Continuing Musical Studies?

I hope no one but me remembers the recital moment where I said, from the pews of our beautiful venue, into/after a very long awkward set up pause, "if either of you need to TUNE now, we will KILL you, ha."  Was it the same day that it was nice to chat to a friend/customer about how i have been intimate with his guitar, a COUPLE of ways? ha.

Did I already mention that Christmas around the shop was fun, as always.  This year, I had a moment playing guitar, with the guitar tech sitting in the acoustic room and drumming on his lap, and saying I had a beautiful voice - at the end of Christians and Pagens, by Dar Williams.  I love that song!  When I played Santa Baby on the uke, outside near the tree, he played harmonica and the trumpet player ran to grab a bass, lol.  When I got home, I liked watching Elf, a movie where the main character falls for the girl with the beautiful voice, ha.

In other recent town happenings, it was fun hanging out with the performer's mom -- "so what you don't have any money.  you can still have a good life!"

As for the one on one pre-jam and campfire -- even if a weird thing to say, i thought my voice sounded really cool in that low octave... it was easy to not oversing, even if sometimes I got my note, sometimes I didn't, ha.

More Daily Music Notes

It was so great to pre-jam before the Cornerstone Campfire with Trish & Aimee.  That was some satiating singing!!  We practiced at my place, then the alcove outside the event 2x and 1x in the restroom.  Environments with surprisingly fantastic acoustics, if I do say.

Some day soon I'll share my experiences and thoughts about the New Horizons Band Guelph -- stay tuned!

I have been practicing, at least a couple uke tunes, and one small piano riff, following key tidbits of advice from an article shared at work about Top Practicers:
1) the precise location/source of errors is identified, rehearsed and corrected
2) slow things down to get tricky sections correct then speed things up
3) target passages repeated until stabilized

Speaking of work, I've made a few "Teachers Favourites" print displays of interest and I am pleased that a BOSE t-shirt is on its way to me for completing a product knowledge quiz -- I learned lots and get a prize too?!  It was also a busy time studying manual on the work computer and completing some Account Services self-study tests, and more.  Good times, yes but, suffice to say that I am glad that my store time is being re-focused in future on customer interactions and more hands-on time with the instruments...

I also wanted to mention that I spent a few hours on a Sunday acting as a Factor Juror, and maybe you should too.  It's helpful to the foundation and participants, and can be inspirational/educational for the juror too.  Can't wait to read about the outcomes, or to spend my $25 gift card on artists I reviewed!

Notes from LMU 2015

I love that every March, Long & McQuade stores present free clinics to customers!  This year, it was wonderful to be able to attend most of a Jeff Bird Mandolin clinic as part of my time at work.  I especially liked how he answered the question about the mandolin as an instrument meant to carry the melody, because he showed us how powerful it can be if used just to strum, and treated more like a rhythm instrument...

When Jacob Moon was preparing to perform in the store for his looping clinic, he said it would be great if someone gregarious like me did a little introduction.  I was glad he accepted the offer an herbal tea in the staff kitchen as we discussed lots of things, including how long the clinic should run...  I remember telling him that I like to have everyone in my department (teachers/students) out of the store promptly at store closing at 9.  Did you see the photo I posted on twitter during his sound check?  His session was quite informative, in terms of all the gear he uses but I think my favourite part was when said through the PA that the presentation was wrapping up on time, because "these people have lives!" ha.