Songwriting & Beyond…

For the more musically minded, (specifically those who play guitar), I dug up this short article how to link your vocals to the guitar using a parallel melody.

So in other words, using intervals between the vocal and the guitar to create melodies. Pretty cool. Check out the full article out here.

Calvin

“Songwriting, at a fundamental level,
involves the uniting of melody and harmony:
the singing of a melody, and its union with a
supporting harmony. For soloist singer/
songwriter/guitarists, this accompanying
harmony is created and played on guitar. For
many bands, too, the guitar is the main
conveyor of harmony. In cases such as these,
one very simple way of adding interest to a
song is by paralleling a melody that’s sung
with a melody that’s played on guitar…..”

Source http://musesmuse.com/LinkingVocalsandGuitar.pdf

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Some of you may recall my previous post on the John Lennon Songwriting Contest.

Here, Rob explains the process and prizes.

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After several emails requesting a song from ‘Prince’ , I decided to add one here for your viewing and listening pleasure

Here is ‘Purple Rain’ , performed by Prince and the Revolution. The genius of this song is that it combines elements of all pop, rock, gospel and soul.

The song is taken directly from his album (and film) entitled ‘Purple Rain’ and remains his biggest selling album to date.

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…..and that’s exactly the attitude which enables him to just keep on going.

Paul Simon’s career has spanned over three decades and a chunk of that success is attached to the duo ‘Simon & Garfunkel’. It was in 1970 that Simon began writing and recording his own solo material and enjoyed peak solo success in the 80s when he released Graceland - for which he won a Grammy Award.

He is one of the most prolific singer-songwriter’s out there and his out-put has been of the highest calibre.

Simon has now released a new album entitled ‘Surprise’ and once again he explores new territory - fusing with electronic music talent Brian Eno.

Check out the article.

Calvin

“It has been two decades since American songwriting icon Paul Simon turned much of the world onto African music with Graceland and six years since he released an album of new material.

The terrorist attacks on America, Simon’s 60th birthday and a long-overdue reunion with his 1960s singing partner, Art Garfunkel, came and went after the release of 2000’s You’re the One, which made only a ripple in the music industry.

Now, Simon has released Surprise, a smart, refreshing CD that finds him exploring new territory with another icon, electronic-music pioneer Brian Eno, and giving voice to listeners who are taking stock of their lives….”

Click here to finish reading the article.

Source http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/entertainment/
2006-07/24/content_647804.htm / By Larry Rodgers /
The Arizona Republic/ Chinadaily.com

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I once read, a great songwriter touches ‘almost’ everybody. Joni Mitchell has may classics under her belt and has performed many times in her life. However, it was this performance (at age 57) that totally grabbed me and blow me away.

It’s her song ‘Both Sides Now’ and she’s backed up by a full string orchestra. The ballad is slow and moving…. it really did touch me.

“Bows and flows of angel hair and ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere, i’ve looked at cloud that way.
But now they only block the sun, they rain and snow on everyone.
So many things i would have done but clouds got in my way.

I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now,
From up and down, and still somehow
It’s cloud illusions i recall.
I really don’t know clouds at all.

Moons and junes and ferris wheels, the dizzy dancing way you feel
As every fairy tale comes real; i’ve looked at love that way.
But now it’s just another show. you leave ‘em laughing when you go
And if you care, don’t let them know, don’t give yourself away.

I’ve looked at love from both sides now,
From give and take, and still somehow
It’s love’s illusions i recall.
I really don’t know love at all.

Tears and fears and feeling proud to say “i love you” right out loud,
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds, i’ve looked at life that way.
But now old friends are acting strange, they shake their heads, they say
I’ve changed.
Something’s lost but something’s gained in living every day.

I’ve looked at life from both sides now,
From win and lose, and still somehow
It’s life’s illusions i recall.
I really don’t know life at all”

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