January 2021
Guild Tidings
The official publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 26, No. 01
Live meetings are Cancelled due to Corona Virus.
However, we will be having on-line Zoom meetings.
We will send details under a separate e-mail,
and an announcement on the Facebook group page.
We expect it to be scheduled for Sunday January 3rd at 5pm.
If you want the zoom meeting details, please e-mail us
at isgorlando@gmail.com
Any Details not in this newsletter are at:
If you wish to join our Facebook group, please check us out at
https://www.facebook.com/groups/831814850193553/
WebChatter
by CyberToad
Here's a blog from Andrea Stolpe about Getting past second verse troubles. https://www.andreastolpe.com/articles/getting-past-second-verse-troubles?utm_source=newsletter&utm_source=Writer+to+Writer&utm_campaign=2edfcba27a-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_10_19_05_31_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_a95f4e557e-2edfcba27a-363235406
Found Sounds And Musical Siblings
By Jackie Mason
I have been very interested in “Found Sound’ since I was a teenager. That interest continues to this day. What is “Found Sound?” You may ask. Fortunately, music retailer Sweetwater has a good definition.
“ A somewhat vague term that generally refers to sounds drawn from common objects that are not normally considered particularly “musical.” They go into more detail on their web page. Check it out.
https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/found-sound/
I remember when I was 16, Ringo Starr, drummer for the Beatles, played a cow bell on the song “I Call Your Name.” He, also, played a packing case on “Words of Love.” There was a cupboard under the stairs at EMI studios where The Beatles recorded “Rubber Soul.” The cupboard was filled with “Found Sounds.” Take a listen to “Yellow Submarine.” It’s not new. I once lost a talent contest to a spoon player! Ham bone is a percussive rhythm made by slapping one’s arms, legs , torso and cheeks. I know a very good percussionist in Gainesville, Fl who plays a mean hambone! That style of percussion originated in Africa. I am not a drummer or a percussionist but I once taught a rhythm class at a school in Florida. I used a drum machine to help me teach. There was a boy in that class who hit a stair rail on a portable. He used a stick and developed a unique sounding rhythm. It helped that the rails were hollow. They reverberated very well. We made most of the instruments for the class. Coffee Mate containers with coffee beans make excellent shakers. My old wok when hit with a stick has a tinny bell like sound! When the class ended I inherited all the shakers, rattles and things you could bang on. I got the wok back too. I am still not sure how I feel about that. It had the capacity to give one a headache!
The class led me to the show Stomp. It fascinated me. If you ever get the chance go and see it. This is from their web page.
“Matchboxes, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters and more fill the stage with energizing beats at STOMP, the inventive and invigorating stage show that's dance, music and theatrical performance blended together in one electrifying rhythm.”
You see what I mean? Brooms can sound like snare drums. Old oil drums when miked the right way can sound like thunder.
https://stomponline.com/about.html
I could tune my guitar to the hum of my friend’s wheel chair. It was in the key of D! There’s a fan in my house that plays a little melody. My wife can’t hear it. She thinks I’m insane! She can’t understand why I own washboards and thimbles and an old wok!
This a video of a man who created an Ambient Drone sound using a tube from a dish washer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ny2QMpbLQA8 As one wit said in the comment section,”You’re like the MacGyver of music.” It’s very cool how he did it. Today’s music industry is taking a unique approach to “Found Sounds.” With the aid of the voice recorder on our phones we are able to record interesting sounds. In this world of loopers, samplers, digital recorders and Digital Audio Workstations we can process these sounds. You can do it the old way like me and I have a box of crazy noisemakers too! You too can have a spouse who questions your sanity. I fear an intervention anytime soon. Just like the show about hoarding! While attending this year’s virtual TAXI convention, I became aware that many of today’s hot young artists are dabbling in “Found Sounds.” To my chagrin, I realized that at one time I may have been ahead of my time!
This article began life as an examination of two of today’s hottest artists, Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas. I got side tracked by “Found Sounds.” This happens a lot when I am researching for these articles and now I have enough for two of them. I am willing to follow the creative path. I am usually looking for a hook and if I relax I”ll find it.
So let me leave you with this video explaining how Finneas builds songs for Billie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsSkRjgjFvU&t=2s You’ll learn a lot more than I can teach you about recording “Found Sounds.” I promise next month we will examine Billie’s songwriting process. Stay safe.
ISG Bulletin Board
Meeting space graciously provided by Central Florida Musicians Association,
Local 389. You are invited to join the largest union in the world, representing the
interests of the professional musician. Visit their website at afm389.org for more
information. You may reach them by phone at: 407-894-8666.
Why isn't your gig or live stream announced here? Members in good standing call SusieCool
with your appearance schedule! 407-760-2153 or e-mail her the details at isgorlando@gmail.com
If you are interested in open mics in the Central Florida area, SusieCool has compiled a list.
https://sites.google.com/site/susiecoolsongs/Home/open-mic-directory-central-florida
SusieCool is the admin for a Facebook group called "Orlando Creative Music Network"
where we give out info on songwriter meetings, playing circles, open mics, workshops and concerts.
We have a Facebook page for this group if you want to join.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/274152179716552/
No Critique scores for December, since no live meeting.
New members and guests always welcome!
© 2020 ISG