Guild Tidings
The official publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 28, No. 06
June 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 June 4th.
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 2 articles by Andrea Stolpe.
https://www.andreastolpe.com/articles/three-songwriting-exercises-for-accelerating-growth
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 #2
by Jackie Mason
Last month I reviewed a controversial YouTube video presented by Rick Beato. It was titled “The Latest Top 10 Is Sh*t.” I’d made the mistake of thinking it was a regular Top Ten list but it was actually the Top 10 songs on the Spotify Global Top 50 Chart. It’s still interesting but very different in it’s own way.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YD_DoKo5Dg8&t=3s
Rick had devoted time to three of the songs. All three had a similar stock Latin groove known as Reggaeton. I’d said that this video was controversial because another YouTuber had a created a video in response to Rick’s viewpoints. This YouTuber is Jess Ankney and he explained that the beat or groove was known as Reggaeton. He kindly took the time to demonstrate the rhythm on a couple of pots and pans. This is the link to Jess’s video. “Rick Said What ?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHqclaMYDEg&t=241s
This is the tenth song on the list “Search and Rescue” by Drake.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nz9lnncXm64 There’s a piano arpeggio which repeats throughout the song. It’s pretty and Rick quickly figures it out on the guitar. He works out the chord progression on a piano. His main criticism is that there is “no development to the song.” There’s “no bridge, no chorus, no pre chorus. It’s a dark dissonance with a piano lick.” It’s important for aspiring songwriters to consider this, today’s hits do not always follow a standard form. He has a similar view of the next song “Boys a Liar” by Pink Pantheress and Ice Spice. It’s not a real song as far as Rick is concerned. Today’s “songs are very short.” A lot of “three chord songs.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1dJoKCU4Pw I’ve seen that development in today’s popular music. The AAA, ABABAB or ABC song forms are not used as much. In defense of these songs they are being aimed at a dance audience and as a result the feel and groove is more important than song development. The 8th song is called “Cupid” by Fifty-Fifty and Rick likes it because it “sounds like a song.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5B7_4I4uuA It’s a 2-5-1-6 chord progression with a “nice change” and a “kick on beat two.” What Rick calls an “old school jazz trick.” It’s a real song and that makes it a “nice change.”
The number seven song didn’t get a review because Rick had reviewed it eight months earlier. “As It Was” by Harry Styles is a much awarded song, including Song of the Year at the 2023 Brits Awards. I decided to review it here. It’s a snappy pop song with a bouncy beat. I think it’s a song. It’s not a groove. The lyrics tell a story. I really like the bridge. It has a song form. I think Rick would approve of it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5v3kku4y6Q
The 3rd song is “Kill Bill” by SZA. Rick liked this one. He liked its “old style hip-hop groove.” “The drum groove is interesting.” I Iiked the song. It has a dark story. I don’t think I heard the title in the song. Is it inspired by the movie “Kill Bill?” I don’t know but I like the singer’s voice. There is some kind of an effect on her voice. I wish Rick had talked more about the production.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sk6rMb8OsQY
For me, the most interesting song is the Number two “Ella Baila Sola” by Estaban Armanda and Peso Pluma.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZiaYpD9ZrI There is guitar in this song including a twelve string guitar. That makes it stand out. It sounds like a Mexican folk song with what Rick describes as a “guitar intro with some pace.” “It’s super vocal heavy with no kick drum.” This is from Wikipedia, “It went viral on Tik Tok and became the first regional Mexican song in history to reach the top 10 of the US Billboard Hot 100 as well as the first to top the Billboard Global 200.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ella_Baila_Sola_(song) It makes me happy to see a song like this become successful.
Finally the number one song is “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7V3jqsIe8c0 It’s a great song and I can see why it’s successful. This is from Rick, “It’s an actual song, with a post chorus, verse and a pre-chorus.” “What a great singer!”
The arguments against this video are not surprising to me. I remember my dad being critical of the Rolling Stones. I was a teen and his singers were Sinatra and Crosby. It’s partly generational but it’s more to do with personal taste. In my experience my taste has broadened over time.
Reviewing this video was enjoyable. I learned a lot. I sharpened my listening skills and for that I’m happy.
Signing off from the Song Motel. Stay safe everyone.
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 May, since no live meeting.
New members and guests are always welcome!
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