Jonas Alaska.

I have newly discovered Jonas Alaska.  Beautiful music.   Just enough of a country music to be acceptable.  I need more of this in my life.  

Tour England soon, please?

Video from Youtube.

Two Door Cinema Club Love.

Since finally submitting to the pull of Spotify Premium, I have been listening to new music!  And for only £10 a month!  Yahoo!

Also, since my car radio has died, Spotify is my only way to listen to new tunes.

One of my favourite tunes that I can't stop listening to right now:

I am in love with Two Door Cinema Club right now.

Reminds me of Summer days and road trips.  Not quite sure why...

X


Video from Youtube.

My New Favourite Composer...

Ludovico Einaudi's I Giorni

Beautiful.  Another piece I am determined to teach myself.

I can't wait to play more of Ludovico Einaudi's music.  Once you get your fingers round them, it's complete and utter perfection.  

Let me know what you think...

xxx

Ludovico Einaudi Nuvole Bianche

Yet another beautiful piano piece I am going to teach myself.

Once I have learnt these pieces I will be sure to do a video of myself to show you...

And Another...

Here is another piece from Amelie which is on my piano playing wish list <3

I am hunting for the piano music this afternoon from my local music shop.  I hope they have the Amelie piano music.

A New Piano Piece...

I'm going to learn how to play this once I find the sheet music <3

I love the Amelie soundtrack...  Yann Tiersen is a genius.

Music Lessons

I am starting up private music lessons for flute, sax, ukulele or piano.

I live in Maulden, Bedfordshire.

Please email me on samantha.howell@hotmail.co.uk if you are interested!

The insides of my piano...

Ok, so this is me at my most nerdiest... 

My piano needed a bit of fixing so my piano teacher had to take the main panel off the front.  I've never really seen the inside of a piano properly.

It was fun to play the piano and see all the hammers moving.  But, as I said, this is completely geeky of me!

I thought it was quite beautiful yet technical so I figured I would take some photos...

T.G.I. Saturday!

Yesterday turned out to be one of the best days I've had in a very long time.  

The day started with a mini lie in (down to my annoying body clock, I was awake at 8 - hence the use of the word "mini") which was just what the doctor ordered.

I went for a dog stroll with my darling sister and my favourite pooch in the world.

The weather was cool and refreshing which was ever so pleasant.

After heading home, we decided to go on a paint hunt.  I am redecorating my room and Loz is keen to help, I am most grateful for this.

I am undecided of what colour paint to pick.  I am toying with the idea of pale pink and grey together.  I am currently loving that combination of colour.

My room currently has been officially paint-tested.  It looks a bit like a cave man has painted all over my walls but at the moment I like the colour combination.

Kerry came and investigated the colour choice too.  I love how everyone is so keen in helping me decorate my room, haha.  I think she approved so let the painting commence!

Since Kerry had the day off we decided to make some muffins.  Apparently, we have taken to baking every weekend.  This counteracts the conversation we had the previous evening regarding both of us going on a diet.  Hmm.

We decided to invent our own variety of muffin.  Malteser muffins!  In writing this sounded like an idea that couldn't possibly fail.  Well, apparently maltesers melt and disappear to nothing when cooked.  Who would have thought? Haha.  Our muffins didn't look much like muffins either.  Never mind though, they still tasted good.

We then decided to be complete music geeks and have a jamming session.  Kerry on piano and me on flute.  We came across some rag time music and spent about 2 hours practicing Scott Joplin's "Maple Leaf Rag".

We aren't quite up to this speed yet but we are working on it!

We then decided to increase our diet rebellion by ordering takeaway pizza.  If you're going to rebel, best to do it properly, right?

We scoffed and watched X-factor and then... Phil Collins!

A fabulous day.  More please.

xxx

I Was Born In The Wrong Decade.

Some days I believe I was truly born in the wrong decade.  I have a fixation with the 1920s and 30s.

All photos are from Google images.

For my next piano exam, I have to play a piece called 'It Ain't Necessarily So.'  You all know it.  Good old 'Porgy and Bess.' I found a fabulous version on Spotify of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong singing it and it made me instantly feel like I had fallen backwards in time.

Heavenly.

Admittedly, I would only go back for the glitz and glam obviously.  I am slightly envious of my grandparents being able to go to "dances" and twist and jive until the early morning.

Also, apparently my Grandad was a complete whizz on the dance floor.  Now that would have been a fabulous sight!  I'll be sure to ask for a rendition next time I see him.

The story of my grandparents' meeting is such a glorious one.  So simple, yet romantic.  My grandparents working in a clothing factory together during World War II, my Grandad not allowed to go to war since breaking his leg, and Nanna being told repeatedly by her mother that he wasn't good enough for her.  Love must conquer all since my Nan succumbed to my Grandad's charms and are still together after 66 years of marriage.  The way they tell that story always makes me smile since they retell it with such obvious fondness which reassures me that romance most certainly isn't dead.

Next time I visit my Grandparents I'll be sure to get a hold of some of their old photos to reminisce.

Now, I will wallow in bliss as my ears take in the sensational sounds of Glenn Miller...

I would like to write an inspiring melody...

Ok, so I am getting seriously excited about going away and have a holiday outfit to share! To top the day off there is even some sunshine today - hurrah!

(Hat-H&M, Body/Top-New Look, Trousers-River Island, Wedges-Matalan)

The sunshine always motivates me - I practically jumped out of bed and skipped downstairs to wash my car which hasn't happened for about a year!

On a completely different note, today I have been listening to some old CDs that I don't listen to much any more. I am currently listening to 'Classic FM at the Movies'. I love film soundtracks. I find listening to soundtracks fascinating and after seeing the visuals there is an added depth of emotion that instantly swells within me. It is amazing that just listening to something can do that.

(Gladiator shot from Google images)

One of my all time favourite soundtracks is 'Gladiator', composed by Hans Zimmer. There are parts of that soundtrack that create contrasting emotions; for example the battle theme is rivoting and makes me want to grab a sword and march off into battle whereas the love theme makes me want to cry a little bit because it is that beautiful.

I definately need to fill my ipod full of classical soundtracks since I had forgotten how beautiful they can be.

(The Piano - image from Google images)

I am still trying to play the main theme from 'The Piano' called 'The Heart Asks Pleasure First'. The film I found strange yet beautiful, and knowing the context of this piece changes how I play it. It is taking me forever to learn this piece since I've not been playing piano for very long and my fingers don't want to move in the way they should. More practice is needed!

On that note... I should actually go and do that practice I keep threatening to do...

Over and out x

I figured that I don't write enough about music on my blog. Especially considering I teach it all day, then rehearse in the evenings, go to piano lessons and the like... So I thought I would mix two of my favourite past times - fashion and music.

So this is my fabulous piano. I bought it last summer. It has been well played by me already. You wouldn't think it was made in 1979, would you? I think it's beautiful and although it cost me a lot of pennies, it will be with me for my whole life.

I am currently learning "The Heart Asks Passion First" which is the main theme from the film "The Piano". It is a beautiful piece by Michael Nyman.

This is what I wore yesterday evening:

Skirt - River Island, Top, tights and belt - Primark, Ankle boots - New Look

I wore this just to the local pub but I was dressed rather boring at school so felt the need to dress prettily. Plus, I had just got back from a trampolining session and needed to feel a bit less ick.

I am getting so inspired reading other people's blogs. I find them fascinating. I can't help but nose at other people's style.

I think I should probably write about what my friends wear more as they inspire me the most. I like that we all have our own styles yet they can still influence what I wear. There are aspects of their styles which look amazing on them but wouldn't suit me at all. I think that's the main reason I love fashion - every gets to be as unique as they want to be.

Until next time.

Over and out x