Music....Is it only for the most talented?

‎"Use what talents you possess: the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that are the best."~Henry Van Dyke

Hmmmmm..... There is a constant debate I have with certain friends. It usually starts with a comment like, 'Music like that should be outlawed', or 'There should be rules that stuff that bad can't be heard in public'.

This is why so many of us, even those with a great skill, a beautiful voice and a wonderful gift, are shy about playing 'in public'. SOMEONE will hear them and have a criticism. Their tone is poor, the production stinks, their pitch is off, the rhythm is not accurate.

I believe that we all,  rank beginner to amateur to professional, have things to learn and get better at.  I don't mean to say that we should all just make a noise and TOO BAD to folks that don't like it. No. You do need to respect the natural laws that govern a sound that feels good to hear. You need to respect the fact that you have something to learn, and that you can get better. When playing with others, you need to understand and listen and contribute in a way that compliments the song.

But if you love music, and want to try to make it, and love to do that, it is not up to me to judge the value of your sound. It is up to me only to find my relationship to it:  to personally like it or not, to continue to listen to it or not. But judging value??? Nope. Art is a distinctly human activity that has worth just by being created.

There is a lot of music that I personally can't listen to, it just rubs me the wrong way. But that doesn't mean it is BAD, it means it does not do anything FOR ME. The music is still valid for someone, if only the creator. 

So, if you want to make music, do it. Practice. Listen to others. Get better. But don't wait until you sound like Adele before you venture into the world..... first of all, you probably won't sound like Adele, EVER. Second of all, you will never experience the joy of performance or the joy of making music with other human beings, and THAT is a great loss for you.

The question is: Is Music Making only for the elite?? Or for all?? I sure do LOVE to listen to great musicians, and catch as many shows as I can. But I also love to play with and listen to just ordinary people making music solely for the love of the sound. I still believe that music is better as a participant sport, as opposed to a spectator sport.

The joy that a person gets out of making music has no relationship to his/her talent, thank heavens. And, in actual fact, talent bears little relationship to the joy a person can give others by playing music. And ALL music made in joy has validity.

SO..... SING!!!!  And remember what a good friend said to me about 'making it' in music..... 'I MAKE IT every time someone hears me and feels a little better that day.'  THAT is what it is all about.......

KarmaTube: The Power of Music

KarmaTube: The Power of Music

Jack Leroy Tueller's decision to play his trumpet for the last remaining Germany sniper threatening his unit so moved the sniper that he couldn't shoot, and surrendered the next morning. By choosing to play 'his love song', Jack recognized the fear and loneliness common to all of us. Now 90, he shares his story....



Video from KarmaTube

Bob Dylan's Christmas Message - The Holiday Blues (and how to beat 'em)

Sing/Jam/Fest

Making music is my passion.... and last night I was WELL indulged. As one of my facebook friends commented, in these days of increasing darkness, we have to light our own way. I still feel the glow of creativity and beauty in this little house of mine from all the talented, inspired and inspiring folks that played here last night.

I feel a little bad for the few non musicians here, because there were times, lots of times, when we just HAD to play that one again, cause it just felt so damn good, and then, as we ended, we'd start over yet again from the beginning, just to run through it yet *another* time, just looking at each other and keeping that sound moving..... If you ever jam with folks of similar mind set, folks who really really don't do music for ego, they just do music because of IT, because of MUSIC and making that sound with other people making a sound, and together it sounds sooooo much MORE than anything you could do yourself..... if you are a musician, and have that opportunity, you KNOW what I am talking about. That magic.....

It is a transportation. It is a feeling of oneness with the sound and the people and the instruments and the voices and whatever that is in the room that I don't have words for. Transportation.

So, most of the time, I am happy with one or two moments of that when I get together with people. I don't expect, out of four hours, to get there again and again.... lol. Especially singing Christmas songs....

So who were the players? Connie was there, though he 'doesn't play christmas music',  he did strum along with us, adding his bass runs and cool rhythms.  Reene was too, singing along, keeping us going with carols and songs that the rest of us were not sure of, with her strong, pleasant voice. My friends and family, Todd (actually co-host of the party), Paul, and Ken, who chatted and listened and put up with the musicians' never ending (for example) Little Drummer Boy.

Annie, sitting quietly and singing along on each tune, adding her sweet voice to the choir (as well as bringing a delicious baked ziti!)!! Harmonies, melodies and some great rhythmic guitar work came with Betsi, K. as well as her sunny smile and  musicians heart. Playing yet a ANOTHER new song, Simon had us all tapping our feet and smiling during a round of non holiday songs. Mike, man of many instruments as long as he can carry them all in one trip (four last night), added his voice and spirited playing, reminded us regularly to enjoy these songs, and tapped into 'that place' more times than I could count last night. Nick made me listen very closely to 'Blue Christmas' and reminded me again of the beauty of that song, and by extension, all the subsequent songs, as well as adding his voice and guitar. Max can weave magic into any tune with his violin, and we got a chance to listen to HIS music, and, well, it is truly beautiful~ that sound can bring tears or laughter!!!

I really felt a celebration of making music, in this very musical season, in my house, last night. Thanks to my friends, who in sharing it with me, added so much to the evening!!!

Holiday Music

Tonight, I host my favorite party of the year.... a Holiday Sing/Jam. There will be lots of folks here in my tiny house, all come to sing songs of the season and bring joy to each other. I hope your evening is fun and full of light and laughter and music!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

The Holidays Begin

Thanksgiving is one holiday that I can say I agree with every part of the idea....the thanks, the harvest, the association with Native Peoples......no gifts needed, just friends and family and feeling good and being grateful that you are....

In other words, recognizing the gifts you already have.

I really like that.

So.....HAPPY THANKSGIVING FOLKS!!!!

(yes, if this looks familiar, it is.....i posted this last year too....i still believe it

Neil Young: I Am A Child / Get Together - Bridge School Benefit, 10/23/11

John Street Jam

Last night I went to see my friend, Betsi Krisniski play at the John Street Jam. What a wonderful celebration of the art of music!! Two groups of four musicians playing original tunes, very well down, with an audience that listens INTENSELY to the music. The energy in the Room was all designed to support and uplift the performers while they shared their art with us. 

A very memorable evening with some excellent musicians, appreciative audience and wonderful spirit. Oh, yeah, Betsi did a GREAT job too....

Busking On Warren Street

Busking on Warren Street

When I was first asked if I would like to go busk on Warren Street, my first thought was, 'Is it legal?'. I really didn't want to get my name in the police blotter of the Hudson Register Star. I did see the occasional musician or group on the street in front of a coffee house, looking like it was all ok....

My friends assured me that as long as we were not 'vending' (selling, I guess) and we did not use amplification, we would not be offending any lawmakers.  We also could not be able to block the sidewalk or access to businesses or walk ways.

Ok, I can deal with that.  So, a bunch of times this past summer, I could be found with my buddies, standing on the street, singing and playing familiar folk songs.  It turns out to be an experience right up there with all the rest of my musical experiences.

We have had folks stop and tell us that we made their day as they throw a buck or two in the open instrument case laying somewhere near us.  Children stop and dance in front of us while parents take pictures and smile.  Many folks just hurry on by, pretending we don't exist, but sometimes you can see them smile as they look at the sidewalk.  Occasionally people stop for several songs, maybe asking for a favorite or two.  Then there are the ones who hurry away just to bring the rest of their party back to watch, or maybe sing a tune or so with us. 

Again, the old theme.  Music speaks to people.  It 'makes their day'.... And you know, it makes MY day to bring some unexpected joy to folks on the street as they go about their day. 

a fringe benefit of singin' at the farmer's market-

Uploaded by www.cellspin.net

Working the Farmers Market is harder than one might expect. You stand under a shelter in the heat or the rain or the chill and sing, in this case, for five hours. People walk by and some smile and put a dollar in the collector, others look right through you like you are not even there. Sometimes a whole bunch of folks clap, most of the time, no one acknowledges that you just completed a tune. But, at the end, while we are all packing up, the other vendors will come over to you and gift you and thank you for coming and sharing your music.

I had been staring at this particular sun flower for most of the morning. After all, it was listening to all my songs and the smile never left his face..... My neighboring vendor, and second biggest fan at the market (considering the flower was my first), brought it over to me and said it from the farmer. So cool that I had been watching it for hours!!

I have played now at several local Farmers Markets, and the Hudson one is definitely worth your time. Organic produce in copious quantities, iced drinks, GREAT locally roasted Strongtree Coffee, lots of plants for your garden, all sold by friendly folks. BUY FOOD *DIRECTLY* FROM THE PEOPLE WHO GROW IT!!!! It is one of the best ways to support your local economy and your neighbors.

And it feels good.....