Musical Tidbits

First up, what do you think is the best sounding trio, or pair for an instrument? I have been told that the best trio is the banjo, guitar, and mandolin played together. Which, I have never heard all three play at the same time, but am sure that the sound produced when combined is spectacular. (NOTE: you can enter your answer on the comments)

Second, A public apology for writing a message on the sitar, and saying the sitar originated in Africa, the instrument actually comes from India. But the "moral" of the post: expand your musical interests, it is not flawed because of a mix-up of countries.

Third, what is your favorite chord? (Yes, I am assuming you will be responding to this) Or, should I say minor chord to be specific, or favorite key to play in... basically, what is you comfort zone in music? I like a good waltz (3/4th time) in the key of F. A good example would be "My Favorite Things" from the movie The Sound of Music. (And if you have not watched the movie, I would highly advise doing so.)

Lastly, have you ever heard the song The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald by Gordon Lightfoot? It is an epic 7-minute masterpiece about the wreck of an oil tanker that sunk in 1973, killing I think it was 29 people, the song was named after the ship, and the ship sunk in one of the great lakes of Michigan. It is telling a story, is such good poetic prose, and educated style of writing, with a sad ongoing minor beat.

- Nathanael

Tribal Vibals

Accolades to my cousin Nathanael for the first MET post of the year! :)

Think of the guitar, six strings, really popular, sounds great, and is used in practically every style of music. Now, think of the sitar, another stringed instrument that is relatively unknown compared to its counterpart. The origin of this instrument is of African descent, there are nearly too many strings to count (much less play!!) and the body is made out of a dry gourd. Finally, the neck of the Sitar is about three and a half feet long. The music-making squash-bellied African-originated device is as much African as the desert is. The purpose of this message is not to talk about another continent, it is to remind everyone to expand their interests, there are great pleasant sounding (what is another word for instrument?!?) instruments out in the world, what is the fun of just playing one?

Okay, so maybe I am going to talk about the African culture a bit... in the Sahara desert, and really all over that huge land mass, there are people groups, and when there are people groups, you better bet some harmony and singing is going to be produced. So, they use dried and hollowed gourds (it does not take much for something to be dry out there) and some local wood, to craft a really beautiful piece of art. Along with the sitar, tribes of this zebra-abounding place use animal skins for drums, teeth for maracas, bones for flutes, and their own hands for the beat.

(End of the message at hand) So, when you pick up your guitar/banjo/mandolin, or a horn or brass device, think about how lucky you are to have any instrument at your avail.

- Nathanael

Joy for Christmas Music

Guess what?! My cousin Nathanael is going to take over my promised series of Christmas music posts! He's going to type out a list of all my favorites, then tell what I like about them, and... oh, wait... these are his favorites. Well never mind then... ;)

It is that time of year again, where any radio station you go on is playing the happy tunes from the season! There are really too many different songs to count that have been written for the holiday. There is a song for everyone's taste, some are happy, some are melancholy, while others are just calm and peaceful. The number really grows when someone would include advent hymns. I am going to conjure up a list of the top fifteen Christmas songs (in my opinion) for you, and you go on the comment page and post your top fifteen! (NOTE: I am not just talking about hymns, "Jingle bells" or "Santa's coming to town" definitely count)

 1. Deck the Halls (celebrating the festivities of the season)

 2. O Christmas Tree (Celebrating a sentimental possession)

 3. What Child is This? (A song pondering Baby Jesus)

 4. Joy to the World (Even though this is technically not a Christmas song)

5. Hark! the Herald Angels Sing (A true classic)

6. Mary Did You Know? (My cousin John plays this song really well on the piano)

7. Angels we have heard on high (Only people with more than two lungs can sing this chorus)

8. Good Christian Men Rejoice (...With heart and soul and voice!)

9. Silent Night (Another Classic)

10. Grandma got run over by a reindeer (They made a movie out of this song)

11. Away in a Manger (Easy tune, good choice of words, great song)

12. Let it Snow (A song NOT sung by Elsa)

13. Jingle Bells (One of the most simplest Christmas melodies)

14. Santa Clause is Coming to Town (You better not cry...)

15. Frosty the Snowman (What an original name...)

Instrument Jokes

A piano... the key to success

An expensive harp... a big lyre

Violin... the instrument to fiddle around on

Drum... you cannot beat them!

Cello... the universal musical greeting (Cello! how are you doing?)

The bass... a really high-stringed instrument

I will not tell any marching-band jokes, they are too plain and horny.

All different kinds of banjos... pic(k) your choice

The kazoo... Bless you!

- Nathanael

The Last Goodbye ~ Part 2

Guess what? There's a music video of this song already on YouTube!

Apparently it's been there since the twenty-first of November. I had no idea!

I saw the light fade from the sky

On the wind I heard the sigh

As the snowflakes cover my fallen brothers

I will say this last goodbye

Night is now falling, so ends this day

The road is now calling and I must away

Over hill and under tree

Through lands where never light has shone

By silver streams that run down to the sea

Under cloud beneath the stars

Over snow and winter’s morn

I turn at last to paths that lead home

And though where the road then takes me

I cannot tell

We came all this way, but now comes the day

To bid you farewell

Many places I have been

Many sorrows I have seen

But I don’t regret, nor will I forget

All who took that road with me

Night is now falling, so ends this day

The road is now calling and I must away

Over hill and under tree

Through lands where never light has shone

By silver streams that run down to the sea

To these memories I will hold

With your blessing I will go

To turn at last to paths that lead home

And though where the road then takes me

I cannot tell

We came all this way, but now comes the day

To bid you farewell

I bid you all

a very fond

farewell

The Last Goodbye ~ Part 1

A brief word of advice to all Tolkien enthusiasts, LotR-lovers, Elf friends, Hobbit fans, Middle-earth-maniacs, etc., etc.:
purchase this song and bask in its beauty.
Then go see The Battle of the Five Armies at a theater near you so that you may be fully immersed in its magnificence.
Then wait six months for my extended thoughts on the song. :)

The Last Goodbye is melodically reminiscent of Into the West from the end of The Return of the King - definitely a point in its favor! This song is performed beautifully by Billy Boyd, and is a fully fitting finish to the Hobbit trilogy.

Sevenths, Songs, Strings, & Strums

Below is a somewhat mish-mash compilation of music tidbits, cool advice, and a list of some noteworthy songs. Enjoy!

First, about Ukuleles, have any of you listening right now has ever had the chance to hear the pleasant strums off the uke? They are perfectly delightful little instruments, I myself know about 20 chords and like thrumming out folk tunes. One of the most agreeable reasons to consider picking up one and playing it immediately, there really is no wrong way to strum! Whether a person uses their thumb, index finger, or a (felt covered) pic, the Ukulele is a instrument for you!

Continuing on, I will discuss something about Seventh chords. I am not an expert on them, (insert uncertainty pun here) but anyone who has ever played them has perceived something, right? They could almost be named the “song is not over yet, keep playing” chord or the “I have a problem to be solved” chord. Seventh chords are useful though, they add depth to a song, so any piece of complicated music you hear out there, there is probably a dominant seventh chord thrown in.

I know nothing about Mandolins, the subject is completely eluding me! :)

Just kidding! Two years ago I received a wonderful little instrument, it has such a distinct plucking twang, and a kind-hearted pitch, it is hard to put down. I mostly enjoy playing folk songs, and sheet music my cousins send me, who as you know, all play Banjo, and I enjoy listening to my uncle play. (He is a professional in almost every string instrument.)

Now lastly, I promised a list of some songs:

Dooley (by the Dillards)

Hey Jude (by the Beatles)

The Marine hymn

Rainbow Connection