Enough with the snow!

We're just beginning to finally thaw out around here. Winter '11 is surely one we won't soon forget. Winter '11 will also be unforgettable for me for another reason: It will go down in my personal history book as the season I started a new hobby. Yes, last week, I took my first cello lesson. What fun it was to, at the ripe age of 47 (note the absence of the word, “old”), try something completely new - and completely out of my musical comfort zone. My primary instrument has always been the flute, and as a flutist, I've not only been used to having the top line or melody, but I'm also used to using my wind (some would say, “hot air”) to produce a vibrant sound. Not so with the cello. Now, I'm learning that a powerful sound comes not only from the quality of the instrument you're using, but from keeping the bow arm relaxed. Not as easy as it may sound given the fact that I had first-lesson nerves that caused a severe case of stiff-arm, not unlike standing on the first tee in April. Thankfully, my teacher was extremely patient, and after I jiggled my arms a few times, I was able to get a nice big sound out of the instrument. The best part was that with every bow, the instrument’s body vibrated throughout my body. I was, literally, tingling at the end of the lesson.

I really loved it. I learned the “Ants Song,”

Ants, Ants, Ants…digging in the
Dirt, Dirt, Dirt…going under
Ground, Ground, Ground…carrying their
Cellos, Cellos, Cellos…

And, I learned all about the “mouse house” and the “fox nose.” These are all little secrets even the best cellists know, so I’m not at liberty to go into great detail here. Knowing about these things makes me feel like I’ve joined a secret society, and I highly recommend you take a cello lesson so you can join the secret society, too. In fact, all of you adults out there who have said (or thought), “I’ve always wanted to play the _____” (fill in the blank) come in and take a FREE lesson on me! I bet you’ll be tingling at the end, too!

A movie to review

My Yamaha rep, Chris Manners, gave me the movie, Once, as a holiday gift. Whenever he stops in, we talk about favorite books and movies. I always promise to see or read one he recommends to me but then I never get around to doing it. Who has time to see a movie? And, I have a case of books waiting to be read (not to mention a dozen more on my Kindle). At any rate, I’m passing along this recommendation since it’s arguably the best music movie made. Let me know what you think!

Bela Fleck and the Fleckstones

My dad, a professional musician and professor living in Los Angeles, saw Bela Fleck and the Flecktones recently. I am a huge fan. Huge. In fact, I bought them the tickets as a gift so they would go. Here is his review: “Wow!!!!! I'm a convert--the whole concert was a near religious experience for both of us. Leanne fell in love with Jeff Coffin, I think Victor Wooten is God, and the Tuva Throat Singers blew us away. Phenomenal, unbelievable playing and musicianship. Fleck's banjo playing is incredible--and it's jazz. Wooten did a solo medley of Christmas songs that was gorgeous. After awhile, it's so awesome you just can't clap anymore because your hands hurt.”

I think Victor Wooten is brilliant on the bass. I saw him for the first time at the NAMM– the National Association of Music Merchandisers – trade show a couple of years ago. He closed his set with a breathtaking performance of “Amazing Grace.” Have you heard it? Click Here to check it out on youtube and then let me know what you think.

I’m told Victor actually lives in Connecticut, not too far from Creative Music. Wouldn’t it be a dream to have him in for a clinic? You never know…

Boarding School!

In looking at potential boarding schools for high school, my 13-year-old son, Charlie, is considering two all-boy schools. I couldn’t be more thrilled. In college, I lived in the only all girls dorm on campus (after one horrific year in the co-ed dorm). The all girls dorm was fabulous, and I made three excellent friends with whom I would go on to apartment living for my junior and senior years. Back to Charlie. While he loves baseball and basketball, he’s very much a musical theater kid, and I was curious how all boys schools handle productions without the opposite sex. No problem. Girls are simply imported from the local all-girl prep schools. Problem solved!