Finding my way back

[Willowen]

To make a sad story short, my musical partner and I are no longer together (he made his journey to the Summerland in November). I sing and he used to write the music, or should I say, I wrote the lyrics and he wrote the music. Anyway, the other day his wife arrived at my house with my mic, monitor and a smile on her face. She said it was time for me to sing again. Needless to say, I am at a loss as to where to begin. My husband says my voice is just as good as it ever was, but I've never been on my own musically before. The transition is difficult, to say the least. Since I joined O.B.O.D. my main priority has been to figure out how to make a difference in the world with my voice and music. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Blessed be

[Gwion]

You mention singing and writing/composing. Was your musical partner your accompanist as well as the composer? If not then there’s no reason why you can’t continue singing the songs that are already in your repertoire. If he was your accompanist then you have an opportunity to try out whole new arrangements now. Unaccompanied singing has a great history even if you don’t play an instrument yourself. In the UK there are plenty of opportunities to ease yourself into singing in “public “ at folk clubs and informal singarounds and sessions. I know there are similar things in some parts of the USA – try posting on Mudcat (http://www.mudcat.org/) to see if there are any near you.

If you’re worried that you have lyrics inside you with no tunes to sing them to, try using tunes from some of the old traditional songs around. I have written a few songs but know little or nothing about music. Some of my tunes I’ve made up but many of them are adaptations of traditional ones.

As for the actual singing – I can’t imagine my life without songs and singing. Don’t cut yourself off from such magic, take the first step back; the rest will follow.

[malcolmb]

Hello Willowen - I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your music partner. Making music together creates such a strong and intimate bond and I can fully understand why you felt unable to continue without him. But I am equally sure that the kindness of his wife is a message to you that the time has come to move back into the wonderful world of making and sharing music.

I have always felt (and found!) that writing lyrics is significantly more difficult than writing the music. So you are already more than half way there! I have also found that lyrics write the music, rather than the other way round. There is always an emotion and cadence to lyrics to which there can only be one tune. When you write the lyrics, you will hear the music naturally forming in your mind.

Also, music does not have to be complicated. All music does is provide a vehicle for the lyrics, not the other way round. Many good songs are written using just a few notes - as many successful pop bands have found! And the accompaniment can be very simple - just a stroke of a chord on a guitar can be all that is needed. I am not sure if you can play the guitar but if you cannot, just try to learn a very few basic chords - C, F, G, A minor and E minor. Just about every song ever written can be played with these chords. Then sit down in a quiet room with the guitar and the lyrics. If it is a happy song, stroke a C chord. If it is a sad or emotional song, stroke an A minor chord. And then sing the tune that is in your mind. As Gwion said, that tune may turn out to be a traditional one, or a tune you have heard on the radio or CD or your own invention. It doesn't matter. Just sing. The tune may change as you sing each verse and as you sing the song again. It doesn't matter. Eventually, one tune will gel with the lyrics. And now you are ready.

"Make a difference in the world with my voice and music". I heartily applaud and echo this sentiment. It is certainly what I try to do. My personal feelings on this is that if I can touch even just one person with my music, I have made a difference. So, your audience awaits. Singing to friends, to your Grove and in a folk club are both good possibilities. A very elderly lady turned up at my Grove with her guitar on the day we were being filmed for a forthcoming TV series on Sky TV - now she will be singing to the World! And of course you have access to the internet which gives you the potential audience of everyone in the World. If you can, make a recording of a song (it is really quite easy with a basic computer) and post it here - we would all love to hear it. There are also a range of free sites on the web where you can post a song and share it on other web sites like Facebook and Twitter. I do!

So, take a deep breath, feel the Awen and do it. And have fun!

Blessings
Malcolm /|\

[Willowen]

Greetings to all,
Thank you so much for your feedback and kind words! I guess it is time to pick up that old guitar and do something with it. I have one song that Jake and I recorded but John Prine is the original artist (The song is "Angel from Montgomery") and I am unsure of copyright issues. Can I post it if I give him the credit as the composer of the song? The recording is live and it is the last song that we did together in public at a local talent show.
I've been busy with the harvest of my garden so I didn't get back to boards as quickly as I should have. Again thanks for the encouragement! I believe there is magick in music and the words that make up the lyrics. A little encouragement goes a long way.
Bright Blessings!

[malcolmb]

Hello Willowen - Copyright is a hugely fraught and difficult subject. Equally, the law varies from country to country. In the USA, my understanding is that if you record your own performance of copyrighted music and then distribute those recordings - either for free, sale or promotional - you will need either a 'mechanical license' or the written permission from the copyright owners.

Broadly speaking, the writer of a piece of music has copyright for their lifetime plus 70 years.

I know this all sounds a bit harsh but composers and performers have to live! We all know that the internet is awash with unauthorised copies of music and unauthorised performances of copyrighted songs. So, does copyright matter? That is up to the individual to decide - and in making that decision accepts the legal and financial ramifications of that decision.

I am sorry if this is not helpful. In your position, I would just keep the recording as a very special reminder of the wonderful creations you made with your music partner and now move forward to creating your own music.

Just as an aside, all the music I write and publish is under a Creative Commons licence which allows anyone to download and perform my songs without fee (I even know a few of you who do perform my songs - thank you!). You might want to consider this form of licensing for your songs which I feel is very much in the Druid ethic of sharing. The one thing I do not allow is the unauthorised use of my music for Commercial purposes. By 'Commercial' I don't mean the folk singer who earns a performance fee at a local folk club. The only reason I make this proviso is that I need to be allowed to make a decision if the Commercial purpose is in keeping with my Druid ethic. I never, ever ask for a fee. I just ask that a small (and I do mean small) donation be made by the user to a charity of their choice.

So, I very much look forward to hearing your music and please do let me know if I can be of any help.

Blessings
Malcolm /|\

[Whitemane]

In a case like this, you will almost certainly need to get permission from the copyright holder. Even if you are going to distribute it for free, it is a copyrighted work, and publishers will protect their copyrighted works. Unfortunately, the protection of intellectual property has become a contact sport.

When you contact, be brief and direct. If you retain a solicitor, asking them to take care of it for you might be quicker, and ultimately cheaper.