We have an old upright grand that was given to us several years ago.  It became a family project.  We completely disassembled it, cleaned it (it had 40 years of dust accumulated everywhere), repaired broken keys, actions, and wires, re-upholstered the bench.  Then we had it professionally tuned.  I became a bit frustrated at how much time and effort it took.  Surprisingly, our two older boys really got into the project.  When it was finished, they both began learning to play.

Our oldest, who is now 16, just sits down and plays hymns on Sundays and sometimes on other evenings. Recently, he's started doing some really beautiful variations.  I love that.  I'm still amazed at times that a teenage boy would take the initiative to learn to play hymns.

Music is always a great way to invite the spirit. I like to listen to a CD called "Silence" by a group called TOA when I drive to church meetings or if I need a little extra measure of peace. I like to sing along even though I don't sound anywhere near as good as the guys on the CD. It makes the car ride a little better. I noticed on a long drive with the family that the kids were much better when I had this CD playing. They also enjoy Saturday's Warrior and I have a couple old EFY tapes that work well also. Of course, when I lift weights I prefer my 80's New Wave music. It is easier to lift weights to "She Blinded Me with Science" than "Give Said the Little Stream".

-- Edited by salesortonscom at 14:52, 2007-03-05

salesortonscom wrote:

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Of course, when I lift weights I prefer my 80's New Wave music. It is easier to lift weights to "She Blinded Me with Science" than "Give Said the Little Stream".

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Try "Nephi's Courage", "Army of Helaman", or "Follow the Prophet."  

Seriously, there have been a few times I've pumped out the last few reps with "I will GO!" *breathe* "I will DO!"

That's mainly because Toddler Roper was watching and I think early exposure to AC/DC is probably harmful in some way...

So are Tchaikovskiy, Beethoven, and Smetana.

Isn't that what Lister calls Rimmer on Red Dwarf?

Firm believer in having good music in the home. My Celestial candidate son is also. Albeit, sometimes it gets pretty annoying to try to convince him that Genesis or Moody Blues or Weird Al really are not the types of music we want to be waking up to on a Sunday Morning or from Sunday afternoon naps...

He has a very bad habit of putting CD's in a portable CD player and the stereo playerand playing one or part of a song until he decides it isn't what he wants to listen to, then he searches through the CD or a pile of CD's for something he'll listen to for more than 15 seconds -- kind of like an extended version of flipping channels on TV -- for hours on end if we let him. This in addition to any tv that is on. Sometimes we have to endure it just to keep him happy and to keep him from becoming violent with the little ones and destructive of stuff in the house. It drives the rest of us nuts though. So, for peace and quite when he is not around, typically the only background noise will be the tv.

Ah. I was wondering what sour cream had to do with music...but was too lazy to Google.

I used to feel the Holy Spirit very often at Church and also going about my normal activities. I think my anxities at being in public places really inhibits me although I have had a few times when I was very blessed in public.  My former Bishop was trying to help me get on the road of activity and get my temple recommend back, which requires being active generally.  Looking at him, he seemed to feel the Holy Spirit.  I felt such a wall of nothing.  I think there was only one time when I felt peace in our meetings and that was when he played a recording of "I Know That My Reedemer Lives."  One of the few times that I felt peace in recent years when I have gone to Church was when one of the Missionaries was playing a piano selection of the "First Vision" with beautiful chords.   There was no voice to accompany him.  The piano is one of my favorite instruments and one that I find so relaxing. 

I took lessons in about 4th and 5th grade, but did not progress very far.  Last year, I bought a book that is supposed to have everything one needs to play the piano.  We got a digital piano last year after not having any piano for years.  I am hoping to practice.
We do listen to classical music quite often at my home and that makes a huge difference.  I read that listening to classical music for so long has the same effect as valium. 

I do think it is sweet to picture a family gathered to sing the hymms. 

-- Edited by zealia at 18:19, 2007-03-15

I also like playing mp3s of hymns from the church website. It helps bring a good spirit to the home.