Monthly Archives: October 2013
“It Depends on How Much You Practice”
The first lesson was great – I met my teacher, and she is enthusiastic, professional, and supportive. She suggested an electronic tuner, a device that didn’t exist when I learned how to tune the violin the first time around. I’m currently using a sponge for a chin rest – I bought it at the violin […]
Ode to Joy
Beethoven’s 9th Symphony is my favorite. I’ve loved it since I was a child – pieces of the fourth movement were printed in our church hymnal under the title “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee.” I have loved it on telecasts for the Olympics over the years, where it now helps Visa pay the bills. I […]
Beginner’s Mind
Potential Teacher just confirmed our first lesson for Wednesday, and I’m just back from the violin shop, where I rented the instrument above. I hope it meets her standards. The family who recommended her to me told me that their first instrument had to go back after failing her tests. We’ll see – the shop […]
Beats and REM
My new phone has integrated Beats Audio. That’s the same Beats Audio that produces the headphones kids and whatever we’re calling hipsters these days wear on their ears – the bulky, often red but sometimes white, green, or orange headphones that cost more than I have ever imagined spending on headphones. Happily, on my new […]
If You Want Something Done Ask a Busy Person
It’s the middle of crunch time for me vocationally – our huge annual fundraiser for our kids is in full swing, I’m teaching an 11 hour program all weekend long, we’re doing organizational strategic planning, and last night was our quarterly board meeting. I also just got back from a whirlwind trip Monday, and we […]
A Nephew by Any Other Name
Earlier in the week I returned from a visit to meet the brand new nephew (my sister’s sixth child). With these last two, my sister and brother-in-law have taken to giving four names, and this new guy’s four are very well-thought-out. One is an early theologian, and one is the family name. But two of […]
It Didn’t Mention Music
“Papa” was what we called my maternal grandfather. Growing up and long before I knew the word, Papa was the first “audiophile” I knew – his huge 1970s component system and speakers were off-limits, but impressive in their presence. There was a custom shelving unit devoted to it, filled with records, then cassettes. By the […]
In Search of Memory
I remember having this toy guitar, but that’s about it. The photo reminded me of it – I’m sure my brain would not have been able to produce any memory of the thing at all without the photographic prompt. When relevant to Musical Me, memory and cognitive neuroscience will be a theme of this blog. […]
I’ve Waited this Long
I had a great trip back to Wichita to meet the new nephew, and we did undertake the task of finding that “boy with violin” pic. We were wholly unsuccessful. I did find three pics I’ll post soon, which at least prove a touch of proclivity toward the musical. As we hunted through Mom’s tightly […]
Did You Remember the Camera?
My family has always mutually supported all of our musical pursuits. Piano recitals, church soloes, boys’ choirs, school symphonies, all city choirs, variety shows, church choirs, musicals, youth symphonies, high school ensembles. I’m sure there are more I’m forgetting. Remembering correctly is part of what I’m up to with this blog. As I head home […]
Ryan Libel 