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Handel’s “Messiah”
We spent the afternoon today enjoying the wonderful sounds of George Fredric Handel’s “Messiah” filling the air of the Linda M. Byrnes Performing Arts Center in Arlington, Washington. The chorus and the orchestra were led by Lyle Forde and composed of all volunteer community members. Besides the community choir, the program features the Overman Family Musicians who also composed a large percentage of the orchestra with a family member in almost every section. For a suggested admission fee of $5.00, we received a lot of bang (as in timpani) for the buck. Besides the complete Messiah there were also performances by a young women’s chorus and an audience sing along of well known Christmas carols. We had been considering spending the coin to go to see the Messiah concert at Seattle’s Benaroya hall, but considering the ticket prices, parking fees and the hassle of driving into the city, we opted for this instead and we were not disappointed in the least. The singing and the playing were top notch. I highly recommend attending this next year if you want to attend a performance of Handel’s Messiah.
6th String Root Jazz Chords
Continuing on from the last post, here are three Major 7 and Major 6 type chords with the root note on the 6th string, or low E string on the guitar. Major 7 chords do have a distinctive “jazzy” sound, so they will make you sound cool instantly. Be sure to notice that you must mute the 5th string with the tip of your first finger and the 1st string with either a finger or part of your hand . The Major 6 chord requires that you bar the notes on the 4th and 5th strings with your 3rd finger. And the only difference between the Major 6 and Major 6/9 chords is that you add the 9th with your pinky (4th finger) on the 1st string. I have also shown an alternate version of the Major 6/9 chord that was taught to me by my friend Michael Powers, which is much easier in my opinion to finger. You will note that I have intentionally not included which fingers to use in the chord diagrams so that you can figure out what works best for you since everyone has different sized hands and fingers and abilities.
Learning Some Jazz Chords
I’ve started trying to learn some jazz. So here are a few jazz guitar chords that I have been working on this week. Of course, the first major chord is not just a “jazz” chord, but is widely used, but for a basic major chord with a 6th string root, it seems to be about the only option. I will post some more next week, assuming I survive this sinus infection that decided to make my head its home for the time being. For now I am concentrating on chords with a root note on the 6th string (low E) on the guitar. The legend below the chord diagram provides the interval for note on each string, such as R for root, p5 for Perfect 5th, etc.
What are some of your most useful jazzy chords?
Also, I need to emphasize that I am not a jazz musician….only that I find it fascinating and it is an awesome way to learn chord theory. I think to be a true jazz cat you need to give it full time study and my interest lies in too many other areas and I just don’t have time to devote full time effort.
President Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation (1863)
I believe Lincoln’s words speak for themselves. Have a happy Thanksgiving everyone.
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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
A PROCLAMATION.
The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added which are of so extraordinary a nature that they can not fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God.
In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign states to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere, except in the theater of military conflict, while that theater has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.
Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense have not arrested the plow, the shuttle, or the ship; the ax has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well as the iron and coal as of our precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege, and the battlefield, and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.
No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.
It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the imposition of the Almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the divine purpose, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity, and union.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed. Done at the city of Washington, this 3d day of October, A.D. 1863, and of the Independence of the United States the eighty-eighth.
By the President: Abraham Lincoln
William H. Seward, Secretary of State.
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Source: National Archives: http://research.archives.gov/description/299960
Samsung Making Parts for Apple
So now there’s going to be Samsung AP chips in iOS devices? The Korea Times is reporting that Apple selected Samsung over TSMC. How ironic after the global patent infringement wars that have gone on between Apple and Samsung.
Samsung Electronics agreed with Apple to produce application processors (APs) from next year for iPhones and iPads, sources said Monday.
Samsung has indicated that it will produce some sample 14 nm chips for an unidentified customer and they plan to produce the production quantities of the AP chips beginning next year. The Korean Times report says Samsung will start manufacturing the chips early next year in its South Korean plant and plans to expand production to the Samsung’s Austin, Texas facility and a Global Foundries New York plant in the coming year.
Kimo’s Hawaiian Rules
One of my favorite t-shirts (and I love t-shirts BTW) is one that I picked up in Hawaii.
KIMO’S HAWAIIAN RULES
Never judge a day by the weather.
The best things in life aren’t things.
Tell the truth – there’s less to remember.
Speak softly and wear a loud shirt.
Goals are deceptive – the unaimed arrow never misses.
He who dies with the most toys – still dies.
Age is relative – When you’re over the hill you pick up speed.
There are 2 ways to be rich: Make more or desire less.
Beauty is internal – Looks mean nothing.
No Rain – No Rainbows!
