The Music Coach

A New Beginning

2012-02-20T07:36:00.002-08:00

Three years ago, I was half way to my goal of losing 50 lbs.. By the end of June, I had lost a total of 86 lbs.. October 5th of 2009, Julie and I went on our cruise that I won for winning our local Biggest losser competition. Over the past three years I regretfully have gained 76 lbs. back. I am such a yoyo dieter.

My experience in losing the 86 lbs., has taught me ; 1st Activity is the Key to weight loss. 2nd Activity is the key to keeping it off. 3rd Activity time is the most difficult time to find.

Two weeks ago, on Saturday February 4th 2012, I started looking for that elusive activity time. That day I got up at 6:30 and walked 2 miles in about 40 minutes. I was at the store (I own a small music store called the Music Coach in Orange City Fla.) by 9:30 am and life was great. The next day I hooked up with the West Volusia runners club, that I joined on line, and I walked the most difficult 4 miles I can remember walking in the past 30 years. Did I fail to mention that this past December I Turned 55.

The following sunday I walked another 4 mile course with WVR The following Wednesday I meet the club at Victoria Park estate, this time at 5am. I jogged and walked 2.5 miles and felt great til about noon and the I felt sleepy the rest of the day. Yesterday, we did some interval running, shorter distances at faster pace, again run/walking 4 miles. Finally, this morning I walked 4 miles in 80 minutes and afterward I weighed myself and I am 269.2 lbs. While I was walking, I decided to change the direction of this blog. I want to encourage every one to find that elusive activity time that we all need.

If you have any comments to share please feel free. See you tomorrow.

Digitech RP1000

2011-07-01T15:17:00.000-07:00

Alright, it's Friday,

Hey everyone, it's Friday and Monday is a comin'. The 4th of July is just 3 days away, which means only 3 more days until BBQ, beans, tator salad, ice tea, lemon aide, and apple pie. Not only are we going to enjoy the food but we are also looking forward to the fire works. "The Music Coach" is also looking forward to closing at 3 pm on monday the 4th, and will reopen tuesday at 10am.

Each month "The Music Coach" Blog will feature a review of the month. This month we will briefly touch on the Digitech RP 1000, an intergrated effects switching system. My son-n-law, Patrick,
really enjoys the RP 1000. He said, "It's a great machine, having over 100 presets and 100 you can set yourself." He also said,"There is more than enough effects and stuff to keep you busy for a life time." From the on and off switch on the back to the foot switchs on the front, the Digitech RP 1000 is an easy machine to use. Patrick did say, that the software program, CUBASE LE, is a little difficult to load on your computor. However, he assures me as he uses it more he will keep us up to date.

Well that ends are time together today. Have fun on the 4th, and if your in our neighborhood on monday, stop by and check out the other Digitech pedals here at "The Music Coach".

"TTFN"

Len "The Music Coach" Larsen

It Was a Celebration

2011-06-27T07:37:00.000-07:00

It's monday, and the concert this past saturday was a hit.

On saturday evening, June 25th, 2011, The Orange City Orchestra, performed
"A Musical Tribute to America".

The orchestra, under the direction of Rick Dwyer, performed 12 wonderfully american pieces.
Some of the selections were ; Forrest Gump suite, You're a Grand Old Flag, Ashokan Farewell,
God Bless the U.S.A., and several more.

Special performances were provided by James Hall (husband), Zory Hall (wife), and Shaina Hall (daughter). James Played an original trumpet piece titled, "Till He Comes". Zory sang a song titled, "An American Medley", and Shaina played the piano and sang a tune titled, "Love Song".

It was a sold out performance beginning exactly at 7pm, and ended around 9pm. Mayor Strickland gave a brief history of the orchestra and a fine introduction. Mr Dwyer and the orchestra opened with an "American Salute" and closed with "Stars and Stripes Forever". All who were in attendence seamed to have had a great time and are looking forward to the next program which is scheduled for October 22nd at 7pm at the Library.

Make sure you read the up coming events fore more of the orchestra's 2011 schedule.

TTFN (ta ta for now)
Len "The Music Coach" Larsen

The orchestra is performing

2011-06-24T07:27:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone, it's Friday!

Just wanted to remind you that tomorrow night at 7 pm, the Orange City orchestra, under the direction of Rick Dwyer, will be performing at the Dickinson Library on the corner of Graves ave. and Woodland blvd, in Orange City.

The orchestra will be performing such titles as; God Bless the U.S.A., Stars and Stripes Forever, A Salute to the Big Bands, Ashokan Farwell, America the Beautiful and many more. The best thing is it is FREE!!

When Mr. Dwyer isn't directing the orchestra he is teaching piano here at "The Music Coach" on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. If you ever wanted to learn piano from the best, Mr. Dwyer still has a few times available, so give us a call at 386-775-8774.

The Dickinson Library, is the big yellow building on the south-east corner of Graves ave.
The building was donated to the City by the Dickinson family. On the east end is the library and on the west end is an auditorium with a small stage suitible for an audience of 150 or so.

Well I hope to see you there, I'll be the good looking one in the back row playing trombone.

BFN!

Len "The Music Coach" Larsen

2011-06-20T12:54:00.000-07:00

Hey gang!

Each week I hope to have information about up coming events, specials of the week, repair information, and various reviews.

Reviews will touch on such things as music, both books and sheet music, guitars and accessories, strings, reeds, and etc..

Periodically, we will hold clinics here at the store. The first clinic that will be held is a string clinic on Saturday, July 23rd, at 2pm. The cost is $15, and the cost includes instruction and one set of either regular or super slinky or Martin accuostic regulars.

Now you can link this blog from our website of www.themusiccoach.net.
And you can also link "The Music Coach" Face Book .

Len "The Music Coach"

We're Back

2011-06-17T06:55:00.000-07:00

It's Friday, June 17, 2011 and it's great to be back on line.

The Music Coach is a full service music store, located in Orange City Florida.

In April, we moved from posser park plaza to the Big Lots shopping center, right next door to the Party Exchange.

We have doubled our floor space, including our lesson rooms and our retail.

Our selection of guitars and accessories has also improved.

Because of a company named M.I.R.C., we now sell Epiphone, Fender, and Ibenez, electric and accoustic guitars.

See ya tomorrow.

Len "The Music Coach" Larsen

2009-07-27T07:38:00.000-07:00

Hello Gang,
Today is July 27th, 2009. It has been over two months sense my last blog. Over the last couple months a lot has happened. Main thing that occurred was last Wednesday I weighed in at a whopping 200.5 lbs. I made it. I have lost 86.1 lbs since January 7th 2009.
I have had a lot of people ask me how I lost all this weight so fast. Tomorrow I will begin sharing my story. A dieters journey from 286 to 200.
See you tomorrow.
Len

2009-05-02T06:29:00.000-07:00

Hey Gang,
Another week has come and gone. I hope you have had a greet week.
Last night I attended the Deltona Cancer walk at Dewey Brewster park.
There were people from all walks of life. All the cancer survivors had purple T-shirts on.
Prior to the event, Fish Hospital raised over $12,000. They sold food, drinks, glow sticks etc..
There were two booths that had big screan TV's and video games. We walked around a track that was lined with approx. 521 illuminaries. Because I lost 50 lbs I decided to walk 50 laps.
It was tough the last 10. It took 2 hours and 38 minutes but I did it.
Hey have a greet week-end and I'll talk with you on monday.
Len "The Music Coach"

2009-04-24T09:59:00.000-07:00

Hey Gang,

Another great weekend just ahead. Hope you'll be coming out to Barberville to the Spring Frolic.

It's from 10am to 11pm on Saturday, and Sunday 10am to 5pm.

We'll have a booth, come on by and say Hi!.

Counting rhythm is one of the hardest things to do, in music. The traditional way to count rhythm is to assign each beat of the note a count in the measure. Example; if a measure was in 3/4 time and there was a half note followed by a quarter note. The half note would be beat one and two then a quarter note would be beat three. The way I tell beginners to count is to give each note there value. Example; Quarter note followed by a half note. The quarter note I would count 1 and the half 1,2. It's simple but effective. Happy counting.
Len "The Music Coach"

2009-04-17T10:03:00.000-07:00

Hey gang,
Just want to point out the calender of events section.
Make sure you make plans to visit us at Barberville pioneer settlement on april 25th or 26th.
If you are a middle school band member, make sure you sign up for summer band 2009. We will meet every monday from 12:20 to 1:30 beginning June 8th thru August 10th at Dickinson Hall in Orange City. A final concert will be at 7pm on Friday the 14th. The only exspense is $15.00 for the cost of the music. For info or to register call, "The Music Coach", at 386-775-8774.
Len "The Music Coach"

2009-04-15T08:16:00.000-07:00

Hey gang,
On monday, I was teaching some students and it came to mind that some of you might not know what the letter names of the lines and spaces are on the treble clef. The treble clef is the G looking sign. It's nick name is the G clef.
First we number the lines and spaces from the bottom to the top.
_____________ 5 __________
_____________ 4 __________ 4
_____________ 3 __________ 3
_____________ 2 __________ 2
_____________ 1 __________ 1

then letter lines

_______F (fine)
_______D (does )
_______B (boy)
_______G (good)
_______E (every)

then spaces

_______
_______E
_______C
_______A
_______F

The treble clef is used for the guitar, violin, flute, trumpet, saxophone, and clarinet - just to name a few. Let me know what instrument you play that uses the treble clef and have a great time playing.
Len "The Music Coach"

2009-04-10T09:35:00.000-07:00

Hey gang,
Here is a simple practice sheet you can use to keep track of the minutes you play.
Fill out the assignment section each week and also your goal for that week

Assignment;
__________________________________________

Goal for the week; _____________________________

Mon _________
Tues _________
Wed _________
Thurs ________
Fri __________
Sat __________
Sun _________

Let me know if it works for you.

Have a happy Easter, TTYL

Len "The Music Coach"

2009-04-09T08:07:00.000-07:00

Hey gang,
Last night I went to my Biggest loser support group at the Holiday Express in Orange City.
I lost another lb., my total is now up to 52 lbs lost. I did win the cruise for two, scheduled for October. I appreciate all the support my students gave me during the twelve weeks. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
If you have a weight lose secret or story to share, let me know.
I will tell you latter how I lost my weight. I still want to lose another 32 lbs.
I want to wish Nicole - a piano student of mine - Happy Birthday on the 12th.
Len "The Music Coach" Larsen

2009-04-06T07:54:00.000-07:00

Hey Gang, it's Monday.

Once a man was asked, "How do I get to Carnegie Hall"

He replied, "Practice, Practice, Practice".

Practice is the only way a musical student can improve their playing, and in turn enjoy their instrument more.

Here are some tips to promote practice;

1. Create a practice spot. - a place where you can leave a music stand and material out.

2. Create a practice time. - Practicing at the same time each day, helps create a sense of importants.

3. Create a practice goal. - a goal would be - to play chords C, F, and G7 fluidly in a moderate tempo. On the violin, play a G scale with quarter notes without any sliding of the fingers.

4. Create a practice log. - list the days of the week on a pad of paper and record the number of minutes practiced each day. This will help create accountability.

If you have any practice tips, please let me know. HAPPY PLAYING

Len "The Music Coach" Larsen

Welcome to the Music Coach Blog

2009-04-05T11:31:00.000-07:00

Music is an expression of one's self so feel free to express yourself. Here you will find tips and tricks to help the beginner through the intermediate musician to grow in the expertise and the love of their instrument. In addition you will find products, available classes, special events, and promotions. Check back often for updates, we look forward to hearing from you!

Len, The Music Coach