New original Christmas Song: Christmas Time of the Year

Howdy!

Check out the new Christmas song I wrote & recorded in two days, Christmas Time of the Year! It's part of the upcoming Christmas album "'Tis the Season" sceduled for release in November, 2011. I'll be adding vocal harmony backing vocals in a re-release in the next week, but since it is so close to Christmas, I wanted you to at least hear it before the season passes!

Merry Christmas. You can hear my two newest Christmas songs at http://www.reverbnation.com/tunepak/3088972

Bruce

Should I rent or purchase a piano for my child?

Each dealership that sells pianos has their own policy about renting an instrument. Most charge the same amount of rent than it takes to make payments PLUS a cartage fee (usually $200 each way) In reality, they want to sell whatever they have in inventory. If you add up the cartage fees and a few month's rent, there will be at least $600+ spent on a temporary instrument that is rented. Sometimes you can receive credit for the first six months towards the purchase of a new piano (or the one in your possession). Once the rental period is over, you have nothing, and they have your money.

My suggestion would be to purchase a digital keyboard (with 88 full sized, velocity sensitive, weighted keys). Many companies are producing nice digital pianos that you could purchase for around $550. I've seen a few at Sam's Club and Best Buy a few Christmas' ago that would do the trick. Listen to the sound, and feel the action when you go to buy one. Make sure you like it and would be able to enjoy it for many years. If it is not a good quality sound, your child will soon get bored and lose interest. I was impressed with the Casio Privia. Here is a link: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Casio+-+Privia+Full-Size+Keyboard+with+88+Hammer-Weighted+Keys+-+Black/9619225.p?id=1218140195132&skuId=9619225

The last item is: True Interest. Practicing a musical instrument is not always fun. It is sometimes work. Before you make a purchase for any young person, be sure they are overwhelmingly biting at the bit to commit to it. Have them promise to give it at least a year. If they will not commit, they are not truly interested in working at it. Once they are past a year, they are more apt to want to continue on their own. If they have given it a good year, you'll feel that at least they tried, and your investment was at least helpful during that time period.

I hope this was helpful. Save my email address to contact me, in case you have any additional questions.

Blessings,

Bruce Bergh

bruce@drmidi.com

Dad's Salvation Army Tour

Took dad on a tour of Chicago's 509 Salvation Army facility to see how it changed since he worked there 60 years ago! Major Mark Anderson gave the family a wonderful tour which lasted about an hour, and dad was in his glory. We took video and will come out with a DVD once we get all the pictures and video edited. We then went to the SA training college and saw a picture of his mom Vera Bergh who graduated in 1924 in the "Old Time Religion" class. The mansion was a donation from a Chicago businessman who used the home for entertainment when in the city. He later moved to California and gave the mansion to the Salvation Army in the early 1900s. We ate at Pete's Pizza, and then went by mom & dad's former homes in Chicago and Elmwood Park. It was a fun day for all.

2010 Begins

2010 started out with a bang today, being the first day of business of the new year. I got a hold of Bruce McNeil and talked to him about the open territory in the SE. This could mean a move to Florida! In addition, Jim Martinez called with his Delta FF points, and we booked a trip to check out the opportunities in Sacramento 1/26-2/5. They have a good amount of music openings, and the fifth graders are required to take lessons in music.

I also got a call from Willow Creek to play a memorial service Wednesday evening.