Have you ever been able to do something quite well alone and then decide you are going to share it with a friend only to realize that you are having a great difficulty doing it in front of your friend? This is a common trait especially among musicians. You ask yourself, “How come I can play this piece of music alone but now in front of you, I’m making so many little mistakes?” According to a friend it’s normal anxiety. It’s very annoying to say the least. The solution is to keep practicing alone and not be in a hurry to play for others. All in due time my pretty. Just keep playing alone. And then again alone.
What About Talkers?
Have you ever been practicing piano and someone has the audacity to walk in the room and talk to you? I mean who do they think they are? Or maybe they don’t say anything but you hear their familiar stride on the floor. Then they talk to you. You think, “Is it necessary to talk to me right this second?” Wow it sounds like you want to be left alone. Not really but when one is practicing piano less distractions is better.
And then you realize how professional musicians must be able to shut out the distractions and still keep the music going. It’s just amazing and it really says something about their ability to concentrate and keep playing with all the distractions. They say at some point the muscle memory kicks in and then you can play by memory. One solution to this issue is to keep playing if someone is talking and answer them while playing. Also it depends on how long one has been playing. Sometimes one is ready for a break from piano.
I’m not ready to play in front of anyone.
Do You Like Being Interrupted?
That brings up the bigger question of how you react to being interrupted. Are you rude to the person talking to you? Are you patient and happy to see them? Just know they can be talking to anyone else but they are talking to you so make a little time for them. We all need a little face time every now and then. One day they won’t be around to say hello and then you’ll remember how you brushed them off. Whoa!!! It’s a sad truth. Be nice to those around you because God put you two together for a reason.
Breathing is such a basic function of life yet we forget to do it. Listen as Valeria leads a little breathing exercise. Let’s face it we all need to remember.
Valeria keeping it going !!
Also listening to classical music has been proven to calm us down. Check out my performance in a little Bach Minuet.https://youtu.be/3IRUoeTUFoo
Dr. Andrew Colucci Doctor of Medicine (M.D. cum laude) from Boston University School of Medicine in 2012 – Dr. Colucci is currently a radiologist in MA
Arthritis—a medical condition characterized by chronic and sometimes debilitating joint pain—is the leading cause of disability in the United States according to the Arthritis Foundation.[1]
Additionally, this condition currently afflicts roughly 54 million adult Americans, with this number expected to rise to 78 million by the year 2040.
In an effort to relieve this chronic pain and improve their quality of life without having to rely on what are oftentimes highly addictive painkillers, many arthritis patients are seeking alternative treatments.
Many are finding these positive results with CBD products.
CBD stands for cannabidiol, a chemical compound found in hemp plants.
The way it works is by interacting with our endocannabinoid system, which is where the CBD attaches to cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2 receptors, specifically) located throughout our body to create a variety of healthful effects.[2]
CBD is different than medical marijuana in that it is nonpsychoactive in nature. So, when patients use CBD to better manage their arthritis pain, they don’t get the high typically associated with this particular drug.
How well does it work as a form of arthritis treatment? Let’s look at the research.
Research has found that CBD products such as cannabidiol oil, hemp oil, and other products derived from the cannabis plant provide a number of positive health benefits for arthritis patients.
For instance, one animal study published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that topical CBD can help relieve arthritis symptoms in the knees.[3] This study credits the reduction of pain and joint swelling, at least in part, to CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties.
Healthline adds that, while more clinical trials need to be conducted in this area, CBD oil also appears to offer promising benefits for individuals seeking an effective pain management option for rheumatoid arthritis.[4] And it does so with rather mild side effects, some of which include nausea, fatigue, diarrhea, and changes in appetite.
Full spectrum CBD products include cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds extracted from the entire cannabis plant whereas CBD isolates are pure CBD (at least 99 percent) with no other active ingredients.[5]
Which is better for arthritis pain?
Research has found that full spectrum CBD offers more health benefits than CBD isolate due to the synergy that occurs between all of the healthful compounds found within the full spectrum CBD.
For instance, a study published in the journal Pharmacology & Pharmacy used extracts from the cannabis sativa subspecies of the cannabis plant on mice and learned that, when the whole plant was used, it was easier to achieve the desired anti-inflammatory response.[6]
CBD comes in a variety of forms. There are CBD oils and creams, CBD tinctures, CBD gummies, and more. This can make it confusing for arthritis patients to determine which one to use.
The problem with some of these products is that they don’t always provide the desired effect. For instance, CBD gummies have bioavailability issues. This means that your body isn’t able to absorb and use all of the CBD contained within them, essentially lowering the amount of CBD that is available to your endocannabinoid system.
Instead, CBD oil products taken sublingually (under the tongue) don’t have this same bioavailability issues, thus your system can use more of the CBD and you get a better response. In fact, the rate of absorption of CBD oils taken sublingually is 12 to 35 percent compared to oral consumption’s rate of just 4 to 20 percent.[7]
Arthritis patients can also find relief by combining CBD products, ultimately creating a more therapeutic response. For example, using a CBD oil used in conjunction with a quality topical CBD cream can oftentimes provide pain relief.
In addition to choosing the right form of CBD, it is just as important to take the right dose. It’s not uncommon for people to not take a high enough dose of CBD oil and mistakenly think it doesn’t work for them.
Because everyone is different when it comes to dosing, Daniel Clauw, MD, a professor at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, suggests that arthritis patients start with 5 to 10 mg just at night. [8]
If you aren’t getting the relief you seek, you can then slowly increase your dosage up to 50 to 100 mg per day (split between two doses) to reach your desired effect.View Sources Last Edited: January 18, 2020
So without further hesitation here is my rendition of Bach Minuet 1.
Fires are raging in California yet, I still had a chance to record a little Bach Minuet. This piece took about 6 months of work. It’s amazing how long it actually takes. I feel bad for my family that had to listen to this piece over and over yet, I know it was good for their brains to hear.
Apparently this works better on my laptop. Tis is what Tis is especially during an emergency. Stay safe and evacuate to somewhere safe. Where is that? Oh yes Ovee the Rainbow. Got it!!!
If you have ever been pregnant and experienced morning sickness which is nausea and throwing up in the morning due to pregnancy, this is what worked for me. I was one of the unlucky ones that would get nausea in the morning and afternoon after eating. It was not fun. I called my Doctor’s office and they said to eat saltine crackers. Tried it and it didn’t work.
I was starting to get desperate because it was just such an auful feeling. I was very tired and was feeling sick too often. So I did what everyone should do and went to my local health food store.
I told the sales associate my symptoms and she suggested the following which worked like a miracle.
A shot glass
Aloe Vera Juice
Ginger Root Capsules
Directions
Grab Shot glass (yes a shot glass from Las Vegas will work fine)
Fill Shot Glass with Aloe Vera Juice (I used the one they sold in the store. I trust you can figure out what type of aloe vera juice to use.)
Take out 1 ginger root capsule and pop in mouth upon first sign of nausea.
Drink Aloe Vera juice to wash down ginger root capsule. If you weren’t able to swallow capsule in the shot, drink a little more aloe vera juice
I had instant result. I never threw up ever again during my pregnancy. It was miraculous. This feeling went away after my first trimester so I guess that was good. But I sure wish I had learned about this earlier in my pregnancy. I wish my Doctor’s office knew about this remedy instead of just the stupid “Saltine Crackers.”
This might not work for everyone and you might want to discuss this wish your doctor before you try it. But it worked for me.
Here’s to a happy pregnancy.
Valeria is a Health Coach and a Music Student studying Voice and Piano. She enjoys dancing and hanging with her Labrador Retriever. She also has a Podcast. She encourages everyone to follow their passions. May as well.
Her Father was an excellent pianist. He could play classical and jazz very well. He used to be a music teacher and as a child he gave her piano lessons. She learned the C Major Scale and that’s pretty much it.
My father, John
Last year she decided she wanted to study piano. First she had to get a piano. So she looked up on Facebook Marketplace and entered Free Pianos. She found a local church that was getting rid of a piano and had it delivered.
She made a vow that she was going to practice daily. She was going to be how she was as a child when she would run away from the piano so she could play.
She had to learn how to read music. So she got the NoteSpeller book and started working on the treble clef and eventually the bass clef. She started practicing scales and simple piano exercises. She didn’t practice for hours and hours per day but she just kept going over sight reading. She did get flash cards and also an App on her phone to help her learn the notes. The app is called Tenuto.
After months of practice she was able to perform this piece which she dedicates to her father, John DeDios who passed away on July 3, 2020 at the age of 85.
This isn’t a perfect performance. It’s good enough.
Valeria is keeping it going during the pandemic of 2020. She enjoys singing, dancing and playing piano. She’s a Health and Wellness Coach that started a podcast. Thanks for support and encouragement during this difficult time.
No matter who you are it is such a wonderful thing to talk to people. During a pandemic phone conversations are essential. Talking to someone can really brighten their day. Especially if you are talking to someone who lives alone or even if they are married. They need someone to talk to as well. So please don’t be afraid to talk to someone on the phone.
Why Is it Important to Talk?
As human beings we really do like human interaction. We like to laugh and tell stories and listen to people’s advice. Although it can be difficult at times to connect to people if you are home, it is so worth it. It can seem like a waste of time but it’s really not. It’s important to use our voices to communicate our thoughts and feelings. Having a human to connect with is essential for humans to thrive. Also speaking is a skill which must be cultivated.
That might be true that you don’t have friends but there is usually someone you can text and just say hi. Then if you feel comfortable asking them if it’s OK to call them. If you are having a difficult time, you can tell them you are seeking counseling and if they would be interested in talking to you. It really does help if you can meet people from a church. All you have to say is you want to talk about Jesus and they will come talk to you in a hurry. Now it doesn’t have to be Christianity but I’m just saying you can find friends in Churches. Don’t be afraid to reach out. Plus once you start talking to your friend then you realize they are going through challenging times too and you know you aren’t alone.
So What Should I Talk About?
Do you ever feel like you don’t know what to say to someone? When you talk do you know how to start a conversation? Some suggestions are here:
How’s your summer going?
What have you been up to?
This pandemic is so weird, how are you doing?
I watched this really good movie, have you heard of this movie?
You get the idea. With these questions the conversation will start flowing. And then you will get a chance to talk too. It’s kind of like a verbal tennis match if it’s a good conversation.
These are odd times and people may feel vulnerable. So talking to a friend can give them the hope and encouragement they need to make it through another day. It makes the difference between them feeling supported and connected to alone and sad. There are times to be alone and strong but there are also times when it’s great to connect and try to laugh if possible. There’s plenty to laugh at if you look for funny stuff.
Valeria is keeping it going during Pandemic 2020 although this photo was taken in 2019. She’s a piano student and enjoys singing and dancing. She also started a podcast. She encourages people to pursue their passions.
Recently I have been receiving many questions about my experience with the piano.
My piano playing started as a child. We used to have a Baby Grand Piano, as my father was a pianist and a music teacher. He gave me lessons as a child around age 6. But I would play and then run around. He couldn’t get me to sit still and play. I did learn the C major scale and I had also been exposed to the treble clef. Not that I really knew how to read music but I knew FACE and EGBDF as the acronyms for the music notes. So I had been exposed to the piano prior to my first music lesson back in August of 2019.
I was already taking voice lessons but I decided to take up piano because I really wanted to develop my brain a little more. I felt that piano playing would keep me very engaged. But before I could actually take lessons, I had to get a piano.
How To Get a Free Piano
So I did what every unsure piano student does and sees if I can get a free piano. I found on-line it’s easy to find one but you have to get it back to your place. After I was able to have it delivered, I started taking piano lessons. I had to learn the treble clef and the bass clef. I think that makes the piano a little more difficult because of that but in any case I started to learn the treble clef first and just really drilling notes. I got flash cards and then I found an app that helped. My friend told me about it but it’s called Tenuto (I’m unaffiliated with them). And that really helped quite a bit.
But more than anything you just have to get to know the keys on the piano and then just start playing. Doing scales and playing very simple songs on one hand and then both.
I decided I wanted to learn how to play a piece by JS Bach because I didn’t care for the music in the beginning piano books. So I researched beginner pieces of music by JS Bach and Prelude 1 in C Major came up as a good piece for a beginner.
I really do enjoy playing the piano and I recommend it for everyone. There are many resources on line. The thing I like about it is that you can go up to a piano and then start tapping keys and making the most beautiful sound. It’s like, “How did that happen?” And then you get hooked on music and you want to hear that sound again. It’s just a wonderful feeling to play music.
Looking back now of course I wish I had studied the piano as a child but can’t go back now can we?
