Worship Matters

I recently purchased a set of MP3s that a friend told me about of a worship session in a pastor's conference. It's a live recording, and apparently not pre-planned (the recording, that is). But hearing the congregation sing was rousing! I browsed around and came across a book written by the worship leader/pianist of that session, Bob Kauflin. After reading the first 4 chapters, I can only say a hearty "amen" to what he has written. And a quick search revealed his own blog.

Just wanted to share these resources with those involved in worship ministry. The book is free to read online (though you can purchase it if you want), and his blog shares his thoughts on many different topics regarding worship. Hope you'll be blessed by them.

Online Book: http://www.crossway.org/product/9781581348248/browse

Bob Kauflin's Blog: http://www.worshipmatters.com

Praise You In This Storm

This song struck a chord somehow. I like the lyrics.



Praise You In This Storm
by Casting Crowns

I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to you
And you raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

Super Lightweight Boehm Flutes

I wanted to say 'plastic', but nobody knows the secret formula composite material used to make these things. It's called Grenaditte, and it looks and feels like some kind of polymer. I came across them while paying a music school a visit (which happens to be the only place in Singapore that sells Irish whistles, but only Susatos).

It took a bit of searching, but I finally found some information (and videos!) of these flutes on the web. Check 'em out!





Grenaditte Flute Review @ Chiff and Fipple: http://forums.chiffandfipple.com/viewtopic.php?p=657112

Oh, and I'm told they retail for over $2000 SGD. They're good flutes, I'm told, but I don't have enough experience to appreciate them yet.

DidgeriFlutes?

People have asked me before if didgeridoos can play different tones. Well, I guess they can if you consider the hoots as a different tone. In fact if you're a brass player you may be able to get several tones by tightening your lips more when you blow. But that's not how you play the didge anyway. They are essentially monotone instruments - until now.

Introducing the Didj Flute!

Created by Marko Johnson, these modified didgeridoos have tone holes! Well, actually they are Didjboxes (also his creations) with tone holes. Didjboxes are compact didgeridoos (I have no idea how he makes them to have that low pitch at such a size. Maybe he winds the air column inside the box).

Anyway, so as to not keep you waiting, here's the link:

http://www.didjbox.com/flute.php

And here are some sound samples:

http://www.didjbox.com/soundclips.php

There-What??

Theremin! Sounds like some vitamin or mineral? Think again. It's a musical instrument that I just got to know about from a friend. Not your conventional instrument with pipes, strings, skins or those things. It's more like air guitar - with sound! (not guitar sound of course) Or maybe a better description would be making music on TV antennae. And to think it was invented in 1920!

Check out the following post on Wikipedia and the YouTube video!

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theremin

Roaring Bulls!

Just got inspired to post something about an aborigine communication device called the bullroarer. It doesn't have anything to do with bulls or roaring, and I'm not even sure if it can be called an instrument. But here it is anyway.

So what's a bullroarer? Very simply, it's just a block of wood tied to a length of string. How do you use it? Easy! Just swing it around! But be careful where you swing those things!

Some video clips:



And something funny to lighten things up:



And if those are too small, check this one out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnVUlx_NegY&feature=related

Do You Kazoo?

Haven't been blogging for a really long time (except for my art blog). I finally managed to take photographs of all of my musical instruments. Unfortunately some of them turned out blur and would need some reshoots. But for those that are sharp enough, they'll go on the blog first.

Today, I'd like to introduce one of my toys. Well, I consider it a toy rather than a serious instrument (though there are probably some who would beg to differ). It's called a Kazoo, and it's a type of wind instrument. These things are available in Singapore. At least a couple of shops in Bras Basah sell them for just a couple of dollars.

Construction
The body of the Kazoo is conical, and open at both ends. In the middle is a resonator where there is a membrane covering a hole, somewhat like the membrane hole on the Chinese bamboo flute (dizi). This gives the Kazoo its buzzing sound.

Playing Method
If you blow into the Kazoo, you get.... NO SOUND! That's right. You don't blow into the thing. You have to vocalize. That means you hum, sing, or speak. There has to be some sound (coming from your voice box) for the Kazoo to work with. So vocalize into the end with the bigger hole. It's that simple

Videos
Check these videos out!

How to Play the Kazoo


Somewhere Over the Rainbow on the Kazoo


More information on the Kazoo can be obtained from Wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kazoo