I enjoy creating, working with arrangements, expressing, and listening to music because I get a chance to travel with it. It always takes me away to a place that is other worldly in a sense, but actually very real for me. That’s the draw I suppose; the freedom my work allows me to experience.
Tags: Beautiful Music, jim chappell, jim chappell blog, jim chappell piano, new age piano, relaxing music, relaxing piano music, solo piano, soothing piano music
I’m in the middle of creating a workshop on musical improvisation; will be sharing it soon:) It’s fun getting all of the info together based on my experiences; the challenge is to have it be practical, understandable, and easy to use..
Tags: Beautiful Music, Improvisation, jim chappell, jim chappell blog, jim chappell piano, new age piano, relaxing music, relaxing piano music, solo piano, soothing piano music
Getting the itch to do more live shows this year; that should be fun:) Maybe not a lot at first, but I’m assuming that will build over time. (I took a break after having a baby- well sort of you could say:)
Will let you know if I’m in your area..
Tags: Beautiful Music, jim chappell, jim chappell blog, jim chappell piano, new age piano, relaxing music, relaxing piano music, solo piano, soothing piano music
I was lucky enough as a kid to have some unspoiled nature around to explore. We lived right across the street from an undeveloped woodland area. I used to sneak off regularly so I could visit what was known as “the creek.”
The “creek” was actually more of an elaborate marshy pond of some sort that flowed via a small stream into the nearby lake. It was full of wildlife: mallard ducks, frogs, large fish, minnows, brilliant orange-colored dragonflies, crayfish, muskrats, tadpoles, little bugs that could run along on top of the water, and various colorful birds that loved frequenting the setting.
I spent many hours there at the water’s edge just taking it all in. It was fascinating and calming for me at the same time. The creek actually became my sanctuary over time. I went regularly to comfort myself, listen, and watch. It was like entering another world for me.
I remember going there one warm summer’s night during a full moon; it was a serene, beautiful, and far more mystical place than in the daytime. My favorite place had changed itself into something even more peaceful and intriguing. It was as if there was a completely different group of creatures playing in the silver hush. And those were the different array of water fairies called sprites, nymphs, selkies, sirens, alvins and whatever else they have been named over time!
Water Spirits will hopefully take you on a little moonlit journey to this very special world I was able to be a part of…
Tags: Beautiful Music, jim chappell, jim chappell blog, jim chappell piano, new age piano, relaxing music, relaxing piano music, soothing piano music
I’m wanting to get out and do more shows..that’s one of my New Year’s resolutions:) It’s more my nature to stay with the composing and recording and sort of insulate myself from the rest of it, but I do have a lot of fun once I’m out and about!
So check back as hopefully there will be some regular concert dates to be aware of if you’re interested..
Tags: jim chappell, jim chappell blog, jim chappell piano, new age piano, relaxing music, relaxing piano, relaxing piano music, solo piano, soothing piano music
Time to start final tracking another song for the new album today; looking forward to capturing the right feel..
It’s more involved than just playing well and getting the notes right. There has to be that hidden ingredient that touches something deeper.
It’s a vibe thing that either works or it doesn’t; so you have to keep on going until it does..
Tags: jim chappell, jim chappell blog, jim chappell piano, new age piano, relaxing music, relaxing piano music, soothing piano music
I love teaching composing; you keep learning more when you share what you know:) I suppose there is always more insight that pertains to the topic, that’s why it’s fun to be a part of.
Tags: jim chappell, jim chappell blog, jim chappell piano, new age piano, piano music, relaxing piano, relaxing piano music, songwriting, soothing piano music
Spring is in the air starting to visit already around here..always a creative time in my world:) Maybe it’s because I was born in April or something, but I’ve always loved the sounds and feel of new life emerging again..
It’s good timing that I’m in the middle of working on a new album..
Tags: jim chappell, jim chappell blog, jim chappell piano, new age piano, relaxing music, relaxing piano music, solo piano, soothing piano music
A buddy and I decided we were going to go camping up in the Sierra Mountains in California for several days. He was a modern dance instructor at one of the larger colleges in the state, and I was the music guy who played live improvised pieces for the dancers to move to. We worked together in a unique and creative way, became friends, and enjoyed each other’s company a lot.
My buddy was from New York City, and he was really looking forward to getting out into nature, doing some hiking, and just enjoying the expansiveness of it all. So off we went in my black van not quite sure where we’d end up, though the national parks were on the list for sure.
A few days into the trip we were sitting around our campfire one night as a couple of girls stopped by and said hi. We ended up talking for a few hours and having a great time as “travelers meeting other travelers.” As they were leaving they asked if we were going to get up early to watch the hang gliders in the morning and explained which mountain top they would be taking off from around 5 a.m. or so. They convinced us it would be worth the drive so we decided to show up and see what all of the excitement was about.
My buddy and I got ourselves up early and drove another several thousand feet higher on a windy precarious road until it emptied into a parking lot. We got out and walked down a short path and then there they were: about 15 people with a bright carnival colored array of body suits in a line getting their hang gliders ready for take off! It was quite the sight as the sun was just peering over a nearby mountain and the golden rays lit up the scene in a mesmerizing way.
We made our way carefully and off to the side of “glider clan” to get a look at the cliff they were getting ready to leap from; “Whoa!” was all my friend and I could say simultaneously. What a drop, and definitely not for me, but I couldn’t wait to see these folks go for it!
And then they started taking off, one by one, with sufficient time and distance in between to keep them from being too close to each other. All you could hear in the stillness was their accelerating footsteps and the gear rustling and breaking the silence. Then poof; they were soaring!! It was breathtaking and exhilarating even just to watch. “What would it feel like to actually do that?!” I thought.
We found out the ones talking flight would have a ride of close to 45 minutes if all went well and then would hopefully land safely in a grassy meadow several miles away.
It was a beautiful clear day well worth capturing, celebrating, and remembering. I’m glad I was a small part of the freedom and joy in the air that impressionable morning…Honey Wind…
Loving immersing myself in the recording studio working on the new album; whatever side of the brain that is it’s definitely my favorite side to hang out in.
At least I come out from there and relate to the rest of the world now from time to time:) It didn’t always used to be that way!
Tags: jim chappell piano, new age piano, relaxing music, relaxing piano music, soothing piano music
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