Saturday, November 30, 2013

Your Ears Are Like A Donkey's Back

That's what my piano teacher Mr. Clark would say about learning to like new music.

It's humbling to recognize that training for animals is not all that different from the training that gives us humans habits and skills.  Repetition is the mother of skill, whether you're training your dog, or learning your scales.

A commonly quipped rule of thumb is that it takes 21 days to learn to like something or form a habit.  I heard this type of reasoning used by Sesame Street characters to encourage kids to try new foods.  Try it, you might like it! And then, try it again.  Give it time!

 When it comes to music, our ears work like our tongues.  We might not like sushi or reggae at first, but with time, our body responds less and less in opposition to it.  All five of our senses are remarkably adaptable.   A new sound will  cause an excited reaction, either positive or negative.  It's up to you whether you avoid the sound so you continue to dislike it, or get used to and eventually enjoy it.  You decide what your ears like and what they don't.

If you swat the donkey enough times, eventually it moves.  If you listen to it enough times, eventually, you will like it.

Learning to love good things is a lifelong pleasure and gift from God.

"He that has never traveled thinks that his mother is the only good cook in the world."(Kenya)

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Monday, November 11, 2013

Art Philosophy & Criticism ( and a New Album)

I loved reading Gregory Wilbur's thoughts on the arts.  While non-Christians may find Biblical teaching irrelevant, aesthetics are still an obvious and worthy study.


CREDO
I believe that beauty is an attribute of God and is therefore a theological issue.
I believe that beauty and excellence are objective and that the Bible provides the standard for what is beautiful and excellent.
I believe...  Read more.

Monday, November 4, 2013

YouTube Sensation: Kyle Landry

http://kylelandry.com
This pianist and arranger (perhaps composer too?) is one of my new favorites.  His performances are stellar, though every time I see him sitting so cramped up and close to the keys I just want to give him a pull back so he's not so uncomfortable!  He offers many arrangements for free, so go get some free sheet music!!

http://kylelandry.com