August 2013
Guild Tidings
The official publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 18, No. 8
NEXT MEETING - 5:00pm Sunday, August 4th, 2013
Officers:
Newsletter/Articles
Jeff Mason, jeffrey_mason@me.com
Meeting Coordinator/Critique scoring/CFMA Liason
Matthew Campbell, matthew_sax77@yahoo.com
Membership/Certificates/Contact
Susan Foster-Trewick, susiecool2001@yahoo.com
407-760-2153
E-mail Contact, isgorlando@gmail.com
Website
Carlos Colon, videosaysitall.fl@gmail.com
352-267-5911
Treasurer/NSAI Liason
Asli Goncer, asli@cfl.rr.com
Secretary
Jacquelyn Gould, songsuite@gmail.com
The International Songwriter’s Guild meets at 5 PM on the first Sunday of every month at the Central Florida Musician’s Union building, 3020 East Robinson (at the extreme east end of Robinson, near Orlando Executive Airport ) in Orlando.
Songwriters, composers, performers, publishers, and the curious are encouraged to join us. Non-members are invited to attend a meeting or two to get a feel for our group and what we do. For more information, visit our website at www.isgorlando.org or myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/internationalsongwritersguildorlando
The meetings will be structured as follows: 5:00 to 5:30, business and introductions. 5:30 to 6:00, presentation by a guest speaker (when scheduled), 5:30 or 6:00 to 8:00, song critiques. Please bring a CD or mp3 player or perform your song live, and bring 10 or more lyric sheets.
If we have at least 5 songs by members who wish to be scored, and 6 members scoring, then we will have them entered in the Monthly competition. Everyone is encouraged to write constructive comments on the lyric sheets.
Emotional Breakdown
By Jeff Mason
Last month I was attending a songwriting class hosted by singer/songwriter Teddy Thompson http://www.teddythompson.com. We discussed some of my difficulties in writing story songs. He suggested that I try to place myself in the song, and that this would help me connect emotionally with the listener. I admit that I’ve been guilty of avoiding the emotional element in my songwriting. Most of my stuff has been written from an outsider’s point of view. I’ve usually written in the third person. I can see, however, that writing from the perspective of one of the characters in my songs would give me a fresh angle.
A song is about the listener. It must express some kind of feeling. Here’s a quote from an interview with Taylor Swift. “ My songs are always inspired by emotions. I break down emotions into like 50 million categories and one big category is sadness.” She goes on to explain what kinds of sadness she has experienced during her tender years of dating. “There’s the missing-him kind of sadness. There’s the frustrated and confused, don’t-know-why-it-ended kind of sadness.” Words of wisdom from a young songwriter and an indication of why she has been so successful.
[: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2252827/Taylor-Swift-opens-songwriting--beau-Harry-Styles-jets-home-romantic-minibreak.html#ixzz2Yy71hTM7]
Jim Webb offers more insight on the topic while explaining the difference between a poem and a song in his book Tunesmith. “A song is a magical marriage between a lyric (some words) and a melody (some notes). It is not a poem. It is not music. It is in this gray area of synthesis between language, rhythm and sound that some of the most acute of all sensors of human emotion lie.”
Malachy McCourt has written a book about the Irish ballad Danny Boy. The melody was published in 1855 by Dr. George Petrie in Ancient Music of Ireland. There is some evidence it was composed as The Londonderry Air by an Irish harpist who went by the name of Rory Dall Morrison. Like many a folk song no one really knows. The song really took off when some 300 years later an English barrister put pen to paper and put lyrics to the melody. Frederick Edward Weatherley was not the first person to put words to the beloved air. More than 90 poets and authors had transcribed words to the melody before Weatherley created Danny Boy in 1912. As soon it was published it caught the public’s attention and became a huge World War I hit. This is a good example of how a song can connect emotionally to many listeners and for different reasons. I’ve seen grown men break down in tears upon hearing the refrain.
I found some interesting websites on the subject of writing emotional songs. One asked,”How is it possible that a mere collection of sounds gets associated in our brain with memories, emotions, stories, images, and feelings? Why can we even cry when hearing a particular piece of music or even a fleeting short succession of a few notes?”
[http://www.ted.com/conversations/3796/why_does_music_touch_us_emot.html]
It is a mystery and we as songwriters must be aware of it’s importance to our craft. Ralph Murphy says the most successful songs are those that touch women. Australian Paul Kelly exemplifies this in his approach to the craft. Baltimore City Paper quotes: “his ability to write for a woman’s voice spills over to an ability to write for a woman’s ear.” Kelly is a fine guitar and harmonica player as well as a gifted writer. For some reason huge fame has eluded him except in his native Australia where he is as venerable as Bob Dylan. [http://www2.citypaper.com/music/story.asp?id=8557] and [http://www.paulkelly.com.au/news]
Murphy speaks about good and bad pronouns. "He," "she," "they," and "them" come between ”you," "us," "I," and "we." The latter pronouns invite the listener into the song. It’s a mindset that gets you inside the song. Always be aware of the pronouns you use when constructing a song as they will contribute greatly to the emotion you wish to convey.
I conclude by noting that there is a a tremendous amount of information available on this subject. I encourage everyone to do their own research. See you next month.
WebChatter
by SusieCool
Just wanted to get the word out that there are several open mics in the central Florida area. Great venues for those of you looking to play your original material. There's even a few songwriters competitions. Please check my webpage for details.
https://sites.google.com/site/susiecoolsongs/Home/open-mic-directory-central-florida
Also check John Cunningham's page http://cffolk.org/open_mics/open_mics.htm
Please make sure to call the venues to check and see if they still exist, you may want to make sure that you can call or e-mail to get available slots (if they prebook).
Happy hunting!!!
ISG Bulletin Board
Videography and website management services at a price you CAN AFFORD. Capturing your wedding or event on video may not be in your budget but you’re hoping that you may have something left over to hire a videographer. I will fit your budget. My goal is to offer my services to those who otherwise would have to pass because of funds. This is your special day and you most definitely want to capture those moments. Visit my website at http://www.videosaysitall.com . Thanks and call me anytime (352-267-5911)…Carlos Colon
Central Florida Folk http://cffolk.org/song_circle/song_circle.htm
is having an acoustic song circle at the Sleeping Moon on the last Wednesday of each month.
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/26/1556023/restaurant/Orlando/Sleeping-Moon-Cafe-Winter-Park
Their food is great and the song circle is from 7 till 10pm.
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.
We’re always looking for material for the newsletter. If you have any information that you would like to see added to the newsletter, please see Jeff Mason at the meetings or email him at jeffrey_mason@me.com . Please keep your articles brief and to the point. Print deadline for the newsletter is approximately two weeks prior to the monthly meeting.
Classified advertising may be placed free of charge to members in good standing with the ISG. For more information on display advertising and/or classified advertising for non-members, please contact Jeff by the print deadline (usually the Friday 16 days prior to the monthly meeting); email is best ( jeffrey_mason@me.com ).
Why isn't your gig announced here? Call us with your appearance schedule!
Matthew and Rebecca Campbell
Friday July 26th @ 7-9:30p
EXPERIENCE KIRTAN,,,
New World Kirtan Concert
BOLO
What is Kirtan?
Bolo means ..to sing, Kirtan is a vibrational/musical experience that will leave you feeling inspired, uplifted, and completely "blissed-out"!
New World Wellness is excited and blessed to be able to welcome musical performers and Reiki Masters
Matthew and Rebecca Campbell who will lead this experience along with New World Wellness Owner and Yoga/Meditation Instructor, Craig Costello!
A participation mystique is encouraged as Matthew, Rebecca, and Craig lead the audience through optional singing, dancing and meditations during this amazing experience...participate as much or as little as you wish and just enjoy the amazing vibrations and incredible energy! 20 DAKIN AVENUE, KISSIMMEE, FLORIDA 34741.
The Low Cost is $15 to RSVP call 407.847.8792
Current members please send us your website info if you would like your site to be listed in the ISG members page. Also if you have any songs that have placed first in the monthly critiques, please send the mp3's to isgorlando@gmail.com if you would like to have them featured in the ISG MySpace page. https://myspace.com/21075001
Past Certificate winners can be found at https://sites.google.com/site/isgsusiecool/home/resultslist-2
No critique contest in July
New members always welcome!
© 2013 ISG