My Baby Grand
My Choice35 total reviews
Comment from Tom Horonzy
Two pieces of this has me believing you might enjoy perusing Appalachian Tree Works on Facebook where a past professor from Brevard College carves dulcimers. Do you live anywhere near Brevard, N.C.? Preston Woodruff, kin to the Coca-Cola folks of Atlanta, has a website as well. He's interesting. A Rhodes scholar to boot.
reply by the author on 08-Jun-2023
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Two pieces of this has me believing you might enjoy perusing Appalachian Tree Works on Facebook where a past professor from Brevard College carves dulcimers. Do you live anywhere near Brevard, N.C.? Preston Woodruff, kin to the Coca-Cola folks of Atlanta, has a website as well. He's interesting. A Rhodes scholar to boot.
Comment Written 05-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 08-Jun-2023
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Thanks Tom for your thoughtful review. We used to live about 45 minutes from Brevard and often attended their open air concerts in the summer. I will have to check out the Appalachian Tree Works. Dulcimers are another interesting instrument.
Blessings
Janet.
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The owner is Preston Woodruff, retired prof of religious studies at Brevard.
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Thanks. We love to go to Brevard college. It?s a neat little campus and a sweet town.
Comment from Pam (respa)
-Nice artwork and presentation, Janet.
-Your notes are appreciated.
-A well written poem with effective imagery and rhyme.
-I like the image of the violin being a "virtual utopia."
-Good transition from the violin to the fiddle.
-I also like the idea of "instruments with strings
that speak without a word."
-Then you take us to to Stradivarius and
have a good conclusion about what you prefer.
-Very well done; good luck in the contest.
reply by the author on 08-Jun-2023
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-Nice artwork and presentation, Janet.
-Your notes are appreciated.
-A well written poem with effective imagery and rhyme.
-I like the image of the violin being a "virtual utopia."
-Good transition from the violin to the fiddle.
-I also like the idea of "instruments with strings
that speak without a word."
-Then you take us to to Stradivarius and
have a good conclusion about what you prefer.
-Very well done; good luck in the contest.
Comment Written 05-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 08-Jun-2023
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Thank you Pam for this delightful review. It was great fun to write and it tied for 1st place. I am honored. Some really good poems in the competition.
Blessings
Janet
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You are very welcome, Janet, and I am glad you tied for first!
Comment from rama devi
Hi Janet. I love this -so musical, which befits your theme perfectly. I had never heard of a pochette before.
I especially love these lines and the alliteraiton of V in the first stanza:
A virtual utopia
of heaven's holy voice.
Also a good stanza with a fine rhyme pair:
An orchestra of violins
can make one laugh or cry.
The unique sounds of blues and jazz
the maestro can't deny.
However, the word UNIQUE has forced scansion in terms of meter...just slightly. Accentuating the U sounds unnatural to the word's pronunciation. I recommend using a synonym where the accents fit the beat of the meter. Example:
The novel sounds of blues and jazz
This stanza is very nice as well, but it reads more like it might be nice reworked as one sentence rather than two:
Staccato notes are mastered by
the violinist's bow.
Performed with a dramatic flair --
a virtuoso show.
Just a thought.
Nice rhyme pair in this stanza...note one comma suggestion:
From classical to western songs(,)
the fiddle can be heard.
I love these instruments with strings
that speak without a word.
Favorite slant rhyme pair: notes and float:
The repertoire of melodies.
The soaring trill of notes.
With heart and soul in each refrain
and sounds that seem to float.
I also applaud the melodic effect of so many L, S R and T sounds woven like phonetic macrame in the above stanza.
Love these lines:
A handsome Stradivarius
adds magic to each song.
*
An opus that reverberates
and transports you along.
TRANSPORTS has forced scansion (accenting a syllable unnaturally). I recommend finding a synonym that fits the meter. It's a great word, but it sounds forced (to my ear).
I enjoyed the closing twist:
But as for me, it's ivories
on my sweet baby grand.
IN an ode to a violin, we end on a piano note. Love it. Piano is my main instrument (I play many)...
Leans toward a six...
Bravo.
Warmly, rd
reply by the author on 07-Jun-2023
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Hi Janet. I love this -so musical, which befits your theme perfectly. I had never heard of a pochette before.
I especially love these lines and the alliteraiton of V in the first stanza:
A virtual utopia
of heaven's holy voice.
Also a good stanza with a fine rhyme pair:
An orchestra of violins
can make one laugh or cry.
The unique sounds of blues and jazz
the maestro can't deny.
However, the word UNIQUE has forced scansion in terms of meter...just slightly. Accentuating the U sounds unnatural to the word's pronunciation. I recommend using a synonym where the accents fit the beat of the meter. Example:
The novel sounds of blues and jazz
This stanza is very nice as well, but it reads more like it might be nice reworked as one sentence rather than two:
Staccato notes are mastered by
the violinist's bow.
Performed with a dramatic flair --
a virtuoso show.
Just a thought.
Nice rhyme pair in this stanza...note one comma suggestion:
From classical to western songs(,)
the fiddle can be heard.
I love these instruments with strings
that speak without a word.
Favorite slant rhyme pair: notes and float:
The repertoire of melodies.
The soaring trill of notes.
With heart and soul in each refrain
and sounds that seem to float.
I also applaud the melodic effect of so many L, S R and T sounds woven like phonetic macrame in the above stanza.
Love these lines:
A handsome Stradivarius
adds magic to each song.
*
An opus that reverberates
and transports you along.
TRANSPORTS has forced scansion (accenting a syllable unnaturally). I recommend finding a synonym that fits the meter. It's a great word, but it sounds forced (to my ear).
I enjoyed the closing twist:
But as for me, it's ivories
on my sweet baby grand.
IN an ode to a violin, we end on a piano note. Love it. Piano is my main instrument (I play many)...
Leans toward a six...
Bravo.
Warmly, rd
Comment Written 04-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 07-Jun-2023
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Thank you rd for your thoughtful and detailed review. I appreciate each suggestion and put them all into the poem. Each one made the poem a little better, more cohesive in keeping with the thought I was trying to express. I?m especially grateful for the fact that you liked it and got my ending. There were a few who didn?t get it.
I?m always pleased when I see your name reviewing my work. I know it will be thorough and helpful and kind.
I see you play many instruments. I played the oboe in my high school concert band and the glockenspiel in the marching band but piano was my first love. And where would you play a glockenspiel now?
Thank you again for the fine and ever so helpful review.
Blessings
Janet
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Thanks for your lovely response, dear Janet. Piano is my first love too! I'm pleased you found the feedback helpful and in alignment with your muse. Yay!
Blessings,
rd
Comment from karenina
Yes! You had me "all in" on the violin and made a brilliant switch up at the end...you piano woman, you! I'd never heard of a Pochette. Since reading this and before reviewing I went down the Google rabbit hole to discover them and was charmed by what they look like! (A "pocket fiddle" one site called it --- how charming!)
I enjoyed your post very much. I wish I could play an instrument...
Alas, it was not to be!
Karenina
reply by the author on 07-Jun-2023
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Yes! You had me "all in" on the violin and made a brilliant switch up at the end...you piano woman, you! I'd never heard of a Pochette. Since reading this and before reviewing I went down the Google rabbit hole to discover them and was charmed by what they look like! (A "pocket fiddle" one site called it --- how charming!)
I enjoyed your post very much. I wish I could play an instrument...
Alas, it was not to be!
Karenina
Comment Written 04-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 07-Jun-2023
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Thank you Karenina for your thoughtful review. I?m so pleased that you checked out the Pochette violin. I hadn?t heard of them before I found that one. But when I did, I just knew it was something special. I did have it appraised and it maybe worth as much at $4000 if you could find a buyer. I have I hanging on the wall by the piano and just enjoy its unique charm.
It?s never too late to learn to play an instrument. I?m sure there?s a class on Google to learn and you can go down another rabbit hole. ;))))
Blessings
Janet
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It is great that there are so many online opportunities to try new things!
Smile...
Comment from Ginda Simpson
What a lovely verse you have penned about the immense variety of sounds that stringed instruments are capable of producing. You express your love so clearly and with your words, we hear the sounds that have captured your heart. And then your ending lines, revealing another love affair with a piano. Really nicely done.
reply by the author on 07-Jun-2023
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What a lovely verse you have penned about the immense variety of sounds that stringed instruments are capable of producing. You express your love so clearly and with your words, we hear the sounds that have captured your heart. And then your ending lines, revealing another love affair with a piano. Really nicely done.
Comment Written 04-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 07-Jun-2023
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Thank you for your thoughtful and encouraging review.
Blessings
Janet
Comment from ESOSTINE
A masterly composed poem, telling the beauty and love of piano 'that speaks without a word'. I love the flow and the creativity in the rhymes. Thanks for sharing your insight. Well done, and good luck in the contest, dear Janet.
reply by the author on 07-Jun-2023
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A masterly composed poem, telling the beauty and love of piano 'that speaks without a word'. I love the flow and the creativity in the rhymes. Thanks for sharing your insight. Well done, and good luck in the contest, dear Janet.
Comment Written 04-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 07-Jun-2023
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Thank you so much for the lovely review.
Blessings
Janet
Comment from Mrs. KT
Good morning, Janet!
What a beautiful musical journey you share with readers in this exceptionally well-crafted poetic offering.
I do not own a baby grand, but I do love my piano, and while I am not a gifted pianist, I can still make those ivories hum once in a while.
Where would we be without music and poetry?
Thank you for sharing!
Best wishes!
diane
reply by the author on 07-Jun-2023
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Good morning, Janet!
What a beautiful musical journey you share with readers in this exceptionally well-crafted poetic offering.
I do not own a baby grand, but I do love my piano, and while I am not a gifted pianist, I can still make those ivories hum once in a while.
Where would we be without music and poetry?
Thank you for sharing!
Best wishes!
diane
Comment Written 04-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 07-Jun-2023
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Thank you Diane for this delightful review. Wouldn?t it be fun to play a duet. We could make those ivories hum together. My daughter and I used to do that. My favorite number was " Delta Dawn". Just thinking of that, I?m going to have to look for that book. The next time she comes to visit, I?ll be ready. She?s much more accomplished so I make her play the harder part. ;)))
Thank you again for the lovely review and special stars.
Blessings
Janet
Comment from Wendy G
A beautiful poem, and your notes too are quite fascinating! I too love stringed instruments (and enjoy symphony concerts a great deal). Your poem has excellent rhyme, rhythm and flow. Best wishes for the contest.
Wendy
reply by the author on 07-Jun-2023
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A beautiful poem, and your notes too are quite fascinating! I too love stringed instruments (and enjoy symphony concerts a great deal). Your poem has excellent rhyme, rhythm and flow. Best wishes for the contest.
Wendy
Comment Written 04-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 07-Jun-2023
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Thank you Wendy for your thoughtful and encouraging review. Stringed instruments are fascinating and I love to watch them be played. Live concerts are the best.
Blessings
Janet
Comment from patcelaw
Of all the instruments in the world, I would cherish having a grand piano. I do not play piano, but I love the instrument. I love to hear a good pianist play. I enjoyed your phone very much. I wish you the very best in all of your writing. Patricia
reply by the author on 07-Jun-2023
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Of all the instruments in the world, I would cherish having a grand piano. I do not play piano, but I love the instrument. I love to hear a good pianist play. I enjoyed your phone very much. I wish you the very best in all of your writing. Patricia
Comment Written 04-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 07-Jun-2023
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Thank you Patricia for this lovely review. Piano music is mood lifting and a joy to listen to and to play.
Blessings
Janet
Comment from Monica Chaddick
Your poem flows well. A well written piece of poetry. My daughter played violin all through middle school, one of my sons played drums, and the other played guitar. Myself, the most music I was able to play was on the recorder (I'm sure you know what that is - that plastic flute looking thing - lol). I love music, but it doesn't seem to love me. I'm glad that it is good to you. Best of luck!
reply by the author on 07-Jun-2023
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Your poem flows well. A well written piece of poetry. My daughter played violin all through middle school, one of my sons played drums, and the other played guitar. Myself, the most music I was able to play was on the recorder (I'm sure you know what that is - that plastic flute looking thing - lol). I love music, but it doesn't seem to love me. I'm glad that it is good to you. Best of luck!
Comment Written 04-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 07-Jun-2023
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Thank you Monica for this lovely review. I do know what a recorder is. We had to play them as part of our music class one year. It was great fun.
Having children who play instruments is awesome. My grandsons do not play but one had a class in college called "music appreciation". He loved it. Part of his homework was attending various concerts. Loving and listening to music is important. Music lifts our spirits. Thank you again for your thoughtful review.
Blessings
Janet
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You are very welcome. I am having a hip replacement tomorrow, and we drove out today because the doctor is four hours away from where we live. I listened to music all the way - mainly Loretta Lynn, but I changed it up the last forty five minutes are so. Turning my music up, singing along with it while I'm driving - it makes me feel like I'm twenty five and don't have all these issues of a fifty two year old (lol).
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Praying for a speedy recovery ❤️🩹 I love Loretta Lynn - great music to sing along with. I?m a big Barry Manilo fan. Can sing along to most of his songs.
Wishing you the very best.