Violin is a great instrument. Versatile, adaptable, with a beautiful sound, you can play practically anything on it. But sometimes, it seems like everyone plays the violin. What are some alternatives you can add to your resume to help make you stand out from the crowd?
Viola
Yes, the viola is its own instrument in its own right. But it's very similar to the violin, and is grossly under-represented. If you do a search for players of a particular instrument, compositions for an instrument, look at surveys that different companies have done (Strings comes to mind), or look for products available for the instrument (like strings), you'll see this. There's the most for violin. Then cello. There's actually quite a lot on cello, and it seems to be quite the popular instrument lately. Viola comes in last.
If you can play viola as well as violin, you will be a much more sought-after player; opportunities abound for the musician that can play both instruments. So, in my opinion, it's worth acquiring a viola to broaden your experience and expertise.
Electric Violin
Ever wanted to play in a rock band? Or how about play fiddle with a country band? You'd probably be playing on an electric violin. Even with a microphone, most acoustic violins can't match the volume of the rest of the band. But an electric violin . . .
With an electric violin comes a whole new world. Pickups, preamps, amplifiers, PA systems . . . the list goes on and on. I have just begun my search through this world, but I've realized it's bigger than I've ever thought possible. Do your research, talk to others that play electric instruments, and be prepared to play around and have some fun! Just like with acoustic instruments, everyone is different, and what works for one person might not work for another. The good news is, you only have to learn the electronics, because playing the instrument is the same as your acoustic violin.
The Five-String
Violin? Viola? Can't decide which you'd rather play, but you're convinced you only want one instrument? Then the 5-string may be for you! It is the same size as the violin, and has the violin E, A, D, and G, but also has the viola C string. Of course, there are a variety of other options as well - 6 or 7 string instruments, 5 string violas . . .
Five String violins are becoming a lot more popular recently, particularly in the electric world. In fact, it may be easier to find an electric 5-string than an acoustic! I recently bought an acoustic 5-string, but I have plans to add the hardware to make it an electric/acoustic instrument. It'll be my "go anywhere, do anything" sort of instrument that I can take camping, fiddle playing on a street corner in Seattle, play at a wedding (don't want it to rain on my nice violin!), and then hook it up to an amp and rock out with a band. Of course, I could do all this with a 4 string acoustic/electric violin, but that extra C string gives me just that little bit of extra versatility.
Fiddles
Yes, a fiddle is the same as a violin, but often the two are set up a little differently. A fiddler likes their strings a bit lower, so they can play faster notes. However, it makes playing in the higher registers impossible, as a fiddle's strings will touch the fingerboard and cause a buzz if you play too high.
But I'm more interested in the fiddle style of playing. You can play fiddle music on your classically setup violin just fine, and then turn around and play Vivaldi. Have you ever tried fiddle music? Since it's based on an aural tradition (songs passed down generation by generation through learning the piece by ear, rather than written down), fiddle music gives you more wiggle room. You can alter bowings, fingerings, even notes or rhythms. There are a lot of fiddle pieces written out today, but if you look up "Whiskey Before Breakfast" you're liable to find half a dozen different ways of playing it. And this is just fine. Learn a fiddle tune, then change it and make it your own!
Alternative Styles
Yep, there's more you can play on your violin than just classical music. Rock, jazz, country (fiddle), pop, and many others all have a place for the violin. And the violin is getting to be more popular in these alternative styles, too. All you need is an appreciation for the style, and a willingness to experiment. There's lots of classically-trained violinists that have gone on to make careers for themselves in the alternative styles. In addition, alternative style music programs are popping up on college campuses all across America.
Why not try something different? Expand your horizons, and have some fun! Happy Playing!
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
New Developements
As the year progresses, I'm starting to catch up with technology. Here are some new features of your lessons:
You can now login to the website with your username and password to view your calendar with all your upcoming events, students can log practice times, parents can view and pay their bill. Yes, you can pay for your lessons online now, through Paypal.
I just got a webcam! We can now record your lessons for you to watch at home. While I'm having some issues getting videos up on Youtube, if you bring a USB flashdrive and sign a permission slip, you can bring your lesson video home with you. This webcam also allows me to record additional songs for my students - very handy!
If you cannot make your lesson, we now have the option of having our lessons via Skype! While it's not ideal, it beats missing a lesson!
As a new member of the Mount Rainier Chapter of the Washington State Music Teacher's Association (affiliated with Music Teacher's National Association), I have all sorts of opportunities I can make available to my students!
More recitals: as a studio, we have one studio-wide recital every year. The chapter holds 4 more recitals that my students can participate in.
Music Olympics: This is the chapter's first year hosting this exciting event, and I'm on the planning committee! We'll have a morning of fun, games, and get a chance to evaluate our progress. I'm really excited about this event!
Adjudications: Beginning next year, my students will have the opportunity to participate in adjudications and get some feedback from a master teacher. This year, we're holding a master class to get used to the idea of adjudications.
Practice-A-Thon: This will be an exciting week-long practicing competition. Prizes will be awarded to biggest practicers, most money earned, as well as random drawings.
Senior Scholarships: My high school seniors now have the opportunity of applying for a college scholarship through the chapter.
I'm very excited for all the new opportunities we have as this year progresses. Happy Playing!
You can now login to the website with your username and password to view your calendar with all your upcoming events, students can log practice times, parents can view and pay their bill. Yes, you can pay for your lessons online now, through Paypal.
I just got a webcam! We can now record your lessons for you to watch at home. While I'm having some issues getting videos up on Youtube, if you bring a USB flashdrive and sign a permission slip, you can bring your lesson video home with you. This webcam also allows me to record additional songs for my students - very handy!
If you cannot make your lesson, we now have the option of having our lessons via Skype! While it's not ideal, it beats missing a lesson!
As a new member of the Mount Rainier Chapter of the Washington State Music Teacher's Association (affiliated with Music Teacher's National Association), I have all sorts of opportunities I can make available to my students!
More recitals: as a studio, we have one studio-wide recital every year. The chapter holds 4 more recitals that my students can participate in.
Music Olympics: This is the chapter's first year hosting this exciting event, and I'm on the planning committee! We'll have a morning of fun, games, and get a chance to evaluate our progress. I'm really excited about this event!
Adjudications: Beginning next year, my students will have the opportunity to participate in adjudications and get some feedback from a master teacher. This year, we're holding a master class to get used to the idea of adjudications.
Practice-A-Thon: This will be an exciting week-long practicing competition. Prizes will be awarded to biggest practicers, most money earned, as well as random drawings.
Senior Scholarships: My high school seniors now have the opportunity of applying for a college scholarship through the chapter.
I'm very excited for all the new opportunities we have as this year progresses. Happy Playing!
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
The Importance of Attending Performances
Two years ago, my boyfriend took me to see the Seattle Symphony perform Vivaldi's Four Seasons for my birthday. I still rave about it. It was an amazing experience that was inspirational, motivating, captivating . . . you get the idea. Part of the reason it was so cool was because as a violinist, I've played most of the violin parts in it. Solo parts, first violin parts, second violin parts, for all three movements of all four pieces. So it was like getting a lesson or master class.
Watching other people perform can be a great learning experience. You can see and hear different ways of playing and performing, see different techniques in action, and experience someone else's interpretation of a piece. So when you go home afterward, you can try some of these and see how you like them for your playing.
Attending performances is also very motivating. After seeing the Seattle Symphony, I went home with renewed motivation to practice. Two months later, I even managed to get myself a lesson with a local professional violinist in the hopes of auditioning for a professional orchestra. Talk about inspiration! I still draw on my experience at that performance to give myself a motivational boost when I'm feeling uninspired.
The more performances you experience, the more experiences you have to draw on for your own playing. In college, I got to see the Juliard String Quartet perform. I called home to my violin teachers, excitedly telling them about how those old men jumped out of their seats! They were pretty tickled, considering they'd spent my high school years yelling at my orchestra to move together. That was the first time I had been able to really see it in action, and man did it work!
So as you can see, attending a performance can also reinforce something you've been trying to learn in a lesson or orchestra rehearsal. It's the little details, that all added up, make a really fine performance. Being able to see and experience this live is priceless.
I encourage everyone to attend as many performances as they can. We are blessed to live in such a musically active area, and have tons of performance options. I have listed websites of the groups I know about to get you started in your search for your next performance, but I'd also like to invite you to try a free performance. I play with Tacoma Community College's Symphony Orchestra, and would love to see you in the audience! Performances are usually Wednesday evenings at 7:30pm.
Seattle Symphony
Tacoma Symphony Orchestra
Auburn Symphony Orchestra
Northwest Sinfonietta
Rainier Symphony
Federal Way Symphony
Seattle Baroque Orchestra
Orchestra Seattle Chamber Singers (orchestra with choral group)
Olympia Symphony Orchestra
Northwest Symphony Orchestra
Tacoma Philharmonic
Bellevue Philharmonic
Tacoma Youth Symphony Association
Tacoma Opera
Happy Playing!
Watching other people perform can be a great learning experience. You can see and hear different ways of playing and performing, see different techniques in action, and experience someone else's interpretation of a piece. So when you go home afterward, you can try some of these and see how you like them for your playing.
Attending performances is also very motivating. After seeing the Seattle Symphony, I went home with renewed motivation to practice. Two months later, I even managed to get myself a lesson with a local professional violinist in the hopes of auditioning for a professional orchestra. Talk about inspiration! I still draw on my experience at that performance to give myself a motivational boost when I'm feeling uninspired.
The more performances you experience, the more experiences you have to draw on for your own playing. In college, I got to see the Juliard String Quartet perform. I called home to my violin teachers, excitedly telling them about how those old men jumped out of their seats! They were pretty tickled, considering they'd spent my high school years yelling at my orchestra to move together. That was the first time I had been able to really see it in action, and man did it work!
So as you can see, attending a performance can also reinforce something you've been trying to learn in a lesson or orchestra rehearsal. It's the little details, that all added up, make a really fine performance. Being able to see and experience this live is priceless.
I encourage everyone to attend as many performances as they can. We are blessed to live in such a musically active area, and have tons of performance options. I have listed websites of the groups I know about to get you started in your search for your next performance, but I'd also like to invite you to try a free performance. I play with Tacoma Community College's Symphony Orchestra, and would love to see you in the audience! Performances are usually Wednesday evenings at 7:30pm.
Seattle Symphony
Tacoma Symphony Orchestra
Auburn Symphony Orchestra
Northwest Sinfonietta
Rainier Symphony
Federal Way Symphony
Seattle Baroque Orchestra
Orchestra Seattle Chamber Singers (orchestra with choral group)
Olympia Symphony Orchestra
Northwest Symphony Orchestra
Tacoma Philharmonic
Bellevue Philharmonic
Tacoma Youth Symphony Association
Tacoma Opera
Happy Playing!
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Travel Tips
Going to Grandma's house for the holidays? Are you taking your instrument? You know she'd love to hear you play. Well, here's some travel tips to make sure your instrument has as enjoyable a trip as you do.
If you're traveling by bus, train, or car, you only need to do the following:
1) Pack your instrument carefully. Your case should be able to withstand the weight of other bags and boxes on top of it, but you don't want your instrument to be knocked around. So place it in a secure location, where it won't get jostled so much.
2) Pack your instrument so it's accessible. Leaving an instrument in the car is not a good idea. So you want it to be easily accessible, so you can take it out if you stop at a hotel for the night. Don't put it on the bottom if you'll be stopping overnight without completely unpacking the car.
3) Keep track of your instrument at all times. This sounds like a no-brainer, but instruments are expensive and it bears repeating. Don't leave your instrument unattended. If traveling by bus or train, insist it goes with you, rather than the rest of your luggage.
4) Keep track of the weather. As I discussed in my last post, the weather can have adverse effects on your instrument. So try to keep it as stable as you can. Don't leave it in the cold, and make sure you have something to control the humidity inside your case. If you're traveling somewhere that has a dry winter from the Pacific NW, your instrument won't be happy in the drier environment.
5) As soon as possible, take your instrument out and inspect it. Check your bridge; it should be almost straight up and down. Look for cracks or open seams. If you're not sure what to look for, ask your teacher before you go. Finally, tune your instrument if you can. It may take a couple days for your instrument to adjust to the new environment, and during that time it will require frequent tuning.
If you're traveling by plane, you'll need to do all of the above, as well as:
6) Before boarding the plane, take your instrument out and look it over. Then tune each string down about a quarter step. If you loosen the strings too much, your bridge and soundpost could fall over. So just about a quarter step; if you're not sure how to do this, make sure you ask your teacher.
7) Insist that your instrument is a carry-on bag. Don't let them put it in as checked baggage. This may mean that it's your only carry-on, but it's necessary. Your instrument may not survive if you put it in checked baggage, despite your best precautions.
You know how your ears pop when you fly? That's because the pressure is changing, which is why you have to loosen your strings before you board. And you're in the pressure-controlled cabin; the change is much, much worse in the baggage cabin.
8) In between flights, take your instrument out and check it over. Check your bridge and soundpost, look for cracks and open seams, and check the tuning. It should still be about a quarter step flat.
9) After you arrive at your destination, take your instrument out again and recheck it. Now is the time to retune it, too. It may take a couple days for your instrument to adjust, so tune before each time you play, even if you wouldn't ordinarily. Also look over your instrument daily for your entire trip. You want to make sure seams or old cracks don't open up.
Don't let this list scare you out of taking your instrument with you. Grandma and Grandpa would really love to hear you play, and the precautions when traveling are really not much more than your daily precautions with your instrument. So pack along some fun music you can play for your family, and enjoy your trip!
Happy Playing!
If you're traveling by bus, train, or car, you only need to do the following:
1) Pack your instrument carefully. Your case should be able to withstand the weight of other bags and boxes on top of it, but you don't want your instrument to be knocked around. So place it in a secure location, where it won't get jostled so much.
2) Pack your instrument so it's accessible. Leaving an instrument in the car is not a good idea. So you want it to be easily accessible, so you can take it out if you stop at a hotel for the night. Don't put it on the bottom if you'll be stopping overnight without completely unpacking the car.
3) Keep track of your instrument at all times. This sounds like a no-brainer, but instruments are expensive and it bears repeating. Don't leave your instrument unattended. If traveling by bus or train, insist it goes with you, rather than the rest of your luggage.
4) Keep track of the weather. As I discussed in my last post, the weather can have adverse effects on your instrument. So try to keep it as stable as you can. Don't leave it in the cold, and make sure you have something to control the humidity inside your case. If you're traveling somewhere that has a dry winter from the Pacific NW, your instrument won't be happy in the drier environment.
5) As soon as possible, take your instrument out and inspect it. Check your bridge; it should be almost straight up and down. Look for cracks or open seams. If you're not sure what to look for, ask your teacher before you go. Finally, tune your instrument if you can. It may take a couple days for your instrument to adjust to the new environment, and during that time it will require frequent tuning.
If you're traveling by plane, you'll need to do all of the above, as well as:
6) Before boarding the plane, take your instrument out and look it over. Then tune each string down about a quarter step. If you loosen the strings too much, your bridge and soundpost could fall over. So just about a quarter step; if you're not sure how to do this, make sure you ask your teacher.
7) Insist that your instrument is a carry-on bag. Don't let them put it in as checked baggage. This may mean that it's your only carry-on, but it's necessary. Your instrument may not survive if you put it in checked baggage, despite your best precautions.
You know how your ears pop when you fly? That's because the pressure is changing, which is why you have to loosen your strings before you board. And you're in the pressure-controlled cabin; the change is much, much worse in the baggage cabin.
8) In between flights, take your instrument out and check it over. Check your bridge and soundpost, look for cracks and open seams, and check the tuning. It should still be about a quarter step flat.
9) After you arrive at your destination, take your instrument out again and recheck it. Now is the time to retune it, too. It may take a couple days for your instrument to adjust, so tune before each time you play, even if you wouldn't ordinarily. Also look over your instrument daily for your entire trip. You want to make sure seams or old cracks don't open up.
Don't let this list scare you out of taking your instrument with you. Grandma and Grandpa would really love to hear you play, and the precautions when traveling are really not much more than your daily precautions with your instrument. So pack along some fun music you can play for your family, and enjoy your trip!
Happy Playing!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Weatherizing Your Instrument
Weatherize an instrument? You bet. Your instrument isn't just a box with a few strings, it's a living being. Okay, maybe not that dramatic, but the weather does affect it. Your instrument is made of wood. Wood responds to changes in humidity, temperature, and even air pressure. This is why your instrument will usually go out of tune every time the weather changes.
Here in the Pacific Northwest, we're blessed. We have mild winters, we're relatively humid year round, and even our summers aren't that hot. Perfect stringed instrument climate. However, there are some precautions you should take.
1) Most important is daily maintenance. Every day, before you start playing, check your instrument over. Check the bridge. Does it seem to be in the correct spot? If you look at your instrument from the side, your bridge should lean back ever so slightly. If it's leaning one way or another dramatically, contact your teacher or your luthier ASAP! It can break, but needs to be adjusted by someone who knows what they're doing.
Check for cracks or open seams. Is your fingerboard securely glued on? Not only does the wood respond to changes in weather, the glue does too.
Does your instrument look right? By checking it every day, you'll get used to what is normal and what's not. Then you'll be able to bring any problems to your luthier before they're big problems.
2) Humidity. If you are going to be moving your instrument around a lot, it might be worth it to get a humidity regulator for your case. They're available at most stringed instrument supply stores.
3) Temperature. NEVER leave your instrument in the car! Not only does the chance of theft skyrocket (and most companies don't insure instruments in your car), but changes in temperature can severely damage your instrument. Try to keep it relatively stable, around 60-70F (what most humans are comfortable in) is usually great.
Like I said, winter care for our instruments is pretty easy here in the NW. But a little preventive care can go a long way to extending the life of your instrument. Stay tuned next time for travel tips!
Happy Playing!
Here in the Pacific Northwest, we're blessed. We have mild winters, we're relatively humid year round, and even our summers aren't that hot. Perfect stringed instrument climate. However, there are some precautions you should take.
1) Most important is daily maintenance. Every day, before you start playing, check your instrument over. Check the bridge. Does it seem to be in the correct spot? If you look at your instrument from the side, your bridge should lean back ever so slightly. If it's leaning one way or another dramatically, contact your teacher or your luthier ASAP! It can break, but needs to be adjusted by someone who knows what they're doing.
Check for cracks or open seams. Is your fingerboard securely glued on? Not only does the wood respond to changes in weather, the glue does too.
Does your instrument look right? By checking it every day, you'll get used to what is normal and what's not. Then you'll be able to bring any problems to your luthier before they're big problems.
2) Humidity. If you are going to be moving your instrument around a lot, it might be worth it to get a humidity regulator for your case. They're available at most stringed instrument supply stores.
3) Temperature. NEVER leave your instrument in the car! Not only does the chance of theft skyrocket (and most companies don't insure instruments in your car), but changes in temperature can severely damage your instrument. Try to keep it relatively stable, around 60-70F (what most humans are comfortable in) is usually great.
Like I said, winter care for our instruments is pretty easy here in the NW. But a little preventive care can go a long way to extending the life of your instrument. Stay tuned next time for travel tips!
Happy Playing!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Why I Teach Music . . . Part 2
So, last time I wrote about why I teach. Today's question is:
Why Music? (in no particular order)
1) Music is good for the soul. Stress relief 101.
2) Music is a great escape. When I play, I focus on the music. The rest of the world disappears, and it's just me, my instrument, and the music. I don't have to worry about bills, homework, deadlines, relationship problems, working, what to have for dinner. Sure, the problems are still there for me when I'm done, but I've had some time away from them. And music sure beats drugs!!
3) Music is a powerful communication tool. It can make you cry, laugh, dance, or snort as you try to do all three. Tapping into this communication ability makes it easier to tap into others, so you become a better communicator overall.
4) Music is great for the brain. Music helps us learn how to learn. I know how I can memorize music, so I know how to memorize other things, including grocery lists.
5) Anger management. I have one song I play when I'm angry, and no, it doesn't sound great, but I put all that angry energy into it, and when it's done, I'm better. Possibly still upset, but rational.
6) Playing with others. Playing in a group is perhaps my greatest joy in music. Coming together with other people, to create something wonderful for others to hear - that's special.
So, if you put these two posts together (why I teach, and why music), you begin to see. Being able to help someone achieve what I have with music, and find the joy in it that I have, well, that's really cool. So, go make my day and play some music!
Happy Playing!
Why Music? (in no particular order)
1) Music is good for the soul. Stress relief 101.
2) Music is a great escape. When I play, I focus on the music. The rest of the world disappears, and it's just me, my instrument, and the music. I don't have to worry about bills, homework, deadlines, relationship problems, working, what to have for dinner. Sure, the problems are still there for me when I'm done, but I've had some time away from them. And music sure beats drugs!!
3) Music is a powerful communication tool. It can make you cry, laugh, dance, or snort as you try to do all three. Tapping into this communication ability makes it easier to tap into others, so you become a better communicator overall.
4) Music is great for the brain. Music helps us learn how to learn. I know how I can memorize music, so I know how to memorize other things, including grocery lists.
5) Anger management. I have one song I play when I'm angry, and no, it doesn't sound great, but I put all that angry energy into it, and when it's done, I'm better. Possibly still upset, but rational.
6) Playing with others. Playing in a group is perhaps my greatest joy in music. Coming together with other people, to create something wonderful for others to hear - that's special.
So, if you put these two posts together (why I teach, and why music), you begin to see. Being able to help someone achieve what I have with music, and find the joy in it that I have, well, that's really cool. So, go make my day and play some music!
Happy Playing!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Why I Teach Music . . .
You know, I grew up knowing for certain I wanted to work with animals. I spent nearly 10 years of my life preparing to be a zookeeper. And now what do I do? Teach private string lessons!! So, why stick with it?
There's really two parts to this question: Why Teach? and Why Music?
Why Teach? (no particular order):
1) Teaching something, no matter what it is, is a GREAT way to better learn it yourself. You have to come up with different ways of showing, telling, etc, because no two people are the same, so you end up knowing 20+ different ways of doing everything you're teaching!
2) It's great for my mind. I know that as long as I keep teaching, my mind will remain sharp until I die. That's a good thought.
3) It's great for my students! Every time you learn something, that's another connection that's been made in your brain. Connections are good things. So whether you're debating whether to learn to cross-stitch, the next level in math, a new game, or music, the question should really be: why not? Go for it!
4) I adore my students. Some people ask me why I don't have kids of my own. In a way, I do - 30 of them! I just don't have to be 100% responsible for them all the time. But I still get to take joy in their growth, both as musicians and as people, share their sorrows, delight in their successes, revel in their joys. I can honestly say that I love every single student of mine.
5) It's hard to beat that "ah hah!" moment. Helping someone come to greater understanding is immensely rewarding. At the end of the day, I know that I've made a difference. No, I don't reach hundreds of students. But I get to personally interact with and get to know each of my students, and personally help them become better musicians and people.
6) Who wouldn't want to buy a bunch of toys and prizes and be able to give them away when their students pass books or do something really amazing? I get to have fun shopping, guilt-free!
As I said, these were in no particular order. I'm sure there's more (gee, I'm still thinking of more to add), but these are the biggies. I'll talk about why I'm involved with music in the next post.
Happy Playing!
There's really two parts to this question: Why Teach? and Why Music?
Why Teach? (no particular order):
1) Teaching something, no matter what it is, is a GREAT way to better learn it yourself. You have to come up with different ways of showing, telling, etc, because no two people are the same, so you end up knowing 20+ different ways of doing everything you're teaching!
2) It's great for my mind. I know that as long as I keep teaching, my mind will remain sharp until I die. That's a good thought.
3) It's great for my students! Every time you learn something, that's another connection that's been made in your brain. Connections are good things. So whether you're debating whether to learn to cross-stitch, the next level in math, a new game, or music, the question should really be: why not? Go for it!
4) I adore my students. Some people ask me why I don't have kids of my own. In a way, I do - 30 of them! I just don't have to be 100% responsible for them all the time. But I still get to take joy in their growth, both as musicians and as people, share their sorrows, delight in their successes, revel in their joys. I can honestly say that I love every single student of mine.
5) It's hard to beat that "ah hah!" moment. Helping someone come to greater understanding is immensely rewarding. At the end of the day, I know that I've made a difference. No, I don't reach hundreds of students. But I get to personally interact with and get to know each of my students, and personally help them become better musicians and people.
6) Who wouldn't want to buy a bunch of toys and prizes and be able to give them away when their students pass books or do something really amazing? I get to have fun shopping, guilt-free!
As I said, these were in no particular order. I'm sure there's more (gee, I'm still thinking of more to add), but these are the biggies. I'll talk about why I'm involved with music in the next post.
Happy Playing!
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