Fine (fee’-nay)

Today I did my final passion project presentation! I was pretty nervous to play cello for the class because I had only performed for my family up to this point. I tried my best to turn off my "perfectionist switch" before the presentation so I could focus on the progress I've made, rather than the things I still need to work on. It went very well (despite my shaky hands and rosy cheeks) and I was happy to share my passion for music with the class.

As I reflect on my project, I'm proud to say that I accomplished my main goal to make a joyful noise to the Lord. Using my musical creativity connects seamlessly to my faith by being beauty-creating. Some notes may have been more beautiful than others, but the instrument design and tones it can create really illustrates the beauty of music.

 

Learning new concepts like tones between finger positions allowed me to be order-discovering through my project. I was looking for order in the world by striving to find order in the way cello music is written and played. I also learned about the order of the brain and how attuning ourselves to the sounds of God's creation can actually restore order where it has been lost.

Through using my gifts in a God-honoring way, I have also learned to be God-worshipping and image-reflecting. I find these two through-lines to be very connected because I am reflecting God's image by using the talents he has given me to worship him. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 says it all when Paul writes, "There are a variety of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone."

My passion project has been a very enjoyable experience. The Bible course gave me the perfect motivation to find a cello to sit down and play. Even though the cello may not be the most useful instrument in the future- it sure gave me joy! I'm talking tingles down the spine, happy to be alive and praising God kind of joy! Thanks for following my blog. I hope you've learned a little something along the way as well. :)

 

  Hopefully I will be able to enjoy the cello through the summer, but it will eventually

need to be returned to it's owner. So, for now, this is the end. Fine.

I

Cello Sketch, some rights reserved
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

VibrAAaaAAaaAAto!

Since my last lesson, I have been working on smooth bowing and quick string transitions. Kristiana gave me some exercises, like bowing finger one on each string back and forth, to improve on these. She noticed that I was doing a lot of "bow crossing" (accidentally bowing on two strings) while playing harder songs. I need to focus on keeping my bow very parallel to the ground to avoid that.

Kristiana also taught me to play vibrato even though my skill level isn't high enough to play it nicely yet. Beginners usually only play vibrato on half or whole notes, but she said that she plays it on almost every note because it comes so naturally. To play vibrato, you twist your wrist back and forth to roll your finger and make a controlled wavering pitch. It's very pretty and can really enhance a legato piece with longer notes.

Unfortunately, Kristiana can't find the piano book of accompaniments for the little cello songs I have learned, so I won't be able to record those ones together. I do, however, have music for the cello and piano of Say Something by A Great Big World. This one is harder to play because it has extended positions beyond the first position that I've learned, but I really want to play it for my class presentation so I'm going to try.

There's only one more week of classes left! My last project goal is to present to my Bible class about what I have learned through pursuing my passion.

Music Made for Us!

This is just the coolest! In Bible class, we have talked about the role the internet has played in transforming the way we listen to music. I have also been interested in the field of music therapy for a while now and have considered pursuing it in university, so this video interests me.

Even if someone says they don't care or don't pay attention to the music they listen to, it still has an effect on them. Music can completely alter your perception of a picture or situation and can even change the biology of your brain.

It's amazing how bird songs and nature sounds are the ones that produce the most white blood cells and greatest positive results in patients in critical care. The only thing these guys got wrong is that this is a result of our connection to God through nature and not just our "biological connection to the world." I'm reminded of a Sunday School song from Isaiah 55:12 in support of the earth being connected to God's people as they are lead out of slavery in Egypt. "For you shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace; the mountains and the hills before you will break forth in singing and all of the trees of the fields shall clap their hands... and it shall make a name for the Lord."