No shoulder rest.

 

What tune is this improvisation from?

Yep, the shoulder rest has gone again. That video was a solo from Oh Lady Be Good. I was just doing a warmup. However, you can see that there is no shoulder rest. 

Still warming up here.

I'm off to work soon. (Though these videos are from last night. Maybe I was warming down?)

After that there will be time for a bit more practice, then it's grandson minding time. 

I'm still looking after my hands. They are sometimes good and sometimes not so good. I guess that's just part of getting old. Peter will know about that because he is older than me.

There is not much happening around the blogs this morning. TC is evidently getting into the harmonica and has found a new friend in the Cuba Mall. Ah well, that keeps him out of trouble. 

Robert has written a post. Same shit, different day. It seems that Gsus has given up on becoming a shepherd and is now becoming a gardener. Silly bugger.

I'd better leave you there for today. I'll get into work early so that I can do some violin practice before the troops arrive.

Ciao tutti.

Evah Pirazzi Gold

 

Gsus Kryst!

Good morning.

Rob left a comment on my last post.

"The shepherd knows his sheep by name and calls them. The goats are stupid and ignore him."

It's all to do with Gsus being compared to a shepherd. The blame has all been put on goats, though it's a known fact that they don't eat sheep. Shepherds do. What, did you think that all shepherds are vegetarians? Ask yourself, why are sheep kept in flocks? They supply wool and meat. That's not rocket science.

No promised post from Peter yet, but Rob has posted. He finishes with this statement.

"If you sin, repent and go to confession to a Catholic priest. Though you probabaly have to be Catholic, which everyone should be anyway." Sorry about the spelling of 'probably'. It seems that Catholics don't proofread. I wonder how many mistakes there are in the Bible?

Most Catholics (or, at least, many) are baptized as babies, before they are old enough to have a say in the matter. That happens in all religions. When you see a guy wearing a turban, there's a very good chance he was born into that religion. Everyone who belongs to a religion is convinced that their religion is the one true religion. Some have to be wrong! In fact, everyone but one religion has to be wrong. Rob is sure that he has picked the right one. The odds are not in his favour. 

Anyway, where is Peter's promised post? Maybe I need to write it for him?

He'll probably wear this hat.

"Lynn and I went to do volunteer work at Zealandia yesterday. We did a predator-free fence inspection. The fences turned out to be fine. We didn't see any rats or mice. A sparrow had flown in, but how do you stop that happening? I mean, a lot of birds fly. We get them in Thorndon. They sometimes shit on our car. Little buggers! That's it for this morning. I'll have a bath, dry my phone, then I'm off for a walk."

That could have been a bit longer, Peter!

[Bathroom visit, and I hadn't eaten or drunk anything. That's a bit cruel!]

Maybe I need a couple of little pies? There are four in the fridge. I bet Peter hasn't had an eclair this morning. Definitely not a little pie or a coffee! He'll have to ring for a cuppa with oatmeal milk.

Well, that's it from me for this morning. 

Ciao tutti.

Who will post this morning?

Heater on, banana toast. I will post.

Peter will be squiggling around in bed thinking about bowls.

Robert will be thinking about his shepherd because he is a sheep.

 

I'm thinking about my practice. It's going pretty well. The shoulder rest is feeling more comfortable too. I think I'll add a slice of peanut butter toast to my breakfast. Done. If the old boys both take up or return to bowls, will they take their golf gear to op shops? They'll both need to get white outfits too.

[To bathroom.]

Toast sent to the coast.

[Back.]

I suppose that Robert could wear his white outfit to mass. Peter will be up and dressed now, in white, and drying his phone. I think he will have dropped it in the bath again. I'm pretty sure he will have. He'll be ringing Lynn for a cup of tea about now. With oatmeal milk.

As usual I'll start my practice with some long notes and then some chords. I need to do work on my double bass tunes too. It's nice to be near the heater. I'll make a trip to the Hutt today. Lower Hutt. I want to pop into a couple of music shops. I'm looking for some music for a violin student. 

The sun has shown a face in the Nui. All the carparks will now be full in Thorndon but there will be some spare ones in Moera. I don't know what the parking will be like at mass. It probably depends on how many church shop people turn up.

I think that's all I have to say this morning.

Bye to the boys dressed in white, for now.

Be careful if you're taking orders from a shepherd. He may finish up eating you.

BOTH.

 

I did 2 1/2 hours of practice yesterday. Half an hour on the double bass and two hours on the violin. I kept getting the shoulder rest out of my drawer to try it one more time. Then I finally made a decision and put it in my violin case. I did one hour of violin without it and one hour with it. Why not go both ways? That way I'll see what works best for my hand. Both ways were successful yesterday. There you go.

* * *

Good morning. I'm not long up (the same height really) and the heater is on. I think I might even commit the sin of having a coffee [and then a trip to the bathroom]. I have no pies left. Damn! My daughter flies to Melbourne today, so at 11am we head to the airport. It is her intention to get a job and a flat over there. It could be good for her. I guess that time will tell. Shelley and I are thinking of moving to Thorndon.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

You are not allowed to eat things containing chocolate and cream there. Pies are probably off the Thorndon menu too. 

I see there's a post from Robert this morning. I had a quick read but I kept thinking of that song 'The Lord Is My Shepherd'. You often hear about Jesus being compared to a shepherd. Shepherds look after herds of sheep but, when the time is right, they also join in the procedure of eating them. I wonder if Gsus will end up eating Robert?

Robert in Heaven?

I'm drinking that coffee now. Boy, I'd love a pie!

Never mind, the coffee is nice. Maybe I could get a pie at the airport?

It seems that both Peter and Robert are finding golf hard going at the moment. Maybe they should try rugby? No, I don't think that would work. Robert mentioned the possibility of bowls in a comment. That could work. 

You don't hear much about lawn bowls these days.

[Bathroom.]

[Back.]

Maybe Peter should take up the cello and the boys could work on those Haydn concertos together? Or maybe violin? He could use his golf trundler and bag to push the violin around.

Yes, that would work. They could take their violins to Berhampore Golf Course and play duets. Probably best if they memorised the music and didn't need music stands. Sheet music would be a nuisance if there was a bit of wind.

Boy, I certainly solve problems for the two old boys!

I wonder if Robert would let Peter use a shoulder rest?

Would that stop the sound travelling to Peter's body via his collar bone?

I guess the boys will have to work that out between themselves. Hey, they might decide to both wear skirts kilts.

I'll leave you there for today.

Ciao tutti.

Another very cold morning. That's why I'm up and by the heater.

 

A7b9

I might even have a couple of little pies for breakfast (I have three). I'm sure that Peter will understand. He came around yesterday and ate some things that he's not allowed to eat at home. 

Breaking all the rules.

I watched Rob's latest video this morning. It had funny sound and he spend the first part trying to convert us to the Catholic religion. Personally, I've been there and there is NO WAY I'm going back.

So, I'm back without a shoulder rest on my violin. That didn't last for long! Peter made some snide remark about not using one on his bagpipes. Well, I think he does wear a dress when he plays them. Peter was once asked what's worn under the kilt. He replied that it's all in perfect working order. (Old Spike Milligan joke there!) I did quite a bit of practice yesterday. The little bass snippets on this post are really just me experimenting with recording myself. Short snippets are easy to load onto the blog.

The three little pies will be ready soon. 

Then I guess it'll be bathroom time.

That's about all I have to tell you.

Ciao tutti.

The shoulder rest is gone!

 

BACK TO NO SHOULDER REST!

I think I'll start today with a coffee.

 

Gosh! Going to an opera is very expensive! Fortunately, I don't want to go to any operas. I'd rather have a coffee and face an extra trip to the bathroom. The only obvious cost is some toilet paper.

Oh, and I suppose the price of the coffee and milk.

Still, it's a lot cheaper than going to a silly opera.

Going back to using a shoulder rest has been quite a big decision.

I think I'll go with it though. As I've said, the idea was to look after my smaller fingers. I can't guarantee that this is the correct solution, but I feel like I need to give it a good go. There are probably advantages both ways, with and without the shoulder rest. Sometimes, though, one has to persevere with an idea. Ah well, I can always take it off again if things don't work out.

I'll put in some quality time with the shoulder rest today. I need to do some good double bass practice too.

My elder grandson was calling my violin and my double basses guitars. I've put him right on that and he is now familiar with all their names. I remember the first time I took his dad into a music shop at about the same age (3). At the time I was playing a lot of bass guitar. He looked around at all the guitars in the shop and said, "Look at all the basses!" As it turns out, my son is now an excellent bass guitarist. The double basses in my living room are still a bit too big for Harrison to play. 

I'm thinking that, if I put on my 'Playing With Myself' concert in August, I might charge $200 per person. What do you think? People might think that, at that price, it has to be good. 

[Bathroom time.]

[Done.]

It feels a bit like my bell might disagree with my pricing for the concert. 

"Hey, that's far too much!
Go to the bathroom and think about it!"

As Peter pointed out somewhere, you can hear that old guy in the Cuba Mall play his mouth organ for free.  Do money and the arts have to go together? Like Akish, I do find it hard to understand how a painting can be worth a million dollars. I certainly don't play music to make money. Ah well.

That's about it from me this morning. I see that Robert has written a short post. There is nothing new from Peter, though he did leave a couple of rude comments on my last post.

"Philistines are everywhere." "It’s the only growth strategy in Richard’s Bass Bag."

Who knows? Perhaps he dropped his phone in the bath again and was pissed off? Maybe he has mislaid his bagpipes? Actually, I don't know if he actually knows how to play them. Probably doesn't matter with the bagpipes though. You just carry them around and wear a skirt.

Ciao tutti. Tieni i pantaloni addosso.

Not much time this morning.

 I have an early start - I'm dropping off my elder grandson at childcare and my son at the railway station in the Hutt.

I did see that TC has had a go at Akish, but I won't bother commenting.

"Well, he could have just commented
on my blog, but that seems to be beneath him."

Friends asked if we'd like to go with them to an opera in Wellington in August. It turns out that tickets are $162.11 each.

Ridiculous!

It would be $324.22 for two tickets! That's why we need people like Akish!

See you later, alligator.

"In a while, crocodile."

Nothing new in the Stinks this morning.

 And no comments from Stinks in the Links.

Business as usual, I guess.

The shoulder rest is slowly settling in and seems to be helping the hands. It is taking a while to get comfortable. Hey, I've gone six years without one!

I'm off to work soon. I'll go in early and get some violin practice done. I start at 10am., so there is time to get in some good practice.

That's it.

Ciao.

Ho acceso il riscaldamento.

Potrei anche scriverlo in italiano. Chi lo legge, in fin dei conti?

Another cold morning with little happening around the blogs, though Akish, Evil Dr. R and AG are making a very good effort. 

Peter and Robert?

Same shit, different day. Robert doesn't post when his girlfriend is there and Peter is far too busy walking around Wellington to write regular posts.

It really wouldn't make any difference if they both just buggered off.

I practised for two hours yesterday. Half an hour on the double bass and 1 1/2 hours on the violin. I'm experimenting with using a shoulder rest in an attempt to help protect my hands. My decision? I've decided to go both ways. Sometimes I'll use a shoulder rest and sometimes I won't. Let's see which works best in the longer term.

I'm about to have some little pies for breakfast. Why not?

I'm only having four.

Mi riscaldano nelle mattine fredde. Al momento li sto gustando con un po' di salsa di pomodoro.

Maybe I should just remove Robert and Peter from my LINKS list and move on without them? I'll think about it.

Pies finished. That was nice and worth a trip to the bathroom, if necessary.

I might take my elder grandson out today, to give mummy and daddy a break. Obviously, I'll be getting some practice done too. Getting used to that shoulder rest again. 

Bene, ecco fatto.

Buona giornata. Il tempo sembra buono.

Rifletti se desideri rimanere nella nostra lista LINK e cosa puoi fare al riguardo.

Ciao.

[Bathroom visit. Done.]

Heater on...

 IT'S BLOGGING TIME!

No coffee this morning. Just a banana toasted sandwich.

I see that Monday (tomorrow) is a holiday. Unless, of course, you work in a supermarket.

I don't work on a Monday, but I guess it means that I won't be picking my boy up from childcare.

It's nice to be by that heater!

I don't know any songs about heaters. That's a shame because heaters deserve a song.

"I'm cold."

Said he to her.

"What can I do about it?"

She said, "You need a detour.

Go and sit by your heater."

Heater,

Heater, heater.

You're making this day

Neater.

It's Mortal Sin Day today for Catholics who don't go to mass.

That means a trip to Hell if they unexpectedly die.

When you think about it, not going to mass doesn't really hurt anyone else. All it really means is one clear space on a pew.

I suppose it would get more serious
if no one turned up.

Well, that would save on having to clean the church and it would also save on electricity. It would also mean a sleep in for those people who have to pass the money plates around. Church shop people would get a break too. Quite a few good points there.

[Oops, that banana toasted sandwich is sending me to the bathroom!]

Do bananas contain coffee?

[Back.]

I'm going to have to give my hill walk a miss today. It didn't seem to do me any good yesterday. In fact, it had the opposite effect, but I won't bore you with the details. I think I'll try a flat walk today.

I tried a shoulder rest on my violin (again) yesterday. It didn't really work for me. I'm trying to find ways to protect my fingers. I guess I'll just have to be really careful and not overdo the practice lengths.

Well, that's about it for today. 

Ciao tutti.

Peanut butter, you can eat it in the gutter.

 That's something we used to say when I was a kid. I don't know why. Probably because it rhymed.

On toast. Nice.

I've also got the heater on and I'm having a coffee.

No post from Robert because he has his lady staying. It's good to see other bloggers (like Angry Jesus and Evil Doctor Richard) getting involved in the comments. We even got something from The Wine Guy. It's a cold morning, which is one of the reasons why I'm posting. The heater by our computer is nice and warm. It has to be the warmest spot in our house on a cold morning.

I did quite a bit of practice yesterday, but my hands are playing up. The 3rd and 4th fingers on my left hand are cramping up a bit. Not good. That probably rules out doing any long solo gigs at the moment. But, hey, I've got to play. Softly, softly catchee monkey, as my dad used to say.

I'm trying to do lots of hand exercises. I also went for a walk up the steep path (Harry Todd Reserve) behind our house yesterday. I don't know how that's supposed to help my hands, but it will help with my fitness. I did a quarter of the walk that I used to do. Softly, softly... I plan to do it again today. I'll slowly build up the distance.

[No bathroom trip yet.]

I'll try to do some very gentle practice today. I've been doing a lot of work on violin chords lately. There are three types of chords that are very handy.

1) 3rd & 7th voicings. These give a nice jazzy effect. They take a bit of practice because there is no root to help find them quickly.

2) Major and minor double stops. These sound good when they are shifted up and down the fingerboard. You can also slip in notes, like 6ths and 7ths.

3) Major and minor chords. There are only 6 shapes here (3 major and 3 minor). It sounds good when you roll your bow over these chords.

[Bathroom time. Back soon.]

[Back.]

Well, I'm running out of things to tell you. Maybe one or two of the other bloggers on our LINKS service might write a post? Have a look.

Ciao tutti.

Coffee, a heater and a peanut butter sandwich.

 

Oh yes, and a bathroom standing by.

Certainly no jam today.

Well, actually I might have a personal jam at home today as I play through my repertoire.

It's Friday 24th. of April. Tomorrow is ANZAC Day and I'll be sleeping in for the first time in many, many years.

There are no other posts around the blogs this morning but that's not unusual. Peter is probably still in his Dutch Oven and Robert is probably running up a sin or two. Well, he has got confession to put it right.

Jesus got up and put on his makeup. He took particular care with the eye liner. He also straightened up his beard. A little snip here and a little snip there. He didn't have to use the toilet, he just thought and made the poos go away. His job today would be watching over 9am Friday Mass and checking on who turns up for confession. In his mind no sin was too small that it didn't need confessing. He thought about Adam and Eve and Original Sin and how it all started. He thought about the state of the world at present. He didn't think about that for long because it wasn't his problem. He smiled as he thought about the Ten Commandments. What a good idea that was! He remembered his father saying to Moses, "Don't forget to take the tablets." He allowed himself to smile. He thought about how his name sounded like a Gsus chord. Gsus what though? The most used Gsus chord was called Gsus4 and it was all about resolving onto a major chord - G C D resolves onto G B D. Jesus had never really been to a jazz jam. That type of music was not popular during his time on Earth. Though it was Classical musicians who used the Gsus4 chord a lot.

[Bathroom? No, not yet.]

It was a funny thing how Jesus was a son. You see, like his father, he had been around forever. He remembered life in those early days being quite boring. There were only him and dad and that bird.

They had always been, all three of them, they hadn't come to be. Eternity is a very long time. Immeasurably long. How could one entity be defined as the son of another? God only knows, as they say.

The bird had changed his name from the Holy Ghost to the Holy Spirit. Sort of an upgrade. Probably so humans wouldn't think he was a ghost. Maybe the Holy Bird would have worked better?

So, why did dad decide to make people? He could have just made animals. 

Why did dad decide that he needed an enemy (Satan)? Gosh, he must have been bored. Really bored! It seems that it wasn't the best deal for all those humans. What was the advantage of free will? Did dad stuff up with that one?

Gosh, there are so many questions.

[Bathroom visit getting close.]

[Better go now.]

[Mission accomplished.]

That sun is out. That means that TC will be walking somewhere. Rob will probably be going to op shops, with fish 'n chips for lunch. 

I'm on Harrison pick up duty today. This is something I do five days a week. I often take him around to see Grandma before taking him home. We chat as I drive and we have many jokes. The little guy is three years old with a HUGE vocabulary. He often calls me Silly Grandad. Hey, I do ask for it with my constant jokes and teasing. 

Steph has finished work and moves to Melbourne in a week. Then it'll only be me and Shelley living here again. Still, Harrison pops around a lot. Henry is one year old now and really growing up. It's fun having grandkids. It can also be fairly hard work, but it's worth it. 

Well, that's it from me. I wonder if poor old TC has dropped his phone in the bath?

Splash!

I think he does that quite often.

Oh well, it'll dry out.

Eventually.

Ciao tutti.

Peanut Butter is not a jam!

 

I've rekindled my liking for peanut butter lately. It is so nice on toast. 

I went to a jazz jam last night. I awaited my turn to play. Lots of people started coming up in groups that were obviously friends. After one lot finished, I headed towards the stage with my violin and my little amp. I then realised that I was standing among a group of young people who had already started playing All of Me. This tune is usually played in C. I got ready to join in and then realised that they were playing it in F, obviously to suit their singer. This was not a jam, it was a rehearsed piece. Normally, at a jam, a piece is jointly decided on. This happens on the spot. No one gets to do forward planning. I realised that I was not taking part in a jam. This must be peanut butter!

Okay, as I said, I like peanut butter BUT it is not a jam.

In music jamming has a spontaneous element. You often finish up joining in on tunes you hardly know. The unexpectedness of the procedure makes it fun. It is not supposed to run like a rehearsed concert. 

Ah well, I guess I'm stuck playing my unaccompanied tunes these days. I'll put out the empty jam jar.

Boy, I deserve a coffee after that!

[Keep that bathroom free!]