The Bravery have always had their own unique sound and they have stuck with it.  And that is no exception with their latest album “Stir the Blood.”  It really is picky if your going to like this album or not.  It is alternative rock music with a 70s psychedelic like hint to it.  The way they take a small saying and describe it and put it into a song is excellent.  The only problem I have is that some of the instrumental backing tracks sound the same in a few.  They add certain things like bells and guitar solos to break them up.

Overall this is a good album it just depends on the individual.  If you have heard of The Bravery before, then you will not be disappointed.  If you have not listen to this band then you might want to look them up.  It is hard to compare them with others because they are so unique.  They have taken many rock and alt sound and mashed them up into their own.  If you like maybe a band like Green Day you should give this band a try.

Model 4G-HCPR-326, Nov. 30, 2009

New Fish Lizard Graphic

Bear Claws on Tongues and Lizard/Fish Inside

This Tunable Steel tongue Hand Drum is Easy and Fun to Play, Enjoy!

Click here to visit the eBay auction for this Hand Crafted Steel Tongue instrument.

Thank You

Dieses verrückte innovative brandneue futuristische Instrument hört auf den Namen Eigenharp und kann auf zwei Arten gespielt werden: blasen und drücken (shame on you wer jetzt an etwas versautes denkt!):

After eight years in the making, the most revolutionary new musical instrument of the last 60 years has arrived. Designed specifically for live performance, it is simply the most expressive electronic musical instrument ever made.

Während die große Eigenharp Alpha aus dem Clip über 3000 Euro kostet, gibt es auch noch die kleine Variante Eigenharp Pico für ein zehntel des Preises. Mehr Infos auf der Produktseite: eigenlabs.com.

via Boing Boing

Continuing with Native American designs this tunable steel tongue hand drum by MILLTONE features some of the great traditional Native American symbols.

*Click here for more Native American symbol information.

The Hand. Representing the presence of man. His work, his achievements & his history.*

Dragonfly Forms. The graphics are an abstraction of the dragonfly, which can be used as a talisman, especially with the Southern Pueblo Indians. At Isleta it became a double armed cross. This was worn as a symbol of both Catholic conversion and respect for older traditions.*

Weaving Pattern. Navajo Storm Style. Many of the Navajo patterns are followed closely by weaving families, while other designs are created fresh each time. A few designs are similar to designs seen in Plains Beadwork and paintings.*

Model 4G-HGLD-325, Nov. 27, 2009

Native American Weaving Pattern

Dragonfly Symbols on Tongues

Fun and Easy to Play, Enjoy!

Click here to visit the International eBay auction for Steel Tongue Hand Drum.

Thank You

I’ve just created a new page on this blog that’s going to keep a tally of the stuff I plan to do. It’s conveniantly called: The List. So far, I’ve listed five items. Some of them have firm deadlines, like the Las Vegas 1/2 marathon or the LA marathon. Others will probably take me two years to accomplish (learning the accordion?).

I’ll be adding to The List frequently and when I’ll do, I’ll add a new post.

Check it out! I’m always looking for new ideas.

…maybe i’d buy one of these.

De curand Lafarge – uriasul din domeniul constructiilor si WWF – World Wildlife Fund – una dintre cele mai mari organiziatii non-guvernamentale de protectie a mediului, au reinnoit parteneriatul dintre cele doua pentru inca patru ani. Parteneriatul ce dateaza tocmai din anul 2000 are ca scop colaborarea intre organizatii pentru minimizarea efectelor actiunilor Lafarge asupra mediului in locatiile in care activeaza in toate colturile lumii, parteneriatul fiind unul global.

De altfel Lafarge a fost primul jucator industrial ce a devenit partener al WWF, fiind si acum cel mai mare partener si primind ca urmare a rezultatelor obtinute certificatul “WWF Conservation Partner”. Acest certificat utilizat de Lafarge pe scara larga, de la scrisori pana la website, de la comunicate de presa pana la bilantul anual reprezinta si o dovada de marketing social din partea Lafarge, fapt ce-i atrage o perceptie pozitiva din partea clientilor, partenerilor si nu numai.

CEO-ul Lafarge spunea la semnarea prelungirii parteneriatului ca “din anul 2000 Lafarge a facut o multime de pasi in vederea imbunatatirii impactului asupra mediului, o multime de alti pasi mai sunt insa de facut.. un astfel de parteneriat e o ocazie fantastica de a confrunta viziunea unui mamut industrial cu cea a unei ONG“.

Zonele in care colaborarea este activa de ambele parti sunt tarile cu economii emergente (Brazilia, China, India) in care investitiile Lafarge sunt foarte mari datorita cererii in crestere si conjuncturii economice, de asemenea domeniile cheie sunt reducerea emisiilor de dioxid de carbon – se stie ca acestea sunt mari in cadrul activitatilor procesatorilor de ciment, reducerea poluarii permanente cu diverse materiale rezultate din activitatea de productie, reducerea consumului de apa, reabilitarea carierelor de extractie.. Piatra de temelie a constituit-o definirea si implementarea unor instrumente de masurare si monitorizare a efectelor activitatilor Lafarge asupra mediului, de aici pornind masurile de control si imbunatatire a operatiunilor.

Interesant este faptul ca dupa semnarea parteneriatului dintre cele doua parti, mai multi jucatori industriali si-au aratat interesul si disponibilitatea de a colabora cu WWF, vazand in ea nu doar un instrument de marketing ci si unul de crestere a eficientei sau o provocare in realizarea unei imbunatatiri a eficientei activitatilor proprii.

Selama ini, piano memang menjadi salah satu alat musik Barat yang paling populer di dunia. Bahkan di dunia seni musik sendiri, piano menjadi salah satu instrumen wajib yang harus dapat dimainkan oleh mahasiswa yang berkuliah musik. Ya, pelajaran permainan musik keyboard adalah salah satu mata kuliah wajib, seperti mata kuliah kalkulus untuk mahasiswa fakultas teknik, walau mungkin mahasiswa tersebut sebenarnya memilih instrumen lain sebagai mayor.

Banyak orang yang mengatakan piano adalah alat musik yang cukup mudah dikuasai. Namun itu tidak sepenuhnya benar. Memang pianis tidak perlu berkutat untuk memproduksi intonasi nada yang tepat seperti pemain flute, oboe, biola dan banyak instrumen lainnya. Tapi inilah yang akhirnya menjadi titik lemah piano.

Ya, piano tidak dapat menyesuaikan diri dengan laras yang lainnya. Piano hanya kromatis diatonis saja. Piano memiliki keterbatasan dalam bermain bersama alat-alat musik tradisional. Karena penyelarasan (stem) bersifat tetap dan standar akhirnya memang sulit sekali untuk menyesuaikan piano untuk berbunyi layaknya musik tradisional seperti musik-musik Timur Tengah ataupun laras slendro Jawa. Piano juga tidak bisa diubah larasnya di tengah permainan.

Namun Fluid Piano sebuah penemuan sekaligus modifikasi dari piano biasa mengubah persepsi kita tentang piano akustik. Piano ini bisa ditala ketika dimainkan mirip seperti gitar dan pada akhirnya memiliki fleksibilitas sebagaimana biola dapat menyesuaikan laras sehingga persis dengan rebab di Iran. Dengan piano fluid ini, 88 buah bilah tidak lagi bertala tetap, melainkan bisa disesuaikan dengan yang inginkan secara mikrotonal.

Penemunya adalah Geoff Smith, seorang komposer dan penampil, yang berhasil membongkar konsep alat musik ini yang telah ada paling tidak sejak 300 tahun yang lalu. Pertanyaannya sekarang apakah piano ‘modern’ akan tergeser oleh Fluid Piano ini? Hanya waktu yang mampu menjawab.

Lebih lanjut baca di sini.

This new tunable steel tongue instrument was made by request. It is Clear Coated Steel with Purple MILLTONE lettering and a Purple Sri Yantra graphic inside. If there is a design you would like just let me know.

Model 4G-CLR-322, Nov. 24, 2009

Purple vinyl Sri Yantra inside

Fun and Easy to Play, Enjoy this short demo.

Click here to visit the eBay auction for this tunable Steel Tongue Hand Drum.

Thank You

We are developping a light-based musical instrument, the neon-guitar.
The first prototype is just freshly finished, so here’s a video.

The light part is controlled via a QC patch, while the audio is currently driven by AULab.
The smoke is a bonus.

Provide various types of instruments needs for your company

ASCHROFT : Pressure Transducers, Transmitter, Switches

TUTHIL : Mechanical & digital liquid flow meter

KROHNE : Process intrumentation & measurement

ANNA : Process intrumentation, Mini controllers

INSTRUMENTS : GENERAL MONITOR : Fire Gas Detection, Etc.

NAKAKITA : Rotary, Ball & Wafer check valves

FOXBORO : Pressure transmitters, Flow meters, Temp.Trans

FENWAL : Explosion protection systems

Beautiful piece of work and very creative.  You have to look at this!  Click here.

Now that we make our own vinyl graphics, we are beginning to design our own unique graphics. This is the first MILLTONE tunable steel tongue hand drum with graphics that were not made from any picture or image. They began as a doodle on Larry’s scrap paper.

Model 4G-HCPR-321, Nov. 23, 2009

New Original Graphics

Fun and Easy to Play, Enjoy!

Click here to visit the eBay auction for this new MILLTONE tunable Steel Tongue Hand Drum.

Thank You.

This has got to be the weirdest and definitly most awsome musical instrument I’ve seen in a while. I usually don’t have an musical instrument fetish, but this one totally stole my heart. I know little about it, other than it’s called a theremin, and that it uses radio waves going through the device and through you body. Obviously you can manipulate the pitch by changing your arms’ distance from the theremin.

I guess this is what they used to make that horribly awsome, yet horribly cliché UFO sound effect from all those low budget thirties science fiction films.

If I were to teach myself one really useless piece of know-how for the rest of my life, it would have to be to learn how to play the theremin. And I want to learn how to play these songs.

It gives a gallon of toddy every day, the local ale of Keralites, one third of whom live by extracting it  from this too familiar tree. They give it to the cooperative, that owns a network of distributories. Being the cheapest drink, all workers go direct to the “shop”, after a day of hard work, where, sometimes they spend the whole day’s earnings.

Toddy is collected by cutting the flower bunch, which the botanists call the inflorescence, and collecting the juice coming from the cut, rich in starch and vitamins,  sweet when fresh. Our tapper at home is a family friend. He gives Rs. 50 per tree per month. All this, I learned when Ravi my Bihari son-in-law whanted a “bottle” from him.

If the flowers are allowed to grow, the inflorescencs is cut and used as a boucquet, considered auspicious and a must in marriage ceremonies, when receiving the deity of god, coming home on the back of an elephant, or simly as decoration, during festivals in temples.

The hard cover of the inflorescence, with a net like inside membrane, was used to make a torch, even in my childhood!

Have you seen a whole coconut? It has a fibrous cover, to protect the nut inside, because the whole thing falls down from a height of even fifty feet. It is very, very difficult to peel it (I should enjoy a European doing it even with the sharpest knife!). In Vetekkaran pooja, 12000 nuts have to be broken in front of the deity.  A sharp thick iron bar is planted in the soil, with the sharp end pointing upwards. The fibrous nut is brought down forcefully to hit the instrumet, when a dent is made in the outer cover, without damaging the nut inside. Now they have designed an instrument which is an innovation of this method and can be wielded even by girls.

Ropes are made from the fibrous cover which we call chakiri. it is the traditional occupation of women in the coastal districts of Keralam, from Alapusha to Kollam.The fibrbre comes loose, after soaking chakiri for months in the backwaters. The Coir Board is selling an incredible variety of coir products, including door mats. Global recession has hit this cottage industry too.

Inside the fibre is the hard shell called chiratta. It is a valuable fuel, traditionally used in the heavy ironing box. It is also used as a ladle, by fixing a handle to the shell. Artists use it to carve figures of people, animals etc.

When the nut is tender, the sweet water inside the shell, is a nutritious beverage, now available in most towns. It contains pure glucose which can be given intraveinous, I read somewhere. The soft white kernel is light food.

The ripe kernal is the source of oil, commercially used for making soaps and detergents. A Keralite will not enjoy his food, if it is not laced with coconut oil. Papadam fried in other oils is unpalatable.

The leaves of the tree, resembling in shape, the wings of a peacock, are used for making nets or mats, by weaving the individual blades together. These are used for thatching the roof or making a screen for the open bath sheds, where women take bath.

The tree trunk can be sawn into beams for making furniture, roof of houses etc.

This is my own observation. People leave the root clump, after cutting off the trunk, because it is very heavy and impossible to cut into pieces. Its inside can be scooped out, by a suitable tool, leaving the outside shell which can be used as a big bharani, as we call it, for storing mango pickles etc.

Now you tell me, is there any other tree that gives all parts of its body for human beings?

la pluie de novembre
les gammes de l’instrument *

d.(Millau, 3/11/09)

* du hautbois

On Thrusday my flute, Hideki, got some tecknical problems. Some of the keys didn’t work and my flute teacher said to take him to Lillestrøm, which is like one and a half hour away from Kongsberg.

So today, my father drowe e the whole way there just to fix my flute. He then said we could take a look on some new flutes!! I was so excited:)

This will be my birthday and Christmas present from the entire family.

Anyways. I tried two flutes, bth with silver mouth-pieces. It was very easy to decide, no doubt, though of course the best flute was the most expensive:P

My new Flute! Isn't she lovely!? <3

I only have one problem: What to call her? Oh, yes. I think it’s a She. Because the flute has such a grace that it is no doubt about it anymore:)

And, also all my other instruments are boys.

Instruments and names (I don’t own Frank, George and Francis, though):

From left: George, Francis and Fred=)

Oboe – Fred

Clarinett – Greorge

Violin – Francis

From left: Gregor, new flute and Hideki=)

Amstrong flute – Gregor=)

Yamaha flute – Hideki (Because he’s Japanese)

And here's Paul:)

Piano – Paul (Because it’s a Chimel piano, so he needed a German name, and because I simply love Paul McCartney:) and because Paul the Piano is kinda catchy:P

But what about the new flute?

It’s a Myiazawa flute. But I think the name can be from whatever country. It would be wonderful if some of you could help me come up with names that are suitable for a beautiful little lady flute

I have to catch a train to get to Elise’s 18th Birthday:) Talk to you later!

Music today:

The Sore Feet song by Allan Kerr

Konayuki by Remioromen (Though I HATE the keyboard stuff in the background of that song)

Everything of Coldplay, but especially Green Eyes (Because I’ve got greene eyes, so I kinda relate)

I repent of ever having recorded one single song and ever having performed one concert if my music and more importantly —- my life–has not provoked you into Godly jealousy , or to sell out more completely to Jesus- KEITH GREEN

That quote came from Keith Green, without a doubt one of the most anointed musical ministers to have ever lived, a man who i like to call the Psalmist(David) of the 20th Century,others called him a John the Baptist on the keyboard, a spiritual revolutionary .A man whose musical talent was only surpassed by his passion for Christ and evangelism. On his way to become a rock star, he had talent that could rival the likes of Elton John .If he was in the secular world he would have been up there with Billy Joel. His skills on the Piano were amazing and was once described as “never seen anyone dominate an instrument the way he did”, he was certainly destined for greatness,and Bob Dylan saw this potential in him .

As a young boy raised in a Jewish home, he constantly searched for spiritual answers while pursuing his music career. He tried everything under the sun, and remember, this was the 70’s .

And then at age 21, after intense seeking on many paths , Keith found Christ, his life was instantly regenerated he became a new person. With this rebirth, and realizing the world lacked this news, he immediately dropped his rock star ambitions, and wanted to tell the entire world about the transformation that had taken place in his life; even if it meant never playing music again publicly, but God had different plans for his life.

Soon after auditioning and scoring a record deal with Christian Label Sparrow records, he released his first album, spreading the Good News he had discovered shipping the equivalent of 500,000 units today. After several hit albums he left Sparrow and formed his on Label with the intentions of giving his albums away, for free. It even got to a point that he refused to charge people to attend his concerts. He rejected the idea making money out of the gospel which he repeatedly pronounced was free and refused to charge people to come hear him sing/minister.

Can you imagine that happening today!!, a “gospel” artist that holds all their concerts for free and give out whole albums for free, at their own expense,quite a contrast to what happened a few years ago when a popular gospel duo, refused to fly to London because of a money dispute.

To Keith, his music was ministry, not a career,and was not about showing people his talent or having people scream his name, he saw it as an assignment, the great commission. He often appealed to people not to exalt him or place him on a pedestal and redirected all praise to Jesus. Often times , audience members that desired a career in Christian music would ask advice on how to become gospel singers; he’d then proceed to ask them a series of questions

“Are you willing to never play music again? Are you willing to be a nothing? Are you willing to go anywhere and do anything for Christ? Are you willing to stay right where you are and let the Lord do great things through you, though no one may seem to notice at all? …those seeking bright lights and adoring fans often left downcast.

When not recording or on tour, he held Bible studies and training, he and his young wife opened their home to single mothers,runaways, addicts ,the homeless and those seeking God. Note, this was not a man that had a large income, or even a steady stream. Remember that he gave his albums away for free, they had a little royalty from previous years, but with housing and taking care of 20 -30 people at anytime ..well… they simply lived by faith.

Tragedy struck in 1982, Keith died in a plane crash, with two of his young children, leaving behind a pregnant wife and an infant daughter, he was just 28.

27 years on, his music is still challenging lives, turning people to the Good News of Jesus Christ, and lighting the fire of a radical desire to sell out for Christ. Like a musical John he Baptist he was a voice crying out in the a spiritual wilderness. Despite his enormous success and following, He refused to be a celebrity and only wanted to challenge people to live for God. THAT and much more he definitely achieved.

As i listen to songs he recorded in the 70’s ,they still challenge my life more than a large majority what i hear from my generation which entertains but rarely convicts the spirit. Many have great flair,catchy and easy to nod your head to and dance to, but no soul stirring and rarely different from the same emotions stirred by secular music . His music is uncompromisingly about the Gospel. He did not try to make it ambiguous or open for interpretation so that anyone can accept it as they see fit, he was clear about his message without losing the amazing musical delivery.

I look at Keith’s life and his ministry legacy , what he accomplished within such a small time span between coming to the Lord at age 21 and his death at 28. He’s been gone for over 25 years, and yet through the clear message in his music, generations born long after his death are being challenged to live for God beyond a cushy luke warm status. Not just entertained but he provoked listeners to asses our walk with God and see how we can do much better. The impact he made in those short 7 years of ministry, is more than many others do in a lifetime.

Now, we are not all going to have a musical platform , we are not all going to be public speakers, or hold a place in the five fold ministry, we are not all going to open our homes to as many as he did ,but we can cry out to God on how our lives can be a Love song unto him.

One of Keith’s songs , written by his wife, Melody , was titled “Make my life a Prayer to you” , the opening lines are quite profound as he cries out “Make my life a prayer to You, I wanna do what you want me to, No empty words and no white lies,No token prayers no compromise………..”.

“I want to do what you want me to”, this reiterates the Lord’s prayer, “thy will done on earth as it is in Heaven”, and not us chanting scripture at God in an attempt to psyche or strong arm him, into giving us what we want instead of his desire for us.

I feel very challenged and ask myself ,what my life would mean when I’m gone. Would i have left behind a testimony that would change people’s hearts towards God. Would they hear about my passing and , say “chei ya”(what a pity) and forget about it a few seconds later, with no impact on their lives towards Christ. Would people be able to identify and say “that was a man that lived for God and his life was an example of unrivaled passion for God? I’m ashamed to say that as i look at my life right now, and even my ambitions, if i dropped dead this second, my life would not have been a herald trumpet testimony unto God.

All i can do is cry out to Lord as ask that he create in me that heart for ministry, whether it be in my personal , professional or otherwise. Being a witness would be much more than posting a status update, writing a note, or putting up a video, but that in every moment of every day , my life both behind doors and in public, can be the salt and light to the earth.

I leave you with some more words from Keith , that really challenge me , i have not reached this state and i ask for the power of the Holy Spirit to get me there.To lay aside all ambitions and dreams if that is what he asks me to do, and like the 12 disciples, just follow and walk in faith no matter how ludicrous the world,friends, family think it is.

“NO compromise is what the whole Gospel of Jesus is all about…For i tell you ..no man can serve two masters..(Matt 6:24) In a day when believers seem to be trying to please the world and the Lord(which is impossible) , when people are far more concerned about offending their friends than offending God, there is only one answer….Deny yourself take up your cross and follow Him”- Keith Green

God Bless

Check out his inspiring story
http://bit.ly/4q6iuL

THE KEITH GREEN STORY

Whew, it is somehow traumatic to be engaged with this procedure.Here’s the instrument looks like. Actually at first you’ll feel, oh no, but as the doctor explains, your worries would be gone.

You will lie down at your left,knees curve reaching your chest. You will be required to wear their called gown to let the procedure be done properly.

Lying at your left, knees curved, the doctor will place your butt near her position to properly insert the instrument. Do not feel bad about it because if ultrasound can’t see your inner organs on your lower part,this is done. I am a little afraid,I admit that but when I say I can do this, I will and I did!

You will be breathing in your mouth in order to avoid muscle movements to your anus. LOL Sorry for the words, just for medical info. The doctor will let you know if she’s going to start,she’ll let you breathe in and out through mouth and the feeling?

The tip of the instrument is covered with a clear gel I don’t know what it is called but it’s clear gel. I think it is for the smooth insertion of the instrument.

Here it is, when inserting, it’s really ouch! Painful. It’s like you’re going to poop a big thing,LOL But when it is inside, it feels like you’re going to poop! Aching when moving,when moved in different directions. The doctor should move the instrument slowly to the left,right,put a little weight and stay. The doctor took pictures whenever stayed in a position.

For your information, it’s not the whole stick is inserted inside,its only the half inch I think, but it is really something different, I felt that my condition is serious, I have to take care of myself  more to avoid these tests.

After the ultrasound, the Doctor will ask you again to breathe through mouth and same thing, it’s painful when pulled.After the procedure you can go back to normal activity. Although for some, they took it traumatically, sometimes during procedure,patients cry,shouts or I don’t know whatelse reaction they do. It depends on the personality and age of the patient maybe.

This makes me think of taking care myself more, that life should be loved, if you feel sick,seek medical attention, don’t waste time waiting for nothing.