Hopes and Vision for RECIPES FOR ENCHANTMENTWritten by Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein
The following remarks became part of an article recently carried in Story Circle Journal. I hope you enjoy reading these.I believe that retrieving positive memories is important to our health and well being. This is one of dominant themes of my professional teaching. I have come to believe that without a sense that life is pleasant and at times pleasurable, joyful, even rapturous and ecstatic, we are vulnerable to depression, chronic anxiety and seeing ourselves in a poor light. I have seen my clients and myself find positive information in our own life story and perk up no matter what circumstances. For me perhaps this was never more strongly pointed out than writing RECIPES FOR ENCHANTMENT, The Secret Ingredient is YOU! So many times when I was writing book I remembered and felt positive lessons that my dad had taught me. I felt his love for me coming through. For example when I remember his story about how he had not picked up a returnable glass bottle when he was a boy, as his friend told him "it ain't worth nothin'," I am flooded with good feelings about my dad. My dad really made an effort to help people to make good judgment decisions. For example, in his story, "That ain't Worth nothin'," he looses a bottle in gutter because a friend convinces him it is not worth anything. However, friend then picks it up and turns it in for a "shiny" penny! He loved to tell his lost bottle story because it pointed out occasions that we all face.
| | Mastering Basic TechniquesWritten by Evan Tate
Every aspiring saxophonist has to master basic skills that are necessary for good musicianship. Good Tone Production: This requires not only having a good reed, mouthpiece and ligature, but also a good daily regimen of "long tone" exercises. Long tones are practiced by playing individual tones for a comfortable length of time (6-8 seconds) without stress. For beginners I suggest playing long tones on a simple major scale. Advanced students should use a chromatic scale, octaves and intervals of perfect fourths and fifths over full range of instrument. Good Intonation: I suggest using a combination of following tools: a well-tuned piano, an electronic tuner and a good ear-training course. If you haven't taken part in an ear training - NOW'S THE TIME! To be able to play in tune requires ability to distinguish intervals and musical passages correctly and accurately. This is an invaluable skill for every good musician. Good Technical Ability: This means practicing your scales, arpeggios and whatever other studies you have available regularly! "Repetition is Mother of Skill". Not only regularly but also logically. Which means you must develop...
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