♯ Making Music ♯

(Photo credit to SMSU Today)

It takes work, practice time, and energy. Lots of energy. I never realized how much energy went into a single performance until I was in an orchestra. Also, focus. Focus on the music, the time signature, conductor, bowing, intonation, dynamic, and detail. Playing in an orchestra is a completely different skill than performing solo, or as a duet or small ensemble. 

BUT it's so totally completely worth it. Every ounce of energy, every late night, every note played, and every piece of music performed. Every emotion felt.

I also play differently solo than say, at church with the congregation. It's a different technique altogether. My adrenaline can get pretty high when I compete . . . 😉 If you've only ever heard violins in a solo performance do not expect the same sound if you plop them with an ensemble. There's so much team-work that goes into playing with a group. 

(Photo credit to SMSU Today)

If you have the opportunity to play in a group I strongly suggest it. It's literally eye opening and such a space for learning, not to mention the community to help you learn. 

Bonus post!! Why I chose the name The Kaleidoscope: A glittering jumble of order

    When my Dad and I decided I should start a blog, I didn't know what to call it for the longest time. I'm still not sure I really really like the name. I wish now I had switched out the word glittering for sparkling, and maybe a different word for jumble. If I ever move to a different name, I'll be sure to write a farewell post, since I really don't like finding blogs that "died" a long time ago with no apparent reason. 
    I picked the first part "The Kaleidoscope" because eventually I will add other passions of mine to this blog, and kaleidoscopes have many parts, all intricate in their own ways, but they all work together to make one beautiful design. So that's the first part. The second bit "A glittering jumble of order" I picked because I love glittery things, and my life seems like a jumble of order sometimes 😉 if that's even possible! 

Do you have any questions about my blog, the name, or why I started it?  Do you have a blog? Why did you name it what you did? 

Music.... ramblings

I love music because it gives me joy; it gives me a glimpse into eternity. Music can help me in any situation, to help me express myself, to feel happy or serious. Music teaches me patience.
Music is satisfying. Performing music solo is a thrill I cannot describe. Music is something not everyone can enjoy and give, and if you can, give it to others.
My heart is always full of music, of the love of music, of the struggle with music. If you don't hear me singing or humming, you can be sure I'm listening to music. I would have the radio going always except when practicing, if I could. My family is not the same way, so I do try to respect that. I have a whole folder on the computer labeled: Music. Yep, and it's a pretty long collection.
I'm always trying to learn, to improve, and yet still enjoy. I don't want to be "broken". My own teacher was, and I know many other music students (not his) often are. If you don't like music or enjoy playing, don't. You won't put effort into it as someone who loves it would, and we can tell.


Goodness...... I hope you didn't mind reading my ramblings. Also, I need more blog post ideas. 
Got any? 

The Person Behind the Blog

(Ahem, the person behind this blog)

    Oftentimes I think we blog readers forget about the person behind the blog. The person that posts and waits .... and waits.... and sometimes never gets a comment. Now, it can be a good exercise in patience and not-getting-what-I-want, but it is ever so encouraging to get a comment! It often gives us writers motivation to keep writing and improving our writing style. I've even noticed how my style has changed since I started this blog. Try reading my first post. I didn't know how to use Blogger, so it doesn't even have a title. All in all, blogging is really enjoyable, especially with a comment or two! :) 

Musings and Callings

(a fairy lost in thought)

      This post comes after quite a bit of musing and thought, on my part. In Christian circles, generally not the ones I have been raised in, there is much discussion about callings. "What is your calling in life?" "What does God want you to do?" The problem I am finding with these, however, is that the word calling has many different meanings. "How do you define calling?" I want to ask these people. Some say things like "My calling is to feed geese" or in other cases "My calling is to be a women pastor" Ummmm, yeah, I don't think that's biblical, yet you are tacking a somewhat-associated-with-the-Bible word onto it to justify it? Or to clarify it? It doesn't make sense to me. Is calling a word that used to mean one thing and now means another? Probably.
     You can read all sorts of articles on what your calling is, and take quizzes as well. It's surprising that someone who doesn't even know you knows what you'll end up doing with your life. ;) One of the first sources that came up was Oprah. No, I did not look at it. Others include Tiny Buddha, WomenLeaders, and Pick the Brain. Interesting.
     What will you say when someone asks you what your calling is? The problem, if it is one, that I am running into is that I have so many many interests in life. How to choose what to major in in college, or minor in, or get a job in, or pour my time into? Music, animals, crafts, children, orphans (kinda the same thing as children.....), graphic design, art, all of them? I really would like to go spend some time with missionaries, work with kids, orphans, the elderly, the homeless. I think my heart is too big. It may not sound like a problem, but I'm running into some! :) There is not enough time for all of them!
      Anyway, what are your thoughts on callings? Do you think you know what yours is? How did you know?