Merry Christmas to all our Readers

A CAROLLING MORNING

Somehow these icy days made me think of the Russian winter, reminding me of the lovely sound of the balalaika orchestra and this morning we warmed up to the music of Russian folk dance.

We were a big group today, with only two members absent so that standing close together and becoming aware of the blend of the voices we made a good sound, opening on THE CAROL OF THE ADVENT.

DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR? gives the opportunity for single voices to sing in 'call and response' style. Mairi, Jim, Isla and John each took a verse and backed by Irene on the drum, this song sounded effective.

We sang through THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS and repeated it, groups of 1, 2, or 3 singing each verse.

Rounding up after coffee took some doing as the talk was going strong but when we finally settled down we gave good energy to 'It Came Upon the Midnight Clear", a thoughtful carol and antidote to the pre-Christmas, buying babble.
Thinking back to THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS we decided the text was somewhat out of date and gave it our new 2008 RECESSION VERSION, to much hilarity.
Our Christmas lunch, organised by Carol and Gordon at the Douglas Park Golf Club, was a real joy - good food, wine and company. And of course we raised the rafters with our songs. Mairi, after some persuasion and reluctantly after eating so well, delighted us all with some 'joining in' songs.

My thanks to all for making this such a successful and happy session. ------------------

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!
Looking forward to seeing everyone back on 13th January.
With every good wish, Moira.

Click on the picture below to see the days events. Unfortunately you need about 15 minutes to watch it. There are a few videos in the presentation and depending on your broadband connection these take a bit of time to load. There are 34 slides to see and if you get a black screen when a video is loading just give it time and you will then see and hear us singing . Please make sure your sound it turned up. To see an alternative presentation for the photos only click on the small Christmas tree at the bottom of this post -- Cheers and Merry Christmas from Carol your webmaster

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Enjoy Music_ Christmas 2008

ADVENT CAROL FOR THE CAFE STAFF.

We opened today with harp music by Alison Kinnaird _ Balfour Village and Shapinsay Polka, using its 8 beat phrases to pace our breathing and develop breath control.
Not quite hyperventilated, but certainly buoyed up on this intake of air, we then managed a good full sound in the 3 part harmonies of SENJUA.
SIYAHAMBA also needs good secure harmony and to this end we spent some time working on the second part, sung by the lower voices. Next week should see a big improvement on this.
Moving on to the instruments, we then built up the four ostinatos, underpinned by Carol on the drum with Moira Perritt making a magnificent effort on the bass xylophone, for I SHALL SING, before starting the song. Keeping all this together is demanding of everyone but well worth striving for as it's hugely satisfying to achieve that feeling of ensemble, plus - it's a good song.
THE CAROL OF THE ADVENT was our seasonal piece today and what a pleasure that is to sing!
Having been told by the cafe staff that they'd been listening to it from the balcony above us, we decided to wish them a good Christmas break by giving them a performance in the cafe at the end of the morning: a small, but appreciative audience.
Click on the picture below to see more -- Please allow time to load

Make a Smilebox slideshow

SOME MORE FUN FROM ENJOY MUSIC

In the absence Moira (hope she is enjoying Berlin and Venice) we had another DIY session, in the spirit of "Have a go and have fun!" Isla very ably organised the proceedings and all 17 of us had a very enjoyable morning.

Diana started us off with warm-up exercises " (Yoga Style) followed by some unusual but very effective vocal exercises from Mairi.

We all then joined in to sing "The Lights of Lochindaal"

Next on the agenda was Joan who played a very difficult flute piece called " Morcaeu de Concours", which she played beautifully, accompanied by Isla on the keyboard.

This was the followed by us all singing "The Bonnie Lass o'Fyvie"

Gordon then sang "Carmen Antisphearisticum " as a rehearsal for his duties next spring as "Deputy Cantor" after the Aberdeen Glasgow Annual Senate University Golf Match. Again Isla played the keyboard for him.

This was next followed by Sue who read out 2 very nice poems by Kenneth Steven called " Trust" and "Gathering Sloes". Jim then played 4 pieces on his "whistle" alernating slow melodies with faster tunes.

We then all sang "Chevalier de la table ronde" and Mairi finished off with the Song - "Over the Mountain " before we all had a deserved cup of coffee or tea.

Isla then got us all singing "There was an Auld Seceder Cat" before her departure and we were then entertained by Mairi again with some "Strathspey, Reel and Jig " Gaelic songs.

To round off the morning we sang "The Wee Room" and "Wee Kirkcudburgh" followed by Irene leading the group in a couple songs sung in two part harmony. --- which she rated as "Coming Along !" in the best traditions of Moira Jakobbson

Well done to all who "had a go " and thanks to Isla for her organisation

WE SHALL SING.

Van Morisson's 'I Shall Sing' was the high point of our morning.
For starters, we resonated with:
'Spinnn lassie spinnn, an even thread and thinnn.
From this fleecy coat of thine
I will make a plaidy fine;
Spin lassie spinnn.'
After this, the African songs, Senjua and Sijahamba resounded wonderfully, Senjua in 3-part harmony.

Moving on to Scottish songs, we sang The Fair Lady, followed by Air Falalalo, by which point the jaws were truly well exercised.

Introducing the beautiful Carol of the Advent, to the French tune Besancon, words by Eleanor Farjeon, to new members, we sang it straight through today, in preparation for the start of December.

Coming back refreshed from the coffee break, we picked up the Van Morisson song, which we haven't sung since last spring. Although we know it well I Shall Sing has always been tricky for us when it comes to fitting the four ostinatos together with the voices.
Perhaps it was the six month rest, but for the first time, everyone was switched on to that beat, listening, playing and singing. Quite a thrill, for me, at least.

I'll be away next week but I can hear from the various conversations, that preparations are afoot for a good programme. Have a good morning and I'll be back on 1st December.

p.s. Here's an ORFFY diversion with thanks to Hollywood, Gene Kelly and Donald O'Connor -- Click on the play button to get the movie going !!

AN IMPROVISING DAY.

Today we resurrected many percussion instruments which have spent a long time in the cupboard.
Maracas, claves, small drums, chicken shakers, triangle, indian bells and temple blocks all came out and building on last week's practice we continued with LOVE SOMEBODY, singing the call & response.
Then the tune was played on the instruments, followed by a group improvisations section accompanied by a bass ostinato. Having got a feel for the instruments each person then chose one on which to make an individual improvisation. This was a mesmeric multi repetition of the tune with a different percussion interlude each time. A second go showed how quickly we can get the hang of both the instruments, and doing an improvisation; some very interesting passages ensued.
After making a big sound in the cafe, all 22 of us then made an even better sound with I SHALL SING, MANDELA and LAZY.

LOVE SOMEBODY YES I DO!

LOVE SOMEBODY YES I DO!
(American folk song of Scandinavian descent)
We worked on this song today _ body percussion and call and response with voices, which were further exercised in a good sing through Air Fal al al O.
Returning to LOVE SOMEBODY, after some practice we played the tune on the instruments  - a delightful sound which we'll make more of next week.

Angus McTavish we kept going, singing through the verses for the benefit of new members.

Our final song was MANDELA DANCED IN THE SQUARE  - always uplifting.

Before next week:
Have a listen to 'A Dram Before Breakfast' and make up some body percussion to its rhythms.

The picture above is  called " Seagulls on Ice "  ---  They were listening to all our music  - A real cold morning in Milngavie  but plenty of warmth inside at "Enjoy Music" ! --- click on the photo for an enlargement

HEARTY WARM UP ON A COLD MORNING

The Icelandic ' South River Band' gave us our warm up music this morning -- A Dram Before Breakfast, which inspired energetic arm stretches and feisty foot stamping -- Click on the "Play" Button above to hear this great tune --- give it time to load
Working on the voices, we moved on to singing 'Kumula Vista' in hocket, each person following the previous with a short phrase and this is beginning to show up some fine, if under confident, singers.
Concentrated practice on Old Angus followed, with xylophone & glock players learning their parts separately while the others, supported by Kate and Moira on the bass, put together the song and other percussion parts. Playing, singing and listening so that all the parts keep in time together is quite a skill and week by week we are improving at it, mainly by getting the 'feel' of the music.
We ended the morning with the beautiful harmonies of 'Banua". Three part close harmony was complemented by Mairi and Isla's 4th part soaring above the melody. This was repeated many times, as we settled into hearing our own sound - a lovely, warm feeling.

INVISIBLE VISITORS.

"A Dram Before Breakfast" by the Icelandic group South River Band was the warm up music for our group of 18 today and after opening up the vocal chords and mobilising the facial muscles, we learned a new song "Love Somebody, Yes I Do!" a folk song of Scandinavian origins and well suited to call and response treatment.
Getting on to the instruments, we revisited White Swans, singing and playing it in 4-part round, which went remarkably well considering that several people were learning it on the hoof.
After coffee we made a start on learning to play the tune "Love Somebody" - a good training for the musical ear.
Finally we spent some time on Angus, singing the verses and fitting in the side drum, timpani, bells and bass xylophone. This is coming along nicely and believe me, one day soon, will all fit beautifully together.
As we ended the session, there was a 'happening'! The fire doors suddenly flew open letting in brilliant rays of sunshine - the 'six golden angels' had come to join us!

RETURNING TO OLD ANGUS

We started the session with music by the Klezmatics, a New York group who play Klezma music based on the melodies and style of the Ashkenazy jews of central Europe.
The track we focused on was their version of the Woody Guthrie song I'm Gonna Clean up this World which seemed singularly appropriate in view of recent events on the financial scene and following on from Diana's circle dance of last week, we moved in a circle to the steady beat.
Introducing the song to new members, we then revisited THE WATERWHEEL, eventually singing in three parts and making a good, round sound with our voices.
OLD ANGUS MCTAVISH then got a lot of attention, first to learn the words, and then practise the alto part.
Five xylophone players then moved next door while the rest of us worked on the rhythms of the drums and bells.
This Orff arrangement takes a some concentrated practice but little by little we'll get there.
Many thanks to Rosemary for coordinating and recording last week's session while I was in Iceland. Sounds like it was a lot of fun. We really are a talented group in so many ways and now I'm looking forward to my chance to see a re-run.

HAVE A GO AND HAVE A FUN DAY AT ENJOY MUSIC

In the absence of our esteemed leader (hope she had a good holiday) we had a DIY session, in the spirit of "Have a go and have fun!"
Diana started us off with warm-up exercises and put us in good voice for two of our songs, including harmonies. Joan then introduced us to a lovely and poignant flute piece from Georgia, which she played beautifully,accompanied by Rosemary on keyboard, then led us nearer home to sing "Westering Home". The variety continued with a circle dance from Diana, with moves that were simple but most enjoyable. To finish the first half on a 'high' note, Jim, dressed for the part, took us "Down Below" with a very funny song about sewers.

He turned (with relief) to his whistle after the break and gave us a lively beat for clapping exercises. These descended into much hilarity, until Irene and Moira emerged as expert beat-keepers! We were then treated to two of the fine voices in the group, Irene teaching us a lovely song about a river, and Mairi finishing on a humorous note in "a Wee Hoose". There was just time for Rosemary to take us off to Africa for a Lion Hunt-scary stuff, a far and frivolous step from our start in Russia.

We truly 'had a go' and enjoyed it thoroughly. Thanks to all who led and followed!.

Many thanks to Rosemary Booth for this weeks report

NEW MEMBERS AND OLD FRIENDS

Two new members, Catriona and Lorna were on a steep learning curve this morning with the beaters and the instruments, while old friends Moira Perritt and Sheila Gardner revived after a long absence, what they learned last year.
At any rate, the scales went with a swing and the beaters were bouncing.
After that, a group took the xylophones next door to practise their parts for Angus McTavish, while the rest of us concentrated on the drum part -- tricky but satisfying when mastered and also fun.
Great to see the cafe opened again after the summer break. It does us good to go upstairs for a coffee & chat halfway through the session.

OUR FIRST 'PERFORMANCE'

After loosening up the joints to Fats Waller's stride piano and warming up the hands to the whistling of the German group 'Haindling', we warmed up the voices with some scales, by which time we ready to attack with gusto 'I need a waiter, with some water' _ a round which really gets up the energy rate.
On a totally different tack, we then learned and sang Banuwa _ a short African round with rich harmonies. Adding a clap in a cross rhythm took a bit of getting used to, but was effective when everyone picked it up.
After coffee, we continued with Orff's arrangement "Old Angus McTavish" _the song in 2 parts, bells and 2 drums + whistle. Next week we'll add xylophones.
We received surprise visits this morning from 2 groups of new starts from Milngavie Primary on a tour of the Community Centre. It seemed they got a bigger surprise than us, seeing and hearing all our instruments.
It was a joy to have them along and hear their thoughts about playing instruments and enjoying music.

A CONCENTRATED SESSION

It mattered not a jot that the rain poured down past the window this morning, since all eighteen of us were firmly focused on the musical activities, the opening one of which was moving to the wonderful long 7 beat metre of Bobby McFerrin's Circle-song Seven and the plentiful laughter generated during this started the process of warming up our voices.

Building on our practice last week with White Swans and Senjua, we sang and played them on our instruments, the hand movements becoming ever more confident and secure. Our voices sounded good too in the 3 part round.

After the coffee, we made a start on Old Angus McTavish a delightful and exciting arrangement by Carl Orff of this Scots rhyme, singing the four verses and learning the 2 part harmony.

Carol and Joan gave us a steady drive on the drums, Sheila added texture with the sleigh bells, while Kate on the bass xylophone kept the pitch secure. Jim's short phrases on the whistle completed the score for today.

Next week we'll add more xylophones!!!!

THE NEW SEASON STARTS.

We were sixteen making an energetic start to this new session.
After warming up, loosening the joints and finding that good posture, to instrumental music, flute, harp and pipes by the Whistlebinkies, in 8 beat metre, we moved on to listening and moving to beautiful voice music in 7 beat metre by Bobby McFerrin & Co._ quite a different "feel" and very unusual to our ears. Interesting to discover how a rhythm that seems unnatural at the outset can begin to feel settled and comfortable as the music progresses.
White Swans sung as a round, sounded good and composed as it is from downward scales, is a good instrumental exercise. Transferring the tune on to instruments and playing them in a 3- part round allowed us to make a complete piece in the form, instrumental - song - instrumental.
SENJUA, the African song of welcome, we sang in 3 -part harmony and similarly transferred our voice parts to the instruments.
After many repeats, it began to sound good.
The break was noisy and congenial _ there was much catching up to do after the long summer holiday.
We look forward to more happy music making and socialising next week.

Message from Moira - Our Music Blog is being noticed

Hope you're all well and enjoying your summer. I thought you might be interested to know that our music enthusiasm, thanks to Carol, is reaching far and wide.
Cheers, Moira.

On 30 Jul 2008, at 04:00, Robert wrote:
Hello, Moira!
Great blog you have.
I'm writing to you because something you mentioned on your blog caught my attention. It is about the song Kumula Vista (which you referenced as a vocal warm-up in an entry from February).
I can only find very limited resources concerning this song on the internet, and thought I would inquire as to whether or not you have a recorded performance of it. I first became familiar with the song through one of the Sing for Pleasure books, but that was years ago and I would like to re-introduce it, both to myself and my colleagues. Any information you may have will be a help!
Thank you,
Robert N.
Minneapolis, MN, USA

Hello Robert,
Glad you like our blog. I don't know of a recording of Kumula Vista and like you learned it from a Singing for Pleasure book. Perhaps they include a c.d. with their books now; you could check their web site.
Best wishes,Moira.

ICELANDIC FOLK SONG, IRVING BERLIN AND SCOTS SONG VIA ORFF.

Beginning with a good vocal warm up, we then introduced more recent members to the Icelandic folk song for the coming of summer, NU ER VETUR UR BAE and after singing it several times, could really appreciate the beautiful morning and the promise of summer ahead.
Irving Berlin's LAZY, from 1924, was next, always an enjoyable sing and it was even suggested it should be our signature tune!
We ended the session by adding the drum and cymbal to the parts learned last week for Carl Orff's setting of 'The Fair Lady", a powerful version of the Edinburgh song about the ghost of Mary Queen of Scots.
Since so many are unable to come to next week's meeting, the last before the summer, we'll skip the lunch this time and simply round off the year with a good coffee break chat and plenty of music.

A DRUMMING MORNING.

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Our meeting was led this morning by Signy Jakobsdottir, percussionist who provided us with a variety of instruments and really gave us the chance to explore the world of percussion. We showed our two years' experience of group playing, picking up the ideas and keeping a good ensemble as we divided into parts playing different rhythms.
Brazil met Milngavie when we put our energies into the roto toms, hand drums, tambourin and bass drum for a full 'call and response' Brazilian style.
Here we could really work out the aggressions, if we had any, or feel the exhilaration of that high energy playing.
The morning ended with a complete run through of "White Swans", song and instruments. We're now becoming more relaxed with an A-B-A structure and getting the idea of joining the sections smoothly together.
I thought the swans would start to salsa round the pond!

THE TIN WHISTLE FOR THE FAIR LADY

For various reasons we were seven members short today (Majorca calls at this time of year); our warm up song The Waterwheel sounded secure if not strong, but the instrumental ensemble this morning shone.
White Swans was played by instruments, then sung as 4 part round and finished with a repeat of the instrumental section.
We continued, giving Dance to your Daddy the same treatment, with a 3 part ostinato in the instrumental part.
Finally coming on to the Orff arrangement of The Fair Lady, we played 3 instrumental parts aided by Jim Booth on the whistle, all of which accompanied the song, a beautiful old Scots tune in the dorian mode.
Next week we'll add the drum and cymbal.
Reminder: 6th May is also a drumming day with visiting tutor. professional percussionist, Signy Jakobsdottir.

MOVING AROUND TO BACH AND SINGING A 4 PART ROUND.

We warmed up to Bach's Concerto in A for oboe d'amore this morning and after the hilarity which accompanied our learning the movements, we followed on in silence, enjoying the music.
Returning to "White Swans", with some concentrated effort we made a good sound in 4 part harmony, and after the coffee break we played the melody on the xylophones, going on to instrumental accompaniment and improvised interludes.
We ended the morning by re-learning the words and tune of the old Edinburgh song about the ghost of Mary Queen of Scots, "The Fair Lady" and made a start on Carl Orff's instrumental arrangement for it.
As the Centre cafe staff are increasingly curious about our group, perhaps we'll invite them downstairs next week to hear a song or two _ before the coffee break, of course


Swan Lake HD from Jo Potts on Vimeo.

Thought you all might all like this one --

We Swan Around !!

Make a slideshow - it's easy!

It's a fitting round for our group as we sing every week watching these graceful birds do the rounds of the C.E. Centre pond. “White swans go sailing along” , a 4 part round, comes out in beautiful harmonies which sounded good this morning and got us off to a good start.
On picking up the beaters for the 3 ostinatos of Dance to your Daddy, it sounded as if all the practice we’ve been doing this year is beginning to pay off since everyone played confidetly and what’s more, kept time together, even when we added the song. We missed our coffee in the cafe this morning since it was closed for spring break, but we were delighted in our interval with stories from Irene’s granddaughter Dawn about her recent trip to Bangladesh. (Dawn played and sang well too!)
No meeting next week since I’ll be visiting family in Iceland but I look forward to more goodmusic making on 22nd April

Happy Easter to all our Readers

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A.G.M. , Music and Lunch.

The second AGM of ENJOY MUSIC! confirmed that our group is now a firm fixture among the music activities in the community.
The Lottery Grant which we received via the Scottish Arts Council has been well spent on our set of Orff instruments, enabling us from now on to be financially self supporting.
Musically we are becoming skilled on the xylophones, glockenspiels and other percussion instruments, ostinato and song coming together in a fine ensemble. It's all about musicality.
Thanks to the efficient preparation by our secretary Isla and treasurer Jim, as well as helpful and good humoured input from other members, the business was concluded promptly and we could give the rest of the morning over to music.
Van Morisson's I SHALL SING ended the morning on an upbeat note.


After our morning session we were kindly invited to Moira's house for lunch and a chat -- Click on the photo above to see an enlargement (Thanks go to Jakob for that one)

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Irene's birthday which is today (Wednesday 19th March) was celebrated with a glass of bubbly --- click on her photo for an enlargement and click on the following link to see her birthday card !


CLICK HERE TO SEE IRENE'S BIRTHDAY CARD
Over the holidays, let me have your thoughts on the songs, favourites and otherwise.
Click on this link for the list

Happy holidays, --- Moira

3 PART SINGING, 3 PART PLAYING + MOUTH ORGAN TRIO.

After warming up the voices, we sang through the beautiful French spring carol 'LOVE IS COME AGAIN', which evokes that special feeling we get on seeing those first shoots coming up through the ground _ as well as being a great sing.
SENUA was our 'piece de resistance' today, introduced by the 3 mouth organs to a humming accompaniment. The song was then sung in a 3 part harmony which was next transferred to the barred instruments, _ a very satisfying process _ and it even sounded quite good.
Staying on the African theme, we revisited Mandela Danced in the Square, a first time for some and we will keep it going.

REMINDER: Our A.G.M. is next week, 18th March at 10.00 a.m. after which we'll make merry with music, as usual.

END OF WINTER WHOOP-UP is:
OPEN HOUSE AND OPEN SANDWICHES from 12.30 onwards at 6 Hillcrest Street, all members, friends, companions and spouses welcome.

ENERGETIC MORNING

15 of us this morning made 2 sets + 1 caller (Mairi) for the Virginia Reel which got us off to a lively start and it definitely seemed to charge up the energy because the voices in SENJUA today had a particular depth and resonance. We missed Carol's mouth organ and Jim was indisposed with a sore lip, so Malcolm had to carry the instrumental part which he managed after a short practice.
We are working on memorising the verses of AIR FAL AL O.
I SHALL SING is becoming more confident and the harmony more secure and I hope we can add in the instrumental parts next week.
DANCE TAE YER DADDY worked beautifully with 2 ostinatos on the instruments and next week we'll add a 3rd.
6 stayed for extra practice and we'll see them shine next week.
All the best,
Cheers on a Vino Verde!

HARMONY AND HARMONICAS

Improvised movements to Dramm Fyrir Dagmal or Whisky before Breakfast, by the Icelandic group South River Band, got us off to a good start with the ideas flowing freely one after another round the group and after warming up the voices to Kumula Vista, we experimented with harmonising some major chords.
We were then ready to take up the three parts of Senua, the African welcome song, giving a rich harmony. The singers then had a break during which Carol, Malcolm and Jim tuned up their harmonicas.
Finally putting the whole thing together, the harmonicas sounded good playing the tune supported by the group humming in 3 part harmony, after which we sang the song through, _ a heartfelt WELCOME.
Air Falalalo also benefited from the three harmonica accompaniment in the chorus and we'll work on this again next week.

Joan and Diana's flutes sounded good in the verses of Carl Orff's BOOMFALLERA, but we need to brush up our various instrument parts in this.
As always, we ran out of time, leaving plenty to pick up on next time.

A BEATER BOUNCING MORNING

After warming up to the music of the icelandic group, South River Band we got right down to practising on the instruments.
Scales, patterns, ostinatos _ we whizzed through them this morning, eventually playing, in 2 parts, the 'Instrumental Piece' from Orff's 2nd volume of compositions for percussion ensemble and we can now begin to hear the distinctive, charming quality of these arrangements.
In spite of having to sing over hammering and drilling from next door due to refurbishment of that room, our Boomfallera sounded out loud and clear and the instrumental parts of that are even coming together.
I look forward to incorporating flutes and mouth organs next week when Jim, Malcolm, Carol, Joan and Diana bring their instruments along.

Happy Valentines Day to all our readers

A BRIGHT SOUND ON A BRIGHT DAY.

On this beautiful spring morning, we opened to the harp music of Alison Kinnaird, slowly limbering up the joints till we had a good posture for singing.
With several members doing other things today our sound was smaller but ARE WE GETTING INTO HARMONY! ----- We are harmonising the WATERWHEEL in a good, relaxed way as well as learning to harmonise the final chord in a unison song, choosing our own notes.
The bonus of being a smaller number is that we have more opportunities on our 8 instruments and there truly was a bright and fresh sound today as we learned the lower line of our instrumental piece, finally putting the two parts together. This hydrant is a good metaphor for our sound --- bright and shiny outside and high pressure underneath!

Enjoy !

We warmed up to Shaun Davey's jig, Water Under the Keel from his suite The Brendan Voyage and after opening up the voices with a few scales, made our way through several songs learned some time ago. It was heartening to find that, almost in spite of ourselves, we had improved considerably. As I keep saying, the subconscious is a wonderful thing, doing all that consolidating for us while we're quite unaware.

Our new song today was Fareweel to Tarwathie, a song of the Dundee whalers, but unlike other sea songs, not one necessarily for helping the work along, but with its 3/4 time, gentle swaying rhythm and contemplative words, rather one for quite times on board, perhaps during dark evenings before sleep.

The scales on the instruments are progressing at a speedier pace now and music reading is coming along too.

The Waterwheel Turns

After warming up the joints to Fats Waller’s ‘Numb Fumblin’, we filled the lungs and used the muscles to power up the voices for good, resonant tone in The Waterwheel.
Moving on to a fresh key, faster pace and Scottish setting, we revisited Air fal al al o, with its lively melody and beautiful long phrases.
To our delight, Mairi treated us to the Gaelic version, which led to a discussion and many questions about ‘mouth music’. As a result, Mairi sang a fine example of it for us - an inspiration in rhythm and melody.
We continue to practise our xylophone technique, now reading as well as memorising the music. We are improving, but if numb fumblin is what Fats calls his playing, I don’t know what we should call ours!

M-and-S Music

Every body welcome.
No expertise needed.
Join a friendly group.
Orfully inspiring!
You'll be amazed.

Moira leads bravissimo.
Unexpected thrills happen.
Songs from round the world,
Instruments to try.
Come, make music, live!

by Rosemary Booth

Also, to copy a well known advert, "This is not just music, this is M-and-S music (Moira and Sundry friends)"

The snowdrops can get the energy flowing and so can we!

IMPROVISING CONTINUES _ Voices AND Instruments.

We warmed up the joints this morning to the happy whistling of the group Haindling, after which we were ready to fill the lungs and use the voice. Working on resonance, we each sang a short phrase using words endingin 'ng', which was echoed by all the group. Intonation, inventiveness and accurate listening are improving as is confidence to not only sing alone, but make up a phrase to sing!

The Waterwheel by Paul Wilson, in three parts, with its open vowels and long notes, is perfect for allowing us to focus on resonance andquality of tone, which comes of course from concentration and relaxation of the throat and after singing it through several times we were also beginning to feel the harmonies fitting together.

We used a good block of time for practising on the instruments today and by the end the beaters were not quite flying back and forth but certainly sounding more secure and confident, so that when each person in turn was asked to improvise,using only two notes,a short phrase which everyone would echo, the music flowed beautifully.

The business meeting which followed was a chance to check the financial health of the group, allow members to make suggestions and form a plan for the months ahead as well as next year.