With all the function, convenience, capacity and security being designed into flash drives of late, it's high time for some high style to enter the memory-stick market space. I'm not talking tacked-on sleekness but rather the real deal, the genuine, down-home article. Viewers of HGTV Black Friday night got a glimpse of exactly what I'm talking about on the 7 p.m. Eastern special, "15 Fresh Handmade Gift Ideas." If you missed it, not to worry. The same special is being replayed Friday, December 3rd, at 2 p.m. Eastern. If you did see it, you saw something special indeed, the soulful flash-memory device which is also a real musical instrument, the same one of choice of both cowboys and Blues Brothers.
That's right, it's also a harmonica, a harmonica that really plays and, thanks to its flash memory, stores a video harmonica lesson onboard called, "Five Basic Steps to Playing," taught by The Backyard Harmonica Teacher.
Finally, all the original benefits of the memory stick have been updated with something as old, authentic and soulful as the Oklahoma hills Woody Guthrie himself once roamed.
Think about it. Mass merchandise outlets, especially on Black Friday morning, are full of plain old, vacuous pen drives. What's needed is one that's got personality earned by walking the line and taking its time. One that's got soul and can even play the blues.
This brings an authentic identity to the flash memory utility. Authenticity is something that can't be substituted, especially not by a marketing agency's sort of "branding." To get musical about it, real authenticity is what it is because it's been tempered by time and use so that it has acquired that certain intangible patina called, "soul."
The harmonica has owned that kind of identity for more than 150 years. And it's more than a musical instrument with a past; it's a portable one that's played an important part in America's unique musical history.
The harmonica is a winner of an identity for flash memory not for what it possesses but for what it lacks:
It has no identity crisis.
For this reason, the harmonica USB's appearance on HGTV also signals the validity of that oft-unsung musical hero. The harmonica lesson that comes on it attempts to uphold that deep significance, as well.
HGTV should be applauded for recognizing that, though small in stature, the harmonica's soulfulness rings truest by virtue of being so well worn. Its migration story tells a lot about us as a people. We find the harmonica in our past, our present, and in our Horatio Alger outlook that size is not everything in the whole story of success.
The harmonica's past is documented today by its subtle presence in nearly half of the music we listen to today. And, like the flash drive, its convenience by virtue of its portability, goes without saying.
Jim McLean is the inventor of the world's first and only playable harmonica USB flash drive, the "FlashHarp" (Pat. No. D602,940 & D624,550). FlashHarp is a registered trademark of FlashHarp Music LLC. Also "The Backyard Harmonica Teacher," McLean instructs the video harmonica lesson that's available on the FlashHarp. See McLean demo the invention at http://www.harmonicausbdrive.com. A product of Backyard Brand™, FlashHarp is also available packaged together with a full-size, 10-hole companion harmonica. Backyard Brand products may be purchased at http://www.backyardbrand.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_McLean
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
Inspiring Music Appreciation in Young Children
I think (and write) about the harmonica A LOT but what I've been thinking about lately is broader: How important playing an instrument, any instrument, is to inspiring music appreciation in young children. Personally, I started to play harmonica when I was a kid. Further, my whole life has been a perpetual process of picking up and putting the thing down. Lo' these many years later, I now have my own children. Even more, they are both budding musicians--a fact I'm extremely grateful for. Call me immodest, but, I take a little bit of credit for inspiring their "playing." Here's why...
When my children were four or five, my harmonica life was in one of its "off" periods. That was understandable, I think, because we'd been busy raising twins (still are); and believe me, that can take up the better part of the day. Still, I very much knew I wanted them to play an instrument someday and that I wanted music to become an organic part of their lives. But how to lead them?
Eventually, I made a conscious decision that I now see was driven by a single desire: Whatever I did as a father, I did NOT want to preach, "practice, practice, practice" at them. I find that kind of daily berating (especially if it comes from someone who doesn't themselves even play an instrument) counter-productive.
Rather, I decided instead I'd immerse my kids in handmade music by giving off a good, daily dose of sound from my only real instrument, the harmonica. And believe me, what I produce isn't always a beautiful sound. I know I'm not the greatest harmonica player in the world; and even if I was, I know as well as anyone that too much of a good thing...
Upshot: My kids now play. And, I think, it's not because anyone ever told them to (neither parent ever did). Rather, they play because they both got to a point somewhere along the line, after hearing their parents regularly pick up an instrument and make something come out of it, when they each said, "I want to play piano," and "I want to play violin." In other words, the decision was all theirs, occurring against a backdrop of actual, authentic, handmade musical sound ("recorded" sound is not a substitute for what I'm talking about here).
In sum, it's extremely important for young parents who want their children to become musical, to themselves try to derive pleasure on their own from "playing" a musical instrument (it's no mistake that it's called "playing" music). Set an example and keep the "practice!" speech to an absolute minimum. Trust me on this one, folks, take steps to make music a fun, playful part of your life and it won't turn into something that's like "work" (a fact which your kids may someday thank you for).
Jim McLean is the inventor of the world's first and only playable harmonica USB flash drive, the "FlashHarp" (Pat. Nos. D602,940 & D624,550), which may be purchased at "Arts & Artisans" stores on Michigan Avenue in Chicago, as well as at the "BackyardBrand" store on Etsy, "the all things handmade" Web site. FlashHarp is a registered trademark of FlashHarp Music LLC. "The Backyard Harmonica Teacher," McLean instructs the video harmonica lesson that's available on the FlashHarp. See McLean demo the invention at http://www.harmonicausbdrive.com. See him perform a bit at http://www.FlashHarpMusic.com. FlashHarp is also available boxed together along with a full-size, 10-hole harmonica, "The Plug 'n Play," in a product called the "Musical Combo." Both are products of Backyard Brand®.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_McLean
When my children were four or five, my harmonica life was in one of its "off" periods. That was understandable, I think, because we'd been busy raising twins (still are); and believe me, that can take up the better part of the day. Still, I very much knew I wanted them to play an instrument someday and that I wanted music to become an organic part of their lives. But how to lead them?
Eventually, I made a conscious decision that I now see was driven by a single desire: Whatever I did as a father, I did NOT want to preach, "practice, practice, practice" at them. I find that kind of daily berating (especially if it comes from someone who doesn't themselves even play an instrument) counter-productive.
Rather, I decided instead I'd immerse my kids in handmade music by giving off a good, daily dose of sound from my only real instrument, the harmonica. And believe me, what I produce isn't always a beautiful sound. I know I'm not the greatest harmonica player in the world; and even if I was, I know as well as anyone that too much of a good thing...
Upshot: My kids now play. And, I think, it's not because anyone ever told them to (neither parent ever did). Rather, they play because they both got to a point somewhere along the line, after hearing their parents regularly pick up an instrument and make something come out of it, when they each said, "I want to play piano," and "I want to play violin." In other words, the decision was all theirs, occurring against a backdrop of actual, authentic, handmade musical sound ("recorded" sound is not a substitute for what I'm talking about here).
In sum, it's extremely important for young parents who want their children to become musical, to themselves try to derive pleasure on their own from "playing" a musical instrument (it's no mistake that it's called "playing" music). Set an example and keep the "practice!" speech to an absolute minimum. Trust me on this one, folks, take steps to make music a fun, playful part of your life and it won't turn into something that's like "work" (a fact which your kids may someday thank you for).
Jim McLean is the inventor of the world's first and only playable harmonica USB flash drive, the "FlashHarp" (Pat. Nos. D602,940 & D624,550), which may be purchased at "Arts & Artisans" stores on Michigan Avenue in Chicago, as well as at the "BackyardBrand" store on Etsy, "the all things handmade" Web site. FlashHarp is a registered trademark of FlashHarp Music LLC. "The Backyard Harmonica Teacher," McLean instructs the video harmonica lesson that's available on the FlashHarp. See McLean demo the invention at http://www.harmonicausbdrive.com. See him perform a bit at http://www.FlashHarpMusic.com. FlashHarp is also available boxed together along with a full-size, 10-hole harmonica, "The Plug 'n Play," in a product called the "Musical Combo." Both are products of Backyard Brand®.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_McLean
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Fun High-Tech Musical Instrument Has Real Outdoorsy Style
I love to go on overnight camp-outs with my Girl Scout kids. And when we're out there, I really appreciate all the different kinds of sounds we can hear; birds chirping, twigs crunching under feet. Running water. The wind through leaves. These naturally musical sounds are a big part of what the outdoors has to offer us, as food for our souls.
Given this fact, the lack of products to be found at camping goods and recreational/outdoor stores for making "outdoorsy" music amazes me. More music-making material and less "just stuff" would make many a "sound hound" fan of the wide-open spaces a lot happier.
Harmonicas are wonderfully portable musical instruments and ideal for camp-site learning and merrymaking.
Best of all, learning to play the harmonica doesn't take much. Just a little time on your hands and the right instrument with which to learn.
I know, I know. There are tons of excuses not to learn to play. Say you buy a harmonica; there's the real chance you won't be able to master it. Then what? The thing will just end up in the back of a drawer, reminding you once a year of what could have been (imagine the gazillions of harmonicas getting mustier by the minute in camper glove compartments the world over).
But what if there was a smaller-than-usual harmonica that actually had the guts and know-how to HELP you learn to play? Then, would you consider trying to learn to play? Would that help you over the musical hurdle?
One of the greatest, jauntiest harmonica songs of all, "Oh, Susannah," sounds especially great in the great outdoors. You can play "Oh, Susannah," with chords--great for beginners--or single notes, too. OK, playing single notes is a BIT trickier; but single-note playing just takes a bit of experimentation and practice (a great way to pass some quality time outside!). The "trying" is the important thing. Do that and you'll be amazed that pretty soon you'll actually be able to do it; it's all about developing the right mouth-and-lip shape. (It's called embouchure.)
The harmonica's popularity really has root in the great outdoors. Consider the Old West, where the instrument caught on in the U.S. Cowboys loved the mix of campfire smoke and the high, lonesome sound of Camp Cookie's trusty mouth organ. In the old South, too, a new kind of harmonica mastery blossomed. There, the instrument's soulful "cross-harp" sound emerged, enabling lots of soulful throat vibrato, bending and whooping. The harmonica played a truly central role in the emergence of the blues.
There's the image of the harmonica as a hobo instrument, too; and it's not entirely misplaced. Look at the harmonica's history in the U.S. and you'll see it all adds up to a compact little instrument with a lot of outdoorsy style.
The really exciting news about the harmonica today is that its shape is proving useful for another instrument as well: the USB flash drive. So now, as in days of old, the harmonica's musical possibilities are once again beginning to bubble and boggle the imagination of folks especially enamored of the great outdoors.
Jim McLean is the inventor of the world's first and only playable harmonica USB flash drive, the "FlashHarp" (U.S. Pat. No. D602,940). FlashHarp is a registered trademark of FlashHarp Music LLC. Also "The Backyard Harmonica Teacher," McLean instructs the video harmonica lesson that's available on the FlashHarp. See McLean demo the invention at http://www.harmonicausbdrive.com. A product of Backyard Brand™, FlashHarp is available packaged together with a full-size, 10-hole harmonica, the "Plug 'n Play." Backyard Brand products may be purchased at http://www.backyardbrand.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_McLean
Given this fact, the lack of products to be found at camping goods and recreational/outdoor stores for making "outdoorsy" music amazes me. More music-making material and less "just stuff" would make many a "sound hound" fan of the wide-open spaces a lot happier.
Harmonicas are wonderfully portable musical instruments and ideal for camp-site learning and merrymaking.
Best of all, learning to play the harmonica doesn't take much. Just a little time on your hands and the right instrument with which to learn.
I know, I know. There are tons of excuses not to learn to play. Say you buy a harmonica; there's the real chance you won't be able to master it. Then what? The thing will just end up in the back of a drawer, reminding you once a year of what could have been (imagine the gazillions of harmonicas getting mustier by the minute in camper glove compartments the world over).
But what if there was a smaller-than-usual harmonica that actually had the guts and know-how to HELP you learn to play? Then, would you consider trying to learn to play? Would that help you over the musical hurdle?
One of the greatest, jauntiest harmonica songs of all, "Oh, Susannah," sounds especially great in the great outdoors. You can play "Oh, Susannah," with chords--great for beginners--or single notes, too. OK, playing single notes is a BIT trickier; but single-note playing just takes a bit of experimentation and practice (a great way to pass some quality time outside!). The "trying" is the important thing. Do that and you'll be amazed that pretty soon you'll actually be able to do it; it's all about developing the right mouth-and-lip shape. (It's called embouchure.)
The harmonica's popularity really has root in the great outdoors. Consider the Old West, where the instrument caught on in the U.S. Cowboys loved the mix of campfire smoke and the high, lonesome sound of Camp Cookie's trusty mouth organ. In the old South, too, a new kind of harmonica mastery blossomed. There, the instrument's soulful "cross-harp" sound emerged, enabling lots of soulful throat vibrato, bending and whooping. The harmonica played a truly central role in the emergence of the blues.
There's the image of the harmonica as a hobo instrument, too; and it's not entirely misplaced. Look at the harmonica's history in the U.S. and you'll see it all adds up to a compact little instrument with a lot of outdoorsy style.
The really exciting news about the harmonica today is that its shape is proving useful for another instrument as well: the USB flash drive. So now, as in days of old, the harmonica's musical possibilities are once again beginning to bubble and boggle the imagination of folks especially enamored of the great outdoors.
Jim McLean is the inventor of the world's first and only playable harmonica USB flash drive, the "FlashHarp" (U.S. Pat. No. D602,940). FlashHarp is a registered trademark of FlashHarp Music LLC. Also "The Backyard Harmonica Teacher," McLean instructs the video harmonica lesson that's available on the FlashHarp. See McLean demo the invention at http://www.harmonicausbdrive.com. A product of Backyard Brand™, FlashHarp is available packaged together with a full-size, 10-hole harmonica, the "Plug 'n Play." Backyard Brand products may be purchased at http://www.backyardbrand.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_McLean
Friday, October 22, 2010
Injecting Realism Into Steampunk
I love Jules Vernes' "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" as much as the next punk. And apparently, the next punk loves it a lot, judging by how quickly the sci-fi, techno-Victorian fantasy look called "SteamPunk" has become all the rage. The look is catching on so quickly, perhaps, because the concept is so easy to articulate. This ain't your dad's design--or your grand-dad's, or even your great grand-dad's. Think turn of the century--the last century, that is.
Think big boilers with copper sheen, bands of shiny steel and huge, kernel-headed nuts that baton down what? Well, nothing important, original or authentic, at all, really. Everything from watches and cuff-links to clothing accessories and computer doo-dads are now being decked out with totally superfluous adornments possessed with an aesthetic that seems to have come out of Vernes' own version of Bladerunner.
The thing is, there aren't many examples of SteamPunk-styled items that offer anything beyond just added-on adornment--with perhaps one exception. A new harmonica USB flash drive, recently being quietly introduced throughout various high-profile venues, has a patented design with "Prior Art" that reaches right back into that era of time that inspired the Steampunk movement. Specifically cited is Patent No. 505,493, by Carl Strauss, dated September 26, 1893, for an "Improved Harmonica" with a "novel construction" utilizing unusually attaching cover plates.
Such a 100-plus-year-old design being referenced today is not all that remarkable, in its own right. Except, when combined with a USB flash drive, the design turns into something totally novel and useful that's both a musical instrument and a data storage device, combined. As for its "authentic" steampunk look? Scrutinize it closely and you'll see that, in truth, the real beauty of this particular steampunk example is its duality, functionality, authenticity and utter lack of any excessive, unnecessary or superfluous adornment, at all. Which makes the harmonica USB flash drive quite a unique steampunk specimen, indeed.
Jim McLean is the inventor of the world's first and only playable harmonica USB flash drive, the "FlashHarp" (Pat. No. D602,940), which may be purchased at all Arts and Artisans shops on Michigan Avenue in Chicago, as well as at the "BackyardBrand" store on Etsy, "the all things handmade" Web site. FlashHarp is a registered trademark of FlashHarp Music LLC. Invention demo is at http://www.harmonicausbdrive.com. See "The Backyard Harmonica Teacher" who instructs the video harmonica lesson that's available on the FlashHarp perform a bit at http://www.flashharp.com. FlashHarp is also available packaged together along with a full-size, 10-hole harmonica in a product called the "Plug 'n Play Musical Combo." Both are products of Backyard Brand™.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_McLean
Think big boilers with copper sheen, bands of shiny steel and huge, kernel-headed nuts that baton down what? Well, nothing important, original or authentic, at all, really. Everything from watches and cuff-links to clothing accessories and computer doo-dads are now being decked out with totally superfluous adornments possessed with an aesthetic that seems to have come out of Vernes' own version of Bladerunner.
The thing is, there aren't many examples of SteamPunk-styled items that offer anything beyond just added-on adornment--with perhaps one exception. A new harmonica USB flash drive, recently being quietly introduced throughout various high-profile venues, has a patented design with "Prior Art" that reaches right back into that era of time that inspired the Steampunk movement. Specifically cited is Patent No. 505,493, by Carl Strauss, dated September 26, 1893, for an "Improved Harmonica" with a "novel construction" utilizing unusually attaching cover plates.
Such a 100-plus-year-old design being referenced today is not all that remarkable, in its own right. Except, when combined with a USB flash drive, the design turns into something totally novel and useful that's both a musical instrument and a data storage device, combined. As for its "authentic" steampunk look? Scrutinize it closely and you'll see that, in truth, the real beauty of this particular steampunk example is its duality, functionality, authenticity and utter lack of any excessive, unnecessary or superfluous adornment, at all. Which makes the harmonica USB flash drive quite a unique steampunk specimen, indeed.
Jim McLean is the inventor of the world's first and only playable harmonica USB flash drive, the "FlashHarp" (Pat. No. D602,940), which may be purchased at all Arts and Artisans shops on Michigan Avenue in Chicago, as well as at the "BackyardBrand" store on Etsy, "the all things handmade" Web site. FlashHarp is a registered trademark of FlashHarp Music LLC. Invention demo is at http://www.harmonicausbdrive.com. See "The Backyard Harmonica Teacher" who instructs the video harmonica lesson that's available on the FlashHarp perform a bit at http://www.flashharp.com. FlashHarp is also available packaged together along with a full-size, 10-hole harmonica in a product called the "Plug 'n Play Musical Combo." Both are products of Backyard Brand™.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_McLean
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
The Harmonica, Americana and U(SB)
There's a type of musical sound out there that's pulling inspiration from all over the map. Best of all, it cuts to the heart of what's been going on in the high-tech musical gadget realm, as well. It's called Americana--and that's what it's all about: America.
The sound has its roots in the Midwest, and the form is apropos to a wide range of artists from all over with sounds that are still looking for a place to hang their hat. The term immediately conjures up images of the cowboy, steamboats and gazebos. I feel Old West but I hear rural blues, country, rock and rockabilly in there, too. A variety of groups including Wilco, Band of Heathens, Coachmen and Jan Spillane echo the sound.
What's interesting about this music is that its name mirrors a material "ism" that's been around for decades and has recently made resurgence. Until now, "Americana" referred to that bric-a-brac form of American culture that conjures up images of cabin-style motels with wall mounted lobby plaques for sale bearing cutting-but-cute sayings wood-burned thereupon. Internationally, the term has pull for a certain crowd enamored of all things "American."
The musical application of the Americana concept is far fresher than that.
Still, only one form of Americana is both musical and a material embodiment. It's the harmonica USB flash drive that's recently quietly being introduced at various high-profile venues, including the music store at the Old Town School of Folk Music, "Different Strummer," and the "All Things Handmade" Web site, Etsy. The harmonica USB flash drive is great for both music aficionados and musical klutzes, because even if they never master the art of playing the harp, they can still use the flash drive that's built into it.
From the Old West to the Deep South to the south side of Chicago, the harmonica earned its place by walking the line. That bonafide legacy of trials and tribulations has helped the hand-warmed voice of the harp gain a powerful, influence over a vast segment of American music. So unlike ordinary "soulless" USB flash drives, the harmonica USB flash drive offers something people can't get in other flash drives--a real musical soul. Now that's a kind of Americana that has no substi"toot."
Jim McLean is the inventor of the world's first and only playable harmonica USB flash drive, the "FlashHarp" (Pat. No. D602,940), which may be purchased at the "Different Strummer" music store at The Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln, Chicago, as well as at the "BackyardBrand" store on Etsy, "the all things handmade" Web site. FlashHarp is a registered trademark of FlashHarp Music LLC. See McLean demo the invention at http://www.harmonicausbdrive.com. "The Backyard Harmonica Teacher," McLean instructs the video harmonica lesson that's available on the FlashHarp. See The Backyard Harmonica Teacher perform a bit at http://www.flashharp.com. FlashHarp is also available packaged together along with a full-size, 10-hole harmonica in a product called the "Plug 'n Play Musical Combo." Both are products of Backyard Brand™.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_McLean
The sound has its roots in the Midwest, and the form is apropos to a wide range of artists from all over with sounds that are still looking for a place to hang their hat. The term immediately conjures up images of the cowboy, steamboats and gazebos. I feel Old West but I hear rural blues, country, rock and rockabilly in there, too. A variety of groups including Wilco, Band of Heathens, Coachmen and Jan Spillane echo the sound.
What's interesting about this music is that its name mirrors a material "ism" that's been around for decades and has recently made resurgence. Until now, "Americana" referred to that bric-a-brac form of American culture that conjures up images of cabin-style motels with wall mounted lobby plaques for sale bearing cutting-but-cute sayings wood-burned thereupon. Internationally, the term has pull for a certain crowd enamored of all things "American."
The musical application of the Americana concept is far fresher than that.
Still, only one form of Americana is both musical and a material embodiment. It's the harmonica USB flash drive that's recently quietly being introduced at various high-profile venues, including the music store at the Old Town School of Folk Music, "Different Strummer," and the "All Things Handmade" Web site, Etsy. The harmonica USB flash drive is great for both music aficionados and musical klutzes, because even if they never master the art of playing the harp, they can still use the flash drive that's built into it.
From the Old West to the Deep South to the south side of Chicago, the harmonica earned its place by walking the line. That bonafide legacy of trials and tribulations has helped the hand-warmed voice of the harp gain a powerful, influence over a vast segment of American music. So unlike ordinary "soulless" USB flash drives, the harmonica USB flash drive offers something people can't get in other flash drives--a real musical soul. Now that's a kind of Americana that has no substi"toot."
Jim McLean is the inventor of the world's first and only playable harmonica USB flash drive, the "FlashHarp" (Pat. No. D602,940), which may be purchased at the "Different Strummer" music store at The Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln, Chicago, as well as at the "BackyardBrand" store on Etsy, "the all things handmade" Web site. FlashHarp is a registered trademark of FlashHarp Music LLC. See McLean demo the invention at http://www.harmonicausbdrive.com. "The Backyard Harmonica Teacher," McLean instructs the video harmonica lesson that's available on the FlashHarp. See The Backyard Harmonica Teacher perform a bit at http://www.flashharp.com. FlashHarp is also available packaged together along with a full-size, 10-hole harmonica in a product called the "Plug 'n Play Musical Combo." Both are products of Backyard Brand™.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_McLean
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Musical friendships are different, special
Have you formed friendships with people in your life with whom you share a musical bond? Can you talk about it, or is it beyond the spoken word (if so, I know how you feel).
Maybe it's a family bond between sister and brother, or parent and child. Was the bond there already before the child, latent?
Maybe you met already grown up, standing up, listening to music at a concert. Or sitting down at a bar. Perhaps you knew your special musical friend first in a nonmusical way; and the music came later, to fill in an unknown gap.
Or maybe you met in making music yourself, or in making it together, with them. Maybe you came to meet your special musical friends at a period of time defined by the music of the time. Or maybe a particular instrument is the focus of your friendships...
All my life, I've found myself drawn to the musical people around me, because they are music itself's muse. Through them, I hear the bells of the beyond ringing in a pure language I recognize, but cannot articulate myself, alone.
Music loves company, and so do musicians. I'd love to hear your musical friendships story, put to words. Play one for me here.
Maybe it's a family bond between sister and brother, or parent and child. Was the bond there already before the child, latent?
Maybe you met already grown up, standing up, listening to music at a concert. Or sitting down at a bar. Perhaps you knew your special musical friend first in a nonmusical way; and the music came later, to fill in an unknown gap.
Or maybe you met in making music yourself, or in making it together, with them. Maybe you came to meet your special musical friends at a period of time defined by the music of the time. Or maybe a particular instrument is the focus of your friendships...
All my life, I've found myself drawn to the musical people around me, because they are music itself's muse. Through them, I hear the bells of the beyond ringing in a pure language I recognize, but cannot articulate myself, alone.
Music loves company, and so do musicians. I'd love to hear your musical friendships story, put to words. Play one for me here.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Here's a funny story...
Yesterday, about 5 after noon, my wife got a call from her mom, who wished my daughter a fun time at the poster-painting session she'd signed up for. My wife immediately sprang into action, yelling down to me and my daughter to get going, we were late. The school where the activity was going on was 5 minutes away, so we hopped on our scooters and zoomed over.
No prob; she got set up quick w her paints and poster, and soon was immersed in the task at hand.
So I said, "Can I go or do you want me to stay?"
"You can go," she said, while working, "but I'd like you to stay."
She's a really good artist and doesn't need daddy's help much at all anymore. So I must say, I was flattered. And I stayed.
Soon, I got bored, tho. Hey, she wasn't letting me even fill! So I pulled out my FlashHarp and started playing around, quietly, while the kids worked. There wasn't any other music playing in the gym, so it was fine. Not obnoxious.
After awhile a very nice lady inquired about my playing. And I said, no, i wasn't a professional. Just play for fun. "but I do make this, too," I said, holding out my FlashHarp.
She was fascinated. Even more, her husband plays harp, she said, and he's got a birthday right around the corner. Plus day after that, a 10 year anniversary.
Few minutes later, I was back on my xootr zooming home to put together a custom Plug 'n Play while she walked home for her checkbook.
When I got back to the gym with her gift, she was chatting away with my daughter, whose poster was now complete and looked fabulous.
There's a moral to this story somewhere, I think. At least, I sure hope there is ' cuz that was the most fun, natural sale I think I've ever made.
No prob; she got set up quick w her paints and poster, and soon was immersed in the task at hand.
So I said, "Can I go or do you want me to stay?"
"You can go," she said, while working, "but I'd like you to stay."
She's a really good artist and doesn't need daddy's help much at all anymore. So I must say, I was flattered. And I stayed.
Soon, I got bored, tho. Hey, she wasn't letting me even fill! So I pulled out my FlashHarp and started playing around, quietly, while the kids worked. There wasn't any other music playing in the gym, so it was fine. Not obnoxious.
After awhile a very nice lady inquired about my playing. And I said, no, i wasn't a professional. Just play for fun. "but I do make this, too," I said, holding out my FlashHarp.
She was fascinated. Even more, her husband plays harp, she said, and he's got a birthday right around the corner. Plus day after that, a 10 year anniversary.
Few minutes later, I was back on my xootr zooming home to put together a custom Plug 'n Play while she walked home for her checkbook.
When I got back to the gym with her gift, she was chatting away with my daughter, whose poster was now complete and looked fabulous.
There's a moral to this story somewhere, I think. At least, I sure hope there is ' cuz that was the most fun, natural sale I think I've ever made.
Monday, October 4, 2010
I think Etsy is a thing of beauty
The idea of Etsy grows on me the more I use it. That's what Etsy is: useful (and like I said int the title of this post, beautiful). So I've pledged to participate in the Etsy Success Holiday Boot Camp to the best of my abilities. I vow to check in every week, do my homework and support my fellow Holiday Boot Campers. I will read the weekly newsletters and blog posts, check in on the weekly forum thread, read the weekly blog post, check off the checklists and salute the mascot. I promise to share what I've learned with those who need it, support my fellow Etsy indiepreneurs and, most of all, have a positive and persistent attitude. I understand that together we can spread the word about our handmade and vintage goods, making this holiday season a more unique and meaningful one to gift givers and give-ees everywhere! Right on!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
