My 3rd Composition

I entered the YSO songwriting contest again this year for the last time.  I graduate in the spring and the contest only goes to 12th grade.  But, that doesn't mean I'll stop composing.  :) I'm sorry to say that I didn't win the contest this year but that is ok.  I'm still posting my song anyway.  :)  

I did something different this year though.  The last two previous years I had used Finale for my recordings.  This year I couldn't get Finale to play it right so I recorded it live with my Tascam handheld recorder.  It's not anywhere near a perfect recording and it doesn't sound as good as a studio recording but it is decent.  I hope you all enjoy!  

Here are the links to my first and second compositions:

http://mysongofjoyblog.blogspot.com/2012/11/my-composition.html

http://mysongofjoyblog.blogspot.com/2013/12/my-2nd-composition.html

Update on the Harp

Since I haven't updated on the harp any since I got the kit a little over three years ago, 
I am doing a long blog post with pics that I have taken along the way.  
(Sorry that they are a little out of order and that I haven't updated sooner)

Our empty van before we got the flaming birch.

Our van after we got the flaming birch.

Cutting the birch soundboard

Giving the soundboard a smooth edge

Cutting the fancy edge on the trim pieces

What the finished edge looks like

Working on the holes for the trim pieces to fit together

Support on the back of the soundboard

Cutting the right lengths for the base

Making the boards level

Gluing the boards together to make the base

Sanding the dried boards

Cutting out the shape of the base

Sanding the base

Cutting out part of the headpiece

Finished headpiece

Fitting the middle trim piece

Trim pieces

Nailing the trim pieces on

Gluing the boards for the neck

Sanding the boards

Cutting the holes for the braces

The braces

The braces with amp holes drilled

The sides, top, bottom and braces of the sound box

The pillar

Neck and pillar together

Neck with cutout
Dad put flaming cherry in it as a decoration and as an extra brace for the neck.

Finished sound box with base and headpiece attached

Bun feet

As far as it is right now

Head piece

Base
The accent on the side is flaming cherry too.

New Piano!!!

Hello all!  I thought you all might like to know that we got a newer piano two weeks ago!

That is the old piano that I've played on my entire life.  It is somewhere between 104 - 125 years old.  The wood that was used to build it is original American chestnut.  A fungus destroyed the original American chestnut trees (which were native here) in the late 1800s to early 1900s.  We later brought chestnut trees from other countries here which is what we have today.  Thought that might be an interesting little piece of history to include incase anyone was interested. :)  The keys were ivory and ebony and a bit cracked.  I've cut my fingers on the edges a few times.  :)

This is the new piano that the Lord has provided.  

It is 25 years old or less and the keys are plastic.  No more cut fingers! :D

Spring!!!

I took Banjo, our dog, for a walk the other day and decided to take some pics of all the things that are starting to popup around here.  

Banjo enjoying the weather while I'm taking pics. 

Peach tree

I hope we get peaches this year!!

Apple tree

Lilac bush

Strawberry plants

These little blue flowers are one of my favorites.  And yes, I do know they are weeds.  :)

Hope you all enjoyed the pics!