Sorry if this is considerably off topic… I generally like to keep a musical theme going but this video was so cool, I had to share it.
My justification is that even musicians have to eat… So consider this a public service announcement as to how to make your life easier in the kitchen.
Bon Apetit!
How much more popular would the “Sound of Music” have been …
if Julie Andrews had been packing a Musical Saw instead of a guitar?
I just found this picture of another old piano that has been recycled into a bookshelf…
It would be great if I could do something similar with a retired Musical Saw. The problem is: Musical Saws never wear out! The greatest point of failure in Musical Saws is the bow. I’ve been using my current bow for 6 years now and only now am I considering replacing it.
Any ideas on how to recycle an old bass bow? (And considering it’s cheaper to buy a new one than to rehair it, I won’t be putting this bass bow back in service).
I was born in Medelin, Colombia so it was fun finding this article from my “homeland”
Everybody deeply appreciate the great treasure that is Colombian musical instruments, such as Colombian tiple, made in coral wood, with clear lines and awesome authentic color, with twelve metal strings arranged in four courses. Any professional or student guitarist will find it easy to use in Colombian folk music, and in many Latin American songs. Musicians can use it in Latin American folk jazz music, but also in original songs as well. Tiple’s ethereal and clear sound is also used in classic guitar music creations.
Colombian Cuatro is concert grade guitar; it is made of slices and blocks from curly maple. It has a violin shape and has a great pitch accuracy and finish. The ‘seis’ is a hybrid of the cuatro and a supplementary sixth course tunes a fourth below the usual fifth bottom course. It is also a very popular Colombian musical instrument. This feature allows an expanded bass range. It can be used also for guitar intervals as well, and it makes a awesome music, It sounds as a guitar, but sweeter, faster and louder.
Original Colombian music instruments
Spanish and African traditions are strongly represented in Colombian music. Traditional quena, a king of flute, and Spanish guitar are very popular. Colombian bandolina has fifteen strings and its sound is beautiful, sweet and clear. It is usually made by hand, of unexcelled quality. The marimba is another Colombian musical instrument; it looks like a xylophone and its keys are made in wood. The arpa is a local version of the harp, the guassa is a rattle. The songs from the Pacific coast are using drums and are tinged with Spanish influence. Due to the Spanish influence, piano music is also very popular in Colombia. The newest music style in Colombia is “valenato”, based on the European accordion.
Many Colombian musical instruments are beautifully crafted, from the ancient times until our century. The charango, a kind of guitar made in wood, the vessel whistle, the erkencho, a kind of clarinet, the chirimia, an oboe, are carefully made and original Colombian folk music sounds great with them. There are six ethnic zones in Colombia; the music is a hybrid between Indian roots and Spanish traditions. In some regions, there is also a strong Negro influence. Guitars, flutes and drums are always necessary; in the Caribbean zone the most important Colombian musical instrument is gaita, a kind of oboe. In Colombia, music is a tradition. There is a habit to pass folk songs from one generation to the other.
… And while I’m on a kick of recycling. Here’s another one:
Lots of villages in the UK have turned red telephone boxes into mini libraries, just take a book and leave one behind.
Many grade school and middle school’s offer music programs in their curriculum. In finding musical instruments shopping places, parents will automatically assume that any music store in town will have a variety of musical instruments that they can rent for the school year.
These methods of finding musical instruments have proven challenging to some parents because music stores offer musical instruments for students through rental plans that require monthly payments, that end up with the parent not owning the equipment they are paying for. In finding musical instruments shopping places, they prefer to look for stores that will let them buy the instrument outright.
The music stores are very helpful to parents in finding musical instruments shopping places that will allow them to purchase new and used musical instruments but the prices for some of these musical instruments is quite high and parents do not think they can afford them. The cleaning services offered by some of these musical instruments retail on an hourly basis, and the unknown costs lead parents away from buying a musical instrument for their child to use at school.
In finding musical instrument places, parents are afforded the opportunity to gain a slight cultural taste of complete collections of musical instruments that are from around the world. They get a history lesson on the development of the musical instruments and find out about famous musician that got to develop their talents on small instruments that are like the ones they are considering buying.
There are newsletters at many music stores that offer great places to go and help parents in finding musical instruments shopping places that they can afford. Some of these outlets sell musical instruments that are well below the asking price of the instruments they have found in music stores. These outlets might only offer the musical instrument, with no case or accessories to go with it.
In their efforts to locate musical instruments, parents use the Internet in finding musical instruments shopping places that have virtual storefronts, but offer exquisite prices and guarantees on the quality of musical instruments in their inventories. Some of these online retailers even offer catalogues that parents can order to see all of the instruments in their shops.
In finding musical instruments shopping places, parents can find those that focus on selling the exact instrument that they are interested in, and not be bothered by pictures and descriptions of instruments that their children will never try to play. This exclusivity provides the parents with the opportunity to focus on pricing and differences in the musical instruments offered for their child to use at school.
Some prices might differ only a few dollars, and the parents can identify these differences very quickly when the website features only one instrument. They can also take a quick glance at all of the cases, cleaners, and sheet music that is available with each musical instruments. The low inventories make finding musical instruments shopping places that sell only one type of instrument much more convenient for a bargain shopping parent of a promising band student.
Do you have an old piano lying around? – Here’s a great way to put it to new use!
And it is especially great if you need to squeeze something beneath a sloping staricase!
Karaoke Revolution
The late 1990’s dance craze inspired a new meaning for the word “revolution”. To legions of fun loving movers and groovers, “revolution” was a noun that meant “a gadget offering extreme activity and excitement, and immeasurable enjoyment and relaxation.” This form of revolution also provided a great way to keep in shape. This was the Dance Revolution.
Dance Revolution is an addictive, indulgent gizmo that has entranced kids, teenagers and adults alike. Like karaoke, the machine plays a selection of popular songs. The difference is that players move along to follow the dance steps. Even older generations receive hours of enjoyment with this crazy stuff called Dance Revolution.
Japan was first to introduce this unique method of having fun. Dance Revolution creators saw huge profits because of the phenomenal success of their products. With popularity as widespread as television, virtually every household in Japan has its own Dance Revolution set for the family’s pleasure and enjoyment.
The Dance Revolution series has been a home and arcade favorite for many years in Japan. There are half a dozen different versions of the game, and a handful of rip-offs and spin-offs have been introduced. Dance Revolution hit US arcades in 2000, showing American kids what they’ve been missing out on. Like their Japanese counterparts, the American kids and teens tried it and loved it.
People who love singing karaoke tend to envy those who use Dance Revolution. It’s as if they are exercising their love of dance and creating their very own revolution. But singers take heart; the latest technology has introduced the Karaoke Revolution, a new gadget that is bringing much joy and excitement.
Karaoke Revolution follows the same concept as basic karaoke, and like its predecessor, was introduced in Japan. The initial product was improved by Japanese developers, making it easier to handle and more comfortable to use. Since then, Karaoke Revolution has enjoyed popularity in a number of countries including the United States. American people have adapted karaoke singing into their leisure lifestyle, partly due to the fact that Karaoke Revolution offers an easy to use option.
Since the karaoke phenomenon first took hold many years ago in the U.S., people have been devising new ideas to bring singing back into the home. In Japan, karaoke (pronounced “kah-rah-oh-kay”) has become standard party and picnic fare thanks to portable machines.
To make the karaoke world come to life, Karaoke Revolution uses a screen with eight characters to choose from, each with up to four outfits. Eight different settings provide the perfect backdrop, from a house party to a stadium show. A back up band will be there to play your tune and support you, but it’s the on-screen crowd that you really need to please.
Karaoke Revolution uses a scoring system based on rhythm and pitch. If you hit the right tones at the right times, you’ll score points. As your song plays, you’ll see bars move from the right side of the screen to the left, along with the lyrics. Each bar represents the pitch and length of each word of the song. Higher bars denote a high pitch. If the bar is flat, the tone should be steady. If you see a long and squiggly trail, you’ve got a serious vocal workout ahead of you. Karaoke Revolution software is available at game retailers, and additional songs can be downloaded for free on the Internet.
Like the name suggests, Karaoke Revolution did create a revolution for the listless karaoke set. The game adds a whole new element of fun and excitement to the favorite pastime. It’s a fun hobby and can bring a real sense of personal satisfaction to its users. Put a song in your heart, and try Karaoke Revolution today.
Last Fall when we were down in Florida, I gave a master class on playing the Didgeridoo to a group of 15 or so. Here we are performing in the Palm Coast Didgeridoo Choir! – Stand by for pictures later on when I will be conducting a Musical Saw Master Class!!!
This post ran a little late – sorry! – The Musical Saw Festival was August 10
Just a reminder about the Musical Saw Festival scheduled in San Jose, California this August 10. To read the particulars, visit www.SawPlayers.com – Also, it’s not too late to start planning for next year.
The East Coast Saw festival 2013 was a resounding success! Thanks Natalia for hosting them every year.
