I know I've been a slacker lately with the blog, but in my defense, I've been busy being a good friend. I was helping some friends of mine with their search for the perfect piano. In the mean time, I learned a lot about them. I'm definitely not an expert, but now I actually sound like I know what I'm talking about when I call a piano store to talk about the different kinds of pianos. By the way, just in case you were wondering how to pronounce spinet...it's with a short "i" sound like igloo...not a long "i" sound like spine. Yeah, I was corrected on that one.
It reminded me of when I was in high school and I had to call to order my clarinet solo from a music store and I asked for the Weber Clarinet Concerto. You all just read that as "wee-ber" right?!? That's how I pronounced it when I called...yeah, I didn't know it's pronounced "V-a-ber." It's a German thing! I learned really fast though...it's amazing how fast you learn when you feel like an idiot. Now if my students mispronounce things I'll let them know how to pronounce it correctly...after I've told them the funny story of my mispronunciation. Let's face it, musical words and names are usually in a foreign language, and unless you are fluent (or farmiliar) with German, Italian, French, and Musicalese, it's easy to mispronounce things.
Alright, enough on that!
On the subject of music. Those of you in my ward...wasn't the Stake choir awesome!!!!!! I knew that I had to participate when I found out what we were singing. For those of you who either didn't go, or aren't in the stake...we sang arrangements of "How Will They Know", and "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing". The latter of course, arranged by Mack Wilberg. The same arrangement that the combined BYU choirs sing on "Thanksgiving of American Folk Hymn" WOW, that piece is a killer. We had such a great group of amazing talent! How often do you get to sing something that difficult in a church choir setting??? It was awesome!!! Our conductor was so prepared, I can even imagine the prep time that she put into just that piece alone.
As for the other piece, "How Will They Know." I fell in love with this piece a few months ago. I even ordered it for our ward choir. It's an arrangement of the same song in the children's hymn book. It is so beautiful, and the tenor part is by far my favorite!
Alright, enough about that too!
I'm wondering something! Know that my kids are all in school, I want to start practicing again (both clarinet and piano). How do you get everything done (housework, grocery shopping, meals made, home improvement projects, etc) and find time to practice as well? Of course, don't forget the time needed to update your blog and leave comments on others blogs. I thought once my kids were all in school, I would get so much done during the day. Surely, I would have at least an hour to devote to music! That's not necessarily the case, I don't even have much time for the MANY home improvement projects I have planned. Please let me know how to fit it all in?!?!?!?
Have a good one!
With that said, I'm signing off now to go work on the laundry and fix some lunch for myself!
Sloppy Joe Pot Pie
3 days ago
6 comments:
Yes the stake choir sounded awesome amazing wonderful fantastic.
as for all the things we as mothers have to do all I can say is you have to find a schedule that works for you and all that you want to do. stick to it and it all gets done:)
That's nice that you have time to do things at home with all your kids in school! I have several years till that happens... Although I'm sure by then my "to do" list will be bigger and I will still not get it all done, good luck!
Steph, Sounds like you just need to give yourself a schedule. Pace yourself, the kids will be in school for a long time, all the home improvements don't have to be done this month! Take time to practice and enjoy your time, and then do all the other stuff. Enjoy your time to yourself.. only about 8 more years and I will be there too.. A Time and a Season!
I tend to practice most on Sundays. To me it's not breaking the Sabbath. I play uplifting music and my kids enjoy hearing it.
The rest of the week I practice maybe 2-3 days for about an hour. It's my "me" time. The laundry can wait.
That's something I'm trying to figure out as well, Steph. Jacob just started preschool, and I find myself with 2 1/2 hours I didn't have before. It's easy to feel a slight panic because you know how many things you could be doing right then, but if you have a plan (schedule, etc.) and prioritize, eventually things get done. To be honest, though, half the time, I sit in my recliner and watch movies. My excuse is that I'm super duper pregnant, but I think I'd probably do the same otherwise some days. Anyway, I would say that you have to resign yourself to less time practicing than you were used to when you were super musician. Even just sneaking in 15minutes of scales and an etude will help get your chops back, and eventually you'll be able to add more time.
I practice in the evenings, usually. That's when the kids are in bed, the dishes are done, and all the stores are closed so I can't run errands. It's harder now that I'm in an apartment (blech) but my neighbors don't seem to mind yet. Of course, I haven't started in on the really obnoxious etudes and scales yet. We'll see what they say then.
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