Keeping Track of Technology

So, when my iPod nano suddenly turned off yesterday and would not reboot, I started thinking about what I would do to (quickly) replace it. Thank goodness my husband got it up and running again keeping all of my data intact.

This got me to thinking how I would know what to put on a new iPod so I would have all of my trusted  mp3s when I needed them. I especially use the music for my recorder class, and I have lots of homemade backtracks. I have all the original mp3s on my desktop (I learned that lesson long ago).

This morning I plugged in my iPod into my computer and took screen shots of all the important playlists for reference. Of course, I hope I never had to use them, but now I feel better knowing that the information is at hand.

Viola Strings

I thought it might be time to change my viola strings when some of the low sections of the orchestra music were playing sounded a little too gravelly while trying to be quiet. I tried a different kind of string from Tomastik - the Superflexible variety which are only $60 for a set. They sound brighter than the Dominants, but I am still getting the gravelly sound on the C string in the piano sections. I am trying different bowing techniques, and perhaps I will hit upon one that will do the trick. These particular strings have stayed in tune pretty well since putting them on - one reason I like the a manmade core.

Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Celtic

Lynn and I have been playing Celtic music for violin and cello for about 4 1/2 years now. We love listening to and trying to emulate Natalie Haas and Alasdair Fraser. After the Bluegrass concert last week, Lynn and I are thinking about expanding our repertoire to include Bluegrass and Old-Time music and perhaps see if we can add some vocals, too.

This has got me working on an arrangement for us of The Storms Are On the Ocean, an old Carter Family tune, performed in this youtube video with Raymond McLain.

Bluegrass

One of the best grades I got in college was from a half-course on Bluegrass music. It was a course designed for non-majors, but I was so taken with the McLain Family Band when they came to Carleton to perform and record Phil Rhodes' Concerto for Bluegrass Band and Orchestra that I had to take the class.

Last night Pomona College hosted a Bluegrass and Old-Time Music concert with resident professor Joti Rockwell and guests Richard Greene and Tom Sauber. Little Bridges was pretty full with an enthusiastic crowd, and even though I was tired, I'm glad I made the effort to go to the concert.

Being at the concert has revived my memories and interest in the McLains, so I started doing a little looking on the internet, and Ruth McLain Smith has a youtube channel with some videos of the family (loving that 1980s hair...) Some of their recording are archived and accessible here.