something that short again :-)

To summarize,  we need to be aware that some people, even those we respect and care about, could  have negative motives when we are achieving or happily pursuing something.....we must not allow their words or behaviors to cause us doubt, slow us down, or stop us in any way...

I am not going to address how to deal with the comments....it's an individual choice depending upon the person and the situation and it really doesn't much matter...it only matters that these comments or behaviors do not impact us and our efforts negatively..

QUOTES:
This is first one is my favorite quote on this subject:

"Don't let those who gave up on their dreams influence you to give up on yours." - Brian Tracy

"Watch out for the joy-stealers: gossip, criticism, complaining , faultfinding, and a negative judgmental attitude." - Joyce Meyer

"Remember:  People only rain on your parade because they are jealous of your sun and tired of their shade."- Anonymous 

"The thermometer of success is merely the jealousy of the  malcontents." - Salvador Dali

"One of the lessons that I grew up with was to always stay true to yourself and never let what somebody else says distract you from your goals.  And so when I hear about negative and false attacks, I really don't  invest any energy in them, because I know who I am, "- Michelle Obama

]]><![CDATA[FAILURE....A WONDERFUL THING......]]>Sun, 11 May 2014 13:32:21 GMThttps://www.mymusicandmusings.com/musings/failurea-wonderful-thing
I have been wanting to write this musing for a while now....and today I was inspired by  this very topic....failure.  I failed and kept failing all day on playing a little song I wrote....6 hrs worth of failing......but, I think the right things will happen tomorrow because I kept at it and with each bad recording I learned something new...something that had to be adjusted technique wise...timing wise  and so on..

I never really think about the word "fail" until I hear people saying why they didn't do something....they failed at whatever.....I have had friends that thought like that.....I always smile at that because I am constantly failing.....I am expert on  failing....I actually like to fail because then I know what I am doing is challenging  and when I do accomplish it .....it will come with a rewarding feeling.  I get bored quickly when there is no challenge...so the difficult or complex is very exciting to me and failure goes hand in hand with difficult and complex anything....

I have always thought that failing should be taught in schools...not success....people see success as not failing...but, the reality is that there is much failing before success is achieved....

As in anything, there is a right way to fail and a wrong way....the wrong way is to simply give up.....the right way is  to figure out why you failed.....and determine what other approaches can be taken...and that process keeps on until success is reached.....I do a lot of different activities and always have....something new or a new approach....with this  kind of mindset comes a lot of failing...I expect it...I always have found things to be difficult to achieve so I just  keep failing until I get it right....I just keep "bumbling" along as I like to say :-)

A side topic of failing is not wanting to be wrong... a lot of people  who are reticent are like that.... they don't want to say something as they might be told they are wrong by either someone who knows more...or who doesn't....sometimes people who are considered to be knowledgable  get to be like this....as if anyone is expected to know everything....this is another area that I excel in...being wrong...and I am happy to state what I think , in hopes that someone will set me straight if  what I think is not quite right or I have misunderstood something....I have found thruout my life that people who know things and are knowledgable love to tell people ....who are either wrong or clueless ...what they know.....It is a great way to learn or get ideas....and even have other options  to consider...I have no problem with being considered clueless or wrong....because , in my mind, it is tangible results that matter not an intangible feeling of "being right"...the more a person knows....the better chance of a successful result....so, if someone wants to inform me...I am happy to listen ....

There is one more area that is on my mind but is a little off topic...one thing always seems to lead to another...

Sometimes people feel they will be considered weak or dumb if they ask for help and don't seek the help they need with whatever.......I look at that another way... based on my  personal experience, I ask anyone I consider knowledgable for help and also I am asked a lot to help people in my  areas of limited expertise....I feel good when someone needs help and I can give it to  them and I don't really give a thought that they , who asked me, are lacking in any way.  For my part, I seek out the most knowledgable people I can find that will talk to me and I put myself in their hands and listen carefully.....

Every famous person has gone thru failure and hardships on their path to success.....Bill Gates' first business failed...when he and his partner tried to sell their product...it wouldn't work !!...Einstein didn't speak until he was 4 yrs old and his teachers weren't happy with him as he had his head "in the clouds".....Jim Carrey used to be homeless....Stephen King's first novel was rejected 30 times... I could go on and on as I researched this before I started the musing...all these stories inspired me....Even though these people failed, they are not failures and neither are we, when we fail on our path to success .....it is to be expected....

To summarize...based on my personal experience...I have found that it is not failing  or being considered wrong that limits a person's progress ...it is the FEAR of failing and the fear of being perceived as wrong or weak that limit's them.....

QUOTES:
This is my favorite one:

“Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.” - Winston Churchill


It's fine to celebrate success but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure.-
Bill Gates

I know this one to be true :

If you want to increase your success rate, double your failure rate.
Thomas J. Watson

Without failure there is no achievement.
John C. Maxwell

Success is not built on success. It's built on failure. It's built on frustration. Sometimes its built on catastrophe.
Sumner Redstone

The difference between average people and achieving people is their perception of and response to failure.
John C. Maxwell


Personal Note:...I loved writing this musing...I  was so happy and enthused as I wrote...I look forward to  my next failing...it will come soon, I am sure :-)

]]><![CDATA[HANDS....THAT CREATE MAGIC .......]]>Fri, 04 Apr 2014 18:01:03 GMThttps://www.mymusicandmusings.com/musings/handsthat-create-magic
We all know people,  that put everything they have into their craft or work.  They are not only competent in what they do but, they are focussed and intent on every detail....they could be a musician, carpenter, electrician, mail person , plumber or anyone who does something or makes something.

One such person recently put  magic in my music world .  I had been looking for a new cello bow for about 2 yrs....I do not even remember how many bows I tried....nothing sounded good on my Zadlo or felt good in my hand....then, Ken Altman, a Master bow maker in Oregon,  was recommended by  a professional cellist I knew ....I was so discouraged ...I was so lucky finding my current bow...it seems that a bow and its cello and the player have  a soul  mate thing going on....

After my first contact with Ken, I knew I was in the right hands...when he said he went thru my site (it's on my email) and read all the sayings and said he uses them also , to keep things "right" like I do....after much discussion of  what my perimeters were and what my objectives were , a cello bow  was on its way from Oregon...almost all the way across country....I was very excited and worried...how could his bows be any different from the many I tried?.....

I waited and watched for the Fedex  guy that day  and  was so  happy when it arrived.   

I knew from the first touch of the bow to my cello that.....Fedex delivered magic....it was amazing......

As Ken and I were wrapping up the business end to this magical transaction,  I asked him...how do you do it?....how did you create magic for my cello?....he sent me a full page of details that I read thoroughly and when I was done...I knew I had a bow that was  made with such positive energy and intent , along with craftsmanship....no wonder I felt and heard magic....his bow is so well designed  and different in  one special aspect that allows me  to play a few hours more a day....lessened the fatigue factor for me....when questioned , he said....he designs the bow for the player so that they have minimal discomfort ...no sharp edges that the thumb touches....unlike any I have ever used ...including my current (at the time)......and he mentions  that he "hand picks" the hairs for the bows when he does a rehair....to make sure he doesn't get kinks  or the like that affects sound negatively.....he mentioned that he makes his own tools....I have some photos at the end of this  musing....he mentioned he used a special new type of Sterling Silver to lessen tarnishing from the players hands....details, details ,....details. From his words,  I also felt the love of his craft as he makes each bow .

I reread this wonderful email several times again before beginning this musing and it just touches my heart as I know why my bow is magical.   As mentioned, there are photos and I have included Kens  website address if you should like to explore this further.

Although, this writing features Ken and his marvelous work .. I mentioned at the start of this musing....these  qualities are also prevalent  in many people doing all kinds of things.....you might be one of them...a person who cares about every single detail of what they do and always want to be their best at it....nothing less than that is acceptable to them..they basically care and strive for perfection whether they are a mail carrier, auto mechanic, electrician, musician , nurse, or????.........(you name it).

If you have these qualities and attitudes about something you do or make..then.....this musing could have been about you !!


QUOTES:


"Excellence is not a skill. It is an attitude." - Ralph Marston

Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives.
William A. Foster

Ken's site:   http://www.altmanbows.com/
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