About
ZylBlog is run by Jesse Zylstra, and Music.zylblog.com is a sub-site of zylblog.com to serve the purpose of sharing information about music.
About the author:
My name is Jesse Zylstra, and I really enjoy music. (I actually enjoy it a lot more than technology, but we won’t let those geeks know!)
I play piano and organ, and am also a church organist (not every Sunday, however). In high-school, though long forgotten, I also played bass-clarinet for one year (a very neat instrument, I might add, and also a fickle machine!), and a glockenspiel (mainly for marching). I played accordion for a short time, until my back decided to show me what it’s like to be pregnant. (In short, my back just could not handle it, and I had to give it up).
Education:
Besides piano and organ lessons, I’ve done a lot of reading and research on my own about music in general (especially musical instruments). At a college level, I took an “Intro to Music” class which covered the basics of theory, song writing, chords and typical progressions, scales, reading music, etc.
Instruments I own:
A 1910 Wheelock New York upright grand piano. Grade III (semi-decorated). Great condition, only a few flaws (due to age). This was my first piano, and I absolutely love it.
A ~1940-1950’s Melin and Sons New York / Toronto spinet piano, with plastic elbow connectors that are nearing the end of their life and will need replacement. Overall, really a fairly nice instrument with a precise and even touch.
A antique Hohner “Carmen” Accordion with two registrations on the keyboard. A few flaws: uneven keys, one squeaky note, and very heavy. Overall, a fine practice instrument which could make a wonderful performance instrument with a little more care.
An 1830 OR 1850 (unsure) Bristol Pump Organ with three ranks in the treble, two ranks in the bass and one 13-reed sub-bass rank. In the process of restoration, getting new leather, bellows cloth, and regluded in a lot of places.
Significant instruments played:
1919 2/10 Wurlitzer Theater Organ with a wide set of percussion instruments and a lot of “toy-box” effects (train whistle, doorbell, boat, siren, etc). Fully operational. Should you be in the area, and know how to play organ, call ahead to see about playing it. Otherwise, this instrument has a playing mechanism which demonstrates many of the functions.
At the church: Hammond A-105 from the early 1960’s. The setup is similar to a B-3, with a full console and speakers built in. Unfortunately, there is no Leslie speaker.