Guild Tidings
The official publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 28, No. 05
May 2023
Live meetings are Cancelled due to CoronaVirus.
However, we will be having on-line Zoom meetings.
The next zoom feedback session will be Sunday May 7th at 5pm.
We will send details under a separate e-mail,
and an announcement on the Facebook group page.
If you want the zoom meeting details,
please e-mail us at isgorlando@gmail.com
Hopefully we will soon be meeting in person again.
Please stay tuned for more info.
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 are two articles by Andrea Stolpe.
https://www.andreastolpe.com/articles/finish-more-songs-with-process
https://www.andreastolpe.com/articles/the-language-of-phrasing
We are asking members to renew their dues for 2023. It costs only $5 per year,
and it helps us to defray costs for the zoom meetings.
We have 2 methods of payment. Either paypal to our treasurer Asli Goncer's
paypal account. The paypal access is at aslivision@gmail.com
or you can mail a $5 check to
Asli Goncer
2849 Babylon Court
Oviedo, FL 32765
Either way, we appreciate your continued support.
Taste #1
by Jackie Mason
I like to take a look at the Billboard charts. I don’t do it on a consistent basis but it is good to try to keep up with the latest trends in music.
For that reason, a recent video by Rick Beato caught my attention. It was titled “The Latest Top 10 Is Sh*t.” Now that’s a provocative title and
it has worked if that was its intention.There have been almost twenty thousand comments since it was published on April 11th.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YD_DoKo5Dg8&t=3s Most of the comments seemed to agree with Rick.
I misunderstood an important fact about this video analysis. This was not a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 chart. It was the Top 10 songs on the
Spotify Global Top 50 Chart. That explained why many of the songs had a strong Latin groove. While studying this video, I learned about
Reggaeton and a little bit about its history. I went in search of a definition of Reggaeton and was surprised to find it was in my dictionary.
I guess I have been sleeping under a rock. It’s not my first time and it won’t be my last time. This is the definition from my Apple computer
dictionary: “A form of dance music of Puerto Rican origin, characterized by a fusion of Latin rhythms, dance hall,and hip-hop or rap.”
Another YouTuber Jess Ankney put out a video contesting Rick’s points of view. Jess was kind enough to give us a demonstration of the
Reggaeton rhythm. He used a couple of pots and pans and I realized I’d heard this rhythm before. So sleeping under a rock hadn’t affected
my hearing. This is the link to Jess’s video. “Rick Said What ?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHqclaMYDEg&t=241s
There are three songs in a row which employ the same Reggaeton rhythm. The first of these three songs is “Beso” by Rosalía and
Rauw Alejandro.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXQQAsIhHMw
I find that while Rick critiques this song he’s fair in his assessment. He thinks the beginning is “pretty” and “beautiful” until it evolves into a
“stock Latin groove, a beat that we’ve heard a million times.” That would be the aforementioned Reggaeton rhythm.
The next song is “La Bebe” by Yng Lvcas and Peso Pluma
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mchJ-EW9rM
Rick says it’s more of an “anti groove” and “melodically it doesn’t do much.”
After this comes “TQG” by Karol G and Shakira.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwJAHTXQJjQ
Rick says it’s the “same groove” and they are “ three chord vamps” over the same beat.
Rick is a master musician with the ability to work out the chords on a first lesson. He sits with a guitar at a piano
and picks out melodies and chords on either instrument. It’s a skill I’ve observed before at TAXI conventions.
These top producers have “great ears.” While I’m following along with this kind of analytical video I become aware that
my hearing is improving too.
I will return to this video next month. Take care from the Song Motel.
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.
Steve Hodak hosts several newly listed open mics on the East coast.
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 April, since no live meeting.
New members and guests are always welcome!
© 2023 ISG