Bliss

Posted on June 12, 2013 by mariannedecher

Since last October, I have been playing flute music in the lobby of one of the children’s hospitals in town. It has certainly been a great experience so far, and I look forward to continuing there.

Today, though, I got to play on the unit with the children at the “other” hospital. I LOVED it. A few people told me, in passing, that the music was soothing. A staff member told me that 2 patients down the hall wanted their doors open so they could hear me. YAY! (I marvel at that because I was told repeatedly, before arriving, that I should play very quietly). My dream job would be to get paid to play therapeutic music to folks who need it. And I think we all need it!

The best moment today was when a young boy (a patient) came by on a scooter and asked me about my alto flute. I told him it was really heavy and just handed it over for him to hold. He told me it was not heavy and that it looked like a walking cane (because of the curved head piece). 🙂

I can’t wait till I get to play again!!!

Flutetastic

A Shout Out to Musicmakers

Posted on March 27, 2013 by mariannedecher

I just want to acknowledge that Musicmakers in Stillwater, MN, not only sent me an awesome Reverie Harp (ok, I sent them a little money for it), but I also received a HAND WRITTEN note today thanking me for my purchase. Does that kind of awesome customer service still exist??? Well, with them it does. LOVE you guys. Keep up the good works!

Check them out HERE. I love love love my harp. Makes me happy 🙂

“Harpe” Diem

Posted on March 21, 2013 by mariannedecher

Seize the day – with a Reverie Harp! Pete and I ran off to the beach this afternoon. We got in a 7 minute walk before the wind and rain got to us. We then dined at the newly renovated Mo’s at Cannon Beach. We watched the sunset from inside the car while I played the new harp. That was cool. Finally, on the drive home, we went through white out SNOW conditions!!! It was wild!

From inside the restaurant. Notice the lights reflecting on the window.

Just a few moments later.

Ahhhh

Harpe Diem!

The Newest Baby

Posted on March 17, 2013 by mariannedecher

The delivery will be easy but I think my wallet needs an epidural – haha. Look at the *gorgeous* Reverie Harp that’s on the way to my home. I REALLY want to provide therapeutic music to folks, especially and hopefully at the DREAM job I applied for at the children’s hospital. Anyone can play this harp because it is set to a pentatonic (5 note) scale where every note harmonizes with every other note. It’s impossible, even for non-musicians, to hit a “wrong” note. The soothing sounds and the vibrations from having this harp on your lap, or on your chest if you are in a hospital bed, are stellar. And from what I’ve heard, even quadreplegics with some arm motion can play this. How awesome is that???

22 strings, 20″ X 12.5″
Lightweight, portable, gorgeous sound, anyone can play it!!

The “face” on the harp reminds me of this character.

Finally Fluting Again!

Posted on March 4, 2013 by mariannedecher

Other than popping into PCC’s chamber ensemble 2 weeks ago, I have not played any instruments since last October. Hoo boy – going through withdrawal for sure!

I’m getting repertoire together to play at the children’s hospital. If one can get the commercial aspects out of one’s mind, many Disney songs are quite lovely from a melodic perspective. I’ve developed a whole new appreciation for “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes”.

Figuring out melodies/harmonies in 2 different keys

Flutetastic work of art. Love those keys!

Music is Everywhere!

Posted on February 19, 2013 by mariannedecher

Kombucha Goodness

Posted on February 8, 2013 by mariannedecher

Hey y’all,

Being the southern gal that I am, I will just plum chat it up with anyone. I saw a couple at Whole Foods this morning eyeing the Kombucha bottles. (It’s a fermented “tea”; one that I make at home when I’m not in lazy or super busy mode). Welllll – I seized the opportunity to tell them about this wonderful drink. It has probiotics and B vitamins. It’s energizing and calming at the same time. And you almost certainly won’t like it the first time you drink it. But then it GROWS on ya. Yum, yum, yum.

This morning, I had a PT appt at 7:45am. Something just not quite right about that early hour. Today is music class, then music practice for when I play in the hospital again on the 21st, and Kindermusik prep for my 3rd practicum class on Tuesday. Tonight, we’re going to a lecture on DNA stuff. You know – stuff about DNA. 🙂

Happy day y’all. Have some Kombucha!

Seaweed soup and a music joke

Posted on January 26, 2013 by mariannedecher

I just love eclectic, mish-mash topics. It’s how my brain works.

Homemade miso soup with wakame seaweed and carrots. And blueberries. Breakfast of champions!!

Yum, yum, yum! Don’t think I’m supposed to be eating soy but so far, it’s going over just fine.

And now for a music joke. It was passed along through several people so I don’t know whom to credit. It’s really clever. Enjoy.

C, E-flat, and G go into a bar. The bartender says, “Sorry, but we don’t serve minors.” So E-flat leaves, and C and G have an open fifth between them. After a few drinks, the fifth is diminished, and G is out flat. F comes in and tries to augment the situation, but is not sharp enough. D comes in and heads for the bathroom, saying, “Excuse me; I’ll just be a second.” Then A comes in, but the bartender is not convinced that this relative of C is not a minor. Then the bartender notices B-flat hiding at the end of the bar and says, “Get out! You’re the seventh minor I’ve found in this bar tonight.” E-flat comes back the next night in a three-piece suit with nicely shined shoes. The bartender says, “You’re looking sharp tonight. Come on in, this could be a major development.” Sure enough, E-flat soon takes off his suit and everything else, and is au natural. Eventually C sobers up and realizes in horror that he’s under a rest. C is brought to trial, found guilty of contributing to the diminution of a minor, and is sentenced to 10 years of D.S. without Coda at an upscale correctional facility.

More angels

Posted on January 16, 2013 by mariannedecher

The last fews days have been challenging, mainly with an unexpected pain fest, but some awesome things happened along the way.

Sunday night, Pete and I listened to a live Irish session. On a small side stage, 3 year old twins were “dancing like no one was looking”, as the saying goes. They inspired me and helped me to feel better by just being themselves.

Last night, Pete and I listened to a live bluegrass jam. Bluegrass will heal anything that ails ya, guaranteed. At the booth that was next to and above ours (picture 2 levels of booths with 3 stairs leading to the top level) the cutest little girl peeked over and smiled at me. I engaged her in conversation but it eventually got to where her mom told her to “stop bothering the lady so she can eat her dinner”. I told her I was the one who brought on the chatting and that I should be put in time out 🙂 As the family was leaving, the little girl wanted to say good-bye to me. Two and a half year old Stevie came running over and gave me a spontaneous, big hug. Totally made my day!!

Annie, the angel, has rounded up several gals, with whom I used to interpret, to come to my Kindermusik practicum. The last time I saw these gals, they weren’t even preggos yet so I hadn’t thought to contact them. It will be SO nice to have friendly, familiar faces, and their sweet little ones, at my practicum.

Whew – the clouds have parted and the angels are singing. Things are looking up!

Harping on our trip

Posted on October 27, 2012 by mariannedecher

With very little lead time, Pete and I decided to drive to Port Townsend yesterday to visit a family friend who had just moved into an assisted living center. She worked with my dad at NASA in the 60s. With her memory slipping rapidly, we wanted to catch her as soon as possible.

Port Townsend harbor – view from our room

Any questions?

When we arrived at the hotel yesterday, a particular restaurant, The Upstage, was recommended to us, along with its live music. Well, why not? Little did we know that we would get the best seat in the house in front of Dan Crary, the pioneer of flatpicking guitar!! Steve Spurgin played bass and a killer mandolinist named Martin Stevens was there too. Do these guys ooze coolness or what? (Their show, 2 days later in Portland, is completely sold out. And here we just walked in and stumbled upon them).

This morning, we visited with our friend, H.F. She was fairly clear in her memory most of the time. Conveniently, as we were wrapping up, she had another friend stop by. Perfect timing. Off to the ferry in Kingston to head over to Seattle.

Once on the other shore, we postponed lunch and zipped over to Dusty Strings, the music mecca for hammer dulcimers and harps and other folk instruments.

Look at the new baby!! I am running a home for wayward instruments. Like I said in a previous post, my fondest desire is to play therapeutic music to folks in hospitals, hospices, assisted living centers etc. This is a SWEET instrument with a gorgeous sound. I got it used for a great price, along with a case, stand, and tuning wrench. After mulling this over for several hours at the store, and then driving home in the dark in a virtual washing machine of bad weather, I’m thrilled with the decision. This baby is a Ravenna 26; bought two years and one day after my first spinal surgery, with some very hard won settlement money!

A work of art!

Harp levers with a smattering of mandolin and banjo

mariannedecher

Music and Musings

Category Archives: Music