January 2024
Guild Tidings
The official publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 29, No. 01
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Live meetings are Cancelled due to Corona Virus.
However, we will be having on-line Zoom meetings.
The next zoom feedback session will be Sunday January 7th
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/
Surfing
by Jackie Mason
I am trying to return to playing gigs. Playing out had been my life for forty years. Then COVID arrived. Playing out at 70 plus years was no longer a viable or safe option. I, also, had family who needed protection. I played a small set at the beginning of November. I ended up dealing with a debilitating panic attack. Call it stage fright if you want. I knew what I was dealing with, a week before the show. I’ve learned how to handle these anxieties over my life. I’ve learned how to mask them. But this was my first public outing in over three and a half years. I knew I would have to deal with it. What I learned during the gig was how much anxiety impairs motor functions. During a panic attack my guitar skills go out the door. I am unable to play chords. I become excessively clumsy. I have been struggling with it all my life. I had learned that preparation and practice can help. My problem is that there’s no preparation for a three and a half year absence from performing. I just have to climb back in the saddle and ride again.
During the pandemic I dived down a few rabbit holes. I know a lot more about space aliens. Gorillas, chimpanzees and other primates are a field of expertise. In theory, I now know how to trim donkey, horses and cow hooves. There are dozens of videos on that skill,
One rabbit hole that I’m happy about is learning how to play surf guitar. It started with the instrumental “Apache”. It was written by Jerry Lordan and the English band The Shadows had a No 1 hit with the song in 1960. I started to figure it out in June 2020. I was impressed with the arrangement. There seem to be several genres wrapped up under the term of Surf Music. Detective and espionage themes like John Barry’s “James Bond Theme” which was composed by Monty Norman. The guitar picker on that song was a a gentleman named Vic Flick who received the princely sum of 6 pounds for that session. Union scale at that time. Flick was a member of The John Barry Seven who would soon be the John Barry Orchestra as Barry progressed and became an impressive film score writer.
https://www.npr.org/2012/10/03/161888984/the-sound-of-james-bond-vic-flicks-surf-guitar
Another genre under the Surf umbrella are the Spaghetti Westerns created by Ennio Morricone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7tIqEgRwJY
As with “Apache” the arrangements are all very good. Always drenched in reverb and for the guitarist there is so much technique. Triplets, vibrato/tremolo bar (whammy), tone and palm mutes are vital ingredients for the aspiring guitar player. This link is to an informative article on the genre.
https://www.theinertia.com/surf/what-makes-surf-music-surf-music/
On the week of the aforementioned panic ridden performance I tumbled like Alice down the surf rabbit hole. I stumbled upon an album by The Blue Stingrays titled “Surf-N-Burn.” I have been listening to it ever since. What I liked about it was it seemed, to my ears, to be a complete album. It’s not a collection of singles. There’s an instrumental of the James Bond classic “Goldfinger” which was composed by John Barry and sung by Shirley Bassey in 1964. I loved the Stingray’s version. Here’s a link to that album.
https://guitar.com/features/interviews/mike-campbell-blue-stingrays-reissue-surf-n-burn/
Last week I picked up my guitar and I am happy to tell you my guitar chops are back and then some. Thanks to the surf songs I have been learning. I leave you with this video on how to write a surf song.
This is a fantastic music lesson. Happy New-year from the Song Motel.
WebChatter
by CyberToad
https://tonyconniff.com/how-to-organize-your-lyric-sheets-chord-charts/
We are asking members to renew their dues for 2024. 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.
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 December, since no live meeting.
New members and guests are always welcome!
© 2023 ISG