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Stay Safe, Stay Home, Cabin Fever

3/28/2020

The creative ideas people have been posting and advertising for things to do during this time of Sheltering in Place have certainly been entertaining. I would like to say that they have been inspiring me to post some of my own, but so far, I have not been moved enough to jump on the figurative bandwagon. I have seen some of my Facebook friends posting activities they are doing with their families that look fun -- for them -- because they are stuck at home with their families. I have also seen some people post videos of themselves displaying their talents -- mostly singing parody songs about the Covid-19 Pandemic. I have also seen advertisements for "Boredom Busters" of cultural events and activities to do online. (Who knew you could visit famous museums around the world or watch Operas from the Met without leaving your house?)

One of my daughters video chatted with me about how she and her son were learning music theory by watching YouTube videos. They wanted to show me and discuss what they are learning about chord progressions. They also told me about how they had taken a virtual tour of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and how they saw the famous paintings I had seen when I visited there last October. Another daughter has sent me a couple of Marco Polo videos of her family playing the piano duets I sent them. Technology certainly is amazing! We can check in with each other even while we are miles away staying put in our own homes. So grateful we live in this modern age.

Northern Utah is still having winter snow storms during this Sheltering in Place time. That actually helps encourage me to stay snuggly inside my own house doing nothing much. Another thing that has helped keep me inside has been a pinched nerve in my hip that has been rather painful. I found that if I just didn't move, it didn't hurt too much. But after a week of pain and extreme boredom, I finally went to get treated by the doctor. My hip pain is a little less now, which is good, but it may take some time to get better. Guess having continued snow and cold is actually helping me take the time I need for healing. I am certainly not tempted to go out running marathons, believe me. But, I hope to start feeling like doing some creative things to combat the boredom of self-isolation. No Covid-19 symptoms, but some very strong Cabin Fever symptoms! Hope this country-wide time of Sheltering in Place helps beat the coronavirus VERY SOON!

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Our Story as Told by a 5-Year-Old

3/18/2020

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Angel Moroni statue lost trumpet in earthquake.

"And then we had to stay home from school because of this thing called a Corona virus....and we didn't get to go on vacation or go over to a friend's house or anything! The store shelves were empty....and then there was this EARTHQUAKE.....and lots of rain and even SNOW --- and so, Teacher, that's why I couldn't turn in my homework!"

If I had heard what we have been going through for the past few weeks, I would have thought it was some fantastic story told by one of my grandchildren. But, no! It's absolutely true --- even the part about not being able to turn in homework. School has been sort of cancelled and now the kids will start doing school work at home curtesy of the Internet.

Couldn't help think about those passages in Isaiah 24 though, that talk about the "lean-ness" and "the earth reeling to and fro." That's exactly what we are going through right now. The Last Days certainly seem upon us. We just don't know how long this season is going to last.

A 5.7 magnitude earthquake did shake us in northern Utah just after 7:00 am, today, Wednesday March 18th. We as a family were in some pretty powerful earthquakes in California, but I personally have never felt one this strong in Utah before. I was sitting at the piano working on composing a new piano duet. Suddenly the room felt like a very strange strong wind was beating against the walls. Then the floor started rolling and pitching. I stopped playing, grabbed hold of the piano bench and literally rode out the earthquake. Fortunately, everybody in the family seems to be all right.

I will probably always remember writing this new arrangement of "Hope of Israel" because of the earthquake. I was already doing my "Social Distancing" from people and staying mostly at home, and had decided to write some new music. I woke up Sunday with "Come Follow Me" in my mind. Finished that one up on Monday. Tuesday, I had "Hope of Israel" on the brain. That's the arrangement I was finishing up this morning when the earthquake shook things up.

My plan is to create a set of four to five EASY Piano Duets of Hymns for Student and Teacher. (Easy is a relative term. The Primo part is fairly easy although I refuse to keep to one of the standard hand positions! ) You might say, I plan on SHAKING THINGS UP, too! So get ready to play in some unusual keys for beginners. Nothing to get scared of....just a new hand and finger position. It'll be fun!

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Friday, the 13th

3/13/2020

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In our family, Friday the 13th has always been considered a lucky day. My husband was born on a Friday the 13th. My first child was born on a Friday the 13th. In fact, the nurses were amazed that his birth date and his birth weight were the same --- 7/13 and 7 lbs 13 oz. That son grew up to fall in love with a woman who was also born on a Friday the 13th. They were engaged on a Friday the 13th and later married on a Friday the 13th. Their fist baby was born on a 13th (which sometimes falls on a Friday). Their second baby was born on the 26th, which is a double 13. Their next baby was the 13th grandchild in the extended family. So, Friday the 13th is not an unlucky day for us!

With all of the panic going on about the coronavirus, it seems that many people in this world are just plain superstitious. Seems like a lack of faith to me. It's all about where you put your trust --- in God or man. I choose to follow Christ and the counsel of a living prophet. We are supposed to stay optimistic and do positive things.

So, instead of grumbling about the postponed trips, cruises, classes, activities, concerts, ball games, and so on, we must do our part to minimize risks. Hopefully this will all be temporary. After all, we are helping the health care system not have to deal with an overload of really sick cases brought on by carriers that don't even realize they have been infected.

Okay, so what do we do? Projects in our homes, for the most part. But don't forget to go outside sometimes. I have learned (actually I knew all along) that being outside in the fresh air and sunshine (when it is available) acts as a natural disinfectant. I like to take walks and work in the garden now that Spring is getting closer. Yesterday, the temperatures were warm enough for a little while, so I threw open the doors and windows to air out the house. Felt so good!

Here's a little something to boost your spirits --- a simplified arrangement of an upbeat Beatles tune. You just cannot be sad or grumpy when you hum or play:

"Ob-La-Di-Ob-La-Da Life goes on -- Bra___, La la how the life goes on!"

"Ob-La-Di-Ob-La-Da" Easy Piano solo

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On an Island with Mozart

3/8/2020

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After the opening number, the Timpanogos Symphony Orchestra Conductor announced that the orchestra needed to restructure the stage. He said that for the Mozart piece, the soloist would act as conductor in keeping with how the concerto would have been performed originally. Actually, just a chamber orchestra was left on stage -- strings and two oboes. Then the soloist entered and took his place. The conductor said that we as an audience were in for a real treat, and so we were!

Alexander Woods, concert artist and Professor of Violin at BYU, played and led the orchestra in a brilliant performance of the Mozart Violin Concerto Number 4, a very joyful and uplifting piece.

My friend and I had gone to the concert early enough to get into the pre-concert lecture. Usually the conductor or one of his associates gives background information on the concert music. This time, Alex Woods was taking questions about the Mozart Concerto and his own musical training and career. He also showed us his violin. He explained that it was made in 1743 by a famous violin maker. It had been donated to BYU by a collector and it has been his privilege to play it ever since.

Mr. Woods explained that playing an instrument is like being in a relationship with another human being. You really have to get to know each other to understand how to work well together. He demonstrated by showing how he had to experiment to find just where and how to play on the strings to unlock their unique brilliance and subtleties. "It is humbling to think that I am playing on an instrument that is older than the United States of America -- older by 30 years!" He said that he sometimes thinks of himself as just another "passenger" on this violin's journey on earth. He supposed that it will continue long after he is gone.

He was asked about different styles of music he has played and if he had a favorite. He said that he enjoyed many different styles of music and regularly had opportunities to premiere new works by contemporary composers. But if he was marooned on an island with just his violin and one composer's music, he would have to choose Mozart. Although he enjoys all types of music, many composers write music that is dark or moody or just plain sad. He said that the music of Mozart contains such a wide variety of elements that it is always interesting and uplifting.

"I would choose Mozart because then I would be happy."

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Changing Meters

3/2/2020

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Composers do it all the time -- they like CHANGING METERS within the piece or even within measures. The audience may or may not be aware that the meter has changed, but they usually have some sort of visceral reaction to it. One section of the piece may make the people feel like marching, and the next section may make them feel like swaying. That is the simple change from duple (march) to triple (waltz) meters. Changes in meter may be dramatic or very subtle, but they serve to keep the audience interested in the music.

In early music, before Musical Notation and Form were clearly established, changes between meters were just at the whim of the composer. For example, Gregorian Chant was made up of notes in groups of twos and threes all over the place, usually in stepwise movement. Later on, composers began codifying rules and came up with specific key and time signatures. Composers began exploring FORM and developing frameworks on which to build their compositions.

For example, the SONATA was a work of music with a three-part structure. The basic elements of sonata form are: exposition, development, and recapitulation, in which the musical subject matter is stated, explored or expanded, and restated. There may also be an introduction, usually in slow tempo, and a coda, or tailpiece, thus expanding the FORM to 5 sections. Within this framework, the different sections change the pace and give variety at least by slowing or speeding up the tempo, but sometimes changing the keys or METERS of the different sections as well.

Variety is important in keeping an audience, or even the musicians themselves, engaged in the music. Last week I watched an old Fred Astaire / Ginger Rodgers movie "The Gay Divorcee." This was the first movie where they were intentionally paired and given star billing. But to sweeten the deal (in case they could not carry the show on their own merits), the cast was packed with colorful character actors who already had name recognition.

Although Astaire and Rodgers did dance together ("Night and Day" and a snippet of "The Continental"), they by no means had the lion's share of screen time. (I guess that back in 1934, directors were still trying to figure out a good formula for on-screen production numbers.) Anyway, "The Continental" dance went on and on for at least 15 minutes, maybe longer, with hardly any changes in meter, tonal centers, tempo, orchestration or character. The only variety was provided by who (out of the cast of hundreds) came on in different costumes to dance or sing every 32 bars. I found that it was exhausting to watch! It would have benefitted from at least throwing in a TRIO section in waltz time!

Audiences of our day appreciate VARIETY. Composers have learned to capitalize on the idea that changes in meter can really help keep the music alive for the audience. (Though modern classical composers may go a little too far sometimes by never settling on a set time signature at all.) Even in Sacred Church music, long hymn arrangements can become more interesting by sneaking in a change of meter here and there.

"Sing Praise to Him" arranged by Mack Wilberg offers a delightful look at a Sacred Hymn done with changing meter. The choir sings the traditional hymn in 4/4 first, then takes off in 7/8 meter for the rest of the verses. Very fun!

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Stay Safe, Stay Home, Cabin Fever

Our Story as Told by a 5-Year-Old

Friday, the 13th

On an Island with Mozart

Changing Meters

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