Romance.

 HERE.

Romans.

Romance.

I put that in for some of my readers who struggle with English, spelling and English grammar.

No need for thanks.

Ciao tutti.

Se Solo.

 A tune of mine.

HERE.

I Ragazzi Sperduti.

 Daryl and I have auditioned for a gig playing 'Italian Jazz' - whatever that means.

WATCH HERE

It was very cramped in Daryl's little recording space and I didn't realize that I had my headphones on in a funny way.

It's a bit hard to see here but
it looks like I'm wearing a hat.
It also looks like I'm wearing
that microphone.

We used an old band name of mine - I Ragazzi Sperduti.

Fortunately I have a lot of Italian music which I haven't played for a very long time. We sight read a couple of pieces - 'O Sole Mio e Oje Caruli. They're certainly not perfect but should give an idea of what we play.

WATCH

These are both Neapolitan tunes, which means that they come from Napoli and are not Italian names but dialetto napolitano.

Ciao tutti.

Practice today.

 WATCH HERE.

Trio with George and Daryl.

A fun trio to play with.

I changed my violin strings on the weekend. Part 4

I rang The Curmudgeon this morning around 9am. He was still in bed. I was naturally shocked and told him I'd been up practising violin. He said he'd been playing with himself in bed. I said I didn't know he'd bought a violin.

I asked if he'd changed his strings but he just mumbled something about things drying in time. Maybe he'd been cleaning some old strings?

He said he might pop up to Himatangi but added that it was a long drive around the bays. I told him about the new Transmission Gully motorway. He sounded surprised - either that or he was cleaning his strings again. I mentioned a bit about violin scales but he kept thanking some lady called Mrs. Palmer. Maybe she works in the music shop where he bought the violin?

It's cold in Nuova Lazio this afternoon but our house is warm inside - thanks to our heaters.

I'm guessing that The Curmudgeon is out of bed by now. He's probably choosing a wine and planning his dinner. I hope he's getting some practice done. I think he's only playing in first position but I know he has been working hard on his bowing. I hope he's not wearing that silly helmet while he practices the violin.

Or that silly work suit that he bought. 

He'd be better off dressed like this.

Ciao tutti.

I changed my violin strings on the weekend. Part 3

 Okay, okay, it seems that these violin string changing posts are becoming very popular!

I suspect that Robert's violin might be ready for a string change - I wonder if they carry violin strings at the church shop? I hope he's not planning to use the string from old rosary beads.

There's also a rumour that The Curmudgeon is looking for a cheap violin so that he can change its strings.

No TC, you don't need to wear a helmet when
changing violin strings.

If I don't get a work call, my first job today will be violin practice. Next weekend the September Members trio is playing at Himatangi Junction - quite a big gig venue in the North Island. Sort of makes me feel like I'm finally entering the big time. I hear that TC will be floating around the Paraparaumu area this weekend. Maybe he would benefit from a night in Foxton talking about violin strings?

Now there's a thought!

Well, that's it for this morning.

Ciao tutti.

I changed my violin strings on the weekend. Part 2

 The Curmudgeon rang me rather late last night.

"Hi TC. I can't talk too long. I'm going to bed soon."

"I was just wondering about those strings. Are they settling down?"

"Well yes, they are, and they're sounding good. A little different from the golds but in a nice way. I shouldn't have left those golds on for so long."

"Are you still having to tune them a lot?"

"Yes, I check them quite a bit, but that will settle down soon. They certainly are nice and crisp and fun to play."

"Hey, that's really good to hear. I thought of you while I was opening a 2006 Misty Creek Taihape Pinot earlier this evening and couldn't get those strings out of my mind."

"Yes, that can happen. Especially after you've knocked back a couple of quick reds."

"I'm not pissed!"

"Calm down TC. I hope the new fireplace spade is working okay."

"It's not called a spade. The handle is too short for it to be a spade. It's called a shovel."

"Isn't that the same thing?"

"No. I suppose it may seem like that to you because you drink Cleanskin Chardonnay."

"Hey, you can't bring everything down to what wine you drink!"

"Oh."

"Anyway, I thought you rang to talk about violin strings.'

"Zzzzzzzzz."

"Oops, TC has fallen asleep again. Good night TC."

* * *

Part 3 of 'I changed my violin strings on the weekend' is coming soon.

I changed my violin strings on the weekend.

 

I took off my Evah Pirazzi Gold strings, which I've had on for a very long time (really too long) and put on a set of regular Evah Pirazzi strings.

The 'regular' strings have green
and black windings near the tailpiece.
The 'golds' have gold windings.

I have another set of 'golds' in my strings drawer but I  wanted to try the regulars again.

New strings always sound a bit louder and take a while to settle but these 'regulars' sound good. The E string is maybe a little quieter but also less temperamental when one plays the open string when coming from another string. Sometimes an open E string can be a bit funny when approached from another string.

I certainly won't be deviating from Evah Pirazzi strings (I use them on my double bass too) but it is nice to have a slight change once in a while.

I think the violin on my 
t-shirt could use a set of
Evah Pirazzi strings.

 

Happy Birthday Robert - 67!

 

For anyone who is wondering why I chose this song to celebrate Robert's 67th. birthday, check out why HERE.

The August Agers Trio.

 I originally named my new violin trio the July Guys. Then, at a very long band meeting with the guitarist (Daryl) and the bassist (George) it was decided that the band name would change every month. We are currently the August Agers trio and, when we play our first gig, we will be the September Members trio.

I'm pretty sure we're the first band ever with a monthly revolving name.

Rob, you are da man!

Well, as you know, Rob (my younger and very inventive brother) posted a video (on his blog) of him and his son delivering a birthday present to me.

I wasn't supposed to open it until tomorrow but I cheated.

It's a very special T-shirt!

I took some photos and I'm sorry about the quality - it has been a very long day.

Front.

Back.

I now have a violin t-shirt, which I will treasure!

Thank you so much Robert and Sue. I intend to wear it at every appropriate (and maybe inappropriate)  occasion, and, you know what, I will!

I'm a very lucky man.

Ciao tutti.

"I'm getting low on Cleanskins!"

 said Richard (of RBB) as he drove home to put in some double bass practice after work.

As he walked up the drive, a courier showed up and gave him a big box. At first he thought it might be toilet rolls but then he noticed it was far too heavy. Was it something from the Presbyterians for mentioning them in his last post? Cleanskins, maybe?

No, it contained 6 bottles of wine he had never heard of before.

Church Road! 

At first he wondered if this was from Father Patrick - the grinning Catholic.

Then he saw the name McDonald.

It was his old mate Peter McDonald from 3P!

The docket confirmed this.

AND the wine suppliers had gone to great lengths to use recycled packaging!

Cut up cardboard instead of bubble wrap. Well done!

Thank you so much Peter and Lynn!

Much love to you both. xxx

Back to Himatangi.

 

The saga continues. We'll be heading up for Thursday and Friday. That means a physical workout, providing it's not pissing down and flooding again, and a night in Palmy. Palmy has won out, for me, over Foxton as the place to stay. Hey, there are too many foxes in Foxton. Well, it did use to be New Zealand's own fox town.

I practised pentatonic scales on the violin yesterday (as well as doing my bass practice). Pentatonic scales are used by lots of guitarists but you don't hear them much on the violin. They're great for traditional blues and have a place in jazz. 

I wore thick socks to bed last night and my feet stayed nice and warm. I wonder if TC wore four slippers to bed?

Well, I'm off to NLHS so I'd better get moving. 

Ciao tutti.

A busy time at the Presbyterian church shop and when a person wears four slippers.

 "Tell Robert to hurry up." said a Presbyterian who was carrying a bag full of condoms," Time is getting on and we need to have the church shop open before the service finishes."

As usual Robert, who was there to clean, had been taking a bit of time to find fault with his fellow Christians who had a few slightly different weird beliefs to his own. He'd even spent time trying on a holy crown.

Actually, the truth was that this Presbyterian church shop made a far bigger profit than most of its Catholic counterparts. There were far less statues, no rosary beads and only a small stock of altar wine. They seemed to concentrate on carrying a good food range - things like sandwiches, milkshakes and hot chips. As Robert walked past the shop, on his way to mass and carrying a bucket and a mop, the aroma of the hot chips made him think about how much better his life could be as a Presbyterian. After this thought he made a mental note that he should make a quick confession to Father Patrick after mass.

Fr. Patrick - the grinning 
Catholic.

He thought up a little song as he walked out into the cold morning air.

Father Patrick, the grinning Catholic,

Doesn't empty bins.

Father Patrick, the grinning Catholic,

Takes away your sins.

Father Patrick, the grinning Catholic,

Doesn't eat hot chips,

Only a communion host 

Passes between his lips.

Robert thought that, later that day, he might dress up as Ivan the Terrible and video himself singing this song.

* * *

Peter was still in his Dutch oven (bed) . He had stayed up to watch a group of grown men throwing a ball around - the game was known as rugby.

He had taken to wearing his favourite white cap to bed - hey, don't forget that this is they guy they call 'old four slippers'. 

Not a guy with normal habits. Remember also that this guy made his fortune in the 1960s selling communion hosts.

He hasn't needed to buy snacks for years.

Peter was happy that the All Blacks had won. At school, many, many, many, many years ago, he'd played in a top notch soccer team.

Well, when I say 'top notch', I'm talking about boys who had medical certificates so that they didn't have to play rugby. There was blind Johnny Franks, Willie Docks with his one leg and the extremely fat Brian McKenzie. Peter, with two legs and pretty good vision, had been one of their star players.

* * *

For Richard (of RBB) practice time was approaching. He'd found himself awake in bed last night, before the rugby, and had thought about pentatonic scales on the violin.

He was pleased when the All Blacks won because he'd felt sorry for their coach and captain. He was sure that they'd both done their very best. He wouldn't be going to mass this morning and he wouldn't be wearing four slippers at once. You see, Richard (of RBB) was a normal guy who ran a very successful bass bagging site - a place where both Robert and Peter came to learn about grammar and writing. 

Ciao tutti.

I'm thinking of becoming a Presbyterian.

 Robert cleans their churches so they must be good.

"Presbyterianism is a part of the Reformed tradition within Protestantism that traces its origin to the Church of Scotland. Presbyterian churches derive their name from the presbyterium form of church government by representative assemblies of elders. Many Reformed churches are organised this way, but the word Presbyterian, when capitalized, is often applied uniquely to churches that trace their roots to the Church of Scotland or to English Dissenter groups that formed during the English Civil War."

It seems that Presbyterians wear very stylish clothes.

John Calvin - a stylish dresser.

Basically, a lot of Scottish people looked carefully at the Roman Catholic church and decided to make a better church.

Hey, just kiddin', let's get back to talking about basses.

I'm doing a lot of bass practice because I intend to put on a concert of my original tunes some time soon.

The format will be double bass, guitar and drums. I've got two very fine musicians lined up - Wade Reeve and Shaun Anderson. All I need now is a venue.

I'm doing lots of practice but today I need to kick off with some violin practice.

Actually, I'd better get cracking.

Ciao tutti.

Here's one for the Catholics. Atheists and Presbyterians can have a go too.

 

Leave a comment answering these questions...

1. Who is your favourite parish priest?
2. What is the worst sin you've confessed at confession?
3. Who would you like to see as the next pope?
4. Is it okay to sell communion hosts?
5. What is your favourite hymn?
6. What is a prayer that you detest?
7. At what age should someone be baptised?
8. Is it good to swallow the body of Christ?
9. If every country had a Noah's ark, would all wars cease?
10. Is the Holy Ghost male or female?
11. Should the ten commandments be updated?
12. Should a Presbyterian be the next pope?
13. Is the bible a load of old shit?

Good luck. Hey, and no praying for assistance.

I take tuning seriously.

 I was just reading The Curmudgeon's latest post.

He has a bit of a moan, which is all good - remember that the old guy is 70!

But then, to finish off, he has a go at me and musicians!

That's not two of the Beatles in the picture.

"Stay tuned." he says!

Why is TC picking on musicians?

I know he once played the bagpipes (and what a racket that probably was for the neighbours) but that put down of musicians came out of the blue.

blue

Personally, I keep all the instruments in my house in tune; especially my number one violin and my double bass. Let TC ring any time and check. I challenge him!

The Curmudgeon: he who made a joke recently about my five violin strings (there are four). I bet he doesn't even know what his clothes dryer is tuned to! 

It is going to be a long road now that he's 70. I might start calling him grandad.

Ciao tutti.

Addio nonno. (That's 'bye grandad' in Italian)

That sure as damn hell is old!

 

Tanti auguri a te Peter. Buon compleanno.

 70!

Peter when he was 69.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Born on this day in 1952, and later attended St. Patrick's College where he made the 3P class. During this time he also sold communion hosts for profit. He later played rugby for Karori and attended Victoria University where he was an active member of The White Sport Coat And Pink Carnation Society. He worked at Murray Robert's as a shop assistant and a part time delivery driver. He also stacked empty beer bottles. In his early twenties Peter entered the alcohol trade and relocated to Auckland where he moved up through the ranks. If you want to know the three things that can go wrong with a bottle of white wine, this man can tell you. In Auckland he met The Old Girl and settled down. They eventually moved further north to Whangarei Heads. During this time he had many adventures and lived through a storm where one of his outside chairs was blown over. He was once served beer, instead of wine, by a pregnant waitress. These days he plays a lot of golf and has injured himself countless times climbing down banks to retrieve golf balls. He made himself unpopular in the local Cossie club when he complained about children running around and enjoys arguing with some right wing guy at the tennis club. Some years ago he started blogging as The Curmudgeon and many other characters. He managed to get his regular readership up to two. He looks to Richard's Bass Bag* for inspiration and enjoys arguing with Robert the apathetic sanctimonious sinner and toilet cleaner about many topics. He is not a fan of Saint Faustina and did not turn up at 9am on Saturday to make his confession to Father Patrick (aka the grinning priest).

Here's wishing Peter a great day and a fun filled year.

* the original bass bagging site

"It was 25 years ago today."

With the exception of Mrs. Carr, who turned me into a grammar Nazi in 1963, my dad taught me more than any school teacher ever did. He left us on 7th August 1997. I'll pop up and see him today.

The rain has temporarily stopped. There's even a touch of blue sky. I don't think it's going to last.

I'm planning a concert for some time around late September. I've been practising hard. This is a concert of bass tunes I have written over the last thirty years. I have seventeen selected for this concert. I'll be playing double bass and an old friend will be playing guitar. His name is Wade. I'm also very lucky to get the services of a drummer named Shaun, a very busy drummer in Wellington at the moment.

Tomorrow Peter (The Curmudgeon) turns 70. I can't imagine how it would feel to be that old. I'm pretty sure he uses a walking frame these days. Happy Birthday Peter.

I slept in a bit this morning so I guess I'd better get organized. Saint Faustina would probably say, "Being around someone who hasn't been to the toilet yet is for Jesus like going into a dark dungeon!"

I wonder if Father Patrick is still sitting around waiting for Peter or me to show up for confession?

"If those two guys don't show
up in the next ten minutes,
I'm going to the toilet. I don't
care if Jesus needs to go into
a dark dungeon!"

Ciao tutti.

Fausty's Advice Corner.

 

Popular 'sayer of wise things', Saint Faustina, gives advice to bloggers.

"Dobry dzień i witamy w Richard's Bass Bag.* Now I is to speak in English. 

I am been noticing that the blogger Peter makes many complaints about men who trade. I will give Peter some wise advice. 

Being received by someone not in a state of grace is for Jesus like going into a dark dungeon!

Are these men who trade their services for money to be fixing up your house, are they being in a state of grace? Okay, you think Jesus likes going down into dark dungeons? Me, I am not thinking so. Peter you are blessed by the Holy Ghost that these men do not do turning up. 

Peter, trader of God's special bread, it is making time that you return to your faith. In the late 1960s you nearly put the tuckshop, at a school of Christ, out of business with your dark trading. I am seeing and feeling Jesus was going down to the dungeon back then.

Peter who did the devil's work.

Peter, go down on your knees and beg forgiveness of our Lord. I know another blogger around these parts who is already going to Hell. You must repent.

Listen to that blogger who is making toilets clean.

Do widzenia!"




* oryginalna strona z workami basowymi