Jon G first blogging assignment

 For my musical journey, I chose Greece because it is rich in History. While doing research on Greek music I found that there is a lot more that I didn't know. I have noticed what I called a Harp in the old Hercules Disney movies can also be referred to as a Lyre. I also learned that Apollo was the god of music and was often shown holding a Lyre.  There is also a larger equivalent called the Cithara which is how we got the English word guitar.  There is evidence that Greeks started to study music theory close to the 6th century BCE and music was actually viewed as a gift from the gods. Music was a very important part of early Greek life, and it covered a lot of different activities such as weddings, sporting events, military events, festivals, and my favorite drinking parties. Now the video I am posting below is of the Lyre and I chose to do that because it's simple but really how it started in early Greek life. There is a lot of information when it comes to this and I di...

I chose the piano as the topic for my blog. I have always liked this instrument, even though I don't have much experience with it. I learned a lot of interesting facts about it while doing research. For example, did you know that March 29, or the 88th day of the year is celebrated as Piano Day because it corresponds to the 88 keys on a standard piano? I enjoy playing the piano whenever I get a chance, even if it's just pressing a few keys. There is something fun and satisfying about making sounds with it. The piano evolved from the harpsichord, which was an instrument that plucked strings to produce notes. By replacing the plucking mechanism with a hammer, the piano allowed more control over the volume and expression of the notes. The origin of the piano can be traced back to the monochord, a simple string instrument that produces sounds by vibration. The piano is also related to percussion instruments because it involves hitting the strings with a hammer. However, it also rese...

 This song hits home for me as I have done a lot of dumb things in my life. For example, I have jumped out of perfectly good airplanes for the Army. I have gone to war and returned, and I go cliff-jumping into the water every chance I get. I don't really fear much and live by the catchphrase, "You only live once, so do it." I am married to a very wonderful wife (going on 16 years.) She is my peace and the one thing I fear is losing her. This song hits home for me when I think of that, so I decided to use it.  Jackson Dean - Fearless (The Echo / Official Music Video)  - 2023 / USA Lyrics Today's Country Magazine says “Fearless is an honest account of how a woman can make a young man feel.  It’s a truthful take on a man’s thoughts, feelings, and emotions, most of which are not always proclaimed or expressed verbally.  It’s a bare-bones, stripped-down, vulnerably honest expression of how he is feeling and how his entire life is influenced by the woman in it." This ...

 I only really thought about it once I researched this song. Usually, when you hear when it rains it pours because bad things are happening, but this song changes it to be a good thing. I went through it the same way as well. I had a bad break from an engagement when I was young and dumb, and I joined the Army to get away from it all and start fresh and travel. When I got to my first duty station, I met my wife a month after getting to Alaska and ever since then it's been pouring. Luke Combs - When It Rains It Pours (youtube.com)  - June 2017, USA Melody - When you see the name of the song before it plays you would think it would be a sad song because of the title of it. When the video starts you see a family coming out and a guy passed out on the roof and a couch on fire. This is usually how bad things start, and to this family, they were probably thinking the pour is beginning, but with this song, it then goes to a guitar playing that upbeat melody and it really draws you in...

 My name is Jon Grates. I live in North Pole, Alaska. I served in the Military for almost 12 years before I was medically retired. I am married to my wonderful wife and we will be celebrating 16 years of marriage this year. We have no kids but two dogs. One is a blue heeler or Australian Cattle dog and the other is a jack russell. We moved back to Alaska because she is from here and got offered a job with the government. She followed more for years so I followed her this time. It has worked out great for us. For music I mostly just listen. I have only been to one concert and that was tech nine in 2007 I believe. I go to Vegas every year and I go to some of the street concerts there but nothing major. I wouldn't mind attending more concerts but I it really depends on the setting. I have some medical issues so some settings I tend to stay away from. I listen to music to help keep myself out of my own head. I also use it as a way to think about things. I find myself listening to Rap a...