Zachary Bruno - Life of a Solo Piano Composer

Autumn Leaves - Composition - (Video)

2011-11-10T10:15:00.001-08:00

I just published a video of my composition, "Autumn Leaves" on my new website. Go check it out! http://zacharybrunomusic.com/blog/autumn-leaves-video

Important: Are you subscribed by email? If not, you will need to subscribe by email in order to continue receiving new posts on my new website. Click here if you missed the post about moving to the new website.

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

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New Website Up!

2011-09-22T19:10:00.001-07:00

I have the new website up and running. From now on, I'll be posting there instead of here. I've written an new update on the CD and some other information on the blog, so please go check it out! Critique is also appreciated.

http://zacharybrunomusic.com/blog/cdprogress-sep2011

Thanks!
Zachary

5 Things Wrong with Society

2011-07-28T06:50:00.000-07:00

"Water-saving" toilets

Okay, maybe they do save a little water. Here's a brilliant idea. Outhouses are so water saving that they use zero water. And the concept has been around from the beginning of time.

Green "Plastic-saving" Water bottles

Why can't we use glass and fill up our own? You can reuse them without having to put them in the recycling bin and paying for them all over again. Go figure!

"Tree-saving" restaurant bathroom hand-driers

Come one people, use a towel!

"Recycled Paper Napkins"

So they're recycled. That's all good, but how much money are we wasting by buying hundreds of napkins. Cloth napkins save money. Yes you have to wash them, but you wash you're clothes too. And it'll still save you more money in the not-too-long-run

Last but not least, "Environment-saving" electric cars.

So they don't produce carbon emissions, huh? You didn't think that the factories who makes the car uses oil to run it? What about manufacturing extra-special parts? They probably emit worse chemicals into the air than carbon-monoxide (Something volcanos produce way more of in a single blast than all of the cars have been doing for the only 50-100 years)

Reality check: Yep, that's right. Electricity has only been around for about 100 years. That's only one life-span.

What are your thoughts?

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

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PLEASE READ - Are you Subscribed by Email?

2011-07-06T10:54:00.000-07:00

Are you subscribed to my blog via email subscription? If not, you will need to do so in order to continue receiving my posts. This is because I will be switching to WordPress soon and wordpress does not support followers. Feedburner does, however, allow me to move my email subscription over. Why am I switching to WordPress? Well, the short answer is this:

I am switching to a domain name, so wordpress.org is the way to go for a website/blog. I'm doing this so that I will be able to put a short, concise domain name on my CD.

Blogger will soon be removing the ability to edit HTML (gasp!) and that's pretty bad news for me considering I love to modify a template to suit my needs.

I'm helping my cousin Sonja out to get her website up and running on the same platform (wordpress.org) since she is switching from blogger also.

Blogger is Google and Google is... well. Google.

Wordpress.org is free, you just have to pay for your domain name and hosting. Since we already have hosting for our family website (www.pebblecrossing.com), all I have to pay is a yearly fee of about $12 for the domain name. It also seems much more customizable.

To subscribe, enter your email address on the sidebar and hit submit. You will need to verify your subscription by clicking the link in an email you will receive. I can't tell you how many people enter their email address but don't click the link in the verification email they get after they do so. Because of this, they don't get my posts in their inbox, so make sure to check your email right after you sign up.

Hey, y'all like the new background image... eh? My cousin Sonja took the beautiful pictures that have been backgrounds on my blog recently. Very cool.

Zachary

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

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A 3 Month Long Project - Done!

2011-06-28T13:51:00.000-07:00

Well, I did not know for sure whether I would actually get to this point. I finished my 50 hour project. It's a short bow made from Osage Orange; otherwise known as bodark. 48" nock to nock. About 50 pounds @ 25". I'm thanking my Creator for allowing me to actually create this from start to finish. Also, don't forget the kind man who let me have a fresh green limb of his bodark tree. I have posted progress updates of my progress on this bow on my second blog - http://abowyersjournal.blogspot.com/ Feel free to check out those older posts and subscribe also!

My draw was a little high here, trying to rush to get it before the camera's self timer went off.

What the bow used to look like! Just a big ol' log.

I've also got a CD Progress update coming soon, so keep checking back.

Talk to you all later,

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

Earn While you Search the Web

A Fellow Composer

2011-06-17T11:37:00.000-07:00

I had a composer, Austin, contact me recently. He wanted me to spread the word about his music. I was glad to do so. Here's one of his pieces on video. You can also check out his youtube channel here. He also has some songs for sale so make sure to check out those!

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

Earn While you Search the Web

Kaya Doing some Tricks

2011-05-28T09:26:00.000-07:00

My Mom filmed Kaya doing some tricks today and I just had to post the video.

If you recognize the song, I think that's pretty amazing. Post what you think it is in the comments, I'd love to see what you think it is or where you think it is from. Here's a hint: it's from a movie.

Oh, and just for fun, take a look at the new poll on the sidebar. =P

Yah bless!

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

Earn While you Search the Web

Piano Recital

2011-05-17T11:08:00.000-07:00

After a very amazing piano year, my sister and I performed at our piano recital with some other students yesterday. Our piano teacher really puts a lot of effort into planning for the event each year, so I'm very grateful. My dad recorded my sister and I playing, so I'd like to share a video of a piece I played. This is Hopak by Modest Mussorgsky.

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

Earn While you Search the Web

New Song - Prayer for Japan

2011-04-29T13:26:00.000-07:00

Preview of "Prayer for Japan"

Ever since almost 2 months ago when the giant earthquakes and tsunami struck Japan, I have been praying and thinking about what to do to help. Yahweh stirred my heart for these people. He just kept saying, Imagine your home, your loved ones, and your life as you know it being swept away. Gone. Never the same again. EVER. You can't rewind time, you can only recall your past. That's what it's like for many many people in Japan.

That's when I started composing a new song—inspired by my sorrow for Japan. Suddenly, it struck me. A thought. What could I do with this? What can I do to help the people of Japan? The answer hit my almost immediately. Record the song and offer the song for a donation to Japan.

A few notes about the song...
You will be emailed the song after you donate any given amount. If after a day you still haven't received it, leave a comment or contact me.

You may use this song for any use as long as it glorifies Yahweh. All I ask is that you give credit where the credit is due.

That being said, if you feel led, you can donate either below or on the sidebar. 100% of the proceeds go to the Red Cross to assist in cleaning up the damage from the earthquake and the tsunami and caring for the people who are hurt. Suggested donation is $5, but feel free to give what ever you want.

Spread the Word!
I strongly encourage you all to take the chipin widget and the song preview by copying the code snippits below and put them on your blog, website, etc. so as to spread the word. You can link back to this post so others can copy the code also.

Code for the Chipin widget:

Code for the song preview mp3 player:

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

Earn While you Search the Web

Stunning...

2011-04-08T16:52:00.000-07:00

Video
A favorite of mine and it's not hard to see why...

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

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And the Winner is....

2011-03-25T04:52:00.000-07:00

... girldowdy! Congrats!
Please leave a comment and email me here!

If you didn't win, you can still get a slideshow blog header! Click here!

Thank you all for participating!

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

Earn While you Search the Web

Giveaway!

2011-03-17T15:47:00.000-07:00

I'm giving away my custom blog header sllideshow services for a random chosen blogger! The blogger will get his/her blog header as a nice fading photo slideshow with their own pictures of their choice. If you'd like, I'll even add your blog name to each of the pictures to add a creative touch!

Mandatory Entry:

Leave a comment telling me that you want to enter. (1 entry)

Extra Entries:

If you were a follower or subscriber of my blog before I posted about this giveaway, leave a comment saying so. I want to give my readers/followers an extra little "thank-you" for their support. (2 entries | please leave 2 separate comments if you were either a follower or subscriber)

Blog, tweet, or facebook this giveaway, come back, and leave a comment with the link to your post or tweet. Please include a link! (3 entries per mention | please leave 3 separate comments for each social network option you choose to do)

The giveaway will end March 24, at 12 AM. I'll announce the winner on the 25th, Yah willing. I can't wait to see who wins! :)

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

Earn While you Search the Web

Pray for Japan

2011-03-15T05:58:00.000-07:00

There's been so much catastrophe in Japan, it's almost unbelievable. First a 8.9 earthquakes and aftershocks, then a huge tsunami, and now they're having a lot of problems with their nuclear power reactors. Now I hear there's a volcano that just erupted yesterday in Japan.

Pray for Japan.

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

Earn While you Search the Web

Now That's How to Hold the Baton!

2011-03-10T19:32:00.001-08:00

We could all learn some music appreciation from this little guy.

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

Earn While you Search the Web

Thank You for Voting!

2011-03-06T06:58:00.000-08:00

Thank you all for voting! Unfortunately, I did not win. But that's alright! It wasn't Yah's will.

By the way, the CD's coming along great.

Yah bless,

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

Earn While you Search the Web

Contest Ends Tomorrow - You Can Still Vote Once Per day!

2011-03-03T05:44:00.000-08:00

If you've already voted, you can still vote once per day! There's only today and tomorrow left. Go here and vote thumbs up for the one entitled "Peace". Thanks again y'all!

Yah bless,

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

Earn While you Search the Web

I Entered a CD Cover Design Contest!

2011-02-27T17:28:00.000-08:00

I entered a cover art contest and I'd like you to vote for me! I'd really appreciate it. Go here and vote thumbs up for the one entitled "Peace". You can vote once per day too. I'm really excited to see how it turns out. Thanks again you all!

Yah bless,

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

Earn While you Search the Web

New Blog!

2011-02-24T18:15:00.000-08:00

Yep, that's right...I have a new blog. No, I'm not changing from this one. I'm actually logging my progress of building my longbow. My mom suggested I keep a journal, so in case any of you are interested in making bows, or just would like to see my progress, please take a look and follow! abowyersjournal.blogspot.com

See you there!

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

Earn While you Search the Web

Updates...

2011-02-07T08:39:00.000-08:00

It's been almost a month since I've last posted... I should probably give some much-needed updates.

I still have a ton of school, and since I've kept extending the CD release date, I'm no longer going to have one up. Sorry! Progress is being made, but it hasn't been predictable. Right now, the summer seems like a good time to finish the project.

I did find the time to make a list of the tracks for the CD although I haven't brainstormed names yet...

Most of it is fairly self-explanatory. Even though the track numbers don't really mean anything to you, you can kind of see how they're coming along. The dot on the left represents the songs I feel should go on the CD. The hollow dot means it's iffy. I know it seems a bit systematic, but that's pretty much the only way I get stuff done. =P

I'm sure you noticed the new design! It took me a chunk of time, but I had to get in some web design for my school so I decided to work on my blog. Make sure to vote on the poll on the right and tell me if you like it. : ) Thanks!

Oh, and by the way...

Sonja, my cousin, will be doing the photography for the album's cover art! I'm really excited. She takes amazing pictures so make sure to check out her blog.

Yah bless,

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

Earn While you Search the Web

Snow Day with Kaya!

2011-01-10T05:07:00.000-08:00

Today was fun. Why? It just snowed, that's all. Well, maybe a little more exciting than that. ;)

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

Earn While you Search the Web

Gazing into the Sky - Encouragement

2010-12-31T13:08:00.000-08:00

Enjoy the slideshow. Music © 2010 Zachary Bruno.

Yah bless,

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

Homeland - Spirit main theme - Piano Version

2010-12-12T13:51:00.000-08:00

I've been wanting to do a recording of this for a while, so here is my piano version—learned mostly by ear—of the main theme of the movie Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron. Enjoy! =)

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

Psalm 99 - Sons of Korah!

2010-12-03T10:43:00.000-08:00

This is a really nice song on Psalm 99 by the Sons of Korah. Be blessed!

Make sure to check out more of their songs on youtube, especially Psalm 95 and Psalm 125.

Yah bless,

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

CD Progress Update - November

2010-11-21T20:24:00.000-08:00

A little summary on my latest progress on the solo piano CD...

Since school has started up, I haven't been able to practice my songs very much. Thankfully, this week I get most of school off. So I plan to practice each song (at least the majority of them) a good bit during this week. That being said, I know you want to hear how the piano CD is going, so here it is. =)

Tentative Release Date: Early 2011; I'm hoping for January, but doubting that will be the case.

- I have 17+ songs which I have recorded on my piano. Not at all perfect or complete, but there so I can reference to them. I plan to put only 12-14 songs on the CD, so I'm either going to record all 17 and choose, or choose 12-14 and then record (a less expensive option).

- I'm still not sure where I will be recording. I would very much like to record at piano haven in WA, but the cost of the flight is only adding to an expense I can barely afford already. Yah will show me in time.

- Along with all of the songs I plan to put on the CD, I obviously need each one to have a name. Unfortunately, some songs I created as a result of an experience which I can't remember or, I created the song based off a pattern I found interesting in the piano keys themselves. That process of naming will most likely take some time, so I decided to start it somewhat this week.

Until next time, Yah bless!

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

Smile...

2010-11-12T14:48:00.000-08:00

But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful. - Psalms 68:3
Have a blessed sabbath. Shabbat shalom!

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

Inpiration for a Song - Kingdom's Gallop

2010-10-31T09:00:00.000-07:00

Galloping on the hard, dry dirt floor of a great plain, a wild horse cuts through the wind. He breathes hard through the thick golden mist of dust which he leaves lingering behind over his tracks. His heart pounds like the ticking of a clock. Nature blurs past him like a flash of light. Direction is the key.

He runs faster than ever before. A straight line of dust can be seen across the plain. His goal remains protection for all. The kingdom is at hand. Everything else is put aside to divide the front lines of good and evil.

The kingdom's gallop.

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him [was] called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. Revelation 19:11

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

What's New?

2010-10-07T18:48:00.000-07:00

I'm back. I know it's been a very long time since I've last posted. (A month ago today!) I've been really busy with school, music, and getting ready for Sukkot. Now that I'm back from the week-long camping trip—not to mention the best Sukkot ever (I know we say that ever year right?)—I can start posting a little more often.

Sukkot was a blast. We camped all week through rain and shine, played games together, ate together, read the bible together, did group bible studies, and played songs together. I can't begin to describe the presence of His joy in the camp. It was amazing. Everything was.

Praise'n Yah with music!

"Ticket to Ride" was an awesome board game brought to Sukkot by my awesome cousins!

The best Sukkot ever!

Archery! "Aim for the center of the target" ... "Uh, try to aim for the target this time..."

Nice rest after a long day...

All photos credited except the last photo - Sonja Langford @ Girlish Musings. © 2010. All rights reserved.

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

Kaya - Photo Session

2010-09-07T15:03:00.000-07:00

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

Timeless

2010-08-30T06:14:00.000-07:00

The other day I had another "moment of inspiration" for a song. Peace. It seemed to describe something not of this world; something money can't buy and time can't steal. Perhaps our Salvation as a gift of Yahweh or His love, grace, and mercy. They're all timeless--there forever. The things that really matter.

Flawed plans, slow internet, angry people, etc . . . they're all a part of this temporary world. We'll soon see them all pass away and enjoy eternity with Him.

The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. - 1 John 2:17

Be joyful, praise The Creator who loves you! Use your gifts to glorify Him by sharing the Good News that Yeshua died and rose again.

Be well. Be blessed. Stay strong.

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

LIVE: Solo Piano Concert - August 29th!

2010-08-27T09:40:00.000-07:00

Tune in August 29th at 7:00pm PT (9:00pm Central) to see a solo piano concert in WA broadcasted live with Joe Bongiorno, Michele McLaughlin & Joseph Akins. Enjoy!

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

Inspiration for a Song - Winter Flight

2010-08-20T09:21:00.000-07:00

A few days ago, I had a unique inspiration for a composition. I felt direction in my life; a passion for The Truth. I had to get it down on the piano.

After messing around with a melody I came up with on the piano, I tried to imagine what things came to mind while I played. I thought of an eagle flying through thick forests on a cold winter evening and eventually breaking through the forest wall, soaring over a breathtaking view of a vast ground of snow. It's such a perfect and amazing perspective of Yah's creation. So, I decided to give it the name, Winter Flight.

I like the way George Winston put it, "Nature is the movie, and I'm creating the soundtrack." I enjoy being able to describe Yah's creation and minister to others with my music--it's the universal language; everyone can listen and understand.

Praise Yahweh for His beautiful creation! I hope you all have a blessed weekend.

Shabbat shalom,

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

Chazak Amenu - We Stand as One

2010-08-09T13:20:00.000-07:00

I love this song...I've heard it several times before, and I just came across it again. The message is straight, true, and stirring. It is such an inspiration so I decided to share it with you all. =) The song is recorded by over fifty Jewish music artists. Enjoy!

Yah bless,

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

CD Progress Update - August

2010-08-01T19:38:00.000-07:00

A little bit about what's going on with the CD....

I've revised a lot of songs, some of which are fairly new. The actual plan my dad and I worked out for the CD isn't going quite as I expected. However, progress is definitely being made and I'm happy about that. =) The expected due date for pre-ordering (November/December) still seems close to the realm of possibility.

I'm learning new techniques to compose with. Yahweh is continually blessing me with new ideas and innovations. I'm praising him through my music and it's been a real blessing seeing what He's doing in my life!

Inspiration has been plentiful. Yah has given me this passion. It's hard for me to stop creating, innovating, composing...it's just part of who I am--who He created me to be to serve Him. I thank Him for that!

That's about it for my CD update; I hope to be doing these every month or so.

One more thing: I challenge you all to live out your passion and talents which Yah has put into your heart to serve Him. He has given a vision for your life, so live it joyfully for Him!

May Yah bless you all,

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

LIVE: Solo Piano Concert in WA

2010-07-29T07:27:00.000-07:00

Tune in today at 7:30pm PT (9:30pm Central) to see a solo piano concert in WA broadcasted live. Enjoy! I'll be watching. =)

Yah bless,

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

Interview with Jared Kraft - Film/Media Composer

2010-07-25T11:34:00.000-07:00

Hello all! I recently asked to interview talented composer, Jared Kraft. He creates amazing God-inspired music for blogs and movies. I thought it would be interesting to learn a bit about how and why he does it while sharing it with you all. Be sure to visit his webpage and blog!

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Hey! My name is Jared Kraft and I'm a composer for film and other creative media venues. I am commited to living a life for Christ (using His words as my guide) and hope to eventually see my music worked into just about every place it can go. (The world will fear the power of my musical empire!) *chuckle* I am an observer of life, a receiver of undeserved blessings and an avid consumer of coffee and tea. Let's see... What else can I tell you...? Oh... I like cheese!

How long have you been composing?

Hmm... it's hard to trace back to a definite time... I've been writing little ditties and melodies on the piano for many years. My formal training in composition began about five years ago.

What made you want to start composing music?

To me, music is like a condition. I was born with it in my veins, and I simply had to let it out! I'd have to say that listening to the work of amazing film composers was what really made me want to compose! John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith, Danny Elfman, James Horner, Hans Zimmer and many others really inspired my desire. My PASSION for composition came to me after my younger sister, Anna, died (she was 6, I was 14.) There was so much pain, so much fear and yet God placed SO much hope and inspiration in my heart! That experience changed my life forever, and has probably affected my music more than anything else... Emotion brought from life experiences is the key element of my scores and compositions.

Jared, I noticed that you've written many songs for movies and blogs. How did you get started in the music industry?

Well, one thing I found out very quickly when I began pursuing this career, is that it's very tough to find work! There's always an e-mail to send, a contact to be made... etc. My first "official" project was working with an indie filmmaker out of Dallas on a short drama/thriller. Eventually, my work with this production team led to several IMDB credits (which are VERY good for a resume!) and I was able to be a part of more projects because of that. I know for a fact that any headway I've made in this huge and bustling industry, is just because God opened a door! Honestly, I can't attribute it to anything else.

How have you used your music gift to glorify our Creator?

It is my deepest desire to express my love for Jesus Christ in everything I do. Whether the project I'm working on is produced by Christians or not, my Lord is my inspiration and my passion. On a practical level, I believe that sacrificing of time and talent is essential to any sort of success. I have been given the opportunity to serve the Lord through Church music, and through various other ministry projects. I was blessed with the opportunity to score a very powerful documentary last year that centers on the truth of creation and the fascinating Biblical facts on dinosaurs! You can check that out here: http://www.forbidden-history.com/index.html

When you are inspired to write a piece of music, how do you go about developing the theme?

I never go about two pieces the same way! I usually experiment with different sounds, keys and melodies before finding the "it" within the music. When I say "it" I'm referring to that feeling of sudden realization that hits the mind when it conjures up a good concept or idea. One way my process might differ from others, is that I often sketch my rough melodies using multiple instruments... I really like getting a good idea of texture and timbre when I'm writing for large ensemble/orchestra. The resulting layers often lead to better development in my pieces than if I were to sketch it all out on the piano. (Oh, and you didn't hear this from me... but plenty of coffee never hurts...)

What advice can you give to other aspiring composers out there?

Keep working, keep praying, and never pass up an opportunity to be creative! Life is a musical experience, seek inspiration everywhere... because it can be found! Keep fine tuning your craft and trying to top yourself with each and every composition... Most of all, compose lots and lots of music!

Thank you for reading! Make sure to visit his website at www.jaredkraft.com! His blog for blog-compositions can be found at symphonizeme.blogspot.com.

Yah bless and have a great day! (On the July 29th I have another surprise, so keep watch!)

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

Photo Session - Kaya

2010-07-14T16:18:00.000-07:00

My Aussie / Border Collie pup, Kaya. =)

Blessings to you all,

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

Created for Work

2010-07-11T15:39:00.000-07:00

I wrote a review recently on a very practical book book called Created for Work. It's posted on our family blog. Enjoy!

http://pebblecrossing.blogspot.com/2010/06/created-for-work-practical-insights-for.html

Yah bless,

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

Check Out the Family Blog!

2010-07-06T11:58:00.000-07:00

Our family has started a blog with the hopes of educating others to live a healthy lifestyle. The blog compliments our existing website which I am currently rebuilding. We are continually updating the blog with new information on better eating, healthy recipes, conservation tips, and much more! Check it out at http://pebblecrossing.blogspot.com/. Be sure to follow or subscribe to the email feed while you're there. =)

May Yah bless your day,

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

The Winner Is...

2010-06-27T13:11:00.000-07:00

...My cousin, Addie from girlishmusings.blogspot.com! Be sure to take a look at her blog, I'm sure she'll appreciate it. =)

Addie, if you're reading this, please leave me a comment. After, I'll send you the desktop images. =]

Yah bless and have a great day!

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

CD Progress Update - June

2010-06-22T11:05:00.000-07:00

Updates!

The solo piano album is still pulling along nicely. I'm not exactly sure, but I'm hoping that the CD should be in your hand at the end of the year. My plan is to record at the studio in October/November. Before that though, I need to polish off those five songs that I have and then work on the other five-plus. Yes, I am behind my previous plan because we've been very busy the last couple of months. However, I am getting back to business and since it's summer, I might just have some extra time!

Here's my updated intended plan:
By July 4th - Polish (listen, think about ideas, choose, and change) ← I'm here ...still, but not for long!
By August 24th - Have 5 songs composed/revised and ready to tweak
By August 31st - Polish 5 more songs
By September 30th - Decide final song titles and order
Record at the studio - Where? Well, I'll just have to see. Washington would be my first choice, but travel costs might get in the way. It's all in His hands. =)

Yah bless,

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

Well-Toned: A Whole New Meaning

2010-06-20T20:17:00.000-07:00

I recently read this article from a friend and I thought I would share. Amazing!

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Could a song supply the equivalent of a vitamin? Could a symphony provide an immunity boost?

In fact, more and more studies are revealing the positive effects of music on the brain and even on physical health.

Not that this is revolutionary news. For ages, men have exploited the physical, emotional, mental and even spiritual health properties of music. Many trace this knowledge back to Pythagoras, the musical Greek mathematician who supposedly could tame animals through his lyre playing. But this knowledge actually traces back to even earlier. Why else would the men in the court of King Saul tell Israel’s first king to soothe his deep dementia by summoning a cunning harpist?

The human mind and body are extremely receptive to the harmony of numbers that is music. These sounds provide significant health benefits—much like clean air from the atmosphere and nutritious food from the ground. They have been proven to speed the body’s natural healing process and to strengthen the cognitive and emotional components of the mind.

msnbc.com contributor Bill Briggs explained, “Sound waves travel through the air into the ears and buzz the eardrums and bones in the middle ears. To decode the vibration, your brain transforms that mechanical energy into electrical energy, sending the signal to its cerebral cortex—a hub for thought, perception and memory. Within that control tower, the auditory cortex forwards the message on to brain centers that direct emotion, arousal, anxiety, pleasure and creativity. And there’s another stop upstairs: that electrical cue hits the hypothalamus which controls heart rate and respiration, plus your stomach and skin nerves, explaining why a melody may give you butterflies or goose bumps. Of course, all this communication happens far faster than a single drum beat” (msnbc Health, June 1, 2009).

Just as God created nutritious food, fresh air and clean water to enhance our health, He also made music with physically edifying properties.

A Cellular Dance

In 1998, a Nobel Prize-winning discovery showed how cells in our bodies create nitric oxide in waves, releasing the gas into the body tissue around them in a process called puffing. This “puffing” can boost cell vitality and vascular flow, aid in resisting stress, strengthen the immune system, diminish depression, improve digestion and impart higher levels of energy, stamina and mental clarity. Dr. John Beaulieu found that when humans listen simply to tuning forks—not to mention certain other types of music—their cells automatically puff.

More recently, Dr. Michael Miller of the Center for Preventive Cardiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center found a similar effect of this release of nitric oxide on the heart. He said that listening to music that we consider “joyful” can cause “endothelial tissue (a layer of cells lining the interior surface of blood vessels) to expand, thereby increasing blood flow to the heart and other vital organs” (medifasthealth.org, Aug. 31, 2009).

The American Heart Association published a study in 2009 stating that musical phrases 10 seconds or longer can cause the heart to synchronize its “inherent cardiovascular rhythm” to the beat of the music (americanheart.mediaroom.com, June 22, 2009).

Luciano Bernardi, head researcher in the study, said, “It is not only the emotion that creates the cardiovascular changes, but this study suggests that also the opposite might be possible, that cardiovascular changes may be the substrate for emotions, likely in a bi-directional way.”

The physical effects of music on the mental and emotional state is astounding.

Back to Center

Dr. Oliver Sacks, musician and neurologist, writes about the effects of music on schizophrenic patients: “Psychiatrists speak of schizophrenic people as having ‘negative’ symptoms (difficulties making contact with others, lack of motivation, and, above all, flat affect) as well as ‘positive’ ones (hallucinations, delusions). While medication can damp down the positive symptoms, it rarely has an effect on the negative ones, which are often more disabling—and it is here … that music therapy can be particularly useful and may help open up isolated, asocial people in a humane and uncoercive way” (Musicophilia, emphasis mine throughout).

Unlike medication, which can only take patients in one direction, music has the power to bring the patient back to center. Quoting music therapist Gretta Schulthorp, Sacks writes: “There are disturbed people who become calm, and silent people who give voice, frozen people who beat time.”

Sacks also discusses music’s profound effects on Parkinson patients and amnesiacs. He sums up one of his chapters: “As music seems to resist or survive the distortion of dreams or parkinsonism, or the losses of amnesia or Alzheimer’s, so it may resist the distortions of psychosis and be able to penetrate the deepest states of melancholia or madness, sometimes when nothing else can.”

This was the case with King Saul. In the first biblical record of music therapy, 1 Samuel 16:23 reads: “And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.”

At the end of his book, Dr. Sacks states that “to those who are lost in dementia,” music is not some trivial luxury of life, but “a necessity, and can have a power beyond anything else to restore them to themselves, and to others, at least for a while.”

With reporting by Ivory Vendig and Marcel Van Someren •

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If you need any web design or graphic design done, then feel free to contact me for further information. I will be happy to work with you! If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

5 Desktop Backgrounds Giveway - Ends June 25th!

2010-06-20T06:58:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!
Contest ends June 25th. Enter now!
NOTE: Winner will be announced in a separate post, so if you win, stay tuned because I'll need your email address to send the desktops to.

I made 5 desktop backgrounds and I am giving them away. They are high-resolution desktop backgrounds. If you win you will get the following... (NOTE: The images below are only the previews of the actual images and therefore much smaller than the actual size you will receive if you win, if you win you will get the high-resolution versions of these images) To enter, scroll down...

New Desktop Image! (click to enlarge)

Mandatory entry...
- Leave a comment to enter (1 entry)

Additional entries...
- Post about this giveaway on your blog with a link to this post. (5 entries)
- 'Follow' this blog or subscribe to the email feed. (3 entries)
- Email 5 people who you think might be interested in the giveaway. Make sure to give them the link to this post! =] (2 entries)

To enter, post a comment here with your email address and your blog URL letting me now that you want to enter and if you've done the above. =) I will use a random generator to pick the winner of these four desktop images. The winner will receive the high-resolution versions of the images in an email.

All images are © Zachary Bruno, 2010. All rights reserved. Please do not distribute or sell. Thank you!

Yah bless,

If you need any web design or graphic design done, then feel free to contact me for further information. I will be happy to work with you! If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

What I've Been Up to Lately...

2010-06-15T12:13:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!

Recently, our family has been working very hard on our yard--both front and back. One of the major changes we've done is to build a flagstone walkway in our side yard. Since the grass wasn't really growing because of all the shade, we decided it would be a good use of space to put a walkway which was flanked on either side by two flowerbeds. I was really excited to start on the project, since before, we were raising beds by hauling dirt from our drive way to the front of the house; I thought it would be a nice change. It took a lot of time to plan out and plenty of hard work hauling big, flat stones from two pallets which were loaded fairly high, not to mention all of the dirt (that means 'clay' in Texas) ;) that had to be dug and "wheelbarrowed" away.

First we researched how to build a flagstone walkway. YouTubes came in handy there. =)

We then planned out the shape and dug a 3 inch "basin" or indent in the ground in the shape of the path. This was for the space of the decomposed granite--kind of like gravel--and the flagstone itself.

Next, we dumped about a yard or two of decomposed granite, leveled it to the correct height, and then pounded it down.

After that was the brain work. Fitting the pieces together was harder than I thought, not to mention having to carry each individual piece to your ingenious, perfect-fit location and then finding out it didn't fit. =) We also used some hammers to chip the flagstone so that it could fit more nicely. It started to take shape eventually. After the main big pieces were in place, it was time to find small filler pieces--mostly from the chipped off pieces of flagstone--to fill the gaps. For me, this was accomplished by picking up smaller stones, walking up and down the stretch of the path, and fitting pieces as I went. It was very monotonous to the mind; I began to question why I really wanted to start this path so badly! Finally the majority of gaps were filled and work paused over the weekend as we prepared for our cousins' visit from Arizona to move to Florida.

The day they left, my dad and I finished the path by leveling the last filler pieces and then sweeping dirt in all the cracks. That made a huge difference because the stone looked like part of the ground. We were done...Praise Yah!

Here comes the analogy... ;)

I thought it would be fitting to talk about how Yeshua is the only way to eternal life.

John 10:28 - And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand.

Yahweh makes our own custom path which fits the personalities, passions, and gifts He has given us; each path follows Yahweh's word but we all further His Kingdom in a different way. That's what makes each one of us special! Yahweh wants to use us as tools to spread the Word, let Him use you to do the same. =)

We can either choose to follow Yah's plan for us--the narrow way--or the Enemy's--the wide way.

Matthew 7:14 - Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

We must strive and ask Yahweh for his guidance to be the "few there be that find it [eternal life]". Be strong and well in our Elohim, Yahweh, our awesome God. Have a great day and submit to His will for your life!

Here's a desktop image which I made from a picture that I took of our path - I've added it to the giveaway post.

Yah bless,

If you need any web design or graphic design done, then feel free to contact me for further information. I will be happy to work with you! If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

Shabbat Shalom!

2010-06-12T08:52:00.000-07:00

Have a blessed Shabbat everyone! A Scripture I want to share...

2 Samuel 22
And David spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day [that] the LORD had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul:
And he said, The LORD [is] my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;
The God of my rock; in him will I trust: [he is] my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.
I will call on the LORD, [who is] worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid;
The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me;
In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry [did enter] into his ears.
Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth.
There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness [was] under his feet.
And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and he was seen upon the wings of the wind.
And he made darkness pavilions round about him, dark waters, [and] thick clouds of the skies.
Through the brightness before him were coals of fire kindled.
The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice.
And he sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and discomfited them.
And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.
He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters;
He delivered me from my strong enemy, [and] from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me.
They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.
He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me, because he delighted in me.
The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.
For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.
For all his judgments [were] before me: and [as for] his statutes, I did not depart from them.
I was also upright before him, and have kept myself from mine iniquity.
Therefore the LORD hath recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye sight.
With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, [and] with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright.
With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself unsavoury.
And the afflicted people thou wilt save: but thine eyes [are] upon the haughty, [that] thou mayest bring [them] down.
For thou [art] my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness.
For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall.
[As for] God, his way [is] perfect; the word of the LORD [is] tried: he [is] a buckler to all them that trust in him.
For who [is] God, save the LORD? and who [is] a rock, save our God?
God [is] my strength [and] power: and he maketh my way perfect.
He maketh my feet like hinds' [feet]: and setteth me upon my high places.
He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great.
Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip.
I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them; and turned not again until I had consumed them.
And I have consumed them, and wounded them, that they could not arise: yea, they are fallen under my feet.
For thou hast girded me with strength to battle: them that rose up against me hast thou subdued under me.
Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me.
They looked, but [there was] none to save; [even] unto the LORD, but he answered them not.
Then did I beat them as small as the dust of the earth, I did stamp them as the mire of the street, [and] did spread them abroad.
Thou also hast delivered me from the strivings of my people, thou hast kept me [to be] head of the heathen: a people [which] I knew not shall serve me.
Strangers shall submit themselves unto me: as soon as they hear, they shall be obedient unto me.
Strangers shall fade away, and they shall be afraid out of their close places.
The LORD liveth; and blessed [be] my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation.
It [is] God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me,
And that bringeth me forth from mine enemies: thou also hast lifted me up on high above them that rose up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.
Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name.
[He is] the tower of salvation for his king: and sheweth mercy to his anointed, unto David, and to his seed for evermore.

If you need any web design or graphic design done, then feel free to contact me for further information. I will be happy to work with you! If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

Composing and Music Resources

2010-06-10T11:21:00.000-07:00

Hello all!

I recently added a 'Music Resources' page to the blog. There are quite a few great links that you might want to check out and I'll probably be adding more. As mentioned on the Music Resources page, if you know of any other helpful music links then send me an email! Thank you!

Yah bless,

If you need any web design or graphic design done, then feel free to contact me for further information. I will be happy to work with you! If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

Hava Nagila TEXAS Style!

2010-06-08T12:34:00.000-07:00

Since I've lived in Texas for about 10 years, this has caught my attention, but I'm sure all of you will enjoy it! =) Wayne Hinton, whose webpage I have been working on, sent it to us and some other people--thank you. Definitely worth watching! Praise Yah!
Looking for the giveaway? Click here.

If you need any web design or graphic design done, then feel free to contact me for further information. I will be happy to work with you! If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

5 Desktop Backgrounds Giveway - Contest ends June 25th!

2010-05-26T14:23:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! Contest ends June 25th.

I made 5 desktop backgrounds and I am giving them away. They are high-resolution desktop backgrounds. If you win you will get the following... (NOTE: The images below are only the previews of the actual images and therefore much smaller than the actual size you will receive if you win, if you win you will get the high-resolution versions of these images) New desktop image added! To enter, scroll down...

To enter do one or more of the following (the more you do, the more entries you get and the more chance you get of winning!):

(5 entries) - Post about this giveaway on your blog with a link to this post.
(3 entries) - 'Follow' this blog by clicking on "follow" on the right-side of the blog or subscribe to the email feed (also on the right-side of the blog).
(2 entries) - Email 5 people who you think might be interested in the giveaway. Make sure to give them the link to this post! =]

When you want to enter, post a comment here with your email address and your blog URL letting me now that you want to enter and if you've done the above. =) Obviously, this counts as (1 entry). =)

I will use a random generator to pick the winner of these four desktop images. The winner will receive the high-resolution versions of the images in an email.

Contest ends June 25th. Enter now!
All images are © Zachary Bruno, 2010. All rights reserved. Please do not distribute or sell. Thank you!

Yah bless,

If you need any web design or graphic design done, then feel free to contact me for further information. I will be happy to work with you! If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

Shabbat Shalom!

2010-05-21T20:26:00.000-07:00

Shabbat shalom everyone. Have a great Sabbath. I hope to post video on some composing tips early next week.

Psalm 92:1-15
"[[A Psalm [or] Song for the sabbath day.]] [It is a] good [thing] to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:
To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night,
Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound.
For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.
O LORD, how great are thy works! [and] thy thoughts are very deep.
A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this.
When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; [it is] that they shall be destroyed for ever:
But thou, LORD, [art most] high for evermore.
For, lo, thine enemies, O LORD, for, lo, thine enemies shall perish; all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.
But my horn shalt thou exalt like [the horn of] an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.
Mine eye also shall see [my desire] on mine enemies, [and] mine ears shall hear [my desire] of the wicked that rise up against me.
The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.
They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;
To shew that the LORD [is] upright: [he is] my rock, and [there is] no unrighteousness in him."

Yah bless,

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

Photo Session - Kaya Growing Up

2010-05-16T07:41:00.000-07:00

Hope you had a great Shabbat!

If you need any web design or graphic design done, then feel free to contact me for further information. I will be happy to work with you! If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

Music in the Bible

2010-05-10T19:27:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! I haven't posted in a while, so here goes...

Just a side note... if you haven't noticed, I have provided a way for people like you to link to my blog. If you would rather just put a link instead of a button on you website/blog, that would be great also! Thank you for your support.

Here is an essay I wrote about how music in the Bible was used.

Ancient Musical Expression

How does the Bible mention music? Most of the instruments described in Yahweh's Word, vary from modern-day varieties. Despite the differences, music still expressed the same things believers musically express today. People in the Bible used music to worship Yahweh, calm the mind, celebrate, and announce an army or a war.

In the Bible, people worshiped Yahweh with music. Beginning at Exodus 15:1 and 15:20, all of the Israelites sang and danced for Yahweh because of His deliverance out of Egypt. David also worshiped Yah in the Psalms. The beginning of many psalms hint that it was a musical composition. For example, Psalm 46 says “for the Flutes” which suggests that at least some of the Psalms were put to music. Not only today, but also in the ancient Bible times, people sang to Yahweh to worship Him.

Music has also been used in Yahweh's Word to calm people. Recorded in the Bible, David played the harp in Saul's presence to calm him and make an evil spirit depart. 1 Samuel 16:23 says, “And it came to pass, when the [evil] spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.” Perhaps David might have sung about Yahweh in order for the evil spirit to depart from Saul's presence. Godly music calms the mind.

Music held an important role in biblical wars and celebrations. When Joshua took the city of Jericho, mentioned in Joshua 6:5-21, music dominated the air. One of the most prominent instruments used was probably the shofar made up of a hollowed-out ram's horn. Luke 15:25 also mentions that of music. When the prodigal son returned from his sinfulness, his family celebrated with music. There are many instances in the Bible where happiness and thankfulness are expressed with music.

Obviously, people have played music in the Bible. Music was used to worship Yahweh, calm the mind, celebrate, and announce an approaching army. The instruments used back then varied greatly than the ones people use today. However, ancient people expressed the same things as modern-day believers. “I will praise the name of Yahweh with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.” Psalm 69:30.

I hope this has inspired you! Thank you for taking the time to read. =)

Shalom!
-Zachary
If you need any web design or graphic design done, then feel free to contact me for further information. I will be happy to work with you!
If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

CD Progress Update

2010-04-19T16:48:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!

Okay, now for an update on how my CD is going...

My first four songs are at a rough draft state. This means the main body of the songs are complete, only polishing and practice are necessary until I am ready to go to the recording studio.

Here's my intended recording plan:

Round off 4-5 songs (form a definite beginning, middle, and end; transitions; etc...)
Polish (listen, think about ideas, choose, and change) ← I'm here (should not take more than two more weeks)
Practice (a LOT)
Record at the studio

I will repeat this plan probably two times. After that, all there will be left to do is create/revise my CD cover art and give you all the opportunity to pre-order! (Very shaky estimated CD release: Mid October)

I'm working hard to have the CD out soon as long as it is Yahweh's will. I appreciate all your prayers and support.

Shalom!
-Zachary

If you need any web design or graphic design done, then feel free to contact me for further information. I will be happy to work with you!

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

Need Any Graphic Design?

2010-04-11T16:37:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!

I recently opened an online shop to sell my graphic design work. My main focus is professional logo design-- e.g. apple computer's apple, blogger's "b", etc.. I also do professional banner design, web design (that includes blogs too), and many other aspects of design.

I created a blog specifically for giving you all updates on new products, sales, etc.. You can visit it here. I will be adding fresh, new products frequently, so check back often and better yet, follow it!

Shalom!
-Zachary

If you need any web design or graphic design done, then feel free to contact me for further information. I will be happy to work with you!

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

The Recording Studio

2010-04-06T16:54:00.000-07:00

So you have some songs that you feel are ready for recording but you don't know how to prepare...

That is a similar scenario I went through a few months ago. However, after I talked to pianist David Nevue I began to realize that maybe I wasn't ready. I came up with a few tips to prepare yourself before you jump to the studio.

1. Practice. Practice. Practice. Practicing each of your songs on a daily basis should be a habit. When you can play each song the way you want it and feel it at the same time, then you are ready to play your songs at the studio.
2. Visit the some recording studios around the area. Ask yourself, "Am I willing to go farther for a better one?". When you find the one you like, make yourself familiar with the surroundings in the building. If you play a non-portable instrument (something not as portable as a violin, guitar, etc., you will have to use theirs. If that is the case, play a bit on it to familiarize yourself with the instrument. Remember, not only the quality of the recording equipment, but the quality of the instrument matters as well. Ask to hear some samples of other's recordings with the instrument you intend to play. If you live in the Dallas, Texas area, I HIGHLY recommend Patrick McGuire's studio.

The winner is...
Hannah - upnorthhannah.blogspot.com - correct answer: "flower basket"

Shalom!
-Zachary

If you need any web design or graphic design done, then feel free to contact me for further information. I will be happy to work with you!

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

New Blogger Design

2010-03-29T12:44:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!

As you can see, I created a new design you can see it here. Despite the fact that blogger.com is coming out with a new template editor...(Yes that's right, check it out in your 'layout' panel from draft.blogger.com) I decided to use my HTML and CSS knowledge to create my own. You can vote for the design at the right. Need any web design done? I can create and design your website for you! Email me for more info. By the way, that's actually my dog in the background. =]

Thanks to Jordan, one of my cousins, I will now be putting up frequent pixelPics (It's a name I made up for a mystery picture =P ) quite frequently for you all to guess. (Hopefully about once a week) Here my first one--the first person to guess correctly on the photo will be acknowledged on my blog's pixelPics Hall of Fame and on my next blog post. (generally you will only have to put one or two-word answers) Have fun! HINT: it starts with an "F".

Have your answer? Submit yours.

Shalom!
-Zachary

If you need any web design or graphic design done, then feel free to contact me for further information. I will be happy to work with you!

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

3 Indispensable Composing Tips

2010-03-20T17:20:00.000-07:00

I came across some information and decided to summarize it and my personal experience in three important points...

Simple is better.
If you try to make it simple and really develop your melody, you will be able to come up with an elegant, yet simple and catchy theme. Analyzing different simple and common known melodies can be very helpful. You might find that some nice melodies have two parts: a question and then an answer. For example hum or sing the following melody...

Question: "Twinkle, twinkle little star,"
Answer: "How I wonder what you are."

Try to create your own after you've replicated a well known melody on the piano. I find that fiddling around on the piano really helps a lot.

Compose what you feel.
Sometimes I feel like composing a song, but if I'm not in the mood for a particular style, I can't compose it well. Feeling the music is key to composing a song which captivates your audience's attention. When you find a really good melody and feel it. Transition to the chorus of the song, and see what you can create. Experiment with it until nothing else can come out then and there. You might never get that opportunity again while you are in that mood.

Create something new everyday.
Composing is like practicing a sport; you should practice on a regular basis. Composing everyday gives you the opportunity to flow the melody with the rest of the song and practice putting a song together. The more you do it, the better you get, and the more opportunities for songs and parts of songs pop-up.

Most importantly, have fun and let God inspire you throughout your work!

Shalom!

-Zachary

If you need any web design or graphic design done, then feel free to contact me for further information. I will be happy to work with you!

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

sources:

http://ezinearticles.com/?Piano-Composition---You-Can-Do-It!&id=75517

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/columns/general_music/5_priceless_composition_tips_for_the_young_composer.html

Music Composing Advice

2010-03-15T12:16:00.000-07:00

Hello composers, musical artists and aspiring ones...

I stumbled upon an article written by David Nevue (www.davidnevue.com) about advice for composing music, especially solo piano, but it can be applied to all sorts. You can find it here...

I find that listening to different composers and constantly refreshing my mind with new ideas helps quite a bit. Also, for that "polishing touch" that makes all the difference, I suggest that you record your song and then play it back a few times and analyze it. Ask yourself what you really feel like the piece should be doing at certain moments while listening. Then change those parts, record it again, and listen and analyze until you are happy with the end result. Too often I find myself trying to come up with more texture to add to the song when I'm not really creating feeling. It can't just be a ramble of mixed up notes and sections, that's why I like to compose on the piano versus directly on sheet music, because I can feel the way the piece is going.

Composing directly on sheet music is not really my thing, although it can help to analyze the structure. Looking at the sheet music helps to tune me into what my song really looks like. If one of my songs sounds good as it is, and I can't really add anymore parts, then I'm probably not going to change it. Making a song more complicated does not necessarily make it sound better. It's music--it is what you hear it is!

Have fun composing and Shalom!
-Zachary

If you need any web design or graphic design done, then feel free to contact me for further information. I will be happy to work with you!

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

Kaya

2010-03-13T19:05:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone!

I recently received a puppy who is now about four months old. Her name is Kaya which means "victorious" in Hebrew. Kaya is a mix between an Australian Shepherd and Border Collie both breed types are very energetic dogs and Kaya is not an exception! She is very cute, funny, and mischievous, but definitely worth it! I'm sure you want to see her so here are some pictures...enjoy!

Shalom!
-Zachary

If you need any web design or graphic design done, then feel free to contact me for further information. I will be happy to work with you!

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

Web and Graphic Design

2010-03-07T09:42:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone!

I've been creating some wallpapers and I thought that I should post them for you to download and use. Just click on the picture you want to use and then right-click-->"set as desktop wallpaper". Enjoy!

imagination

Yehshua...our savior

YAHWEH: our awesome God

I've also been working on a website for Fairview Texas Church of God and so far it's working out great! If you need any web design or graphic design done, then feel free to contact me for further information. I will be happy to work with you!

Shalom!
-Zachary

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

Updates

2010-02-01T14:09:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone!

Our family has been reading a lot about letting the Light of Yeshua shine from you. Matthew 5:14-16 says

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

We all should live as examples of Yeshua even though we are not perfect. Living God's commandments and teaching them to make "disciples of all nations" as Matthew 28:19 says.

Music-wise, my piano songs are coming to completion. My dad and I are working on tweaking and polishing my songs. Sadly, I will not have the song samples up until I record my songs at the studio and protect them with the Library of Congress which will take longer than I expected. Still, I am striving for an early arrival date for the solo piano CD.

I've also entered a contest by TPS (The Potter's School) using one of my songs. It's only for TPS students to enter and vote though. If you are a TPS student, feel free to submit your song or vote. Voting starts February 11 and thus you can submit up until then.

Until next time...

Shalom!
-Zachary

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

David Nevue's Solo Piano Concert

2009-11-23T15:09:00.000-08:00

Shalom everyone! Yesterday I had the opportunity to hear an amazing Christian solo piano artist play at a church in Plano, Texas. His name is David Nevue (www.davidnevue.com). Listening to him play inspired me and caused me to ponder my own compositions in a different light. Sometimes I need a fresh inspiration to remind me oh yeah, I can do anything with my music again! I also had an opportunity to meet David Nevue in person and ask some questions about recording and composing. It was nice to talk to someone who is actually running a solo piano music business like I want to do. In between songs, he talked about his father's devotion to God when he preached in the streets. He also talked about what he learned from his father. I praise Yah for inspiring piano artists who love God and want to bless others with His Word. I encourage you to visit David Nevue's website and listen to what he's done and maybe buy a CD!

Shalom and God Bless!
-Zachary

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

CD Cover Art Better Drafts!

2009-07-24T09:11:00.001-07:00

I have the latest draft of the cover art of my CD! Here's probably a better than the last image representation to the final draft cover....

and the final draft back....

And just a quick notice, all images are copyright 2009 Zachary Bruno--they may not be copied, used, or distributed by anyone other than Zachary Bruno. All images are inspired by Jah! Thank you!

Shalom!
-Zachary

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

My New Blog

2009-07-17T17:11:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone, I've been composing on the piano--messing around more early on. I started when I was about seven or eight. Now I'm 14 and still learning about the art of composing. So I'm now coming out with my very first CD album of solo piano music. I am doing this for at least two reasons:

1 In order to inspire Jah's Word (Yeshua) and His Ruach (Spirit) in everyone's hearts
2 and because I enjoy composing music and want to share what Jah has given me in a business in order to be self-employed which has been my lifelong goal.

Although the CD is not out yet--because I'm still working on some of my compositions--I hope to have some song samples up in a few weeks. I am also going to be posting some moral stories and lessons hopefully within the next week or so. Updates will be given on the CD progress such as the the latest songs I've composed, the cover art versions and updates...etc.

Shalom!
-Zachary

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, just post a comment or email me.

Zachary Bruno - Life of a Solo Piano Composer

Autumn Leaves - Composition - (Video)

New Website Up!

5 Things Wrong with Society

PLEASE READ - Are you Subscribed by Email?

A 3 Month Long Project - Done!

A Fellow Composer

Kaya Doing some Tricks

Piano Recital

New Song - Prayer for Japan

Stunning...

And the Winner is....

Giveaway!

Pray for Japan

Now That's How to Hold the Baton!

Thank You for Voting!

Contest Ends Tomorrow - You Can Still Vote Once Per day!

I Entered a CD Cover Design Contest!

New Blog!

Updates...

Snow Day with Kaya!

Gazing into the Sky - Encouragement

Homeland - Spirit main theme - Piano Version

Psalm 99 - Sons of Korah!

CD Progress Update - November

Smile...

Inpiration for a Song - Kingdom's Gallop

What's New?

Kaya - Photo Session

Timeless

LIVE: Solo Piano Concert - August 29th!

Inspiration for a Song - Winter Flight

Chazak Amenu - We Stand as One

CD Progress Update - August

LIVE: Solo Piano Concert in WA

Interview with Jared Kraft - Film/Media Composer

Photo Session - Kaya

Created for Work

Check Out the Family Blog!

The Winner Is...

CD Progress Update - June

Well-Toned: A Whole New Meaning

5 Desktop Backgrounds Giveway - Ends June 25th!

What I've Been Up to Lately...

Shabbat Shalom!

Composing and Music Resources

Hava Nagila TEXAS Style!

More Composing Tips - Video

5 Desktop Backgrounds Giveway - Contest ends June 25th!

Shabbat Shalom!

Photo Session - Kaya Growing Up

Music in the Bible

CD Progress Update

Need Any Graphic Design?

The Recording Studio

New Blogger Design

3 Indispensable Composing Tips

Music Composing Advice

Kaya

Web and Graphic Design

Updates

David Nevue's Solo Piano Concert

CD Cover Art Better Drafts!

My New Blog