Christmas approaches.

 

For me Christmas is a bit like an alto clef - I don't spend much time thinking about it.

The alto clef is used by the viola - sort of a bigger violin with a C string but no E string. Years ago, when I was working in Tauranga, the youth orchestra had no violas, so me and another teacher practised the viola and played in the orchestra. Consequently, I know the alto clef pretty well.

You don't get many blog posts around here about the viola or the alto clef. Some double bass classical solos use the tenor clef.

The pointy bit in the middle of these clefs tells you where middle C is - it's on that line. When I play high on the double bass, I prefer to use the treble clef.

So, Christmas is really just one day but a lot of fuss goes on about it. I saw a joke, a little while back, that went like this...

A B C D E F G H I J K M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Peter was once in 3P, so he should be able to work this joke out.

It has a Christmas message...

Noel

Noel Leeming stores have a very Christmasy name.

"The best at the best price, Noel Leeming."

There is a song about Noel Leeming...

The first Noel, the angels did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
In fields where they lay, but life wasn't mean
If you had a dryer and a washing machine

Noel, Noel, Noel Leeming
Born is the store that has everything

I guess that one of the important things at this time of the year is to think of Noel Leeming.

There's also that fat chap...

Basically, he gets the credit for parents spending hard earned money. He goes by quite a few names...

Santa Claus          Father Christmas          Saint Nicholas

Traditionally he's supposed to come down your chimney. I bet he has been stuck in a few over the years. He rarely goes to poor children's houses.

Around this time of the year, he hangs out in malls and places like that. Isn't he supposed to be helping his elves make presents? You don't get fat making presents. The problem is sitting around in malls too much.

Jesus gets mentioned at Christmas too.

He was evidently born on 25/12/00.

Quite a coincidence to be born on Christmas day.

Kurt Funnygut was born on Christmas day as well, but in 1957.

Some say that Kurt had a big influence on Peter's dress sense. 

Personally, I don't think that you can blame Kurt for that.

The other day me and Rob played some violin duets.

Rob was traditionally known as Second Fiddle. This is because, when we were kids and I was older, I always got to play the first violin parts. Times are changing and Rob has stepped up to the first violin desk - he is now known as First Fiddle.

First and I plan to work up quite a few duets.

Well, I think I've covered Christmas.

Time to do some practice.

Actually, I'll start with bass today.

Ciao tutti.