Picture yourself sitting in the Opera House, on the edge of your seat, ready to take in a beautiful symphony.Silence follows the conductor as he holds up his baton.
The piano opens with wonderful precision, you close your eyes and hear the woodwinds chime in. Your ears are full of pleasant harmonies and the brass and percussion begin to do their part to make this arrangement magnificent.
Then it is time for the strings to unite, first the harp, soft and pleasant, then the cello and viola immerge and you can feel the music flow through your body.
Then from the back row, hidden behind the violins that have just begun to play, you hear a horrible noise, a screech, the audience gasps and the musicians stop playing and turn around. The conductor looks horrified. Who could be causing this terrible racket? You learn that it is a Stroh violin that is out of tune.
A Stroh violin, or violinophone, is a violin that amplifies its sound through a metal resonator and metal horns rather than a wooden sound box as on a standard violin. Invented in 1899 by Johannes Matthias Augustus it is rarely used in modern symphonies.
This is the culprit of clatter, and it has just ruined your first symphony in.
The Out Of Tune Instrument
Instruments that are out of tune can take a beautiful thing and make it dreadful.
Our bodies are instruments and we need to take care of them. There are so many negatives when you don't get the physical activity that you need in order to stay healthy. Just as the out of tune Stroh violin ruined the symphony, the out of tune body can damage you in many ways.
Tips For Staying In Tune:
*Eat well, include plenty of protein, vegetables, fruits and whole grains
*Exercise regularly, even just getting out for a brisk walk has many benefits
*Drink plenty of water
*See your doctor annually for a physical, be in control of your health
*Get plenty of sleep, this helps reduce weight gain and stress
Always keep in mind that a healthy you leads to a happier life. Being out of shape, overweight or stressed out can leave you feeling out of tune just like the Stroh violin player.
By consistently checking if your tune is correct, you will gain the confidence of the conductor of the symphony, knowing that you can keep perfect harmony in all of the instruments.
Learning how to play an instrument takes practice and instruction. For training and education, visiting a personal trainer can teach you the art of keeping your body fit and in tune.
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Zach Hunt is a Opera House in Spokane expert and the owner of Physzique, a personal fitness coaching company in Spokane, WA helping people to look and feel great. Go here: personal trainer Spokane for more info on these services and more great fitness tips.
