Life Matters -Improvisation Fusion Efiddle violin Salvation Army

This is also recorded outdoors while doing Bell Ringing for Salvation Army during 2003 season, these are not one time gig, these are whole day long, whole season, from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve. When first volunteering for this, my family did not think I can make it throughout the whole season whole season (average of 27 days from 8AM to 5pm daily), because it constantly snowing and freezing in Detroit during that time, No indoor play because of Salvation Bell Ringer policy, I have played in front of Target, Kmart, Sam's Club and Some local super market, they moved me around to get the best bang of the buck. For your curiosity, in average, my playing outcome is 3-5 times of their normal Kettle income, I got a Best Bell Ringer certificate at the seasonal ceremony. I have my own amplifier and speakers on the shopping cart, and if there is no AC outlet at front door, I will use my own battery. I used a Passport 250W portable amp, a floppy disk sequencer and a cheap effects, I am still surprised how that floppy disk drive survived in those harsh environment. When I need to go to the bathroom, I give red kettle to store front desk, and pick it up when I came back to the door, some store will offer me hot chocolate, and I remember the best are Kmart staffs, they even invited me indoor to the lounge at the Pre-Xmas party, I had a great time and food. I still remember those folks to this date. I think the main factor that is hard to deal with is coldness for violin player, so I developed Glove technique, these are thin gloves but will allow me to kep my finger warm and reduce the physical damage of skin sliding on strings. I used a lot of finger sliding that is. you can see I have to put on 5-6 layers of clothes and at least 2 layers pants. I mainly play Christmas song, and some jazz, but a lot of people will always be touched and come up to me saying some compliments when I played "Ave Maria", I always closed my eyes and put emotions in, I play this when disk MIDI files run through one cycle abouit 30 songs. The thing to remember is thate ach customer pass the door coming out of store (it is advised againist placing bell ringer in the side of entrance), you only have about 5-10 seconds to attract their attention and to make them aware of your music, so I always have to make music "ear catching" and has to be familiar tones, and every note interesating. It is very important to make eye contact, since you are playing, it is very hard to utter long words from the mouth, nodding and smile seems to make best results. for you musicians, if you are interested in Bell Ringing for Salvation Army, please visit my web yellowviolin_com, for studio recorded mp3.
Visit this 2008 youtube video to see TV news coverage of this work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhvevJ0rLEQ

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Salvation
• Army
• Bell
• ringer
• violin
• composition
• improvisation

[pastore0506]

I'm baffled as to how you can play with gloves on. I wonder if wearing gloves would improve my playing? Just kidding. I have enjoyed all your videos and hope to see more in the near future.

[efiddle]

In those clod weather, the gloves is the only way to protect my finger that has to slide up/down strings all the time, I play more than 8 hours each day. Yes, it will improve your playing because of larger "sweet spot" -)

[Tompzone]

i would love the spreadsheet for that song, if it is not too much to ask

[efiddle]

Sure, Let me see if I can get my MIDI rigs out and play again to render it into notes.

Appreciate your comments

[nicolas932]

nice sound!

what amp do you use?

[vkatsuba11]

Can I Get The Notes For That I Really Enjoy This Every Time I See It

[pastore0506]

You have a big heart. The world could do with more like you!

[clockstopper01]

Great Job!!

[efiddle]

Thank you, yes it is really cold, I had to keep moving, and sometimes nice peopel buy me hot chocolate!

[empireearthlover2]

CooL!