Monthly Archives: March 2012

More than bluegrass banjo, a pretty and welcome sound: RIP Earl Scruggs

By Rob Fletcher | Published: March 30, 2012
The father of bluegrass banjo, Earl Scruggs, died March 28. I hear his influence in most of the bluegrass banjo players today, and in most bluegrass music in general. When he first played on the Grand Ole Opry in 1945 with Bill Monroe their speed and technical mastery blew people away and started a musical [...]
Posted in Music, Passion, Quest Stories, Strengths | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments closed

Ever since I was five I knew I wanted to sing: Shelby Lynne and Living From Your Strengths

By Rob Fletcher | Published: March 28, 2012
I recently saw Shelby Lynne perform – her album I Am Shelby Lynne is one of my top ten most played albums. During the concert she said, “ever since I was five, I knew I wanted to sing. I drove everyone crazy. I wanted to get to Nashville! (Shelby grew up in southern Alabama). Then [...]
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It’s more than just collecting talent: Making NBA history with team chemistry

By Rob Fletcher | Published: March 26, 2012
Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau just made NBA history by being the fastest to 100 wins (100 wins, 30 losses). His team just won without their franchise player Derrick Rose. The trade deadline recently passed with the Chicago Bulls staying put with their players. Here’s what ‘Coach Thibs’ said to the Chicago Tribune: “I’ve always [...]
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The Symphony of Your Day – Movement and Tempo

By Rob Fletcher | Published: March 23, 2012
The word symphony comes from the Greek meaning, “agreement or concord of sound.” A symphony usually has four different movements. Each of those movements has its own characteristic and its own tempo. The first movement is usually fast. The second is slow. The third movement is faster, and often with a humorous feeling. The fourth [...]
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Quix Tip – Celebrate yourself and your rhythm – perfectly imperfect

By Rob Fletcher | Published: March 21, 2012
Notice a moment where your rhythm seems imperfect – it falters, flags, compared to how a machine would do the task you’re trying. Celebrate yourself and your own rhythm, different from anyone else you know. Celebrate in the face of an internal or external critic that things aren’t getting done exactly as predicted if gears [...]
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The Birds Have Their Own Rhythm, So Do You

By Rob Fletcher | Published: March 19, 2012
When I’m fortunate (or unfortunate) enough to be awake in pre-dawn moments, I get treated to chickadees, juncos, titmice and other birds already busy at the feeder. This continues through the morning. After mid-morning and into the afternoon their feeding slows. Sometimes in late afternoon there’s absolutely no-one at the feeder. Then there’s usually a [...]
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Pocket Poem – Song of Myself (excerpt) by Walt Whitman

By Rob Fletcher | Published: March 14, 2012
Here is a Pocket Poem by Walt Whitman to help you celebrate your own unique song, and specifically your own perfectly imperfect rhythm. Let Uncle Walt’s exuberance carry you further along on your own song than you’d dare alone! I celebrate myself, and sing myself, And what I assume you shall assume, For every atom [...]
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Re-humanize Yourself – Human vs. Machine Rhythm

By Rob Fletcher | Published: March 12, 2012
“I work all day at the factory. I’m building a machine that’s not for me. There must be a reason that I can’t see. You’ve got to humanize yourself.” – The Police from ‘Rehumanize Yourself’ If you’re a musician, who would you rather play with – a drum machine or a live drummer? For most, [...]
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Pulitzer Prize winner Geraldine Brooks on the power of rhythm

By Rob Fletcher | Published: March 9, 2012
Geraldine Brooks’ description of what happened to the main character of March when this white New Englander joined in a harvest song with freed slaves during the Civil War reminded me of the power of rhythm and also called to mind Carl Jung’s similar experience in Africa. What rhythmic power can you align with today? [...]
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Pulitzer Prize winner Geraldine Brooks on courage and cowardice, bravery and fear

By Rob Fletcher | Published: March 8, 2012
“Are there any two words in all of the English language more closed twinned than courage and cowardice? I do not think there is a man alive who will not yearn to possess the former and dread to be accused of the latter. One is held to be the apogee of man’s character, the other [...]
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