Stringed Musical Instruments
MUSIC TO CALM THE
SOUL
When I was young I don’t think I ever heard
a violin, or any other stringed instrument being played. If I did it must not
have impressed me as I sure do not remember it.—Then of course when I finished
up this blog I realized that is a not a true statement, because a violin and a
fiddle are pretty much the same instrument, but usually playing different types
of music. That is actually not a
completely true answer either, but it is the easy answer.
As I got older I realized I actually liked and perhaps even enjoyed listening to stringed musical
instruments making easy listening music. When I was in my mid teens I purchased
a 33 RPM record that I enjoyed. It was The Grand Canyon Suite and there were a
lot of crescendo’s in it, as well as the comforting strings. I used to lay on
our front room floor and listen to it for hours.
If course I am in no way a music “aficionado” in any way, but just a guy that knows what kind of music I enjoy.
I don’t know exactly when I realized
stringed music was comforting, calming and serene. Maybe that is where the old
saying that certain music came to be known as, “music to calm the beast in Man.”
Many, many years ago I moved into an area
where lived a man that taught Cello music. He also played a beautiful Cello,
and for the first time in my life I realized a Cello and a Violin could be
played solo and make beautiful, calming music by their selves. (Of course with
a trained musician—Ha Ha.) Everytime this fellow played the Cello in Church I
was completely relaxed. I also felt the same way when a beautiful violin solo
was played.
My wife spent quite some time in Care
Centers during her last few years. There were several times when a stringed
quartet came to play for an activity. Each time we both made the comment about
how calming and relaxing it was. And I learned something new again. I learned
that a string quartet is usually made up of two Violins, one Viola and one Cello.
She commented once to me that she thought that must be what the angelic music
must sound like, and I agreed with her and while I listened and meditated I was
completely relaxed. The first time they played, I talked to them when they were
finished and got a lesson on the difference in a viola and a violin.
I guess there are a lot of instruments, in
fact hundreds if you thought about them on a world wide basis. Some that I am
sure fit that category are, Harp- Banjo- Guitar- Ukulele and a long list of
others.
As I sit here for a couple of nights. Pondering
what to put in this blog, I realized I have been concentrating on stringed
music that to me is relaxing, soothing and tranquil.
One night a couple of years ago I was
watching TV and a young lady came on, walking across the stage and calmly
playing the violin, so I decided to watch the show.
The next thing I knew she was dancing,
running, jumping and doing gymnastics all while she was playing a violin. The
only word I could think of at the time was that this young lady was phenomenal.
Her name was Lindsey Stirling. She, for
sure, gave me a different outlook on playing the violin. It was vibrant, loud
and active. She probably burned up more calories during a one hour presentation
than any superstar athlete. I have never seen her preform again but I could
easily become a fan if I watched TV or went to concerts.
So a couple of things, that are just my
opinion, to sign off here-----
A
Fiddle and a violin are pretty much the same instrument: the big difference is
the music they play and where they play it.
A Viola is mostly just a bigger Violin with
a different sound (easy explanation.)
I know
for a fact (my humble opinion) a Cello makes beautiful music as a solo. I love
to listen to Richard as he seems to be a perfectionist.
While working on this blog I asked a few
people (who probably know less that I do about music,) for opinions and help.
One of
the answers I got when I asked the difference between a Violin and a Fiddle
was, ----He heard an old story once that you might get beer or catsup on your
instrument if you played a Fiddle, but that would never happen when playing a
Violin.
W.R. Baldwin
5 Oct 2015
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