Sarah Joy

Notes: It was a STRUGGLE to get back into writing and recording after taking some time off, but the first project after a break usually is. I honestly don't know how I feel about this one since my ears are tired and I've lost all objectivity. I did, however, learn some things. First off, I found out that it's pretty common to layer bass tracks. You just have to make sure there's enough separation between them. So for this project, I put in a low bass synth with a tiny amount of punch and then recorded another bass line on top using the high register of my electric bass. Now whether or not I EQed/mixed them properly, I don't know, but I did my best. Leave a comment below if it doesn't sound good through your speakers/headphones. Secondly, (I've known this, but really realized its importance in this project) if you want a more organic small string ensemble sound, move a little further away from the mic with each additional layer that you add to a single part. This, in combination with careful panning, seems to make the idea of a cello choir performing this more convincing. Lastly, I was playing around with the Slate VMS processing suite and tried out the FG-47 for my vocal track. I can hear the difference - definitely richer and warmer than past recordings. ------------------------------------------------- Lyrics: It is what it was Flung far Ethereal light Oh, little dove Hung for Material eyes Oh little dove Oh little dove What I would give To fold Your feathers in tight Forever In my palms A gentle delight Oh little dove Oh little dove The pious will be blind To the Spring of your design As you sing an ancient siren Mountains will be leveled Gates of brass, bars of iron cut at last Let music near them You are who you are Flung far Ethereal light Oh mighty love Hung for Material eyes Oh mighty love Oh mighty love It is what it is And it is what it was And what will always be ------------------------------------------------- Social Media links: INSTAGRAM - http://instagram.com/sarahjoymusic SPOTIFY - https://open.spotify.com/artist/2oWjJXutl69Lf5qAAPPFJf FACEBOOK - http://facebook.com/sarahjoyartist ------------------------------------------------- Sponsors/Brand Affiliations: Tomplay - https://tomplay.com/premium-trial?ref=sarahholder Fiddlershop - https://fiddlershop.com/ Beaumont Music - https://beaumontmusic.co/ D'Addario Orchestral - https://www.daddario.com/products/orchestral/

Merry Christmas! In this video, I will be showing you how to play the following traditional Christmas carols on the cello: 1:06 - The First Noel 12:00 - We Wish You a Merry Christmas 18:30 - Away in a Manger Download the sheet music here! https://www.patreon.com/posts/three-christmas-76209411?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link Tomplay is an online platform and app for interactive sheet music with high-quality backing tracks to play along with. Their sheet music catalog includes over 40,000 sheet music titles for a total of 28 instruments and a range of different skill levels. Here is the link to sign up for Tomplay's 14-day free trial: https://tomplay.com/premium-trial?ref=sarahholder ------------------------------------------------- “Music Journal” playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL83cudKTOJMYN_VEILQmT0pobWVoEy-qC ------------------------------------------------- Social Media links: INSTAGRAM - http://instagram.com/sarahjoymusic SPOTIFY - https://open.spotify.com/artist/2oWjJXutl69Lf5qAAPPFJf FACEBOOK - http://facebook.com/sarahjoyartist PATREON - https://www.patreon.com/sarahjoyrecordings ------------------------------------------------- Sponsors/Brand Affiliations: Fiddlershop - https://fiddlershop.com/ (One of their cello bows was featured in this video!) Beaumont Music - https://beaumontmusic.co/ D'Addario Orchestral - https://www.daddario.com/products/orchestral/

My tutorials are usually meant to be supplemental instruction for those who have already found a private teacher, but today, I’d like to help the people who have absolutely no idea how and where to begin. Hopefully, this video will provide you with enough information to not just get through your very first practice session, but potentially a week or two or at least until you can find a private teacher. For more in-depth instruction on some of these beginner topics (such as tuning your instrument, applying tapes for first position, etc.), check out my tutorial playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL83cudKTOJMYdQhNMHT6pFlnbJS4sLkmE Tomplay is an online platform and app for interactive sheet music with high-quality backing tracks to play along with. Their sheet music catalog includes over 40,000 sheet music titles for a total of 28 instruments and a range of different skill levels. Tomplay “Back to School” Sale: https://tomplay.com/premium-trial?ref=sarahholde 30% off annual subscription September 1st-12th —————————————————————————— “Music Journal” playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL83cudKTOJMYN_VEILQmT0pobWVoEy-qC —————————————————————————- Shop my “Practice Space Essentials”: https://a.co/ctxwYs3 Cello Chair: Wenger cello chair - https://shop.wengercorp.com/education/cellist-chair.html It’s pretty pricey and I wouldn’t have bought it for myself (Christmas gift). There are plenty of good, less expensive alternatives that you can find. Practice Journals: https://www.redbubble.com/people/sarahjoymusic/shop?asc=u ------------------------------------------------- Social Media links: INSTAGRAM - http://instagram.com/sarahjoymusic SPOTIFY - https://open.spotify.com/artist/2oWjJXutl69Lf5qAAPPFJf FACEBOOK - http://facebook.com/sarahjoyartist PATREON - https://www.patreon.com/sarahjoyrecordings ------------------------------------------------- Sponsors/Brand Affiliations: Fiddlershop - https://fiddlershop.com/ (One of their cello bows was featured in this video!) Beaumont Music - https://beaumontmusic.co/ D'Addario Orchestral - https://www.daddario.com/products/orchestral/

Notes: Life has been a tiny bit stressful recently and I just wanted to make a cute, happy song. This project also gave me an excuse to practice my ukulele and cajón (box drum). Support my channel: KO-FI - https://ko-fi.com/sarahjoymusic PATREON - https://www.patreon.com/sarahjoyrecordings ------------------------------------------------- Lyrics: What makes a breeze begin? Does someone whistle to start the wind? Or wind a propeller, fly interstellar Who knows? What causes rain to fall? Is it water balloons being thrown too far That launch in the summer, pop into thunder Who knows? But I know what makes me happy I know what makes me smile You are the only answer I require I know what makes me happy I know what makes me smile You are the only answer I require How do the stars appear? Have moths been chewing the atmosphere To let in the sunlight Well after midnight Who knows? But I know what makes me happy I know what makes me smile You are the only answer I require I know what makes me smile You are the only answer I require What makes me cry sometimes? Do shadows poke at my eyes at night? Do they flicker and flutter to make my heart stutter Who knows? But I know what makes me happy I know what makes me smile I know what makes me happy I know what makes me smile I know what makes me happy I know what makes me smile You are the only answer I require I know what makes me happy I know what makes me smile You are the only answer I require ------------------------------------------------- Social Media links: INSTAGRAM - http://instagram.com/sarahjoymusic SPOTIFY - https://open.spotify.com/artist/2oWjJXutl69Lf5qAAPPFJf FACEBOOK - http://facebook.com/sarahjoyartist ------------------------------------------------- Sponsors/Brand Affiliations: Tomplay - https://tomplay.com/premium-trial?ref=sarahholder Fiddlershop - https://fiddlershop.com/ Beaumont Music - https://beaumontmusic.co/ D'Addario Orchestral - https://www.daddario.com/products/orchestral/

Notes: I started this song back in 2019 and left it alone for a few years because I didn't know what to do with it. After making some slight changes to the melody this last week, it came together. I'm still trying to get comfortable with incorporating beats. My ears aren't very familiar with what that should sound like yet, but I'll never learn if I don't try. Support my channel: KO-FI - https://ko-fi.com/sarahjoymusic PATREON - https://www.patreon.com/sarahjoyrecordings ------------------------------------------------- Lyrics: By the end of the prologue Everything seemed foreshadowed But the hallowed free will remained Monologue after monologue Some fail and some Raise the dead Threat of uncertainty Helps me to breathe To breathe You love me You love me a lot You gave me a mouth Fallow for gallows or grace Love isn’t love if it’s scripted Restricted by one side to yes Offer a no and I’ll follow Follow through calm or distress By the end of the prologue Everything seemed foreshadowed But the hallowed free will remained You love me You love me a lot You gave me a mouth Fallow for gallows or grace ------------------------------------------------- Social Media links: INSTAGRAM - http://instagram.com/sarahjoymusic SPOTIFY - https://open.spotify.com/artist/2oWjJXutl69Lf5qAAPPFJf FACEBOOK - http://facebook.com/sarahjoyartist ------------------------------------------------- Sponsors/Brand Affiliations: Tomplay - https://tomplay.com/premium-trial?ref=sarahholder Fiddlershop - https://fiddlershop.com/ Beaumont Music - https://beaumontmusic.co/ D'Addario Orchestral - https://www.daddario.com/products/orchestral/

Notes: I was quite torn over much of my tuning/intonation decision-making. In the end, I hope that the choices I made serve the overall ethos and message of the song. Support my channel: KO-FI - https://ko-fi.com/sarahjoymusic PATREON - https://www.patreon.com/sarahjoyrecordings ------------------------------------------------- Lyrics: Shall I set the table? Shall I offer water to her? Girl with a violet Girl with a rose Pinned to her dress The kitchen's a mess And I haven't worn my best What if she peaks behind the doors? What if she sees in any of the drawers And only finds What only hides Among my wrinkled shirts? I will set the table I will pour the water for her Maybe she'll bless me Maybe she'll stay And maybe I'll grow some violets of my own And a rose I can pin to my dress ------------------------------------------------- Social Media links: INSTAGRAM - http://instagram.com/sarahjoymusic SPOTIFY - https://open.spotify.com/artist/2oWjJXutl69Lf5qAAPPFJf FACEBOOK - http://facebook.com/sarahjoyartist ------------------------------------------------- Sponsors/Brand Affiliations: Fiddlershop - https://fiddlershop.com/ Beaumont Music - https://beaumontmusic.co/ D'Addario Orchestral - https://www.daddario.com/products/orchestral/

Notes: This week's song is a weird one, but I had two main goals with it... 1. Volume - I've been studying the nuances of EQ-ing and how to best apply compression (I have always struggled with getting my tracks "loud enough"). I still have so much to learn when it comes to music production in general, but feel as though I did make some progress with this project. 2. Drum looping - I wanted to see how clean of a drum loop I could create using percussive noises primarily gotten from the acoustic cello. I think it worked (?). Support my channel: KO-FI - https://ko-fi.com/sarahjoymusic PATREON - https://www.patreon.com/sarahjoyrecordings ------------------------------------------------- Lyrics: A little here A little there A little folding of the hands Oh apathy A little nod A little wink A little hastening of the feet Oh arrest me A little here A little there Oh arrest me ------------------------------------------------- Social Media links: INSTAGRAM - http://instagram.com/sarahjoymusic SPOTIFY - https://open.spotify.com/artist/2oWjJXutl69Lf5qAAPPFJf FACEBOOK - http://facebook.com/sarahjoyartist ------------------------------------------------- Sponsors/Brand Affiliations: Fiddlershop - https://fiddlershop.com/ Beaumont Music - https://beaumontmusic.co/ D'Addario Orchestral - https://www.daddario.com/products/orchestral/

Notes: This song is dedicated to my granddad, Thomas Hohstadt. Support my channel: KO-FI - https://ko-fi.com/sarahjoymusic PATREON - https://www.patreon.com/sarahjoyrecordings ------------------------------------------------- Lyrics: I had always admired how the floorboards shone But that day, there were leaves by the door I couldn't bring home I couldn't bring home The owner of the house and garden And I was alone I was alone All alone in house and garden So I swept until they were clean The meanness of mortality Tossed outside I sighed in relief, but too soon The meanness of mortality In a single leaf Had evaded my eye I couldn't bring home I couldn't bring home The owner of the house and garden And I was alone I was alone All alone in house and garden So I swept until they were clean I swept so I wouldn't scream I wept 'til I couldn't breathe Then I went outside I'm not alone I'm not alone Not alone in house and garden For the birds were eager to sing The trees were moving with me And I, I couldn't breathe A single leaf Had evaded my eye ------------------------------------------------- Social Media links: INSTAGRAM - http://instagram.com/sarahjoymusic SPOTIFY - https://open.spotify.com/artist/2oWjJXutl69Lf5qAAPPFJf FACEBOOK - http://facebook.com/sarahjoyartist ------------------------------------------------- Sponsors/Brand Affiliations: Fiddlershop - https://fiddlershop.com/ Beaumont Music - https://beaumontmusic.co/ D'Addario Orchestral - https://www.daddario.com/products/orchestral/

Notes: I wanted to see how many moods I could travel through in a relatively short song using a limited number of instruments. Also, I was curious to see how a mostly upbeat folk accompaniment would contrast with darker lyrics. In terms of production, I'm not very happy with my use of compression, but that will be next week's challenge. For this song, I hope that my level of production is good enough to not distract from the overall feel and message. Support my channel: KO-FI - https://ko-fi.com/sarahjoymusic PATREON - https://www.patreon.com/sarahjoyrecordings ------------------------------------------------- Lyrics: At the corner of Houston and 4th A library stands four stories high I lie in the park beside her With musty pages and pine Often I see an old friend Muttering half sentences to the sky I wave but I think I've lost him To war stories and wine Throughout early autumn Proper and solemn Cast by Athenaeum's form A shadow comes marching Stubbornly charging The last of our summer warmth Last of our summer warmth Often I see an old friend Moldering to echoing battle cries I'd learn but I think I've lost him Within musty pages and pine Throughout early autumn Proper and solemn Cast by Athenaeum's form A shadow came marching Stubbornly charging The last of our summer warmth ------------------------------------------------- Social Media links: INSTAGRAM - http://instagram.com/sarahjoymusic SPOTIFY - https://open.spotify.com/artist/2oWjJXutl69Lf5qAAPPFJf FACEBOOK - http://facebook.com/sarahjoyartist ------------------------------------------------- Sponsors/Brand Affiliations: Fiddlershop - https://fiddlershop.com/ Beaumont Music - https://beaumontmusic.co/ D'Addario Orchestral - https://www.daddario.com/products/orchestral/

Notes: About a year and a half ago, I began diligently practicing the electric bass and am excited to show my progress in this song. The lyrics were written back in 2020. I wasn't sure what to do with them until I was playing around with loops a couple of weeks ago and it all started fitting together. Support my channel: KO-FI - https://ko-fi.com/sarahjoymusic PATREON - https://www.patreon.com/sarahjoyrecordings ------------------------------------------------- Lyrics: Rain is coming We don't even know what it is Let me tell you Let me tell you this I heard a voice A voice from heaven Love me true Let me be your obsession And I'll lull you to sleep on the waves Waters are climbing Forty nights forty days Hiding the highest Mountains from our gaze We are tossed But not overturned Every time that I think We're sinking, I learn You're mighty in love And You're mighty to save You keep me at peace on the waves We are tossed But not overturned Every time that I think We're sinking, I learn You're mighty in love And mighty to save You keep me at peace on the waves ------------------------------------------------- Social Media links: INSTAGRAM - http://instagram.com/sarahjoymusic SPOTIFY - https://open.spotify.com/artist/2oWjJXutl69Lf5qAAPPFJf FACEBOOK - http://facebook.com/sarahjoyartist ------------------------------------------------- Sponsors/Brand Affiliations: Fiddlershop - https://fiddlershop.com/ Beaumont Music - https://beaumontmusic.co/ D'Addario Orchestral - https://www.daddario.com/products/orchestral/

Here is the link to sign up for Tomplay's 14-day free trial: https://tomplay.com/premium-trial?ref=sarahholder Tomplay is an online platform and app for interactive sheet music with high-quality backing tracks to play along with. Their sheet music catalog includes over 40,000 sheet music titles for a total of 28 instruments and a range of different skill levels. In this video, I discuss how to practice efficiently and make the most out of your practice sessions! You may notice that sometimes, despite spending hours in a practice room, you come away with worse technique than what you had before. Perhaps you leave feeling discouraged or even find yourself in physical pain after practicing. If that’s the case, I would encourage you to prioritize quality over quantity. ------------------------------------------------- Social Media links: INSTAGRAM - http://instagram.com/sarahjoymusic SPOTIFY - https://open.spotify.com/artist/2oWjJXutl69Lf5qAAPPFJf FACEBOOK - http://facebook.com/sarahjoyartist PATREON - https://www.patreon.com/sarahjoyrecordings ------------------------------------------------- Sponsors/Brand Affiliations: Fiddlershop - https://fiddlershop.com/ Beaumont Music - https://beaumontmusic.co/ D'Addario Orchestral - https://www.daddario.com/products/orchestral/

Lyrics: Purple, scarlet, and blue Linen twine For you, my Love Is it enough To catch Your eye? I’ve tried the tried and true Is it enough, my Love? Is it enough? Is it enough? I approach Your heart of gold Holy of Holies To atone Do I appear Simple and pure Or will I be dragged out by the rope? Am I enough, my Love? Am I enough? Am I enough? I’m tired of trying And maybe that’s the point You watch me trying You free me, dying You watch me trying You free me You are enough, my Love You are enough You are enough You are enough, my Love You are enough You are enough ------------------------------------------------- Social Media links: INSTAGRAM - http://instagram.com/sarahjoymusic SPOTIFY - https://open.spotify.com/artist/2oWjJXutl69Lf5qAAPPFJf FACEBOOK - http://facebook.com/sarahjoyartist PATREON - https://www.patreon.com/sarahjoyrecordings ------------------------------------------------- Sponsors/Brand Affiliations: Fiddlershop - https://fiddlershop.com/ Beaumont Music - https://beaumontmusic.co/ D'Addario Orchestral - https://www.daddario.com/products/orchestral/

In this video, I discuss five things to consider when playing in the cello's upper register. 0:00 - Introduction 0:32 - Tip #1: Check your instrument’s action. 3:13 - Tip #2: Move your bow closer to the bridge. 5:50 - Tip #3: Keep your thumb on the string for beautiful vibrato. 7:17 - Tip #4: Relax the left hand. 8:49 - Tip #5: Become comfortable reading in tenor and treble clef. ------------------------------------------------- A big "thank you" to my luthier friend, Nick, who provided me with all of the information given in Tip #1. Be sure to visit his shop's website: https://wayneburakmusic.com/ ------------------------------------------------- Social Media links: INSTAGRAM - http://instagram.com/sarahjoymusic SPOTIFY - https://open.spotify.com/artist/2oWjJXutl69Lf5qAAPPFJf FACEBOOK - http://facebook.com/sarahjoyartist PATREON - https://www.patreon.com/sarahjoyrecordings ------------------------------------------------- Sponsors/Brand Affiliations: Fiddlershop - https://fiddlershop.com/ Beaumont Music - https://beaumontmusic.co/ D'Addario Orchestral - https://www.daddario.com/products/orchestral/

Composition and performance: Sarah Joy Videography: Jonathan Hohstadt Lyrics: A little length from me to him Will make a breath for me to take And so I built a barricade While shorter grew the days And soon a wind of sterner countenance Engraved an ornament Pretending as a summer treat A sentimental phrase Winter, Winter, comfort your sister Whisper, whisper come for your listener You, you left your touch now I am loved For what I have become Winter what, what have you done? I have no use for pretty verse But you have made it what I'm worth So for a currency of words You'll carve the day away What you can get, well I will take And keep the wall to decorate Yes I will keep the barricade So poetry remains Beautiful, pure as the driven snow If I welcome his warmth could he make me better? He could fill up his hands with the ice and go Mold me a heart and I'd be his treasure