Loriginal Piano Composition: “Bogle Bouquet Movements”

A selection of newly composed piano music to Like*Share*Subscribe*Listen*Enjoy!

Happy Holidays!

The Other Ear Song Videos!!!

“Self-discipline is an act of cultivation. It requires you to connect today’s actions to tomorrow’s results. There’s a season for sowing a season for reaping. Self-discipline helps you know which is which.”

Gary Ryan Blair

“By constant self-discipline and self-control you can develop greatness of character.”

Grenville Kleiser

“In order to carry a positive action we must develop here a positive vision.”

Dalai Lama

“The distance between dreams and reality is called discipline.”

Author Unknown

©The Other Ear – Ben Fambrough (Vocals, Guitar), Chris Carlsen (Vocals, Bass), Chuck Kozlowski (Back Up Vocals, Drums), Lori D. Marchell Carlsen (Keyboards) with guest musicians James Michael Thompson (Vocals, Guitar) and Rich Kennicutt (Keyboards).

©Photography Sam and Chris Kozlowski, Joyce Carlsen

©Loriginal Designs

Piano Lessons with Jaco Kitty (excerpt)

Chert Dog’s Greatest Gift:  Quantum Leaps of Faith

So if you recall, I have five digits on all four paws, with actual thumbs on my front paws which makes for excellent piano playing abilities!  We have composed my original song utilizing a triad chord which I can play easily along with Lori playing the melody.  I have yet to crawl inside the piano and choose best to either sit on the bench or underneath as going inside doesn’t interest me at all!

I have been so very blessed with the piano students who arrive for lessons as they first want to visit with me, as I seem to be part of the attraction for the children!  Because they are so free-spirited, they understand my contemplative nature and wish to share their love with me!  The children teach me so much about creativity and living in the moment as well as their inspiring imagination.  With my Zen practices and studying of the Chakra Energy Centers, I see the importance of music in opening-up each colorful Chakra through the note vibration with which each resonates..  There are many deeper levels to what things appear to be on the surface.  It fascinates me to continually be learning new pieces to this puzzle of life, for when you begin to connect each unique item, things begin to fit into place (no pun intended)!  Yet, there seems to always be an element of surprise in that knowing what the next step is which can conjure up old thought and belief systems which no longer serve you, the Universe or the highest and best for all concerned.  That is where that quantum leap of faith comes into play again.  By praying for discernment in all things and allowing the highest vibration of love to be your intention, you know that you are being supported in stretching, reaching and growing.

“Some people think that as soon as you plant a tree, it must bear fruit.  We must allow it to grow a bit.”  Prince Tunku Putra Adbul Rahman

My Near Death Journey

My life came to a startling halt when a large truck smashed into the driver’s side of my small car. The impact crunched my vehicle like aluminum foil. The initial force thrust my seat to the passenger’s side of the vehicle. Rescue workers used the jaws-of-life to extract me from the wreckage. Notified of the accident, my husband sped wildly to the hospital.

The accident resulted in extensive swelling to the left side of my brain, broken ribs and a collapsed lung, and lower back injuries. Being in good physical condition at the time of the accident, I was spared internal injuries.

The doctors stated to family that if I did not regain consciousness and the brain’s swelling continued, they would have to operate to relieve the pressure. Brain damage or neurological impairments were possible.

Family remained at my bedside, hoping that I would regain consciousness. While friends and family prayed for me, my spirit traveled to a vividly colorful yet familiar place – my grandparents’ house (both had passed away prior to the accident). Their environment was lucid, tranquil, appreciative and loving. All the flowers, environment and people radiated this intense saturation of love and communicated telepathically.

In this dreamlike encounter, I was again an animated child of five soaring on my favorite swing set. Grandpa was close-by working in his garden. Grandma was on her way to walk the grassy, wooded trail along the creek that Grandpa kept neatly manicured. For prayer time, she referred to it as her rosary path. As I stood at the base of the rosary path next to the St. Francis statue surrounded by roses, I was no longer a child of five but a woman. As Grandma looked down to me from her path, she asked me to come with her in her strong Czechoslovakian accent. In a melancholy yet courageous voice I told her that I had to go now.

Was God asking me to stop long enough to take a good look at myself and realize how much I had to be thankful for NOW, in the PRESENT MOMENT? I truly believe that in my race to be more, do more, and become more, I had somehow quit appreciating who I already was.

After responding to Grandma’s question, I awoke from the coma. Family stood in front of the bed, looking down at me, indebted to God that I had finally regained consciousness.

The hospital released me the following Saturday into a disorienting, foggy existence. I did not know who I was anymore and felt like a puzzle whose pieces had been scattered. Could I put myself back together again? Were all the pieces still there?

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me,” (Philippians 4:13, NAS) became a scripture I memorized together with, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24, NIV).

God/Source had always been the center focal point in my life, yet I began realizing what it meant by “letting go and letting God,” which lightened my perspective and allowed me to rise above my emotions to a place of spiritual enlightenment.

Before the accident, I’d felt like a clear glass jar full of vitality and love. Being an avid runner, bicyclist, canoeist, and x-country skier, I had an active lifestyle. Playing the piano, sewing up clothes, painting pictures, and reading were other hobbies I enjoyed.

After the accident, I was a smoke-colored glass jar that was empty. A stretched optic nerve resulted in double vision. I would often say things backward or stop mid-sentence. My short-term memory and concentration decreased, so I wrote everything down to remember. Opposite behavior qualities emerged, including introversion, moodiness, and irritability.

A fatigue emerged that made me feel like I was asleep even when awake. I experienced “sensory overload,” which made concentrating on the immediate task difficult. I was experiencing symptoms of post-concussion syndrome. My relationships with those closest to me went under quite a strain.

People often said I looked fine, not knowing the distress that lurked in the depths of my soul because the injury was INTERNAL, not external. Yes, I was extremely grateful that I had not been disfigured, but injury occurs on the inside, too. This simply reemphasized to me, “For the Lord sees no as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord look on the heart (1 Samuel 16:7, RSV).

Since my friends and family lacked insight regarding head trauma, this made me draw closer to God because He could understand all my needs.

Looking back in my previous journal writings, I sensed an urgent need to bond with God and know and love myself. Using this convalescing time, I was being given a second chance to appreciate and reclaim those qualities that were still available to me.

“…that in everything God works for good with those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28, RSV).

I practiced the piano to increase concentration skills, painted, and began to read and record my voice to re-learn concepts. Living on the boat, bicycling along the country roads, and sketching summer scenes brought renewed vitality.

Now, 26 years later, this clairvoyance, peace, and love empower my life with inner knowing and joy.

– See more at: http://www.tut.com/article/details/232-my-near-death-experience-and-the-power-of-love/?articleId=232#sthash.9nuzq95R.dpuf

http://www.tut.com/article/details/232-my-near-death-experience-and-the-power-of-love/?articleId=232

L. D. Marchell’s New Book “My Father’s Greatest Gift: Life Lessons from a Black English Labrador Retriever”

From Chert Dog’s perspective, “Doghead is pretty easy to learn, you just have to speak from your heart.” This velvety Black with Chocolate accents English Labrador Retriever came…

Source: Chert Dog’s Book: “My Father’s Greatest Gift: Life Lessons from a Black English Labrador Retriever

Children’s Shimmering Waterfall Art Lessons

Since I enjoy painting on material with acrylic paint and then quilting it into a wall hanging, I thought it would be a fun project for Nandhana and Sanjana to do!  They both have their own style and really did a terrific job!  We used a photograph from Taughannock Falls State Park.  They admired the wall hanging below that I did and asked if they could make one, too!

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Pictured below are the young budding artists at work painting in the basement with the material taped down on a hard board.  Once their paintings were completed, I sewed the quilting in and backed them into wall hangings and added some shimmer, sequins and glitter!  These will look lovely displayed in their new home!

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A short video of the girls in their painting process is linked below!

Painting Art Lessons Video

And of course, we must have visiting time with Jaco Kitty!

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These young ladies are very talented and Nandanah plays the violin and takes piano lessons from me as well!  Below is a final photo of these two little angels all dressed up!  See Grandma Marge’s PINK Orb in the photo above Sanjana?  She’s always flying!

10252016Sanjana and Nandana Pink Orb

A Loriginal Piano Composition: “C-13 Sonata”

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Throughout the creative process, I paint pictures, write stories, take photographs and compose music which all interweave into the tapestry of my life.  Though viewing the process from the underside with all the loose threads it appears to be quite a mess, the passion within is determined to interweave all the colorful threads to behold a brilliant gift from the Universe!

This copyrighted piano composition is inspired by 1 Corinthians 13  and spans my life journey.  When my beloved Mother passed, Dad  had this engraved on their stone:

“A hug, a smile, a kiss, fond memories of a lifetime”

(Posted on You Tube as well as on my blog’s Piano, Art and Photography tab, with some of my artwork, photography and family photos to go along with the music).

Enjoy!

“The Other Ear” – Band Reunion!!!

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“Peanuts” Charles M.Schulz

“With God All things are possible.”

Luke 18:27

As summer is upon us, I have been asked to perform in “The Other Ear,” a band which was formed several years ago with our last gig played at “The Nines,” a college town bar located in Ithaca, NY.  The original Composer/Singer/Guitarist, Ben Fambrough, relocated out-of-state and life moved on.  The beginning of this project has turned into two gigs which will be held on Friday, July 21, 2017 at 8:00 pm at The Cyber Cafe’ West in Binghamton, NY and Saturday, July 22, 2017 at 8:00 pm at The Ransom Steele Tavern in Apalachin, NY.

The Other Ear

The band began as “The Big Ear” with Ben Fambrough, Composer, Guitar, Lead Vocals; Chuck Kozlowski, Drums/Percussion, Back-up Vocals; and Chris Carlsen, Bass and Vocals.  As many musicians know, a three-piece band is wonderful but requires additional fill-in music to allow for varied expression within the context of the song (of course unless you are a RUSH fan)!

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“Peanuts” Charles M. Schulz

So then I was asked to play keyboards and hence “The Other Ear” was formed!   Being classically trained, this was quite a new experience in music playing, listening and expression – to say the least!  As well as a patience-builder for all involved who play ‘by ear.’  My beginning piano playing involved sight reading to the max which includes such repertoire as Beethoven’s Sonata Pathetique’ – certainly not a piece one learns to play ‘by ear’ with as many notes as possible crammed into one measure!

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“Peanuts” Charles M. Schulz

So as I have been somewhat absent from my blogging this past month, it has been due to  time spent practicing songs in preparation for the two upcoming gigs this weekend!  My thanks to all the other band members for their support with my learning curve from Classical to Rock!  Most of the songs are originals written by Ben, with some covers thrown in by Phish (Dirt), Talking Heads (Cities), Medeski, Martin & Wood (Think) and of course, the timeless Beatles (Prudence).

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“Peanuts” Charles M. Schulz

Below are a few links to some of the music.  Enjoy!

Roses Rise:

https://youtu.be/EWLMZ6PLy5w

 Shine:

https://youtu.be/bQIt0MnVZd0

 Over Me:

https://youtu.be/KykFlmSMG4I

 It Could Have Been an Open Window:

https://youtu.be/b1kr70CEudw

 Just You:

https://youtu.be/jo5rJpKzQCM

 What Goes On (Velvet Underground cover):

https://youtu.be/-Wsapzp7jDU

©Lorignal Designs

©Ben Fambrough

©The Other Ear

©”Peanuts” Charles M. Schulz

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Near Death Journey

My life came to a startling halt when a large truck smashed into the driver’s side of my small car. The impact crunched my vehicle like aluminum foil. The initial force thrust my seat to the passenger’s side of the vehicle. Rescue workers used the jaws-of-life to extract me from the wreckage. Notified of the accident, my husband sped wildly to the hospital.

The accident resulted in extensive swelling to the left side of my brain, broken ribs and a collapsed lung, and lower back injuries. Being in good physical condition at the time of the accident, I was spared internal injuries.

The doctors stated to family that if I did not regain consciousness and the brain’s swelling continued, they would have to operate to relieve the pressure. Brain damage or neurological impairments were possible.

Family remained at my bedside, hoping that I would regain consciousness. While friends and family prayed for me, my spirit traveled to a vividly colorful yet familiar place – my grandparents’ house (both had passed away prior to the accident). Their environment was lucid, tranquil, appreciative and loving. All the flowers, environment and people radiated this intense saturation of love and communicated telepathically.

In this dreamlike encounter, I was again an animated child of five soaring on my favorite swing set. Grandpa was close-by working in his garden. Grandma was on her way to walk the grassy, wooded trail along the creek that Grandpa kept neatly manicured. For prayer time, she referred to it as her rosary path. As I stood at the base of the rosary path next to the St. Francis statue surrounded by roses, I was no longer a child of five but a woman. As Grandma looked down to me from her path, she asked me to come with her in her strong Czechoslovakian accent. In a melancholy yet courageous voice I told her that I had to go now.

Was God asking me to stop long enough to take a good look at myself and realize how much I had to be thankful for NOW, in the PRESENT MOMENT? I truly believe that in my race to be more, do more, and become more, I had somehow quit appreciating who I already was.

After responding to Grandma’s question, I awoke from the coma. Family stood in front of the bed, looking down at me, indebted to God that I had finally regained consciousness.

The hospital released me the following Saturday into a disorienting, foggy existence. I did not know who I was anymore and felt like a puzzle whose pieces had been scattered. Could I put myself back together again? Were all the pieces still there?

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me,” (Philippians 4:13, NAS) became a scripture I memorized together with, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24, NIV).

God/Source had always been the center focal point in my life, yet I began realizing what it meant by “letting go and letting God,” which lightened my perspective and allowed me to rise above my emotions to a place of spiritual enlightenment.

Before the accident, I’d felt like a clear glass jar full of vitality and love. Being an avid runner, bicyclist, canoeist, and x-country skier, I had an active lifestyle. Playing the piano, sewing up clothes, painting pictures, and reading were other hobbies I enjoyed.

After the accident, I was a smoke-colored glass jar that was empty. A stretched optic nerve resulted in double vision. I would often say things backward or stop mid-sentence. My short-term memory and concentration decreased, so I wrote everything down to remember. Opposite behavior qualities emerged, including introversion, moodiness, and irritability.

A fatigue emerged that made me feel like I was asleep even when awake. I experienced “sensory overload,” which made concentrating on the immediate task difficult. I was experiencing symptoms of post-concussion syndrome. My relationships with those closest to me went under quite a strain.

People often said I looked fine, not knowing the distress that lurked in the depths of my soul because the injury was INTERNAL, not external. Yes, I was extremely grateful that I had not been disfigured, but injury occurs on the inside, too. This simply reemphasized to me, “For the Lord sees no as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord look on the heart (1 Samuel 16:7, RSV).

Since my friends and family lacked insight regarding head trauma, this made me draw closer to God because He could understand all my needs.

Looking back in my previous journal writings, I sensed an urgent need to bond with God and know and love myself. Using this convalescing time, I was being given a second chance to appreciate and reclaim those qualities that were still available to me.

“…that in everything God works for good with those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28, RSV).

I practiced the piano to increase concentration skills, painted, and began to read and record my voice to re-learn concepts. Living on the boat, bicycling along the country roads, and sketching summer scenes brought renewed vitality.

Now, 26 years later, this clairvoyance, peace, and love empower my life with inner knowing and joy.

– See more at: http://www.tut.com/article/details/232-my-near-death-experience-and-the-power-of-love/?articleId=232#sthash.9nuzq95R.dpuf

http://www.tut.com/article/details/232-my-near-death-experience-and-the-power-of-love/?articleId=232

Live Music From The Other Ear!!!

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

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“God will supply all of our needs according to His riches in glory.”

Philippians 4:19

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“Cast all your cares on ME.”

1 Peter 5:7

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“Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In All your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

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“We know that All things work together for them that love God, to them that are called according to His Purpose.”

Romans 8:28

Thank you to Ransom Steele Tavern, Cyber Cafe West, family, friends and guests for making The Other Ear’s Reunion weekend of music a memorable experience for everyone!

First recording of the end of “Dirt” cover written by Phish is posted below the credits taken from Ben Fambrough’s You Tube channel.

©The Other Ear:

Ben Fambrough (lead vocals, guitar); Chuck Kozlowski (drums, back-up vocals); Chris Carlsen (bass, vocals); Lori D. Marchell Carlsen (keyboards); with guest musicians Rich Kennicutt (keyboards) and James Michael Thompson (guitar, vocals).

©Photography by Chris and Sam Kozlowski, Joyce Carlsen

©Loriginal Designs

The Other Ear Reunion Gigs 2017

“We are what we repeatedly do.  Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”

Will Durant

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“Talent is Good, Practice is Better, Passion is Best!”

Frank Lloyd Wright

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“The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is practice.”

Vladimir Horowitz

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“Your talent is God’s gift to you.  What you do with it, is your gift back to God.”

Author Unknown

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“Music gives a Soul to the Universe, Wings to the Mind, Flight to the Imagination, and Life to Everything.”

Plato

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“To play a wrong note is insignificant; to play without passion is inexcusable.”

Ludwig van Beethoven

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“It is a mistake to think that the practice of my art has become easy to me.”

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

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“The most valuable practice aid is patience.”

Howard Snell

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“Excellence is not a skill, it’s an attitude.”

Ralph Marston

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Thank you to Ransom Steele Tavern, Cyber Cafe West, family, friends and guests for making The Other Ear’s Reunion weekend of music a memorable experience for everyone!

Recordings will be available in the near future from the two gigs which include Ben Fambrough’s original songs as well as cover music from such artists as Talking Heads, Phish, Beatles and Grateful Dead.

 

©The Other Ear:

Ben Fambrough (lead vocals, guitar); Chuck Kozlowski (drums, back-up vocals); Chris Carlsen (bass, vocals); Lori D. Marchell Carlsen (keyboards); with guest musicians Rich Kennicutt (keyboards) and James Michael Thompson (guitar, vocals).

©Photography by Chris and Sam Kozlowski

©Loriginal Designs