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
My latest music project is humming along in ever so slow a way:) Hoping to have all of the tracks I’ve been auditioning chosen before long though.. Then the real work begins!
Tags: jim chappell, jim chappell blog, jim chappell piano, new age piano, relaxing music, relaxing piano music
Music is a great tool for choosing your mood and these days there’s easy access to whatever emotional state you’re looking for!
It’s pretty amazing how you can find so much at your fingertips to help shift, or exaggerate, any feeling you want. Especially with the internet, Ipods, wireless etc. around and flourishing.
That’s what I do when reaching for the right music for the moment; I’m either wanting to enhance something I’m feeling to make it more intense, or wanting to change something I’m feeling and move myself into a better place:)
Music really is fantastic mood food; for the ears of course..
Tags: jim chappell, jim chappell blog, jim chappell piano, new age piano, relaxing music, relaxing piano, relaxing piano music, soothing piano music
I’m convinced the little boy who loved to ride his tricycle everywhere around the neighborhood still lives on somewhere inside of me…
I grew up in a beautiful little middle class neighborhood an hour or so out of Detroit. I had a lake across the street, woods to explore nearby, and a host of interesting friends scattered throughout the five streets that made up our “subdivision.”
I loved riding my bike. I was a serious little traveler from early on. My first big memory of that was when I was five years old and I’d hop onto my brilliant red and white three-wheel tricycle, pedal a few streets over in the hopes of seeing my “girlfriend.” She lived in a pleasant yellow house with clean white slatted shutters around the windows.
School days were hard to maneuver, but I decided that I needed to see her every Saturday and Sunday at least! So off I’d go down the street feeling the early morning breeze across my face and through my hair, all the while smiling at the sun in my eyes that made me squint. Life was good, but I had business to take care of with my “girlfriend!”
So I’d pull in around seven a.m. in the morning right up under her bedroom window and start yelling as loud as I could,
“Tootey, Tootey, Tootey!” (Tootey was short for Elaine, of course. I’m not sure where I came up with that.)
I’d keep yelling her name repeatedly barely taking a breath while hoping to see her peer through the window to smile at me. To my dismay it almost always ended up being her mother instead with an astonished look on her face saying,
“Jimmy, shush! Elaine’s not even awake yet! Please go home and come back later!”
I’d dejectedly mumble, “Okay…” and pedal off on my little red three wheeler with the determined attitude that I’d definitely be back again because a guy has to see his girlfriend, you know..
All in all as long as I could keep having some kind of adventure here or there I was okay with my life as a kid. Painting May is about the carefree little character I was as a child.
Tags: jim chappell, jim chappell blog, jim chappell piano, relaxing music, relaxing piano music, solo piano
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