Saturday, December 29, 2012

Magical melodification

For Christmas I got a melodica.

What, you ask, is a melodica?  Well, it's kind of like a harmonica or an accordion, only significantly less cool.  I like the sound of it, but I'm also not exactly on the cover of <google for a cool magazine> or getting interviewed by <google for a cool TV interviewer (is there such a thing?  Is TV even still a thing?)>.

For one thing, playing the melodica makes you look like a dork.  Exhibit A:


See?

Ok, ok, you're saying that anyone in a vest is already starting out at a disadvantage.  Point taken.

Also, he's not really "selling" it, now is he?  Maybe if there was more feeling in his performance we'd be convinced of the melodica's awesomeness.  Let's try another:


Hmmmmmm.

Certainly a different flavor of dork, but a dork all the same.

Maybe expression is not the key.  Both of those guys were mildly goofy looking to start out with.  We need to start out with a person who is more obviously socially acceptable.  Let's see what we can find...


Well, I think that proves it.

Even if you are a model for <google a cool clothing store for middle schoolers>, the melodica makes you mock-worthy.  Oh well. 

Here's a little recording I made on my ipod using the melodica, a guitar, a ukulele, and a bass:


Monday, December 24, 2012

Merry Christmas

It has been a busy, wonderful Christmas time this year.  In our church stake (a local group of about 1000 church members) we put together a Christmas Festival for the community.  We decorate the church, prepare a live nativity, and give a concert with a choir and orchestra.  Sarah and I were able to play clarinet and bassoon in the orchestra, and it was a marvelous experience.  The performances were attended by about 2000, which was nearly all of the seats that we had available. 

We had other opportunities to play Christmas music this year as well.  The recording below is of a piano/cello arrangement of "O Come Emmanuel" performed by my friend Scott Ripplinger on cello while I accompany him. 

I'm grateful for this time of year and the opportunities it brings to be with family, to give thanks for our blessings, and to remember our Savior who came long ago to give us the power to choose who we will become in this life and in the life to come.