My DIY Samurai Kanzashi

One of the things that seems common with sword arts practicioners is a hankering for sword-themed accessories, such as sword keychains, sword earrings, sword-themed bags, and so on. I tend to wear my hair long and pin it up with hair clips or hair sticks. It was only a matter of time before I began scouring the Internet for "samurai kanzashi."

My searches never quite hit jackpot. That's when I began wandering local craft stores for DIY hair stick ideas. As I stood staring at knitting needles and hat pins, I thought, "This doesn't feel right." It was only once I walked into an Asian grocery store and spied a set of metal chopsticks that the katana hair stick idea began to take shape. 

Here's a look at how I transformed a set of chopsticks into DIY Samurai Kanzashi:

DIY Sword Hair Sticks Step 1

Buy metal chopsticks from your local Asian supermarket.(Cost: approximately $2). Credit: R-M Arca.

DIY Sword Hair Sticks Step 2

Paint the handles the same colour as the same (ray or shark skin wrapping) on your sword with acrylic paint. Credit: R-M Arca.

DIY Sword Hair Sticks Step 3

Seal your paint job with Workable Fixatif in a well-ventilated area. Credit: R-M Arca.

DIY Sword Hair Sticks Step 4

Buy the remaining components from a beading store: faux leather wrap for the tsuka wrapping, Chinese coin pendants for the tsuba (hand guard). Cost: approximately $5. Credit: R-M Arca.

DIY Sword Hair Sticks Steps 5 & 6

Calculate how much wrapping you need and wrap the faux leather around the handle, criss-crossing. Tie a knot at the end and secure with super glue. Then secure the tsuka with a hair elastic which functions as the habaki. Credit: R-M Arca.

Kanzashi wo dekimashita!

Let dry, style and secure your hair with your new DIY samurai hair sticks. Then impress your sensei, samurai friends, and students. Then scare the school kids you work with by playing with them. Credit: R-M Arca.

It took me approximately three days from purchasing components to project completion. It wasn't particularly difficult once I figured out my supplies. This pair matches my iaito. 

I'll definitely make more in the future. Some of my piano students have asked that I make them as incentive prizes.

Preparing My Students for Christmas Parties

This year, I decided to bring back Group Class Week at my piano studio. My reasoning was three-fold: First, my students love getting together. Second, there are also concepts that are best taught in a group class setting. Finally, with juggling multiple jobs as well as my studio, I needed to build in some time to catch up on studio administration and planning. Replacing regular lessons with one group class per teaching night gave me that much needed time to work and/or rest.

The focus for this month's group class was Bulletproofing Your Christmas Music. We explored likely scenarios one could face at a Christmas party, social or community setting, such as:

1. You have been asked to perform and you need to play for a longer amount of time than you are prepared for.

2. You have been asked to play something that you don't know (well).

3. You have been roped into playing during a Christmas Carol sing-along and the singers ask for a different key.

4. You get tossed in with other musicians and are asked to play as a group.

5. You want to show off something really cool.

Making Your Music Longer

Haley and Grayson brainstorming on ways to vary their Christmas music. Photo credit: Rhona-Mae Arca.

Anyone who has performed at church or a gig knows that sometimes, you need to adjust your playing time on the fly. If the piece is too long, you find a logical place to cut it. But what if you only have a handful of pieces prepared and you are "asked" to play for twice as long as you have pieces?

My students did some brainstorming and experimenting. Everything came down to the same theme: repeat the song and vary it somehow. Here's what they came up with:

• Move the piece up or down an octave when you repeat it.

• Add embellishments (ornaments) to the melody.

• Improvise for a verse and then play it "normally" once again.

• Alter the rhythm, articulation, dynamics, or tempo.

• Vary the accompaniment.

Playing a Song that You Don't Know (Well)

My students have heard the story of when I was visiting relatives in California. We visited one house with a grand piano. Sure enough, I was asked to play a few songs. I went through my playlist and improvised, but they still wanted me to play. Reluctantly, I opened up the piano bench and began to sight-read kundiman (classic Filipino love songs), while my aunts and uncles sang along. I say "reluctantly" because I disliked sight-reading at the time.

Dragged to the piano to play and not allowed off until the aunts and uncles are happy - if it can happen to me, it can happen to you! Photo: Jun Ancheta.

Then, I had my students work on a Christmas song they weren't familiar with and we discussed different ways to cheat and fake their way through such a performance, based upon their current playing level. These are some of the ideas they came up with:

• Play block chords instead of the scored accompaniment.

• Play the melody only (for beginners).

• Recruit someone else to play through the bass clef notes while you play the treble clef part.

• Only play an excerpt of the piece.

Transposing Music on the Fly

Most classically trained music students are taught transposing in music theory. However, they are usually taught how to write out a transposed melody. In the real world, we should be able to transpose on sight at our instrument. Sure, we may be lucky enough to play on a digital piano with a transpose function, but what if there's only an acoustic piano? What if you're playing along with someone whose music is not in concert pitch?

We just glossed through this area as this is best taught one-on-one. However, we did discuss intervallic reading and chording.

Jamming on Christmas Music with Family and Friends

This was perhaps the hardest challenge for most of my students, depending upon what they were playing.  The kids on hand percussion and the cajón were fine once I showed them a few rhythms to try.  But most had a challenge splitting the piano part up. If someone is playing the melody on flute and the chords on guitar, then as the pianist, you get to explore playing off the page - which is not the norm for today's classical musician.

My beginners were fine with just playing with one hand. Most of my intermediate and advanced students fought with themselves a bit. The desire to play what's on the page was strong. As for my Conservatory Canada Contemporary Idioms students? Generally, it was a piece of cake for them.

Showing off at the Piano

 The first thing that comes to mind when I think about showing off at the piano is the Video Game Pianist, Martin Leung, AKA the Blindfolded Pianist:

Other ways of showing off that my students and I discussed included: playing with our hands crossed, playing upside down, and kicking each other off the piano - without missing a beat.

We explored what I called the Jingle Bells Relay. One person began to play this popular Christmas song. Then, one by one, another student would come up to the piano and cut in. The transition had to be sorted out and completed without missing a beat. The ones who successfully did this communicated clearly when and where they would be cutting in. They also kept things consistent by cutting in from one side the piano and exiting off the other.

Oh, there were some fumbles, but hey! They're all learning experiences.

Carly, Claire, and Tanya show off the Jingle Bells Relay in action. Photo by Rhona-Mae Arca.

Over the next few lessons, I will reinforce the one or two group class activities that piqued their interest. I don't expect them to like everything they tried at last week's music group class. However, I do hope that the class opened their ears and minds up to new possibilities. And if they are dragged onto the piano this Christmas Break, at least they aren't going in blind. Forewarned is forearmed.

My KonMari Journey: Clothes and Books

My KonMari journey began last summer, after several friends urged me all spring to give it a try. I liked the idea of decluttering by category versus room as well as going from easy (clothes), gradually working our way up to hard (sentimental items).

Before jumping in though, I checked out some YouTube videos on the subject. I especially enjoyed watching Lavendaire's video on organizing her closet:

I then found a fantastic KonMari checklist on Jersha & Dup's site and jumped in. Sometime between decluttering clothes and books, I purchased Marie Kondo's book, The Magical Art of Tidying Up. It was a very quick read.

KonMari Method Round 1: Clothes

Applying the KonMari Method on clothes was fairly easy. I believe it took me one or two weeks, most likely because I have done some decluttering on a yearly basis. However, this was the most aggressive decluttering that I have ever done.

Although Marie Kondo states to keep only what sparks joy, I stretched my criteria to include, "Items I Need for Work" and "Things that Make Me Feel Good." Everything that didn't meet this criteria was given away to family, friends, students, and charity. Let's just say I have quite a few Hero Cards from Value Village. 

I went by section off of Jersha & Dup's list, so one day, I tackled shirts. Next day, pants. It was illuminating to see just how many items I was hanging onto that no longer fit or I simply hadn't worn for years. After some heavy duty KM-ing, I had tons of room in my closet and dresser to give each item a proper home. 

I am pleased to say that one year later, everything generally goes back to their home when not in use. There is definitely a sense of belonging to see them placed in their allotted cubbyholes.

This is the longest that my t-shirt drawer has ever been this organized.

My parents picked up three of these units at a garage sale. Since they weren't using them, I snagged them to organize my purses, stuff in my craft room, and my winter gloves, scarves, etc.

KonMari Round 2: Books and More Books

I didn't think that I was a huge bibliophobe, but I do have a sizeable personal and work-related book collection. It was impossible to get all my books (including music books) into one room for the discarding process, so again, I went in categories.

This was the beginnings of my discarding phase in the music studio.

Some of the books that I let go of.

KMi-ing my book collection was also a Summer 2015 project. It wasn't particularly difficult to decide what to let go of. Yes, I let go of books I liked, but they weren't ones I liked enough to want to re-read in the short-term or books that I had re-read on a regular basis. 

My piano students and their parents got first crack at my book discards. Next, a friend who had opened a music school (Flamingo School of Music) went through it. Many of her students are either from low income families or just immigrated to Canada, so the donations were put to good use.

Next, I took books to the Calgary Public Library, then Calgary Co-Op's book sharing bin and Value Village. Sadly, some books weren't wanted by any of these places and wound up in recycling.

One year later, my personal book collection remains organized (with a special basket for books I'm borrowing). My music library remains a work in progress. I'm going to recruit my students to help me re-shelve the books after their lessons for coveted Maestro Bucks.

My personal library - one year after getting the KonMari treatment.

Next time, I'll share my ongoing experiences with paper decluttering. It's been quite the journey - and it's not over yet! Here's a preview:

Before he passed away, Maestro was quite the KonMari Supervisor. As you can see, he wasn't impressed with the amount of paper I had amassed.

Lessons I Learned from My Dog

My heart broke on May 11, 2016. That's when I brought Maestro to the vet clinic for what I thought was a urinary tract infection. That's when the vet discovered the lump. "It could be nothing," Dr. Maya said. Then, she paused and looked me in the eye as we both said, "Or it could be something really bad." My heart sunk. We both knew that at Maestro's age, a lump like that is most likely very bad. She prescribed some antibiotics and asked to see Maestro the following week.

One week later, there was some improvement in the pee department, but the lump was more pronounced. Through tears, Dr. Maya recommended a prostate flush and ultrasound to confirm what we both believed to be true: cancer. Maestro, pragmatic as always, simply looked back at me to say, "It's OK, Mom. I know already. Clock is ticking."

Maestro was diagnosed with Transitional Cell Carcinoma. It's an aggressive cancer that is common in spayed and neutered cats and dogs. We could have put Maestro in drug and radiation therapy but really, what responsible pet parent is going to put their furkid - one who has already lived a full and long life, through that kind of pain - with no guarantee at the end? It's far more loving to keep him comfortable and happy until he was ready to go, and trust that Maestro would let me know when he was ready to make that journey.

I broke the news to "our" students as soon as Maestro's diagnosis was fairly certain. When one told me, "Let's make the last bit the best bit," I set out to figure out and fulfill Maestro's Bucket List.

Maestro's Twilight Adventures

Instinct and observation told me that Maestro had up to a month, but more likely mere weeks. If you knew that you had weeks to live, what would you want to do? I figured that Maestro's Bucket List would be similar to anyone else's: do your favourite things, visit your favourite places, eat your favourite foods, and spend quality time with those whom you care for.

Each morning, he'd tell me with his eyes, "Yeah, it's getting harder but I'm going to give it my best today." I'd smile at him through tears and try to muster up the courage to get through the day. Maestro threw himself into each twilight adventure with gusto. He wasn't going to leave until he was ready.

As each item got checked off Maestro's Bucket List, I could sense him fading a little more. My heart broke repeatedly as we walked this bittersweet journey together. He lived minute by minute, moment by moment, while I was trying so hard to burn every second into memory. 

I did it my way and I did good. Credit: R-M Arca.

By the time Maestro had said his good-byes to everyone he loved, enjoyed one last night stargazing, and one last walk around the neighbourhood, he was ready to go. Once he told me, I didn't hesitate. On June 2, after 14 fun and music-filled years, chock full of adventures, Maestro, Musespeak's trusty Studio Assistant and my fur baby, crossed Rainbow Bridge. He went where and when he wanted to. Maestro's vet came to the house to help us send Maestro on his way. It was beautiful, smooth, and peaceful.

Lessons I Learned from My Dog

Today marks the seven-week anniversary of Maestro crossing Rainbow Bridge. As anyone who has grieved for a loved one knows, it's an emotional roller coaster, with grief hitting you in waves.

I've had some time to reflect upon what I have learned from my sidekick and furkid. If one could put Maestro's life philosophies into words, I'd say they are:

Work hard. Play harder.

Maestro, like many Lakeland Terriers, loved the water. (Credit: R-M Arca).

Maestro took his job as Musespeak's Studio Assistant very seriously. It only took him two weeks to memorize a new teaching schedule for the year. He scolded students and me alike if we didn't stick to the schedule.

But when it was playtime, he played even harder. The intensity was sometimes frightening, especially when it came to water, his Awful Mad Kitty, and his hole punch.

Tell it like it is.

If someone's scales were subpar, Maestro would tell you. Why beat around the bush?

At last month's year-end party, my students all shared stories of Maestro walking out of their lessons when he wasn't pleased, or breaking out into song when he was pleased with how they played. Once, he scolded a student while she played a Mozart sonata. Through laughter, I asked her to tell me why Maestro was upset with her playthrough. She knew. I knew. 

Go big or go home.

Whether it was playing the hole punch or singing Happy Birthday, Maestro believed in committing to something fully. "Go big or go home," also applied to his tastes in musical instruments. Maestro preferred the $30 tambourine over a kids' toy. He looked pleased as punch to pose with the $600,000 Steinway piano. We got into an argument at Long & McQuade one day over the $250 tablas.

Never give up!

When Maestro was diagnosed with arthritis and Intervertebral Disc Disease, he didn't let that stop him from working or going on adventures. 

With acupuncture from Dr. Mark at the Bridlewood Veterinary Clinic, laser and aquatherapy from Dr. Catherine at Canine Aquafitness, Maestro was able to keep trucking along for a few more years.

Aquatherapy helped manage Maestro's canine arthritis and Intervertebral Disc Disease.

Live well. Live NOW!

Maestro was a huge supporter of eating well, sleeping well, and getting out there to enjoy life. He loved the Rotation Diet. He preferred fresh foods. He loved carrots.

He also enjoyed living in the moment, as surely all of our furry, feathery, and scaly family members do. That is one lesson that will take many of us years to get.

"What a huge legacy he has," one of my students said one lesson, as we looked around at all the different ways Maestro has left his mark in the studio: his student incentive programs, Maestro's Market, his bed and Maestro's Music Tricks. Like this paw imprint that he did days before his death, Maestro has left his mark in countless ways that will be felt for years to come.

Maestro was so proud of himself when he completed this. Credit: R-M Arca.