I got a new toy.....

....it's sleek.....it sounds amazing.....it's fun.....it's a Yamaha SV120. And it's NOT a motorcycle! It's an electric violin. I'm having so much fun with it!! Several years ago, probably more like 10, I took my kids to Mars. (It was a music store in Raleigh. But it was fun to say "Hey, let's to go Mars!) In the strings section one day they had what was called a "silent violin." It was electric, and you hooked it up to headphones to play. Initially intended (I thought) for people who didn't want to disturb their neighbors or roommates when they practiced. I remember making the comment to my son, Matthew, that I would never be caught dead playing "one of those things." I was a true "real violin" violinist. To play anything other than a traditional violin was just.....well, lame!!

Ok, here it is, 10-some years later and I want to play in my church's praise band. Christmas Eve we gave it a shot. Our praise band consists of a lead acoustic guitar, lead electric guitar, electric bass, keyboards, drums, three singers and worship leader (on lead acoustic guitar). Everyone is plugged in and amplified in some way. They set up a microphone for me. But no matter how good the microphone or how loud I played, no one could hear me. I couldn't even hear myself!

Jeff, our pastor, suggested I get a pick up or microphone for my violin. My research came up with plenty of pick ups and amplifiers.....which you either had to stick on (with tape), glue on, attach on or even completely change the bridge! NO WAY! My violin is about 200 years old, and I was not willing to make any kind of change to it, sticking or gluing was totally out of the question, and attaching anything to the violin itself compromises the tone and quality. (It inhibits the vibration of the wood, which is essential to the tone. Which is another reason why the stain and varnish used is so important. The secret behind a Stradivarius is in the varnish and stain he used, which to this day has been unable to be reproduced.) So, before I even knew what I was doing, I was discussing with Jeff the possibility of getting an electric violin. Initially it was going to be an acoustic/electronic. I figured I could deal with that. An acoustic/electric actually looks like a traditional violin, and even plays like one. But it
also has the electronics to be able to amplify it. Very similar to an acoustic/electric guitar.

In doing very in depth research, I found that an a/e violin was either a very cheap student violin modified with the electronics needed, or $5000+......just a bit out of my price range. So, I bit the bullet and started looking at straight electronic. I had no idea the variety that was out there!! They range from ones that come as close to a traditional violin without actually being one, to some very weird and cosmic-looking shapes that just freaked me out. Bob and I decided I should try for one that is as close to a "real" violin as possible, so as not to be a distraction to the congregation during worship. And, believe it or not, the one I could afford and wound up getting was the Yamaha SV-120! The very one that I had picked up 10 or so years ago and said I would not be caught dead playing! Well, I put it this way....when I finally got it and played it, I was dead....I had died and gone to Heaven because it was SO COOL!!!


So now I'm just getting freaky with my new toy. There are a bunch of accessories I can get, the first of which will be a carbon fiber bow made specifically for electric violins. With my renewed enthusiasm about my violin, Bob and I have done a lot of talking. See, ever since I was 10 years old my dream was to be a solo violinist. I would not be happy being just a part of the orchestra.....I had to be in front of the orchestra. The spot light had to be on me. Decisions and circumstances in my life, however, took me off that path. The other night Bob and I got to talking about that dream. He seems to think it can still come true. Ok, yeah, if I quit my job, practice 8-10 hours a day, get a teacher who is actually better than I am, and, as a good friend put it, become married to the violin instead of Bob. No thanks. I don't want the dream that badly, not any more. But it got me to thinking what would I be happy with. Playing in the praise band. I'm so excited about that! Flow of thoughts continued.....playing for God. Oh, yeah, that's what its all about! My thoughts didn't stop there, though.

I fell in love with the violin the very first time I saw someone play one, my fourth grade teacher. From that point on, that was all I wanted to do. And I was actually good, surprise, surprise. But is that such a surprise? For me to have fallen in love at first sight with this instrument, that love had to have been there from birth. No, wait......from conception. Nooooo, almost.......from BEFORE conception. Then the awesome realization: When God created me, He put that love and talent for the
violin in my make up. Why did He do that? Because HE wanted me to play for HIM. He wasn't thinking about me playing for an audience, an orchestra, or really
even in a praise band. He purposely did it so I would play for HIM. And He doesn't care how good (or bad) I am. He loves music, and he just wants me to play FOR HIM!!! That was his plan from the very beginning!! If my playing happened to take me to super stardom in the concert world, or playing in a small church praise band, that didn't matter.

I mean, it's one thing to dedicate your life to the Lord, praise and worship Him, and love Him, which we should all do. But it's an entirely different thing to realize the reason you have a talent or gift is because God gave it to you so He could enjoy you using that talent or gift! I may be pushing this point a little hard, but I really want people to "get" this. Imagine....there's God, thinking about his next creation. He thinks, hmmmm, I'll create another human. Yeah, that sounds good. And I'll make it a girl, give her brown hair, hazel eyes, she'll grow to be about 5'5". And, I know....what I would really like is for her to play the violin for me! So, I'll give her the love and talent of the violin, then when she grows up I can sit and enjoy listening to her play! Just for me!!

Ok, I know, that's putting a human twist on it. But that's the best way I can describe this revelation. I can't tell you how special, and loved, I felt when I realized this. Amazing. God loves me. He gave me a specific talent with the intention that it would be used to bring Him enjoyment. And through that, playing for GOD and no one else, I can indeed "go forth and prophesy" with my violin.

Praise the Lord!!