Miracles and Magic

At this time, in this season and into the promise of a glorious new year, I wish each and every one a bounty of love, joy, peace, and a wealth of creative fulfillment.

"God bless us every one!" Tiny Tim

Happy Holidays Half-price Offer!!!

Award-winning family music CDs on Holiday Half Price Sale through the year at: http://www.cdbaby.com/Search/TGlzY

If this link doesn't work, simply go to CD Baby--- cdbaby.com ---and type Lisa Monet in the search box. You will easily find 3 titles, and they're all half price through the holiday season.

Blessings galore to each of us, every one!

Holidays, Half-price Specials, and The Learning Triangle!

Do you believe in magic? This whole year has been filled with special events and people, and if you look around right now you'll most likely see some magic to be grateful for. I'm a new contributer for My Everyday Magic at myeverydaymagic.com, and we are liberally distributing magic wishes to one and all---so you can expect more magic in your life!

Two special events are coming right up. The "Sing in the New Year" is sponsored by PBS station KEET-TV in partnership with First 5 Humboldt. Their programs enhance family learning time through "The Learning Triangle" I hope to see you at this and also at the special Montessori benefit concert---tomorrow!

In the spirit of all the good cheer going around, all my CDs are being offered for half-price through the rest of the year when you order them from the great folks at CD Baby @cdbaby.com They make it easy and fun!

Email me for more info on any of these events and offers: monetmusic@gmail.com

Magical, musical, holiday wishes,

Lisa

"Love, music and magic have a great deal in common. They enrich the soul, delight the heart. And they all take practice."

My Everyday Magic

Thanks to the magic of Twitter, the Sparkle Fairy and I have become friends. The Sparkle Fairy, aka Kate Street, started a blog a few months ago with the purpose of appreciating and sharing the daily magical moments that unfold. "My Everyday Magic" opens each day with a short-and-sweet list of recent things the Sparkle Fairy is happy and thankful for. It reminds me of my gratitude journal. Then, by clicking on "comments" other visitors throughout the day add their own lists. You can also reply to any of the comments. It's a true day-brightener to read all the things people are grateful for!

In true Fairy fashion, Kate is shown in a new photo each day, and always wearing her wings. The blog heading asks: "Couldn't we all use a little more magic in our days?"
Yes!

The Sparkle Fairy and her children, I am honored to say, are now new fans of my music. And Kate has asked me to be a regular "contributer" to the blog. It seems it has taken off to the point where she is inviting a few other contributers to share the day-openers. Gifts and incentives will be offered. Hurray for Fairies and Friends, and more Magic and Music!!

Find the link for "My Everyday Magic" here with my favorite blog spots.

Back to square one of the "21 Day Challenge"

Day 1 of the "21 Day Challenge" to not grumble, gossip, or say anything unkind. One negative word and you start over. My 7th attempt. Getting better!

"21 Day Challenge"

Day 1 of the "21 Day Challenge" to not grumble, gossip, or say anything unkind. One negative word and you have to start over. (Now on my 5th attempt)

Mixing business with pleasure

Mixing business with pleasure and finding the right balance in your social-media efforts, is what I got from Derek Sivers's recent blog post.

Here's a quote: "It's about being honest with your intentions. Many companies' “Social Media Strategy” is about appearing to be cool and part of the conversation. But they're not really interested in anything but selling."

For me it's all so intertwined. The music, the sharing, the reaching out, the flow of creativity, the professional experience....and wrapping it all neatly up into a life style.

Taking a Joy Ride on the Social Media Bandwagon

There's a whole world of thriving, life-affirming leaders in indie music out there, and the more you look for them the more you'll find. Since I've made it my business to spread the word about the empowering benefits of music for children, more and more fellow artists are surfacing for me, to my amazement and delight. How am I finding them? Through the blossoming networks of social media, and especially through Twitter. As an indie artist, I've used Twitter to find like-minded fellow artists and other positive thinkers all highly motivated to helping one another.

Now I'm doing business and networking with musicians from all over the world: a composer from Brazil, a rock band from Australia, a sound therapist from Northern CA,
a pop world songwriter from Canada, a Gullah culture musician from South Carolina...to name a few...What do we have in common? Sharing the joy of positive, uplifting music, and a sincere wish to support each other in our creative endeavors.

It's an exhilarating experience to be in close contact with such a network. I recommend it highly, and in my next post I'll give some guidelines for how to use social media networking to your best advantage.

In the meantime, what are you finding that works to keep your creative juices flowing?

My Everyday Magic

I got to meet the Sparkle Fairy (on Twitter) and you will want to meet her too. She is the real deal and is showing us how to find and share the magic each and every day. As she puts it, "Who wouldn't like more magic in their lives?" I invite you to visit myeverydaymagic today. :D

Rejection

"Definitely an optimist" is how most would describe me. Looking for the positive, staying on the sunny side of the street, and praising all that's good...This is how I've programmed myself to be---because after all, what's the alternative? And this upbeat attitude works for me most of the time.

But rejection of one's creative endeavors---so hard! Today I got news that a company I'd been "wooing" for months has decided not to include my CDs. How deflating. What a let down.

My choices for how to react? 1. Get so discouraged I give up, throw in the towel, become bitter, etc. or

2. Get back up, dust myself off, give thanks that there may be something even better than this, and try, try, try again.

Giving up? Not an option. Persistence? Yes---The more I try it, the more it really does seem to work.

You are what you listen to

How much of our lives is shaped by our early music experiences? My children were the motivating drive for the veering of my whole career in music from adult to kid material. They're young adults now, but my work continues to be mainly in the kid/family genre because singing for and with children continues to delight and inspire me, and because it connects me to others in many fun and rewarding ways.

The songs I choose to share with children are both silly and serious, with upbeat, positive messages. They are meant to honor a wide range of cultures, feelings, and experiences. They reflect the tone of kindness and respect that we strive for in our home.

I watch in awe my grown son and daughter making their way in the world, following their hearts, heading toward goals, overcoming obstacles with confidence. They seem to always have music playing--now it's the Red Hot Chile Peppers, David Byrne, Weird Al, techno sound, some original themes, and a bit of Vivaldi. Their choices continue to influence my own in this ever-expanding musical world we all share.

"We Need Music to Survive"

From an article my mom just sent:

"I now understand that music is not part of "arts and entertainment." It's not a luxury, something we fund from budget leftovers. Music is a basic need of human survival. Music is one of the ways we make sense of things. a way to express feelings when we have no words, a way to understand things with our hearts when we cannot grasp them with our minds.

Music functions as a container for experience---it augments capacity to grasp complex things. Without music, the events of our lives slip like water through cupped hands. Music increases our capacity to hold life experiences and to celebrate them..."

---Karl Paulnack, Boston Conservatory pianist

Keeping music a rich part of our children's lives.

I would love to hear your feelings about what music means to you and your family. My new Blog provides a forum for sharing views, resources, and fun tips to ensure that music is a rich part of our children's lives.

A BIG WELCOME TO MY NEW HOME PAGE

Deciding what words and tone will give readers a good idea of what my upgraded website has to offer. Does the following do it, I wonder?

Welcome to Lisa Monet's Song Circle. This is where music is made and shared with kids and families, which means everyone. We hope you'll check out the music, videos, blog, photos, and ideas for making music together. To inspire, delight, and empower each other with our song-sharing is what we like to do best. We'd love to hear from you via blog comments, pictures, and email. As the song says, “The more we get together the happier we'll be!”

Love makes the world go 'round

"There are more love songs than anything else. If songs could make you do something we'd all love one another." Frank Zappa

Free Love Circus

The Free Love Circus musicians, Brian and Chris, did sound for me and the four sets I did on the Youth Stage at the Mateel Fest last weekend, and then right after each set, played for their own show. These guys and their act were amazing. Their families are in the show too, and they've toured around the world. Check out their website, freelovecircus.com, and watch for them in your area!

Chris plays a steel-front ukulele---the steel helps amplify the sound--- and he introduced me to A minor on it.

The Ukulele Social Club

Just how far into the wacky world of ukuleles can one go? I keep getting lured in further...Up pops this site for "The Ukulele Social Club", and into it I plunge. Signed up and everything.

It's just so darn cute....and so playable! Did you know "ukulele" comes from the Hawaiian words "jumping flea"?

Makes you want to run out and get one, huh? So what instrument are you learning? Or which one do you imagine yourself playing?

What instrument (or other new thing!) are you adding to your "repetoire"?

As mentioned in my "E-news" of updates and events schedule, the ukulele was something new (for me!) that I recently got up the nerve to add to my performances. Total fun. I was a little nervous about introducing something new to my established format. But considering how rewarding it can be to try something new, I would say it was well worth it. And, come on.. the ukulele? You gotta love it!

Somehow, it brought up memories of taking up the violin when I was in the 4th grade. My dad had his old violin just sitting there gathering dust. There was an orchestra (of sorts!) at my elementary school, with Mr. Mareno. Why not? I gave it a shot. Mr. Mareno, through no fault of his own, I'm sure, turned out to be not the most patient guide for young aspiring artists. I remember the blackboard erasers and pieces of chalk launched at my fellow neophytes when we missed the mark. Not long after, I abandoned my violin career.

What are your music memories? What kept you going?

Woody Guthrie, Malvina Reynolds, & other musical heros

Woody Guthrie's song "Put your finger in the Air" got such a good response when I shared it with a library group Wednesday. A sweet, silly, simple little song, but it can do wonders when shared and sung together.

As Sarah Pirtle says, "Music builds community and directly fosters safety."

And Malvina sings, "I'm awf'ly nervous lonesome, but I'm swell when I'm a crowd."

Your Early Music Influences

Very moving and fun to read others' comments about early music memories, and the kinds of music you listened to while growing up. I want to hear more about the artists that had an influence for you.

Very early vinyl LP memories: I clearly remember "Gerald McBoing-Boing" making the sounds of the orchestra, because he couldn't talk! (from a Dr. Seuss story.) And some old western group yodeling and singing "with a kay, yai yippy yippy yay..." (--wish I could remember their names!!), and Alvin and the Chipmunks. I fell in love with the Nutcracker Suite and its music.

My daughter introduced me to Weird Al Yankovic and the Talking Heads, all of whom I developed a passion for. I'd missed being aware of them somehow, in my own youth.

The tables and circles keep turning in the music world, endlessly inspiring.

Which artists do you remember from way back?

Early music memories

Lydie Mason commented on your status:

"Playing duets on the flute with my dad on the piano or guitar; watching my parents roll up the rug to dance on the hardwood floor of our living room to big band standards; listening to the angels singing Christmas carols in the Norton Quartet; holding hands in a circle singing and giving thanks at the Monday Club on Sunday mornings; Charlie Riha, Dan Murray, John Lambie, Lisa Monet, Fran Dukehart, Parents and many others in church; dad's 12 piece band (!) in our living room in a jam session..... oh, and Skip To My Lou on my piano."

Kids' music (my first ever blog post!)

I've been doing "kids' music" for over twenty years--songs inspired by my children, and as they grew, their friends, and lots of young audience members. It's given me such joy to work with children through music. Singing together establishes an instant rapport with people of all colors and cultures, and I love being a part of that connection.

I was asked recently, "Why kids' music? What makes it specifically for kids? Why can't kids just listen to whatever their parents listen to?"

What do you think?

New blog!

Just started. More soon! :D