Another day, another song.
I’m getting a little behind here. I promised myself that I would put up two (three?) songs Wednesday, because I had them “finished”. Turns out they’re not really finished, as in I started recording them and realized they needed some work. Basically I’m a day late on everything. Which means I’ll finish up on Monday instead of Sunday. Muse willing.
Yesterday was very busy. I didn’t write the blog because I only had until 4:30 to write and record. Then I had to pick up Wendy from work and make her dinner (one of the best meals she’s ever had–her words). Then at 7:00 I went to play music with some new folks I know from church. Then a friend came over from work and stayed until…11:30. I was too tired at that point to write.
About playing music with others. Every musician understands the joy of getting together to jam. It’s what we live for, really. Sometimes I forget that music functions in society as a unifying experience. We think of music in terms of it’s performance. What your average listener probably doesn’t realize is that it’s more fun for us on stage than for them in the audience.
Unifying in this context means breaking down walls. For the duration of the song or tune–and this is my experience–the musicians break away from their personal time lines to carve out a shared experience. Music creates a new…vessel. When we’re playing it’s like we’re stranded on a small boat (but in a good way) lost at sea. There are no private experiences. Everything we do we share.
To a smaller extent we become connected with the audience in this way–which is why performing solo can also be gratifying. I played violin growing up, and before I was in an orchestra all I had was the solo performance. Imagine a third grader practicing some Suzuki etude and then playing it for a group of parents. Not the same as playing with others. Oh, I remember: I usually had an accompanist. Ann Markert, a family friend, usually played the piano for me. Wow, a dusty old memory. That was fun.
So, fast forward to college. I had started playing guitar. The first memory I have of a close personal connection like I’m talking about was with a girl who played flute. She was the friend of a roommate, and for some reason she had her flute with her. I picked up a guitar and we played a song–Scarborough Fair, or something like that. By the time we finished I thought we were in love! Seriously. She was pretty too, which may have had something to do with it. I don’t know how she felt about it, but I wanted to lean in and French Kiss her right then. I was sure we were connected for life. But I don’t believe we ever met, or played, again.
Anyway, I was hooked on the shared experience. Sitting in my room and playing guitar was no longer the thing. Of course one has to practice, but it’s really all about playing with others.
As always, the songs are at: https://rapidshare.com/#home
Sign in as me (tommydean) and use my password (songwriter), then open the folder entitled Song a day Challenge. Double click the songs, and with any luck they should play. The three new ones from this week are: It Doesn’t Pay to be Me; Will it all Come Together?; and Dear Father.