#chinese woodwind instruments music

[beyourselfchulanmaria]

"晨思"

by Joyce Cheng (觀法如幻) /法名：覺幻

我愛這雨後天，這平原的青草一片！我的心沒底止的跟著風吹，風吹：吹遠了香草，落葉，吹遠了一縷雲，像煙——像煙。

─  林徽因 (1904-1955, Chinese architect & poet)/中國歷史上第一位女建築學者。北京人民英雄紀念碑和中華人民共和國國徽深化方案的設計者。她是建築學家梁思成的第一任妻子。

木音入肝 Wooden music heal the liver 《閑庭絮》In The Courtyard

Chinese Woodwind instruments Music, represented by ancient instruments such as the xiao flute, hulusi, and bamboo flute, exudes a graceful, melodious, and profound quality. Its sounds soar high without being overpowering, and sink low without losing their essence, weaving together in an unbroken melody that mirrors the rejuvenation of withered wood in the spring, filled with the vitality of new life. This music enters the liver and gallbladder meridians, capable of soothing liver qi stagnation, promoting smooth flow of qi, balancing blood pressure, and purifying blood quality. Listening to wooden music during nighttime rest can aid in peaceful slumber. For those who are suspicious, timid, or experiencing emotional unrest, it also possesses exceptional therapeutic qualities. Regular exposure to wooden tones can transform one's temperament, invigorate the spirit, calm the mind and body, alleviate insomnia, and facilitate the harmonious integration of body and mind, guiding individuals back to their original peaceful human nature.

木系音樂是，古簫、葫蘆絲、竹笛等演類的音樂舒展、悠揚、深��，使人飄速欲仙高而不亢，低而不雕，編綿不斷，好似枯木連春，春意盎然。入肝膽之經，可以疏肝解鬱，舒心暢氣，平和血壓清血質，夜間休息時聽有助往安睡，對於疑心膽小、精神不安的人，也有很好的理療效果，多聽木音，可以轉移性情，增弦精神，安定身心，消除失眼，讓身心合一重新找到原始平和的人性。

[blasphemousclaw]

why Divine Beast Dancing Lion has the best soundtrack in the entire game

When I watched the first DLC trailer 6 months ago, I was so focused on Messmer that I never gave the lion dancers a second thought. But in a shocking turn of events, Divine Beast Dancing Lion is now my favorite boss in the whole game. To me, what makes this fight truly exceptional is its soundtrack, so I want to go through the music and outline all the things that make it so great!

What makes the music stand out is that it feels SO different from the rest of the OST… the majority of the boss tracks have a pretty similar style and instrumentation, but Divine Beast stands out in my opinion because of how it emphasizes its rhythm and texture.

Conceptually, this boss fight is first and foremost a dance — you are fighting two Hornsent warriors operating a lion costume based on the traditional Chinese lion dance in an arena that’s actually a giant stage.

The Chinese lion dance is typically accompanied only by percussion (drums, gongs, and cymbals). So naturally, Divine Beast’s soundtrack has much more pronounced percussion in comparison to the rest of the soundtrack, featuring heavy drum beats and cymbals, plus shouts and chants from the choir. The music is in a steady 6/8, with 2 beats per measure divided into three pulses (think 1 2 3, 1 2 3) giving it a lilting, dancelike quality (this type of meter is often used in folk and traditional dances!). And, in the boss’s second phase, the dancing lion’s lightning, wind, and frost phases each have their own music and are timed to transition as the music transitions. The whole boss fight is programmed like a dance, so when you fight the boss it feels like you’re dancing with it too!

The choir has a range of vocalizations that goes beyond singing melodies and harmonies; as I touched on before, they’re also shouting and chanting. The shouts are used percussively and help accent the rhythm of the dance, and the low chanting also brings to mind a sort of religious ritual? Which is exactly what this boss fight is… in Hornsent culture, the lion dance is a ritual for invoking divinity:

“A charm depicting the crazed, cavorting dance of the divine beast conducted at the tower festival. Raises potency of storms. Divine beasts are messengers of the heavens, and their rage mirrors the tumult of the skies, of which storms are the pinnacle.” (Enraged Divine Beast talisman)

The lion dancers, or “sculpted keepers,” are those amongst the divine beast warriors (themselves the chosen amongst the tower’s horned warriors) who truly excelled at divine invocation, and were “granted the honor of the lion dance” (Divine Beast Warrior Armor). In the boss cutscene, the Hornsent Grandam calls upon the divine beast to possess the bodies of the sculpted keepers, and rise again to defend the tower… so the lion dance, performed by warriors skilled in divine invocation, is essentially a ritual for invoking the presence of the divine beast within the dancers in order to commune with the heavens.

The sculpted keepers, having invoked the rage of the divine beast, are able to channel the forces of the stormy skies — lightning, wind, and frost. The force of the storm is represented in the music by quick runs in the high woodwinds and strings that come and go like gusts of wind. The music almost never lets up or loses momentum; it goes at a powerful, furious pace until the end, embodying the divine beast’s fury.

But the Divine Beast that we fight has an extra layer of emotion that goes beyond divine ritual:

“When the Impaler's army assailed the tower, the ritual of the lion dance was turned toward martial ends—its divinity, its fury, its light-footed beauty.” (Remembrance of the Dancing Lion)

What was once a beautiful ritual dance conducted at the tower festival was forced to become a weapon of war in order to fight against their people’s annihilation at the hands of Messmer’s crusade. And even this was not enough��

The Dancing Lion that we fight was slain, lying in a pool of dried blood, when it is miraculously awoken again with a fervent prayer. This is the last lion dance that may ever take place, giving us a mere glimpse of this ruined city’s long-vanished splendor.

Listening to the soundtrack, there is not only pride in the music, but also an urgent, visceral, warlike rage, a multitude of voices joining in a desperate fight for their civilization’s very survival.

[slavic-roots-western-mind]

Chinese musical instruments pt. 1

I was inspired by my research into the different types of Chinese opera, so I decided to write about the chinese musical instruments.

Usually, traditional chinese instruments are grouped into 8 categories, 八音 (bā yīn): metal, bamboo, wood, stone, silk, clay, gourd and skin so I'll try to group them accordingly.

Metal 金 (Jīn)

Bo 钹 (bó) This is a percussion type of cymbal, with the size varying on the subtype. This instrument is also used in some chinese operas, which makes it all the more interesting to hear.

Bianzhong 编钟 (biānzhōng) This is a set of bronze chime bells, arranged in a specific order with each bell having it's own two special pitches which are usually determined by the bell size. The structure is especially interesting, as all the bells are hung from a frame (typically wooden) from which they're played. Other countries also have similar instruments, such as Japan, Vietnam and Korea although their names vary and they may have their own specific features.

Luo 锣 (luó) Luo is actually a general name for a gong, which varies in size and pitch depending on its type. Depending on the size, luo can either be hung on a frame or if it's small enough it can be played in hand.

Yunluo 云锣 (yúnluó) Like the luo, these are also gongs, named cloud gongs. There are 10 small gongs in a frame with the same size but different thickness so that each gongs pitch would vary. There is a more modern version, which has over 20 gongs and is much larger in size.

Suona 唢呐 (suǒnà) The Suona is a double-reeded trumpet, with reed meaning a thin strip of material. As Suona is classified as a metal instrument, it's made from metal with the reed attached to it. It's actual origin is quite interesting, as some sources place the Suona all the way to the Jin dynasty (266-420), whereas some consider Suona's origin to be from outside of China.

Bamboo 竹 (Zhú)

Dizi 笛子(dízi) The Dizi is a Chinese flute, which has quite a lot of varieties, such as 梆笛 (Bāngdí). This flute is especially interesting as it's used in Chinese opera, Chinese folk music and also in Chinese orchestra. Depending on the region, different bamboo is used to create this instrument - Purple bamboo in the north and white in the southern regions, although other material can also be used, even jade.

Xiao 箫 (xiāo) This is a vertical flute, orginating from the Qiang people in ancient China. The material is usually bamboo, with black and purple bamboo considered to be the best type. There are also quite a few variations, such as the 北箫 (Běixiāo), 琴箫 (Qínxiāo) and 南箫 (Nánxiāo).

Paixiao 排箫 (páixiāo) The Paixiao is a type of a panflute, which has a noticeable difference from the western type, as the pipe holes are created via an angled cut or a notch.

Bili 筚篥 (bìlì) / 管 (guǎn) This is a double-reed pipe, which has a few names. Guan appears to be a general name for woodwind instruments, so if looking for this specific instrument, it should be searched using Bili. This instrument can be traced back to the Zhou dynasty, where it was used as a military instrument. Later it became a popular court and ritual instrument, but eventually lost it's court popularity. Instead, it's quite popular in folk music and in Peking Opera, especially for military scenes.

Xindi 新笛 (xīndí) The Xindi is a more modern type of Dizi (the name literally means a new flute), which first appeared in the 20th century. The xindi differentiates itself from the original dizi by it's additional 5 holes, allowing for lower tones which makes it quite important for the Chinese orchestra.

Wood 木 (Mù)

Muyu 木鱼 (mùyú) This is a wooden fish-shaped woodblock which is hit to create a beat during rituals, most commonly during Buddhist ceremonies, Muyu's name literally means a wooden fish, as it's origin stories are associated with fish, with one story claiming that a fish helped a monk but in turn asked him for a favour, which the monk promised to do but forgot. The fish became angry and splashed him into the water. The monk survived, but his notes were all ruined, which is why he made a wooden statue of the fish and beat it.

Yu 敔 (yǔ) On the topic of animals, this is a tiger-shaped hollow box with toothed edges on its back. Why a tiger? It may be because the tiger had a powerful association with strength and power, although I have yet to find a source confirming my theory.

Zhu 柷 (zhù) This is a wooden box that has an open middle, which is played by using a wooden stick to hit the inner bottom. This instrument is very rarely used nowadays, with the majority of Zhus being in museums and temples, but apparently they still remain in use in a few temples for ceremonies.

Paiban 拍板 (pāibǎn) The Paiban is clapper made of wooden or bamboo flat pieces. When it's played together with a drum, this combination is called a Guban 鼓板 (gǔbǎn), which is used quite often in various different music genres, such as Peking Opera, Yue Opera, Kunqu Opera and others.

[sakurapika]

Some ideas for Twisted Wonderland events

(*Mild spoilers for some JP server events and Chapter 6)

-A Mulan-themed event: In one of the Halloween events, Silver mentioned knowing the story of Mulan, and Lilia has mentioned having been to "the East" before (not to mention Diasomnia's Halloween costumes are longs). It would be lovely to see Lilia return to the TWST-equivalent of China with some of his friends and meeting new characters--bonus points if someone is twisted from Mushu. A story about a girl who makes a sacrifice for her aging father by enlisting in the military on his behalf fits well with Silver and Lilia, so now would be the perfect opportunity to give them duo magic! Also, Chinese xianxia/martial arts fantasy novels are very popular in Japan and abroad nowadays (if you know, you know :) ), and I would love to see the boys wearing hanfu--they'd look so majestic and cool!

-Sam's hometown event: A Princess and the Frog event where the boys go to the TWST version of New Orleans, chaperoned by Sam. It would be a great opportunity to explore the jazz and culinary scene, and, of course, wear 1920s-inspired clothing. Someone in Octavinelle gets an SSR.

-A pajama-party event: Night Raven College hosts an all-night pillow fight tournament, and everyone gets extremely competitive, kind of like Beanfest. Everyone wears pajamas--I'm not sure if they'd have their own outfits, or if the dorms would match and have PJ sets with their logo on it (kind of like the pajamas they sell at the JP Disney Store). In battle, the chibis throw pillows at each other.

-Octavinelle hometown event: We are introduced to the Tweels' parents and/or Azul's mother. Given how Jamil and Kalim's hometown event carried out, it is likely that only one of the three will actually get an event card, but we'll see. In the Halloween event, Riddle mentioned that he's never seen the sea before. Even though he's had a chance in the Lost in the Book with Stitch event (and the developers probably want to give the spotlight to different characters), I'm afraid he doesn't remember it. Anyway, he deserves to go again. Alternatively, there's an event where the boys go to the Sunshine Lands and meet Prince Rielle. In this case, Riddle and Azul must go together--it would be nice to see after the events of Chapter 6.

-Riddle and Trey hometown event/Black Butler crossover: We've already had a Heartslabyul-themed hometown event with Deuce, but this time, we get to meet Trey's family and Riddle's mother. The likelihood that we get a canon Black Butler crossover as well is very close to zero, but it would be really fun to make a few jokes/hints about Riddle having a younger cousin who wears an eyepatch and solves mysteries with his enigmatic butler. Bonus points if Riddle and Jade have duo magic and dress up in Victorian/ouji clothing.

-J-fashion event: Speaking of ouji clothing, it would be amazing if there was an event inspired by Japanese fashions and subcultures. I think there was a part in one of the anthology mangas where Vil gave the Pop Music Club a visual kei makeover. I know the Pop Music Club has their own SSRs already, but I wouldn't mind seeing more outfits in this style.

-An orchestra-themed event: Some of the NRC students form a classical orchestra. Malleus is there, of course--I imagine him playing the cello this time. The Octavinelle trio is there as well with their respective instruments, as is Idia and Riddle both playing violins. I can see Jamil playing a woodwind instrument--maybe a flute, a clarinet, or an oboe?

[5-cz]

an (incomplete) list of traditional chinese instruments

I recently had the chance to attend a few lectures by members of the National Chinese Orchestra - Taiwan, and I thought I'd share some of the information they gave (this is by no means a complete list and is based mostly on the notes I took during lecture）

Chinese instruments are divided into four families of instruments: woodwind, bow string, plucked string, and percussion. They are also divided into eight categories based on the material they are made of (or, in some cases, used to be made of). These categories are stone, earth, bamboo, metal, skin, silk, wood, and gourd.

笛子 (dízi)

There are five main types of 笛子: 曲笛 (qūdí)，梆笛 (bāngdí)，大笛 (dàdí)，小笛 (xiǎodí)，and 口笛 (kǒud��)。 They are traditionally made of bamboo and vary in length, resulting in different note ranges and timbres. 曲笛 and 梆笛 are the most common. 梆笛 is higher pitched and brighter due to its shorter length, and it is often used in music from northern China. 曲笛 has a much warmer, rounder sound due to its longer length and is often used in southern music. 口笛 is the shortest of them all and is very shrill; it is often used to imitate bird calls. 笛子 are similar to Western flutes in that the musician controls the pitch through covering or uncovering the finger holes, but the way the instruments produce sound is different. Western flutes create sound through the vibration of the air in the instrument, and while this is part of how the 笛子 produces sound, it also has a membrane that vibrates to produce sound. 笛子 are included in the woodwind family and the bamboo category.

笛子 （左边），笙 （右边）

笙 (shēng)

The 笙 is the oldest reed instrument in the world. It is a woodwind instrument consisting of many vertical pipes with reeds at the base that the musician controls through various keys in order to play specific notes. It produces sound through a reed at the mouthpiece of the instrument that the musician vibrates with their breath. It is the only reed instrument in the world that can be played both by blowing out and by breathing in. This is due to a door-like cut-out in the reed. The 笙 can play 38 notes across three octaves. Not only can it play single notes, but it can also play chords made of multiple notes played at the same time. It has been used in a wide range of music from traditional accompaniment (to 唢呐 or 笛子) to modern jazz pieces to solo pieces. In the modern day, it is often used in Chinese orchestras as melody and/or accompaniment. 笙 is included in the woodwind family and the gourd category.

二胡 (èrhú)

The 二胡 is one of the most well-known traditional Chinese instruments. It has only two strings that the musician plays with an animal-hair bow. At the base of the 二胡 there is a small drum that has a snake skin membrane on one side. This membrane vibrates in addition to the strings' vibration, creating a distinct sound. The 二胡 is often used to imitate animal noises, such as a galloping horse, in addition to its musical notes. The musician holds the 二胡 upright as they play it, keeping pressure on the strings with one hand and using the bow with the other. Unlike many Western string instruments, the 二胡 does not have a finger board. This allows the musician to play a wide range of notes and utilize many different techniques. 二胡 is included in the bowed string family and the silk category.

革胡 (géhú)

This is one of the newest Chinese instruments. The 革胡 was created in the 1950s. Many Chinese orchestras were using cello as a bass instrument, and the 革胡 was created in order to fill the gap in the bass register in Chinese orchestras. Even still, it is a very rare instrument, and the NCO - Taiwan is one of the only orchestras who uses it in its ensemble. It was made as a combination of the cello and the 二胡。This was done in order to get the full bass sound of cello while being able to blend more easily with the 二胡 and other Chinese instruments. The strings on the 革胡 correspond to the same notes as they do on the cello, but the 革胡 also has a drum at its base similar to the 二胡。This drum was originally covered with a snake skin membrane like the 二胡, but since it is a significantly larger area to cover, it is now covered with a man-made polymer. The 革胡 is included in the bowed string family and, though it was created after silk strings fell out of use, it is included in the silk category.

二胡 （左边），革胡 （中���），扬琴 （右边）

扬琴 (yángqín)

The 扬琴, also sometimes written 洋琴, is a percussion instrument. It was originally from Persia before it was brought to China through trade. Many countries have their own versions of this instrument, originally called the santūr, and like others' variations, the Chinese version has become unique to China. The 扬琴 has 144 strings that the musician hits with thin bamboo mallets. The strings vibrate, producing various musical notes. What is unique about the 扬琴 as compared to other variations is that it uses bamboo mallets. These are a lot more flexible than wooden mallets, and so the musician is able to play very quick notes using the vibrations of the mallet. This also allows the musician to use techniques that are unique to the 扬琴。扬琴 is included in percussion family and the silk category (the strings used to be made of silk, but they are now often made of steel).

https://web.northeastern.edu/music-chinese/

https://www.britannica.com/art/Chinese-music/Classification-of-instruments

https://www.britannica.com/art/yangqin

[nickeverdeen]

Request for a arcane/pjo/spiderverse/marvel matchup (platonic or romantic, I don’t really have a preference for it) :]

Hi! So I’m genderfluid but lean fem presenting, and use they/them pronouns. I’m aroace (romance positive/neutral, sex repulsed). My main hobbies include writing, drawing, and some martial arts (taekwondo and kickboxing specifically, but I’m trying to branch out to maybe Krav Maga or BJJ).

My interests vary, like, a lot but the stuff right now are poisonous plants and animals (jellyfish and manchineel trees specifically), the usages of mushrooms to make reusable building materials and vines as piping materials in order to create sustainable cities, BSD, f1, history in general, old-times weapons (SWORDS. So, so many swords), Sky:CotL, the 1983 revolution of Burkina Faso (real specific, sorry), and I tend to develop similar interests to people around me.

I’m an Aquarius and an INTP-T (last time I checked) with gifted kid syndrome and eldest daughter issues. I’m also Canadian and can’t stand hot climates what so ever and have social anxiety disorder and general anxiety disorder. I also play piano and most woodwind instruments and I know 2 (English, French) languages and am working on a 3rd (Italian).

Physically I’m 5,10-5,11 with pale skin and light freckles, brown-red, wavy hair that’s about a bob length in the back and has 2 longer pieces in the front as well as 2 bleached pieces. I’m plus-size and relatively muscular in my legs and shoulders (not so much in my torso and arms but eh) as well as kinda curvy. I’ve got large, slightly downturned hazel eyes and weird eyebrows but there’s nothing I can do about that. I’m looking to get some snakebites soon, as well as an industrial piercing in at least one of my ears.

My style leans between comfy stuff (jeans, hoodies, etc) and Edwardian era witch (dresses, witch hats, big leather sacs). I always wear docs and my favourite colour is green.

I don’t have a lot of preferences in other people tbh, everyone’s chill.

My favourite foods are beef barley stew, lemon meringue pie, and Ethiopian food as a whole (Chinese takeout from specifically Quality foods is the next best thing imo). I really like ovaltine and I have a few health issues that were still trying to figure out (iron deficiency + possibly pcos).

I’m not a cat or dog person, I love both don’t get me wrong, but I really like weird animals and I want a pet bear (not legal where I live or good for the animal sadly :[ )

I tend to be a bit abrasive and standoffish at first, and I can come off a bit bitchy but I swear I’m nice enough to people I care about—

———————

Idk if I did this right, sorry—

[ @scyphozoa-mancinella ]

You did it just perfect, cariño, don’t worry

——————

Your Arcane match is…

Violet

Vi would absolutely love sparring with you in taekwondo or kickboxing, and she’d probably challenge you to push your limits in Krav Maga or BJJ, giving you tips and encouragement

She’d respect your standoffishness and wouldn’t push you to open up, but she’d always be quietly watching out for you, especially if anyone messes with you

Vi would be genuinely interested in hearing about your knowledge on poisonous plants, sustainable cities, and history—she loves learning new things and would admire your vast interests

Since you’re both tough on the outside but soft towards those you care about, you’d have an unspoken understanding of each other, no need for a lot of words

Vi would get involved in your hobbies, whether it’s looking at cool swords or learning more about music and history, and she’d love that you pick up on her interests too

She’d take you to try new foods, always down to explore interesting cuisines like Ethiopian food with you

The weirder the dish, the more Vi would be into it

Vi would be into your mix of comfy and witchy clothes, and she’d probably steal your hoodies and Docs when you’re not looking

She’d love that you both have that “abrasive but secretly caring” energy and would feel comfort in knowing you don’t need constant attention but are there when it counts

Vi would push you to get stronger, especially in your martial arts, but she’d also encourage you to keep working on your creative passions like writing and drawing

She’d be there for you through your health struggles, offering quiet comfort and checking in on you without making a big deal out of it

Your PJO match is…

Thalia Beryl Grace

Credits: frostbite.studios

Thalia would immediately connect with your love of martial arts, and she’d probably challenge you to a friendly sparring match or two, admiring your skills

You and Thalia would geek out over ancient battles and old weapons, especially swords, and she’d love discussing historical revolutions with you, given her fascination with mythology and legends

Thalia would be up for exploring new places with you, especially if they involve nature or ancient ruins—she loves adventure and would appreciate your company

Thalia isn’t a touchy-feely person herself, so she’d fully understand and respect your need for personal space, never crossing any physical boundaries without your permission

Unless she were to get you out of danger’s way

She’d relate to your tough exterior and standoffishness and would respect you for standing your ground, knowing there’s a caring side underneath that not everyone gets to see

Thalia would love that you play instruments and would probably have you teach her a thing or two on the piano, especially since she’s musically inclined as well

Thalia would understand your anxiety and wouldn’t pressure you to socialize or do anything that makes you uncomfortable, always having your back in social situations

She’d enjoy your intellectual side and would be more than happy to engage in long conversations about poisonous plants, ancient battles, and anything else that piques your interest

Thalia would love your mix of comfy and witchy fashion and would probably show up in something equally cool, bonding over your shared appreciation for unique aesthetics

She’d be a quiet but solid support for you through your health struggles, never making a big deal of it but always being there when you need her

Your Spider-Man Across the Spiderverse match is…

Gwen Stacy

Gwen would love that you play piano and woodwind instruments, and she’d invite you to jam with her, teaching you some cool techniques on her drums

She’d be impressed by your martial arts skills and would probably ask you to teach her a few moves, as she’s always looking to improve her own physical abilities

Gwen would be super interested in your research on poisonous plants, sustainable cities, and historical revolutions, always listening intently and asking questions

She’d invite you on wild adventures around the multiverse, always keeping things exciting but respecting when you need a break or feel anxious

Gwen would love your unique style, especially the Edwardian witch vibes, and she’d always compliment your outfit choices, maybe borrowing your Docs for a day or two

As someone who also deals with her own issues, Gwen would completely understand your social anxiety and wouldn’t push you beyond your comfort zone, always being there to support you

She’d be mindful of your boundaries around touch and would wait for you to initiate any physical contact, whether it’s a high five or a hug

Gwen would love learning about your different hobbies and interests, especially anything related to history and weird animals—she’d even start reading up on them herself to understand you better

Gwen would be there for you through your health issues, always checking in and offering support when you need it, and she’d be a quiet but strong presence in your life

While Gwen loves adventure, she’d also know when to slow down and just hang out with you in a low-key setting, maybe watching cartoons or playing music together when life feels overwhelming

Your Marvel match is…

Shuri

Shuri would love your intellectual curiosity and dive into deep conversations about poisonous plants, sustainable building materials, and historical revolutions

She’d find your research fascinating and would love exchanging knowledge with you

Shuri would totally involve you in her lab experiments, especially when it comes to sustainable innovations like using mushrooms and vines in building materials

You’d work together on eco-friendly tech

She’d be super respectful of your need for physical space and never push you to be physically affectionate unless you’re comfortable

She’s good at reading those cues and would know exactly when to give you space

Shuri would love training with you and might even create some high-tech gadgets to enhance your martial arts, helping you with anything related to Krav Maga or BJJ

You and Shuri would constantly collaborate on creative projects, whether it’s designing new tech or discussing history and current innovations, pushing each other to think outside the box

Shuri would appreciate your interest in animals, especially the more unique ones, and she’d introduce you to the advanced wildlife tech she’s developed to help protect endangered species

Both of you have a sharp wit and a sarcastic streak, so there would be lots of playful banter between you two, but always in good fun

Shuri would invite you on amazing trips to explore new cultures, environments, and technological wonders

She’d definitely want you by her side for both adventure and learning

Shuri would appreciate your style and might even design some custom outfits for you that blend her Wakandan fashion sense with your witchy, Edwardian aesthetic

She’d be invested in helping you manage your iron deficiency and possible PCOS, possibly even creating tech to monitor and improve your health

Shuri would be deeply caring in her own unique way, always looking out for you

[daeva-agas]

This reminds me of that movie where the Western orchestra and Chinese music students had a music battle, and the moment the suona comes out the Western music department gets confused LOL. 

I guess the whole point of it is that you just can not make the sound suona makes with any Western instrument? I dunno, I’m curious TBH. Is it really not doable (even with trumpets or the piccolo)? Like, the suona does have this “nasal” sound to it compared to woodwind instruments or the brass instruments, but if we disregard that “unique sound” and just talk terms of the pitch and range...?

[dhampiravidi]

my muses' favorite things...

Jayn

Food - peach ice cream & herb-crusted fish

Drink - hot coffee mixed with chocolate OR sangria

Colour - gold & where deep blue meets violet

Season - spring/summer

Scent - lavender

Instrument - violin

Time of Day - late morning

Item - anthology of fiction from her childhood

Movie - Iron Man

Naela

Food - Moroccan-style tagine (stew w/lamb, dried fruit, spices)

Drink - pretty much any fruit juice made fancy (like mimosas)

Color - periwinkle/lavender (like her/her mom's eyes)

Season - summer

Scent - fresh flowers

Music - harp OR anything by Shakira

Time of Day - late morning

Item - her sword(s) OR a worn fantasy romance paperback

Movie - The Princess Bride

Achilles

Food - banana pancakes OR spanakopita

Drink - he just wants gin, a frappuccino, an Italian soda or water

Color - sea green

Season - summer

Scent - the sea

Music - pop (like Britney Spears) & rock (like Nickelback)

Time of Day - noon

Item - a pair of earrings that his mom bought him

Movie - Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith

Jas

Food - Japanese food (sushi, curry rice, mochi)

Drink - peppermint tea

Color - bubblegum pink

Season - spring

Scent - citrus

Music - classical (piano)

Time of Day - noon

Item - her dad’s necklace (Wayland ring on a leather cord)

Movie - A Bug’s Life (her dad took her to see it when she was little)

Skadi

Food - beef pot pie (potatoes, peas, carrots) OR blueberry muffins

Drink - something w/cinnamon (rum/horchata) OR Bai Mu Dan tea

Color - forest green

Season - spring & autumn

Scent - cinnamon OR fresh pastry

Music - low woodwinds & chanting

Time of Day - morning

Item - a Jotnar song her parent taught her

Movie - the LOTR trilogy + Good Will Hunting

Oraia

Food - dolmades (Greek stuffed grape leaves), pizettes (Italian chocolate cookies w/almonds & cinnamon)

Drink - paloma (tequila, lime juice, grapefruit soda) or mojito (white rum, sugar, lime juice, soda water & mint); peach green tea

Color - N/A, though she wears a lot of blue & white

Season - any time that isn't cold

Scent - vanilla

Music - Euopop, modern rock, anything worth dancing to

Time of Day - just after sundown

Item - the knife her mom gave her

Movie - Jumping the Broom OR Disney's Hercules

Hestia

Food - Thai coconut chicken soup OR Bûche de Noël [Yule Log]

Drink - Kahlua & Chai OR Chai Tea Latte

Color - orange

Season - winter

Scent - whatever her lover & her kid smell like

Music - 90s pop (mostly dance songs)

Time of Day - early morning

Item - picture of herself & a bunch of the X-Men outside

Movie - Love Actually

Rose

Food - garlic noodles (also she's a vegan, just sayin')

Drink - bourbon OR green tea (either w/honey)

Color - ballet pink OR white

Season - spring (no solstices & few cold breezes)

Scent - the sea

Music - punk-pop (especially acoustic covers)

Time of Day - early afternoon

Item - magic locket (allows for multidimensional comm w/father)

Movie - The Prestige

Aurelia

Food - chicken vindaloo

Drink - simple stuff. Latte. Tom Collins. CBD oil ;)

Color - jade green & gold

Season - summer

Scent - dewy grass, hot cocoa, woodsy cologne

Music - classic rock (especially The Rolling Stones)

Time of Day - early evening

Item - her wand OR a souvenir scarf from Nigeria

Movie - Die Hard OR Waiting to Exhale

Rela

Food - Jogan fruit OR a simple Chinese-style stir fry (vegetarian)

Drink - doesn’t like alcohol; Royal English Breakfast Tea (w/milk)

Color - the electric blue of a holobook

Season - autumn

Scent - trees & forests in general

Music - acoustic covers & R&B

Time of Day - middle of the night

Item - her late master, Maglos Nerot's, yellow lightsaber

Movie - historical documentaries (w/o reenactments)

Eugenia

Food - carbonara (pasta)

Drink - hates alcohol; Arnold Palmer (tea & lemonade)

Color - maroon

Season - spring

Scent - dewy grass

Music - R&B + 00s pop

Time of Day - late morning

Item - she can't pick (isn't materialistic anyway)

Movie - The Bodyguard OR Legends of the Fall

Shayera

Food - chicken mole enchiladas OR falafel

Drink - Hurricane (3x rum, grenadine, OJ, simple syrup) OR a vaguely fruity thing infused w/some caffeine

Color - hot pink

Season - autumn

Scent - cocoa butter

Music - 90s rap & modern alt (Hozier)

Time of Day - noon

Item - her mace

Movie - The Equalizer OR Rush Hour

Mu Lan

Food - nkwobi (spicy Nigerian stew w/cow foot & fish stock)

Drink - ginger beer (doesn't like drinking often)

Color - crimson

Season - spring

Scent - ginger

Music - violin OR indie folk (The Civil Wars, The Lumineers...)

Time of Day - late morning

Item - petals that she preserves in her books

Movie - Miss Congeniality

Monet

Food - steak (medium) frites

Drink - sidecar cocktail (cognac, orange liqueur, lemon juice)

Color - maroon

Season - summer

Scent - apple pie

Music - 80s pop music

Time of Day - noon

Item - her black trenchcoat (which she sometimes wears as M)

Movie - The Mummy

Fantomex

Food - pretty much anything French that's 4-star quality

Drink - White Russian (vodka, coffee liqueur & cream)

Color - white, sometimes silver

Season - winter

Scent - roses

Music - rap (in French, obviously)

Time of Day - nighttime

Item - a picture Evan (his adopted son/nephew) painted for him

Movie - Casablanca OR Atomic Blonde

Renée Michele

Food - her dad's étouffée OR her mom's lotus root pork bone soup

Drink - vodka & blue raspberry Jello shots OR caramel macchiato

Color - neon colors, typically purple

Season - summer (partly for the thunderstorms)

Scent - chocolate

Music - pop-punk & grunge

Time of Day - noon

Item - her eyes

Movie - Bullet Train

Rhea Livia

Food - cheeseburger w/onions & tomato OR pork broth ramen

Drink - Baya Energy Mango Guava (premade)

Color - electric blue

Season - summer

Scent - chamomile

Music - modern/10s pop

Time of Day - noon

Item - her skateboard

Movie - Scary Movie

Cathan

Food: best described as fish resembling salmon

Drink: Faerie wine (newer the better)

Colour: black, though he says red

Season: summer

Scent: vanilla

Music: 90s pop (he’s been to mundane clubs)

Time of Day: sunset

Item: scarf gifted to him when he was twelve

Movie: Good Luck to You, Leo Grande or Moulin Rouge

[life-around-me-yura15cbx]

Arundo donax is a tall perennial cane. It is one of several so-called reed species. It has several common names including giant cane, elephant grass, carrizo, arundo, Spanish cane, Colorado river reed, wild cane, and giant reed. Arundo and donax are respectively the old Latin and Greek names for reed.

Ару́ндо тростнико́вый, или Тростни́к гига́нтский — вид цветковых растений рода Арундо семейства Злаки.

Арундо тростинний, арундо очеретяний — вид рослин родини тонконогові (Poaceae).

Clade:Monocots

Clade:Commelinids

Order:Poales

Family:Poaceae

Genus:Arundo

Arundo donax grows in damp soils, either fresh or moderately saline, and is native to the Greater Middle East. Arundo is a highly invasive plant in southwestern North American rivers, and its promotion as a biofuel in other regions is of great concern to environmental scientists and land managers. and in New Zealand it is listed under the National Pest Plant Accord as an "unwanted organism". In New Zealand's northernmost region, Arundo donax crowds out native plants, reduces wildlife habitat, contributes to higher fire frequency and intensity, and modifies river hydrology.

Ancient Egyptians wrapped their dead in the leaves. The canes contain silica, perhaps the reason for their durability, and have been used to make fishing rods.

This plant may have been used in combination with harmal (Peganum harmala) to create a brew similar to the South American ayahuasca, and may trace its roots to the Soma of lore.

Ancient Greeks used cane to make flutes, known as kalamaulos, from kalamos ("cane") + aulos ("flute"). A. donax is still the principal source material of reed makers for clarinets, saxophones, oboes, bassoons, bagpipes, and other woodwind instruments.

Интересно, что в норме он везде без белых полос, но видимо это эпигенетический признак вообще не влияющий на видовое определение. В iNaturalist подтвердили, что это описанный выше вид.

191-175 Browns Bay Road, Auckland 0630

7P9P+PM2 Auckland

-36.7307280, 174.7366280

наземные растения цветковые травы тростник злаковые

Common Names: bamboo reed; giant cane; spanish reed; wild cane. Spanish: caña común; caña de Castilla; carizo; carrizo. French: canne de Provence; grand roseau. Arabic: ghab; qalam. Chinese: lu zhu. Portuguese: cana palustre; canno de reino. Australia: bamboo; Danubian reed; e-grass; elephant grass; giant Danube grass; oboe reed. Brazil: cana do brejo; cana do reino; cana-brava; canno do reino; capim plumoso; taquara-do-reino. Chile: cañamo. Colombia: caña brava. Costa Rica: caña hueca. Cuba: caña de Castilla; caña de río; caña hueca; cañita de la india. Dominican Republic: cañita. Fiji: ngasau ni vavalangi. Germany: Pfahlrohr. Haiti: herbe roseau; roseau. India: nal. Italy: canna commune; canna comune; canna di Provenza. Netherlands: Pijlriet. Puerto Rico: caña gigante; guajana. Samoa: fiso palagi. South Africa: Spaanse-riet. Spain: falso bamboo; gallipato alcublano; junco gigante. Tonga: kaho; kaho folalahi. Uruguay: caña musical.

The root is diaphoretic, diuretic, emollient and galactofuge. An infusion is said to stimulate menstrual discharge and diminish milk flow. A paste of the root is applied to the forehead to treat headaches. Isolated alkaloids have been experimentally shown to raise the blood pressure and contract the intestine and uterus. The rhizome or rootstock is used in the treatment of dropsy. Boiled in wine with honey, the root or rhizome has been used for treating cancer. The plant contains the alkaloid gramine. This is said to be a vasopressor, raising the blood pressure in dogs after small doses, causing a fall in larger doses. The stems have been used as splints for broken limbs

В сельских регионах Испании на протяжении веков существовала техника строительства, носящая имя каньизо cañizo, использующая прямоугольники примерно 2 на 1 метр тканого тростника, к которому можно было добавлять глину или штукатурку. Крыша из правильно изолированного каньизо может сохранять свои механические свойства более 60 лет.

https://t.me/life_yura15cbx/1247?single&comment=4606

[pratimadheer]

Evolution of Musical Instruments

The evolution of musical instruments spans millennia, representing a fascinating journey through human creativity, technological advancements, cultural exchange, and artistic expression. From simple, ancient origins to the complex and diverse instruments of the modern era, this evolution reflects the rich tapestry of human ingenuity and cultural heritage.

The earliest known musical instruments date back tens of thousands of years. Archaeological findings reveal ancient flutes crafted from bird bones or mammoth ivory, percussion instruments made from hollowed-out objects like shells and logs, and various forms of early stringed instruments. These instruments, often associated with rituals, ceremonies, or communal gatherings, laid the foundation for musical expression in ancient societies.

Ancient civilizations across the globe contributed significantly to the development of musical instruments. The Egyptians created harps, lyres, and flutes, while the Greeks introduced the precursor to the modern guitar, known as the "kithara." Chinese dynasties brought forth the guqin and pipa, while Indian cultures developed instruments like the sitar and tabla, each with its unique construction and tonal qualities.

The Middle Ages witnessed an evolution in instrument design, with the emergence of more sophisticated keyboard instruments such as the organ, clavichord, and harpsichord. The Renaissance era further expanded the variety of instruments, including the violin family, brass instruments like trumpets and trombones, and the development of the modern flute and clarinet.

The Baroque and Classical periods witnessed refinements in instrument design, with instrument makers perfecting their craftsmanship. Innovations led to improvements in brass and woodwind instruments, such as the creation of the modern piano and advancements in violin-making techniques by famous luthiers like Antonio Stradivari.

The Industrial Revolution played a pivotal role in the evolution of musical instruments. Mass production techniques led to the standardization of instrument design and facilitated wider accessibility to instruments. Innovations in materials, such as the use of metal alloys in brass instruments and synthetic materials in strings and percussion, revolutionized instrument manufacturing and performance.

The 20th century marked a period of tremendous innovation and diversity in musical instruments. Advancements in technology gave rise to electronic instruments like synthesizers, electric guitars, and electronic keyboards, transforming the sound and possibilities of music production. These innovations enabled musicians to experiment with new sounds, genres, and musical styles.

The digital era further revolutionized music-making with the advent of digital synthesizers, MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) technology, and computer-based music production software. This allowed musicians to create, modify, and manipulate sounds in ways previously unimaginable, expanding the sonic landscape of music.

Today, the world of musical instruments continues to evolve rapidly. Instrument makers and innovators explore sustainable materials, incorporate cutting-edge technology, and blend traditional craftsmanship with modern design to create innovative and hybrid instruments. Instruments from various cultures are also being adapted and fused together, leading to the creation of entirely new sounds and genres.

In conclusion, the evolution of musical instruments reflects the diverse and intricate tapestry of human creativity, cultural heritage, technological advancements, and artistic expression. From the primitive origins of early instruments to the sophistication of modern electronic music production, this evolution embodies the constant pursuit of new sounds, musical innovation, and the universal language of music that transcends boundaries and connects people across time and cultures.

[raedroid]

Star Covers Bios #9: Kelsey Conners

Age: 10 (beginning of series) 18 (current age)

Birthday: December 20 2004

Ethnicity: Asian (Mom: Japanese heritage Dad: Chinese Canadian heritage)

Born: St. John’s Newfoundland, Canada

Hair Colour: Black

Skin Tone: Pale White

Eye Colour: Brown

Colour Scheme: Fuchsia, Purple-Pink, Pale Pink, Black, Silver, Gold, White, and Lavender

Instruments: Drums, Vocals, Electronics, Piano, Turntables, Taiko (Japanese drums), and Shakuhachi (Japanese woodwind instrument)

Magical Element: Drums/Rhythms

Non-Topic Ability: Levitation

Weapon: Drumstick Whips

Hobbies: Playing drums, singing, recording, songwriting, skateboarding, rock climbing, collecting vinyls and cassettes, watching music documentaries, filming videos, and teaching drums

Good Qualities: She is a fierce and loyal person who’s always willing to help her family and friends even in the worst times. She’s very loving towards her friends, especially her girlfriend Maya whom she’s a smooth romantic to. She’s also the confident and cool member of the group

Bad Qualities: She gets angry. Like a lot. She’s has intense anger issues that makes her come off as terrifying. She’s also incredibly snarky which others makes her come off as passive aggressive when most of the time she’s only in a joking mood whenever she’s snarky. She tends to hold grudges easily

Inspirations: Kiss (specifically Peter Criss [same birthday lol]), Herman Li of DragonForce, Abba, Glam Metal stars, and Musa from Winx Club

[bittersweetresilience]

jing yuan's theme is bookended by... uhhh... guzheng? pipa? i'm very bad at instrument identification. whatever it is, it's the main instrument i associate with him but it only really features itself during the beginning and ending

meanwhile blade's... xiao? is it a xiao? blade's woodwind is present and carries a melody through the majority of his song, even when it's being outshone by that really loud mara instrumentation

blade and jing yuan share the exact same key until blade's mara overtakes him, at which point he raises by two semitones and never recovers to baseline. the implications... the shrimplications... i'm sick about their relationship...

the renjing key is e minor because they make me emo and blade's mara key is f sharp minor because his sword is really fucking sharp

at the start of the song, blade is very slightly slower than jing yuan, but as soon as the action starts they're both at the exact same tempo and stay that way until jing yuan floats off at the end

jing yuan starts and ends on the octave, but he starts at the highest note and ends at the lowest. 堂堂正正的 boy. does things by the book boy. at the end of the day he's sad though.

blade starts in the middle of the octave and ends on the same low note as jing yuan. or he would have if not for the mara... fuck me

the sound of war drums is like the indication from the commander for the soldiers to go ahead. jing yuan is the general of the luofu and his theme prominently features drums

blade and jing yuan have the same incoming battle leitmotif and they both share the same little trills marking every measure for blade and every few measures for jing yuan

at least until their point of divergence, which is also when both of their other signature instruments come in, which is when jing yuan summons the spirit lord and identifies himself with the xianzhou and when blade succumbs to mara and identifies himself against it

the mix of electronic and traditional chinese instrumentation is shared with the rest of the xianzhou music. and it is extremely sick.

okay your ship is cool but can it do THIS

[edwardglitterhandss]

you mentioned practicing and memorizing music in the tags of that one post, what do you play? :)

Oh! I play the flute and piccolo! I was in a competitive marching band when I was younger but haven't been able to play much in recent years. Not something you'd find in a traditional 'band' as the quiz was referring to :P I had started learning keyboard a couple years ago but I'm nowhere near proficient.

Thank u for the ask!!

[missionimpossibleburger]

When Art Becomes Industry - The Menu Review

For my elementary school yearbook, I was given a slip of paper that had me answer the following prompt: "What do you think you'll be when you grow up?" These would later be printed just below my name and portrait that would proudly beam on the glossy pages of the 5th grade section of the yearbook, among the other classmates off to do wonderful and ambitious things as preteens in middle school. In short, this was like a high school yearbook quote, but a little more hopeful and earnest.

I answered Probably a comic book writer or a piano player. While the use of "Probably" helped me ease into the idea of letting go of my short-lived comic book writing ambitions, it still amazes me today that, at 10 years old, I knew in my heart that the piano would be a part of my life.

My earliest memories come from the time when I was a toddler who could barely walk, stumbling down the soft carpeted hallway of my childhood home in South San Francisco as I approached the mysterious and booming mid-range tones from the piano in the living room. I'd see my dad's legs, rhythmically pressing on the ornate pedals with the balls of his feet at irregular intervals, like he was operating a weave as he conjured up a net of harmonies beneath his palms. While I might not have fully comprehended it at the time, there was a understanding in our family that the piano is a gene in our household, and I inherited it from my dad, whether I liked it or not.

Fortunately, I did like it. My dad took me to my first piano lesson when I was five years old, in the back of a Chinese-owned musical instrument shop on Clement Street. I never saw that teacher again (maybe the first lesson was complimentary, and my dad just didn't like her enough), but I got to keep the book. At home, with the help of 12 colorful cartoon characters printed in my book, I taught myself all 12 notes in the scale (more if you want to count the treble and bass clefs), simply because I was hungry to learn more notes and more songs. I took great pride when my dad clapped for me finishing Mary Had A Little Lamb, and shame when he reprimanded me for improvising wrong notes. I loved learning new songs, and held myself over with nursery rhymes and folk songs until it was time to take formal classical lessons from a teacher who met my dad's approval. At nine years old, I finally was reaching the next step.

My piano teacher introduced me to the world of music education and the rigors of music training. She was compassionate and warm, but demanded dedication. Through her, I internalized the technicalities of finger placements, metronome speeds, hand compartmentalization. I expanded my repertoire to included Russian contemporary composers whose surnames sounded like Harry Potter spells, but whom sometimes wrote the easiest pieces for my nimble fingers. I reckoned with the performance anxiety that dreaded my psyche before every monthly recital, which eventually bled over to my Certificate of Merit performance auditions. While I changed schools and subjects during the day, music became the constant test that loomed over me.

By the time I became an adolescent, I had nothing to show for it. In high school, it dawned on me that, not only was the piano barely used in any high school ensemble, but everyone knew how to play it better than I did. Everyone knew an ensemble-friendly instrument, whether it was a string instrument for the orchestra, a woodwind for the symphonic band, or a brass for both. All I had was piano, an instrument that's barely heard unless there's a solo, a concerto, or a jazz rhythm section involved. If I wanted to be heard, I had to be perfect. All 4 years of high school, I didn't pass a single audition for piano - not for the school jazz ensemble, not for any of the school musical pit orchestras. I dreaded each audition anyway, and probably flubbed them out of nervousness. I only got into orchestra after I begged the music director and offered to be a TA and a percussionist for the orchestra class, and the one time I did play in the musical pit orchestra was for percussion.

The stress and pressure I felt in the rigors of the music world left me jaded; they were a sobering reminder that I would never be cut for a career in music, or at least as a piano player, as my 10-year-old self prophetically proclaimed. My worth was at the whim of directors listening for every perfect note. The world was telling me that I wasted my time with the piano, a constant reminder of my own inadequacy. I became angry. I lost sight of why I was even spending time and money on these piano lessons, when I had schoolwork and college applications to worry about.

It's this jaded feeling that I think The Menu fully understands. Ralph Fiennes' Julian Slowik is a world-renowned chef who uses his reputation and art to seek retribution for the ills of the arts-turned-service industries. His dishes are the visceral expressions of his stoic hatred and rage for the pretentious, capitalist, and opportunistic subculture that has plagued his beloved art. Having been deeply engrossed in the higher world of fine dining, he manipulates and upends the culture to his own vengeful benefit, usurping expectation and surprising his guests (and by extension, us) by forcing them to confront their dismissive participation and moral crimes against art and humanity. In public reference does he create his own personal chaos, a heaven out of a living hell for those he finds undeserving.

There's a point in the film in which we see Slowik's origins. In one photo shown, he's younger, relaxed, and smiling, holding up a greasy burger patty on a flat and wide spatula, like the kind you'd see in cartoons. It's in stark contrast to the Slowik we got used to seeing, a stoic and terse statue of a man with thunderous claps and a commanding presence, arms crossed. And it's this point in the film where we see it's emotional core, an outlet for our own passionate angst and frustrations. We see a man who was once happy, doing what he loved, now grown into a bitter, spiteful shell.

With nothing else to audition for (save for the slightly less rigorous annual piano tests I habitually studied and trained for), my time with the piano became much for personal. Around my early adolescence, my love and ear for music bloomed with The Beatles, and the piano became the perfect outlet for that rediscovered joy and love of music. Like how I was when I was five, I began dedicating myself to learning more and more songs I loved, Beatles and beyond. I sought new territory and creativity in jazz piano and improvisation, a new language that was previously shunned from me.

When I see Ralph Fienne's Slowik as he is, I am reminded of all of those failed auditions, those nights slumped on the piano bench, those feelings of worthlessness, and if I sat through more of those and eventually found the success I was looking for, I'd come out a shell like him. But, when I see Slowik cooking a burger, I am thrust with nostalgia for the days when I learned Beatles songs on the piano, noodled jazz piano solos over wavy chords, and weaving harmonies out of thin air.

So yeah, I got pretty emotional watching this.

[luthiest]

I want to start learning Violin! I have a background in Percussion (7 years) and woodwind instruments (4 years) but I have no idea where to start when it comes a good starter Violin. Do you have any recommendations for brands or examples of what I should look for?

exciting !! id definitely start out with a rental, but price and quality is pretty variable and dependent on where you are

i know a lot of people go through shar music for online rentals, and they also do rent to buy so you’d be renting with the intention of keeping it if you like it. potter violins seemed to be popular too, though that may have been a regional thing since i grew up in virginia. (these are both domestic us only i believe, unfortunately i don’t have any personal experience w online rentals outside of the us ://)

if you’re just looking to purchase outright, i’d honestly recommend getting an appointment at a local shop, letting them know your price range, and just trying things out. it’s a little more difficult if you don’t have things like scales and a piece or two in your back pocket yet to compare sound quality, but it’s really important to pick an instrument based on the sound and how it feels in hand. when you’re looking to purchase, most shops will let you take instruments out on trial for some time, so take advantage of that if you can.

bows are super important to how an instrument sounds too, so when testing different instruments, try to keep the bow a constant. i know it’s a little tacky to talk dollar amounts, but i would say if a nice student violin usually starts at around 2k, a nice bow is likely going to start at about 500? these are by no means hard figures, and the most important thing about playing is the sound. i would definitely ask to try out at least a few different bows, if ur able

also, don’t shy away from contemporary american instruments and chinese instruments ! you’ll have a lot of people trying to push you towards german and italian violins, but they’re not necessarily better and likely are a lot more expensive than the quality would dictate. older and european doesn’t necessarily mean better !!!!!!! chinese factory instruments get a bad rep but honestly? they’re not all terrible and can actually be really cost effective, especially if you’re just getting started and dont plan on sinking a ton of time/effort/money into a violin. but if they don’t let you take it out on trial, please, please do not purchase !!!!!!!!!

last bit: i know i said sound is the most important but let’s be honest, the aesthetics do kinda matter lolol.. you don’t like the shape/placement/height of the chin rest? easily changed. you’d like more decorative pegs? easily changed. the tail piece is ugly? easily changed. i love my viola, its served me well and is perfect for the type of playing i do, but man… the second i get a chance, im stripping the varnish and changing the color because i cannot stand how red it is. idk that i have a point with this part besides if you hate the varnish now, you’ll likely still hate it in 10 years

sorry for the info dump, i know a lot of it is probably a bit premature for where u are in the renting/purchasing process, but i hope it’s a least a little helpful ! if u want more specific advice later on strings/setup/rosin/case stuff or even just a second opinion on pricing, i’d be happy to help <33333

[fjetspad]

My sincere apologies in advance for the rant. Please allow me tell you why, as a musician, I have some issues with this video. And, though this specific one has apparently gathered some virality, all the others like it.

This guy's entire business (because of course he's selling them, and not cheaply either!) is blatantly capitalizing on the fact that a great majority of people can't read music notation, or have any grasp on the distinction between a piece itself and the notation of said piece. The same people probably also don't have sufficient context for the term "symphony", by the way. But surely it's a very happy coincidence that all those pictures of people's sweet, cherished pets just so happen to turn out sounding like bits of anodyne, major-scale daintyness of very shareable duration!

For many folks who don't read notation, there might be a bit of mystery around it. You'll probably recognise some of the symbols (eighth note, sharp, treble clef) but not really know what they actually mean, except as a graphic signifier of Music as a concept. And of course, who doesn't like music?

This is not an actual piece of music. It's just using the symbols as an aesthetic. It reminds me of the way that Chinese characters are often used "for the aesthetic" by those who can't read it. Anecdotes abound of gullible people who get tattoos of Fried Pork with Noodles, Foreign Idiot or meaningless gibberish instead of the exotic, mystical wisdom which only Chinese writing can convey. (Let's not unpack that any further right now.) Anyone who can actually read Chinese would be justified in laughing at you. Similarly, anyone who can read Western music notation

Just one page from a classic handbook for the finer details of music notation, Ted Ross's The Art of Music Engraving & Processing. (This section is about stem lengths and beam angles for various intervals.) Notation is merely a tool, a way to communicate a set of instructions to your performers, in order for them to produce the sounds that you want. Throughout the centuries it's been highly standardised and streamlined to make it easy and efficient to interpret, and its main aesthetic value lies in how clearly it conveys the music. This cat picture is not really functional as notation, in the sense that actual performers would get needlessly frustrated trying to decipher what should be a rather simple piece.

By distorting the flags and beams in a different way, perhaps changing the score order, we wouldn't be changing a single note of the underlying composition, but now perhaps it's a picture of a rhinoceros. Alternatively, you can generate the same cat picture from an entirely different, possibly much more discordant piece simply by changing around all the crucial information which is not contributing anything to the actual picture, such as the tempo, instrument names, clefs and key signatures. Even the noteheads themselves aren't contributing that much, the majority of the lines making up the actual cat are just distorted stems, flags and beams.

And also. Press play, close your eyes and forget the cute sleeping kitty for a moment. Is the cheap MIDI rendering you're hearing really that satisfying to listen to as a composition? Does it move you? Is it memorable? Or is it (by using woodwinds + strings and noodling around the major scale, as well as the term "sympawny") merely alluding to the aesthetic of classical music, just enough so those who don't know any better will assume that It Must Be Art?

Don't fall for it, folks. Notation is not music.

This is the sweetest way to memorialize a beloved cat I can think of. The flags are stylized but the notes are all accurate. Wow.