Terry, this was SUCH a treat! LOL to your 'anti-busking' programme - not a bit of it - you did a great job of all of those festive tunes.
I love listening to Classic FM in the run-up to Christmas for the beautiful carols, but the closer to the 25th we got, the more the presenters would say things like 'just THREE days to go', and 'this time next week it'll all be over' blah blah blah - which irritated me no end. We were away for a couple of days over the Christmas period, and when I got back on the 27th I was looking forward too enjoying more festive music. Nope. They'd already reverted to their standard fare. Disappointing when you think that the twelve days of Christmas actually run from December 25 until January 5!
Thanks for your kind words, Rebecca. I have to say, thoughh, as my letter to you tomorrow will attest, that while you are technically correct about the 12 days of Christmas, I have to say that from a supermarket and radio music point of view, it goes on for 11 days too long.
I found your "groping" through these sweet little tunes an absolute delight. I especially loved the improvising on Good King Wenceslas - both in the music and in the spelling. Not sure why I found it so charming, other than that it is so gratifying that I am not the only bold improvisor. Thanks so much for this sharing, Terry. So much fun. I am sure you have become the life of the party any where you go.
LOL re spelling. What do I know? I thought I’d copied and pasted it from Google. But maybe not. Thanks for your kind words, Sharron. What do YOU improvise on then? I often am the life of the party, and am even more alive once I’m back home under a cat.
My music days are long over ( 1967 to 1974) so the only improvising I do now, is improvising my way through each day, trying to offend as few people as possible, to atone, to be kind, to stop swearing so much, to pick up a broom, to eat green leafy vegetables and leave the gin bottle in the cabinet. It is all improvisations now. Then there is the writing, which is all I want to do.
Laugh out loud fun! My Jim said when I showed him your art, "Terry doesn't look very happy". I laughed again! I loved every sentence, especially the Jacquie Lawson ecard mention - great solution. We receive them from time to time and they are definitely blankly-messaged and non-partisan. I also loved the recordings of your Christmas music. I'm still smiling. Merry merry Christmas to you and Elaine! 🎄
Ha! Please tell Jim, that that is not an unhappy face, it’s a “I’m too cool to crack a smile face”. There’s a big difference, as he, being a bloke, should know. Willow has the same face because we are brothers. I hope that explains everything. Thanks for your good wishes Mary. Hope you, Jim and framily have a lovely Christmas too. 😁
Thanks, Nathan. Apologies, I assumed everyone knew, but as my wife said to me once:
Me: I'm sure everyone knows that, so i won't include it in my course.
Elaine: did YOU know it before you knew it?
A digital sax is an instrument you blow into, with, in my case, the same fingering as a normal sax. However, the amount of breath you use or the shape of your mouth while playing makes almost no difference to the sound that comes out. It's really for practising, because you can turn the volume right down and even plug headphones in, soas to not disturb the neighbours. And as I implies, you cange the voice so that a different kind of sound comes out.
I'm thinking of writing an article about the differences I've discovered between the proper sax and the digital one. Or maybe even a video of me talking about it and demonstrating.
Oh thank you, Susan. Well, when you send it to him, please explain that I have only been playing for around 18 months, and often, like in the recordings in that post, try to figure out how to play something without reference to a score. Hence the mistakes as I grope for the correct note. That’s my excuse anyway! Last week, I think, I included a recording of me playing the real sax in class, with comments from the tutor and a fellow student, which he might find interesting. Have a lovely Christmas and New Year.
I like most people who try something challenging and give it their best to perfect-i will say in this moment you are much further ahead with your writing than your saxophone playing, although I enjoy (to certain degrees) both. Have a very Merry holiday season and wishing you an amazing New Year!🧑🎄👍❤️
Thank you, Marianne. I agree with you. However, a big step forward for me is being more willing to share recordings of myself playing. Even as little as a month ago I wouldn't have done so. Glad you enjoy some of my writing :-) Hope you have a lovely Christmas and New Year as well. :-)
No love for Festivus ! that holiday is celebrated even after Seinfeld. I even celebrate Diwali, even though I'm not from India & candles, aren't allowed in my building.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Festivus has many of the hallowed details, including The Airing of Grievances an Festivus Miracles. All it really needs as a religion!?
Airing of grievances doesn't sound like a barrel of laughs. I think i prefer the commercialism of Christmas! Thanks for the link, Mark, hope you have a good one. As for a new religion: possibly, because that would give us all even more grievances to air! 😂
It was initiated in a NOTORIUS episode of the SEINFELD series called " the Strike ". There's actually a bit of possibly Germanic pre - Christian history, like a sort of " maypole ". I DO research on these things, My cultural anthropology courses aren't for naught after all !
Terry, this was SUCH a treat! LOL to your 'anti-busking' programme - not a bit of it - you did a great job of all of those festive tunes.
I love listening to Classic FM in the run-up to Christmas for the beautiful carols, but the closer to the 25th we got, the more the presenters would say things like 'just THREE days to go', and 'this time next week it'll all be over' blah blah blah - which irritated me no end. We were away for a couple of days over the Christmas period, and when I got back on the 27th I was looking forward too enjoying more festive music. Nope. They'd already reverted to their standard fare. Disappointing when you think that the twelve days of Christmas actually run from December 25 until January 5!
Thanks for your kind words, Rebecca. I have to say, thoughh, as my letter to you tomorrow will attest, that while you are technically correct about the 12 days of Christmas, I have to say that from a supermarket and radio music point of view, it goes on for 11 days too long.
Scroooooooooge…..
😂
OK, I'll tell him all that. Happy New Year!
Thank you, Susan. You too!
When the kids were little I’d send Happy New Year’s cards. Problem solved.
I love when Christmas and Chanukah fall on the same day. Makes it easier for everyone. 😉🕎🎄🎁👏
Very true!
I really enjoyed them!Effort is always interesting. Happy Christmas/Season's Greetings to you and yours, Terry.
Thanks very much, June 😁😃 And to you, June!
I found your "groping" through these sweet little tunes an absolute delight. I especially loved the improvising on Good King Wenceslas - both in the music and in the spelling. Not sure why I found it so charming, other than that it is so gratifying that I am not the only bold improvisor. Thanks so much for this sharing, Terry. So much fun. I am sure you have become the life of the party any where you go.
LOL re spelling. What do I know? I thought I’d copied and pasted it from Google. But maybe not. Thanks for your kind words, Sharron. What do YOU improvise on then? I often am the life of the party, and am even more alive once I’m back home under a cat.
My music days are long over ( 1967 to 1974) so the only improvising I do now, is improvising my way through each day, trying to offend as few people as possible, to atone, to be kind, to stop swearing so much, to pick up a broom, to eat green leafy vegetables and leave the gin bottle in the cabinet. It is all improvisations now. Then there is the writing, which is all I want to do.
Laugh out loud fun! My Jim said when I showed him your art, "Terry doesn't look very happy". I laughed again! I loved every sentence, especially the Jacquie Lawson ecard mention - great solution. We receive them from time to time and they are definitely blankly-messaged and non-partisan. I also loved the recordings of your Christmas music. I'm still smiling. Merry merry Christmas to you and Elaine! 🎄
Ha! Please tell Jim, that that is not an unhappy face, it’s a “I’m too cool to crack a smile face”. There’s a big difference, as he, being a bloke, should know. Willow has the same face because we are brothers. I hope that explains everything. Thanks for your good wishes Mary. Hope you, Jim and framily have a lovely Christmas too. 😁
Merry Christmas Terry! Thanks for the saxophone snippets, too. But what is a digital saxophone? Is it still a physical instrument you blow into?
Hope you and all your readers have a happy holidays and manage some downtime and relaxation.
Thanks, Nathan. Apologies, I assumed everyone knew, but as my wife said to me once:
Me: I'm sure everyone knows that, so i won't include it in my course.
Elaine: did YOU know it before you knew it?
A digital sax is an instrument you blow into, with, in my case, the same fingering as a normal sax. However, the amount of breath you use or the shape of your mouth while playing makes almost no difference to the sound that comes out. It's really for practising, because you can turn the volume right down and even plug headphones in, soas to not disturb the neighbours. And as I implies, you cange the voice so that a different kind of sound comes out.
I'm thinking of writing an article about the differences I've discovered between the proper sax and the digital one. Or maybe even a video of me talking about it and demonstrating.
I just had a Google after your description. Didn't know these existed but sounds like a useful tool for practising.
Exactly so. https://uk.yamaha.com/en/products/musical_instruments/winds/digital_wind_instruments/yds-150/index.html
Thanks Terry, and Iove your greeting/drawing. Also, sending this on to my husband who shares your love for saxophone.
Oh thank you, Susan. Well, when you send it to him, please explain that I have only been playing for around 18 months, and often, like in the recordings in that post, try to figure out how to play something without reference to a score. Hence the mistakes as I grope for the correct note. That’s my excuse anyway! Last week, I think, I included a recording of me playing the real sax in class, with comments from the tutor and a fellow student, which he might find interesting. Have a lovely Christmas and New Year.
Merry Whatever Terry! I could double, even triple your anti busking profits if I were your singer.
Let's make it a trio!
🤣 Thanks, Jeanne! We would obviously make a great team! You too
I like most people who try something challenging and give it their best to perfect-i will say in this moment you are much further ahead with your writing than your saxophone playing, although I enjoy (to certain degrees) both. Have a very Merry holiday season and wishing you an amazing New Year!🧑🎄👍❤️
Thank you, Marianne. I agree with you. However, a big step forward for me is being more willing to share recordings of myself playing. Even as little as a month ago I wouldn't have done so. Glad you enjoy some of my writing :-) Hope you have a lovely Christmas and New Year as well. :-)
No love for Festivus ! that holiday is celebrated even after Seinfeld. I even celebrate Diwali, even though I'm not from India & candles, aren't allowed in my building.
🤣
Festivus - 1 POLE TO RULE THEM ALL !
I hadn't heard of Festivus. Did you make it up? Chortle.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Festivus has many of the hallowed details, including The Airing of Grievances an Festivus Miracles. All it really needs as a religion!?
Airing of grievances doesn't sound like a barrel of laughs. I think i prefer the commercialism of Christmas! Thanks for the link, Mark, hope you have a good one. As for a new religion: possibly, because that would give us all even more grievances to air! 😂
It was initiated in a NOTORIUS episode of the SEINFELD series called " the Strike ". There's actually a bit of possibly Germanic pre - Christian history, like a sort of " maypole ". I DO research on these things, My cultural anthropology courses aren't for naught after all !
Sorry for doubting you old bean! Thanks for the info. Hope you have a nice Xmas break!
I'm off to a good start - A Japanese dagger & a Ray Bradbury anthology. I collect swords, daggers, etc.