The Bodhrán: A Great Gift Idea For St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick’s Day is the perfect time to explore traditional Irish culture by giving a gift that is rooted in Ireland’s history. With March 17th approaching why not get into the spirit of the holiday by giving a musical gift that celebrates the Irish culture. Weather you have Irish ancestry or are just one of the many who love to play “Irish for the day” incorporating music into your celebration is a great way for people of all ages to celebrate the season. With this excellent gift idea you can delve deeper into genuine Irish heritage than the stereotypical green beer and shamrocks.

The Bodhrán is the heartbeat of Irish music. This ancient frame drum is traditionally made with a wooden body and a goat-skin head, and is played with a double-headed stick called a cipín, tipper, or beater. The modern Irish word Bodhrán is properly pronounced bow-rawn, like Cow brawn, with a slight emphasis on the first syllable.

Musical Instrument Haven offers a detailed Bodhrán Drum Buyers Guide which explores the history, construction, playing techniques and practice exercises as well as additional video clips of famous Bodhran Performances. You can also shop an entire selection of Bodhráns on the site.

Here is a fun St. Patrick’s Day trivia question:  Leprechauns are often associated with Ireland and St. Patrick's Day. What do you call the stick leprechauns carry & what is its purpose? Click here for answer

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Flute Buyers Guide

In choosing a flute there are many different things to consider, including the musicians age and skill level as well as the features on the instrument. As a buyer the more you know about flutes and the different features that are available, the more of a chance that you will buy the instrument that is perfectly suited for you. Our expert team of band directors, teachers and musicians have collaborated to put together a basic knowledge of the flutes construction and design in the Flute Buyers Guide below. In this guide you will find information on the different types, features, and specifications of flutes as well as recommendations on trusted brands for players at each level of performance. We are committed to helping our customers find the greatest potential in their musical instrument. Please do not hesitate to call or email us if you have any additional questions.

FLUTE BREAKDOWN

FLUTE CATEGORIES

Student Flutes:

Student Flutes are an excellent choice for the beginning player. Most players will use a student flute for their first couple years of playing. Most beginners start with a closed hole silver or nickel plated flute with a C foot joint. Occasionally instructors will recommend students to start on a "open hole" or plateau style flute or a flute with a split E mechanism. Closed hole flutes are a little easier to play especially for young students with small fingers as they don't require you to completely cover the open holes to produce a clear sound. 

Intermediate Flutes:

After playing for a few years and a student has advanced and is committed to continuing their musical study, they can move to a step-up or intermediate flute. When purchasing an intermediate flute, you can expect your child to be using it for several years before they are required to move on again onto a professional flute. Intermediate flutes are typically open hole requiring the musician to properly position their hands over the keys to allow the fingertips to completely cover each hole. Many Intermediate flutes feature a B foot joint which provides an additional key that sounds one additional lower note. Intermediate Flutes will usually have a silver or silver plated headjoint and or body which produces a better sound. 

Professional & Advanced Flutes:

Professional Flutes are built to an extremely high standard with a higher level of expertise in the design of the flute. These are instruments that can last a lifetime or serve as stepping stones to the highest level of study. Flutes of this caliber will usually have a solid silver head joint and body which greatly enhances the tonal quality. 

FLUTE BODY MATERIALS

Nickel Silver: Most student flutes are made of nickel silver with silver plating. This material is extremely durable, which makes it an excellent choice for beginners. 

Solid (Sterling) Silver: Many intermediate and professional flutes are made partly or entirely of solid silver which produces a warm rich tone. Solid silver increases the weight of a flute and darkens and centers the sound.  Silver flutes need to be polished to prevent tarnishing.

FLUTE PARTS

Flutes are made up of three parts. A headjoint, a body, and a footjoint.

Headjoint: The head joint is how the flute makes a sound. It comprises of a lip plate and a tone hole. Many intermediate flutes feature a head joint that is made of solid silver. The head joint material is a major influence on the overall sound of a flute.  

Body: The body is the longest part of a flute and contains majority of the keywork. Some flutes have added trill keys and a split E mechanism that helps produce the high E.

Footjoint: The footjoint is the shortest part of a flute. On a student flute a C foot is standard whereas intermediate and professional models will have a low B included on this part. 

FLUTE KEY STYLES

Plateau VS French Style: Plateau style flutes are closed hole (common for student flutes) whereas the French style is an Open-Hole model. Most advanced players prefer open-hole flutes for advanced techniques, increased volume and the ability to cover half the holes and quicker response.

Offset VS Inline G Key: The G key is played with the third finger of the left hand. This key can either be "inline" with the other keys or slightly "offset" toward the outer edge of the flute. Offset G can be easier to reach and more comfortable for beginners or players with small hands. Inline G is commonly believed to produce better intonation.

C Foot or B Foot: On a student flute a C foot is standard whereas intermediate and professional models will have a low B included on this part. On a B foot the foot joint is longer and has an extra key.

FLUTE FEATURES

Split E Key Machanism: Found mostly on professional flutes the split E improves intonation and response over the high E.

Gizmo: The Gizmo key is commonly found on the B foot of intermediate and professional flutes. This key closes the low B tonehole without closing the low C or C# hole.

French Pointed Arms VS Y Arms: On a flute the arm is the part that connects they key to the rod. French pointed keys are normally found on higher end or step up flutes. French pointed keys have an arm that extends to the center of a key and is soldered at the top. This makes the keys more sturdy and proves for better key placement. A Y Arm attaches to the edge of a key which is also quite sturdy.

Undercut Tone Holes: The tone holes are the holes the pads cover. On the inside of the flute at the bottom of the tone hole whee the holes meet the body is where the "undercutting is done" The edge is machined and beveled with special tools to allow the air to flow with less resistance which can produce a clearer tone.  

Riser Key: The Riser key is also called the chimney. This key connects the lip plate to the head joint. The metal used for the riser directly influences the flutes tone. 

Springs: Springs hold the keys in place when they are not being pressed down on. Stainless steel springs are very durable and are found on most student and step up flutes.

Embouchure Lip Plate: This is where the flute players lip contacts the head joint. A curved lip plate is easier to blow than a straight lip plate.

RECOMMENDED FLUTES

Teacher Recommended Student Flute: A great option for a teacher recommended student flute is the Gemeinhardt 2SP Flute. This flute is ideal for the beginning player. Constructed for durability and low maintenance, this flute will provide years of enjoyment as your beginning musician excels. 

Recommended Intermediate Flute: The RS Berkeley F109 Artist Series Flute is a great intermediate flute. This step up flute features many advanced features and provides a warm and projecting sound. 

Recommended Advanced Flute: Advanced players will love the Volare 901 Flute which is an excellent choice for advanced flutist and professional musicians alike. The Volare flute has a clear strong tone and responds beautifully. 

Please visit Musical Instrument Haven for a full selection of flutes and flute accessories. 

ST. PATRICK’S DAY – IT’S ALL ABOUT THE MUSIC!

Whether you’re celebrating your own Irish Heritage, a lover of the traditional corned beef and cabbage,  looking for a chance to wear your favorite green outfit, or you simply relish any excuse for a party and  parade  –   March 17^th  -- is your kind of day!  “Everyone is Irish” on St. Patrick’s Day!  The phrase “the wearing of the green” meaning to wear a shamrock on one’s clothing, derives from a song of the same name.  Maybe that’s why no matter how you choose to honor St. Patrick, music will be the one constant throughout the festivities!

Filled with legends and brimming over with trivia, St. Patrick’s Day will keep you dancing and singing from morning to night.   The fun has no age limits!  Heck, in fact it was school children who are credited with starting the tradition of pinching each other for not wearing green!  Across the country school kids will be singing about a man they never met, but will never forget:  Michael Finnegan with whiskers on his chin-ne-gan!  Musical Instrument Haven is a great spot to get the younger generation some instruments to accompany the singing and we’ll provide Free Sheet Music to you for this classic song. Enjoy!

An Irish Penny Whistle is easy to play and traditional in every way; actually manufactured in Dublin!  And regardless of what they’re wearing, playing a Green-colored Recorder should satisfy the color code and keep the kids from being pinched!  A pair of Green light-up Firestix for drummers sound great even after March 17^th and will add flare to any band’s show!

Who doesn’t love a parade?  Hundreds and hundreds of cities hold parades on and around St. Patrick’s Day.  The parade in New York City is not only the longest parade in length, but has also been running for the longest amount of time —since 1762.  If you’re a parade watcher in New Orleans, be prepared to have onions, carrots, cabbages potatoes and other ingredients for making an Irish Stew thrown into the crowds!  If you’re in Chicago, besides the parades, the Chicago River which has been dyed green every St. Patrick’s Day since 1962 is a sight to see!  No matter where you’re celebrating, music will be at the forefront of the fun!  In order to play in the parade, or along with the bands, a Bodrahn Drum or Bagpipes from Musical Instrument Haven will make you Irish for a day and entertain you for years to come! 

Hey, what do you think the official symbol of Ireland is!  Nope, not the shamrock or even a leprechaun.  Since medieval times the Harp has been considered the Country’s official symbol.  See . . . it’s all about the music!

Please visit Musical Instrument Haven.com for a large selection of St Patrick's Day Musical Instruments.   

How A Community Can Be Helped Through Music

You don’t have to be the “talent” when it comes to fundraising through music.  Having great organizational skills, a willing “band” of supporters and believing in your cause is a great start toward a successful event!

Word of mouth and brain-storming works wonders!  You may never have picked up an instrument in your life, but your neighbor’s brother has been playing the guitar and singing since his teens.  Or maybe, the last time you were at the supermarket, you noticed a local musician’s CD for sale at the courtesy counter.  Start by contacting those “peeps” and let them know you have a great avenue for them to showcase their talents, while helping out someone less fortunate.  That’s a hard offer to refuse!  Great!  They both agreed and one even has a buddy who often plays Show-Tunes on the piano at a nearby restaurant.  Wow!  Look at the progress you’ve made already!

Have a couple of different, mutually agreeable dates in mind; be sure not to conflict with other fundraisers or big events in your town.  The local newspaper is a good place to check on “What’s Happening!”   

Now where would a good place be?  Your budget may dictate your selection to a certain degree – unless that neighbor on the other side of you still does the catering for the local Civic Center? Remember, net-working and even, at times, calling in some favors are the backbones to any profitable charity event.  Remind your potential venues that not only are they helping out a great family or cause, but that their assistance will bring nothing but positive ”press” to their facility, as well!  It’s a win-win situation!

You have the date, the performers, the venue and an eager group of friends to help!  The hard part is done!  Give your event a name, be sure to state who your charitable efforts will be benefiting, print up your tickets – with so many teens being computer savvy today, one of the local kids can whip up custom-made tickets in no time! 

The personal gratification that you and your group will get by providing help to your “cause” is immeasurable!  The fun that you will have organizing the festivities makes it even that much more worthwhile.  Be creative!  Decorate, serve refreshments, that same teenage kid can make you a great Program, hang flyers at the dry-cleaners, salons and gas stations, have some special door prizes, maybe a Bake Sale?  The Sky’s The Limit – And The Rewards Are Out  Of This World!! 

We Came Across This Article and Were So Impressed!!  It’s an incredibly admirable example of how two young girls are helping their community members through music!

Sisters create music to benefit charities

Charlotte teens hope talents can help Dickson Countty

5:25 PM, Feb. 16, 2012  |  

Comments

Charlotte teens, Sammie, 13, and older sister, Stephanie, 17, are writing songs and giving the proceeds to individuals and causes. / Elizabeth Thompson photography

Written by

Colleen Creamer

The Dickson Herald

You can say, “What’s the matter with kids today?” But you can’t say it about the Jarvis sisters.
Charlotte teens, Sammie, 13, and older sister, Stephanie, 17, are taking issue with music. Stephanie, a junior at Creek Wood High School, and Sammie, in sixth grade at Dickson Middle School, are writing songs and giving the proceeds to worthy individuals and causes, some very close to home.
“We had an essay to do in my English class for the state,” said Stephanie. “It was about if we had a million dollars, what we would do for the community. That triggered our first song “Land of the Free.”
The proceeds from “Land of the Free” are going to House of Hope and New Beginnings, a refuge for homeless families in Dickson.
Stephanie, quite the acoustic finger picker, continues to learn guitar, and Sammie sings in a young, breathy voice that is pitch perfect. They also have a little help on guitar solos from another local musician, Zack Brooks, 23, who also contributes on harmonies.
The story behind their second song started close to home with a terrible tragedy. When the sisters’ nephew suffered severe child abuse and then, ultimately, Shaken Baby Syndrome, they knew they had their second song — and their second cause. “Eyes of Tragedy’ will go to The Child Advocacy Center in Charlotte.
“When you watch TV, and you see that other kids are being abused, we wanted to write about that and inform people that this does go on,” Stephanie said.
The third song on the CD is entitled “Believe in Me” with Sammie on vocals and Zack and Stephanie on guitar. When the girls found out that a family friend, Drew Stacy, had melanoma, and that the family needed money for medical expenses, they simply added the family to their list and are donating the proceeds to them.
The CD entitled “The Voice of Change” sells for $6. So far, “The Voice of Change Project” has raised $300 for Drew Stacy, $135 for the homeless and $100 for child advocacy.
So, when will all this end? Not likely any time soon. The list appears to be growing. Apparently, these two believe there just might be better things to think about other than boys and cell phones.
To listen to their music and read about their causes, visit their YouTube video at http://www.youtube.com/user/jarvisgirls.

This article appeared in print on February 16, 2012, in The Tennessean with the headline: Sisters Create Music To Benefit Charities.

You can also follow the Jarvis Sisters at:   http://www.songcastmusic.com/profiles/TheJarvisSisters

Mardi Gras and Musical Instrument Haven . . . Perfect Together!

Music does wonders! Makes us happy when we’re scared, comforts us when we’re afraid. Through music, we develop rhythm at a young age, we develop dexterity, friendships and a style that is all our own! And, through music . . . we have fun!

Music and Fun have always been in the forefront of our motto at Musical Instrument Haven. With Mardi Gras right around the corner (February 21, 2012) music and fun once again take center stage. Even if you’re not able to make it to “The Big Easy” for Mardi Gras, it’s a great Holiday to celebrate in your own home, or a reason to throw a themed fundraising event or party for your community or civic organization. Musical Instrument Haven can help you fill all your music needs, so that your guests will think they’ve been transported to a balcony on Bourbon Street!

Music is an important aspect of the Mardi Gras vibe and feeling. Musical Instrument Haven is your One-Stop Party Shop for everything music! Check out the Mardi Gras Sale section on Musical Instrument Haven today! Our Slide Whistles, Bells, Kazoos and our unique Fruit-shaped Percussion Shakers are an inexpensive and fun way to get your party started!

For the more accomplished, or aspiring Jazz musicians, our quality “University Series Saxophones” Dean Backwoods 6 Banjos, Buffet B12 Bb Clarinet and the RS Berkeley Bb “Artist Series” Silver Plated Trumpets, along with so much more, will keep your party rolling all night long and provide you with hours of playing enjoyment for years to come!! All of our instruments are brand new and ready to ship! Order now to receive them in plenty of time for your Mardi Gras Bash! Enter our special mardi Gras promo code MARDI88 at checkout for an additional 10% savings off of any mardi Gras Instrument! (offer expires 2/21/2012)

Interested in making your own Mardi Gras Instrument? Try the instructions below to create your very own Mardi Gras Noise Maker.

Mardi Gras Noise-Makers - Decorate the back side of 2 paper plates in the traditional colors. Staple or tape 12-18 inch long streamers around the outside edge of one of the plates on the non-decorated side. Hot glue a craft stick to the rim of the plate and pointing outward to make a handle. Place the second plate on top of the first one with wrong sides together. Staple around the outside edge of the 2 plates to staple them together, leaving a small gap opposite the stick handle. Staples should be close enough together to prevent the beans from falling out. Put some dry pinto beans through the hole between the plates and then staple shut.

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For more info on our Mardi Gras Instruments please visit:
http://www.musicalinstrumenthaven.com/mardi-gras-sale.aspx

Happy Valentine's Day!

What a Perfect Day to order one of our musical instruments for your Sweetheart! Many of our instruments even come in Red! A musical instrument is a gift that your loved one will get years of enjoyment out of! Our line includes instruments in every price range! They're all brand new and ready to ship; all you have to do is seal them with a kiss! Visit us at http://www.musicalinstrumenthaven.com/ and have a great Valentine's Day!