Writing, recording, playing, performing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLAzzNg44pU
The final edited video for the first performance of our elementary school’s School of Rock - an 80-member rock band including ages from pre-K to fifth grade and skill levels from complete novice to experienced performers. That’s me oompahing on the tuba at 1:33. I suggested the song, arranged it and did lead vocals and tuba for a performance by our adult band as a demo for the kids, and coached the wind section. My daughter is visible singing at 2:02 (on left, in profile) and at various other places. The whole project was a blast, and we’re now working on our next song in the second 10-week session. read more...
Clara received this song on a mix CD from her cousins, and it got into both of our heads. So she wanted to perform it at our school’s assembly. I’m very excited that we can do harmonies together now!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pW0kJfHTfyI
I recorded this quickly for my daughter’s kindergarten class to practice with. We performed it together at the All-School Program on 12 Feb 2010. Lots of kids sang along! That’s Clara and Katherine shouting the alphabet. My good recording gear wasn’t working, so this is recorded on a cheap condenser mic and a Sound Blaster card.
We had our first real snowfall of the season last night, about eight inches. I successfully shoveled without apparently hurting my back! Yay!
In celebration, and in response to all the Christmas songs playing all around me, I’d like to bump an old post of carol parodies. The first one is the one I had in mind, though I still like the second too.
[Clara is playing. Her mom has given her a small irregularly-shaped piece of leftover fabric with the ends stitched together; she wears it on her head and calls it a hat. She sees a toy clock on a shelf. Starts moving its hands around. Sings:]
Hickory, dickory, dock.
A mouse run up the clock.
[Clara’s “hat” falls off her head. Still singing, in tune:]
My hat fall off,
A mouse run down,
Hickory, dickory, dock.
The following were actually written in the car one or two years ago; I just came across them again and decided it was the right time.
I’m dreaming of a green Christmas
I’m dreaming of a green Christmas
So I don’t have to shovel snow
’Cause when I start liftin’,
My spine starts shiftin’,
And soon, my back will start to go… read more...
Last night I dreamed that Buddy was taking a bath outside my window.
Here’s a little piano playing from this evening.
I asked Dad for a piano sound today. Then I strummed on the guitar with my pick, and then I bonked the pick on the drum pad a little. Here’s what it sounded like:
