Motivational

Making Dents!

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by Pamela T. Rentzel

It seems recently that one of the favorite phrases in our household recently is “Well, we are making a dent!”

In the past several years my husband and I seem to have made a lot of “dents” but haven’t fully demolished all our projects—yet!  Let me explain:

In 2016, the routine of our life changed drastically!  In June 2016, my husband retired from his job, but believe it or not, we became busier than ever.  In September 2016, his Mother’s health started to decline rapidly, and it became apparent that she could no longer live alone in her home.  We frantically began to look for assisted living facilities in our area, so she would be closer to us in her final years.

During that time, we began to sort out the family home they had built in 1960.  WOW!  What a job!  Every week we would drive there—about 60 miles—and spend the entire day sorting, boxing and distributing designated items in order get her home ready to sell.  It seemed to be a never-ending process!  At the same time, we continued to try to live our normal life and even began the task of “refreshing” and “updating” our own home. So, with all these different projects going on, we just endeavored to stay consistent in making small “dents” in all of them.   Finally, in the spring of 2017, we had the final estate sale and clean up on her home. We were blessed to close on the sale of the property several weeks after the first showing. 

Since she was still living, we opted not to box or dispose her personal items, so our basement was filled with stacks of boxes giving us just walking paths!

We lost his Mom in January 2018.  Once again, we started boxing and disposing the items which were no longer essential to her life.  Again, it became a process of making small “dents” in the bigger project of making our basement habitable again.

In this life lesson, it has become clear to me that in anything we set out to do in life, we just make small “dents” in order to reach our goal.  This is true in our walk with God and growing in our faith!

Making “dents” is also applicable to growing our music skills and working toward excellence so we can give our best to the Lord.

As we continue to learn and practice new scales, chords, rhythm patterns, chord progressions and “licks and tricks” we are making “dents” toward reaching our musicianship goals! 

Quite honestly, we will never be completely finished making dents in our music skills because there are always new and exciting things to learn and accomplish!

Even though the tasks you face may be overwhelming and seem unending, don’t let yourself become discouraged in what you are trying to accomplish, just be consistent in making “dents” toward your goal!!!

Philippians 3:14 – I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

 

II Timothy 4: 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

 

© 2018 www.pentecostalmusicians.com/PMblog

 

Guest Articles

My 2018 New Year’s RESOLUTION – Only One!

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By Ashley Blankenship

This year I have decided I will make only one New Year’s Resolution. Rather than making lists and setting many goals, I simply resolve to do one thing differently in 2018.

I can shed a few pounds, I am sure I will read my Bible, and I will run through a list of books I want to read. I know I will exercise some, try to eat better, and pray more.

So here I will post my 2018 resolution. Only one. I will make it a public resolution, so my friends and family can keep me accountable.

It’s very simple actually. But this one simple resolution will literally trickle over into EVERY area of my life. It has the potential to transform my home, my family, and my relationships. I’ve prayed about this and the Lord has led me to this one simple resolution in 2018…

I resolve to be kinder to myself. There. I said it. Sometimes I am my own worst critic. I will no longer expect perfection or near-perfection. I will allow myself to have “down days” where I relax and don’t fret about the dust bunnies. I will allow myself time to enjoy my kids and play with them in the middle of a messy house that looks nothing like that Pin on Pinterest or the living room I saw in the magazine. I will be more patient with myself when the dishes pile, the church and home to-do lists never seem to end and I’m days behind on laundry. I will stop the negative self-talk that says I’m always messing up, I don’t measure up, I don’t do this or that like this Facebook friend or this professional blogger or this Pastor’s wife or that friend.

I tend to always focus on the mistakes I make, or the things I am failing at, or my shortcomings and imperfections. I am always shooting for perfection and beating myself up if I do not make it. If my house doesn’t look like the magazine, I feel the tension inside. If my kids aren’t all put together, I blame myself. If I didn’t finish all the projects on my list, I must’ve been too lazy, even though I worked from 7:00 am to 1:00 am… THE NEXT DAY.

Time flies. So, I can’t waste a minute of 2018 worrying about how I’m doing. The reality is, those are minutes wasted. What is done is done and what matters is that my husband and children are loved, and they love me. The IMPERFECT me. The me that doesn’t complete the to-do list. The me that is comfortable having fun in the midst of a mess that I really should be cleaning up.

So, in 2018 I will no longer hold myself to impossible standards that I would never place on anyone else. If someone tells me I need a break, I will listen. Maybe their standards for me are not nearly as high as those I have set for myself. In 2018 I will take credit for what I do and stop focusing on what I don’t get to. In 2018 I will ask myself this question, “Would I berate another woman the way I’m doing to myself right now? Or would I cut her some slack and tell her she’s doing a great job and just needs to take a break?” Then I will take my own advice. No more internal lectures.

My new kindness to myself will make me a better mom. I will play more and laugh more and have more fun. I will be a better wife because I will be less anxious and annoyed with myself. I will have time to exercise and plan a healthy meal because I will MAKE time for me, sometimes at the sacrifice of mopping the floors. I will be reading my Bible and spending more time in prayer because the pressure is off. I’m turning it off. I’m going to read a list of good books and maybe even take a nap on one of those 365 days!

So rather than a list of resolutions and goals for the New Year… I simply will resolve this one thing… and women, it’s probably something most of us could resolve to do…

Be kind to yourself. You’re doing a great job.

Instructional

B is For BAD!!!!

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I’ll be candid with you – I REALLY DON’T LIKE TO PLAY THE KEYBOARD IN THE KEY OF B!  So, if you think you’re odd because you want to transpose songs to Bb or C instead of B, you can stop being so hard on yourself because you’re in the majority!!!

Recently at church, one of my students was playing the keyboard and I was playing organ as we sang “Glorious” in the key of B.  Our Pastor had hinted that he would probably lead out into an “old school” chorus immediately after that song.  

Knowing that we could get “stuck” playing the “old school” chorus in B, I advised my student to “get out of B and into another key as soon as you can after we sing “Glorious”.   I didn’t have time to explain WHY.  Well—he delayed just a fraction of a second too long and guess what—the Pastor pitched the “old school” song in the Key of B!  My poor student just stood there like a deer in headlights and soon turned around and asked me “What key are we in?”  I just grinned at him and said “We’re in B!”  I didn’t have the heart to tell him “I told you so!”

Fortunately, after playing 100 years, I have been “stuck” playing in B many times and I know how to think through the progressions in the Key of B so we made it.  AND—after the first time through the “old school” chorus, I was able to catch the Pastor’s eye and gave a thumbs-up indicating that we needed to raise the song and he nodded.  So, we just smoothly moved into the WONDERFUL key of C!

Two lessons can be learned with this experience

  • Usually an experienced singer will PITCH in the KEY they HEAR being played.  So, if you want a song started in a particular key, get in that key and allow them time to HEAR that pitch.  Most people cannot pitch into another key when they are hearing another key being played.
  • Take the time to LEARN to THINK in EVERY KEY—at least the I, IV and V—JUST IN CASE!!!
Instructional, Motivational

Using Memory Tricks to Learn Chords and Progressions!

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by Pamela Rentzel

I like to teach “memory tricks” when I’m teaching chords and chord progressions!  Why?  Because if the student memorizes the “trick” or “short cut” they can INSTANTLY play the chord when they see it on a chord sheet! 

I’ve been asked “doesn’t that affect the students desire or ability to learn music theory?”  Absolutely not!  If a student has a desire to learn music theory—they will take the necessary classes and investigate the necessary documents to learn the “whys” and “wherefores” of the underlying theory. 

Let’s be honest, many people who play “by ear” or “by chords” have no desire to learn music theory—which I find disappointing—but it’s their choice.  I would rather teach a student a “trick” or “short cut” which will allow them to use better chords and better chord progressions rather than listen to them play just the triads and basic chord changes within a key signature.

If you are an individual who wants to learn the theory and what makes music “tick” go for it!  It’s great!   If you play by ear or chords and just want to play well but not delve into the mechanics of music theory, then learn the “tricks” and “short cuts” so you can play well NOW.  Perhaps one of these days something will click in your brain and you’ll want to know the WHY as well as the HOW.  In addition, using the “tricks” and “short cuts” allows you to memorize chords and progressions without having to sit and calculate the formulas as you play! 

Instructional, Motivational, Music for Kids

Help Your Child Be Successful in Learning Piano!

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by Ashley Blankenship

How can I help my child be successful in piano lessons?

Tip One: Provide a good, in-tune instrument at home.

Having a decent instrument at home is vital to the success of any student’s lesson. Without a way to properly practice at home, your student will feel inadequate at lesson time and will quickly lose motivation and interest.

What has 32 keys, plugs into a wall and makes piano teacher’s crazy? Sorry parents but your cheap, run of the mill Casio just won’t do. I always allow beginner students to start out on a small keyboard. Give it six months and if they are hooked, it’s time to invest in a better quality piano.

Truly, nothing can substitute for the feel and feedback of a quality acoustic piano but if you should be looking at electronic options, always look for these important features: weighted keys, touch response and a fully functioning damper pedal!

Often, I come across quality pianos for sale or to give away. Stay tuned on this page for those offers. There’s no way around it, your child can’t learn to play baseball without a nice bat and can’t learn to play hockey without a good pair of skates. Your child needs regular access to a quality instrument to become a successful piano player.