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Tuesday 8 December 2009
Thursday 3 December 2009
THE PENTATONIC SCALE
Bobby McFerrin demonstrates the power of the pentatonic scale, using audience participation, at the event "Notes & Neurons: In Search of the Common Chorus", from the 2009 World Science Festival, June 12, 2009.
Tuesday 1 December 2009
THE TURNING OF THE YEAR
Amid these grim, wet, cold, gloomy days it's good to remember that we're coming up to the shortest day and that's the burden of our new song, words and music by Jan Holdstock.
THE TURNING OF THE YEAR
The leaves are gone, the boughs are black and bare against the sky, _
So bring a branch of evergreen and hang the holly high.
For the darkest days are over_ and the spring will soon be here,
So we sing _ and we celebrate _ the turning of the year.
The days are short, the nights are cold, the sky is dark with rain,
But we can see the sunlight in the candle’s flickery flame.
The wind may blow, the frost may bite, but we will take the time
To cheer our hearts with carolling, with music and with rhyme.
We picked it up quickly and were soon carolling away like linties, enjoying the music and the up-beat sentiments.
THE TURNING OF THE YEAR
The leaves are gone, the boughs are black and bare against the sky, _
So bring a branch of evergreen and hang the holly high.
For the darkest days are over_ and the spring will soon be here,
So we sing _ and we celebrate _ the turning of the year.
The days are short, the nights are cold, the sky is dark with rain,
But we can see the sunlight in the candle’s flickery flame.
The wind may blow, the frost may bite, but we will take the time
To cheer our hearts with carolling, with music and with rhyme.
We picked it up quickly and were soon carolling away like linties, enjoying the music and the up-beat sentiments.
I'm always happy when it's time to sing the Carol of the Advent, the lovely French tune Besençon, to words by Eleanor Farjeon and we gave it full voice.
The spotlight was on the percussion department today, allowing them some time to concentrate on exactly where and how to hit that drum and cymbal, get the feel of the weight of the beater and also listen to the sounds as the beater hit different parts of the instrument. The result was sensitive playing from both players and now we're ready to film our piece again, first time we have a full turnout.
Last meeting of the year next week followed by the Christmas lunch.
The spotlight was on the percussion department today, allowing them some time to concentrate on exactly where and how to hit that drum and cymbal, get the feel of the weight of the beater and also listen to the sounds as the beater hit different parts of the instrument. The result was sensitive playing from both players and now we're ready to film our piece again, first time we have a full turnout.
Last meeting of the year next week followed by the Christmas lunch.
Wednesday 25 November 2009
A CHORAL SOUND
The Enjoy Music Group - Click to enlargeOf course we are a music group, exploring and enjoying many aspects of music, but singing is a particular joy and we have been quietly and steadily training ourselves to be better singers and even think about blending our voices. This happens regularly whether we are twelve or twenty but this morning the combination of being twenty, and at last feeling comfortable with GREEN GROW THE RASHES O, was quite special and for the first time I felt we were singing as a choir. Words are almost perfect from memory and the faces are showing real feeling for the song,_a pleasure to see and listen to.
We also spent some time this morning having ourselves filmed singing and playing THE FAIR LADY. It's some time since we made a film and I think we got a good format this time for our position in the room. It went quite well but the results were so close to being good that I've decided we should do it again next week now that we're familiar with the drill and get it right.
We are scheduled to finish this term on 1st December but decided to add a meeting on the 8th after which we'll go for lunch at Douglas Park Golf Club
Tuesday 17 November 2009
CALL AND RESPONSE ROUND THE CIRCLE.
Call and response is one of the oldest forms of song, found in many parts of the world. It depends on one person with a strong voice who sings a line at a time for the others to echo. We have a number of these in our repertoire and sing them either with one caller or in two groups, _ one group calling and the other responding.
Today we sang WHAT'LL I DO WITH THE BABY-O? with each person taking a turn to 'call' a line of the song, right round the circle. Interesting how the need to sing the line, solo, demonstrated how not everyone was secure in the song and concentrated minds on fixing the melody. By the third time round, all were singing their lines in good, clear, confident voices.
This is a good way to build confidence among singers and also a fun way to sing.
GREEN GROW THE RASHES O we have almost memorised and our challenge now is to begin to enjoy the song and sing it confidently.
We ended the morning with ALEYKUM ASALAAM, Arabic for "Peace be unto you', a four part harmony piece by Nickomo. It's some time since we sang this but after re-learning the parts we achieved a full, close harmony sound which sent us off with a musical warmth inside on a cold morning.
Today we sang WHAT'LL I DO WITH THE BABY-O? with each person taking a turn to 'call' a line of the song, right round the circle. Interesting how the need to sing the line, solo, demonstrated how not everyone was secure in the song and concentrated minds on fixing the melody. By the third time round, all were singing their lines in good, clear, confident voices.
This is a good way to build confidence among singers and also a fun way to sing.
GREEN GROW THE RASHES O we have almost memorised and our challenge now is to begin to enjoy the song and sing it confidently.
We ended the morning with ALEYKUM ASALAAM, Arabic for "Peace be unto you', a four part harmony piece by Nickomo. It's some time since we sang this but after re-learning the parts we achieved a full, close harmony sound which sent us off with a musical warmth inside on a cold morning.
Tuesday 10 November 2009
THE FAIR LADY IN BALANCE.
For several weeks we've been practising the barred instrument parts of the Orff-Keetman arrangement of the old Scots ghost song, THE FAIR LADY and of course we had to use all the instruments, glocks, xylophones and metallophone, allowing everyone to have a go.
The arrangement, however, calls for only xylophones and metallophone, seven barred instruments in our group, and today we added the bass drum and a cymbal, nine players altogether, leaving the others to sing the song.
This was a good balance of sound. We heard the drum and cymbal to great effect and the voices came over clearly above the gentle rhythmic ostinatos from the xylophones and metallophone. We repeated it many times, enjoying the sound as well as the satisfaction of getting it right, at last.
The success of this may have been due to the good warm up at the beginning when everyone did an improvisation, to be copied by the group. Many of these were snippets of songs learned long ago, and happily revived, giving a lot of laughs, as well as good exercise for the voice.
The arrangement, however, calls for only xylophones and metallophone, seven barred instruments in our group, and today we added the bass drum and a cymbal, nine players altogether, leaving the others to sing the song.
This was a good balance of sound. We heard the drum and cymbal to great effect and the voices came over clearly above the gentle rhythmic ostinatos from the xylophones and metallophone. We repeated it many times, enjoying the sound as well as the satisfaction of getting it right, at last.
The success of this may have been due to the good warm up at the beginning when everyone did an improvisation, to be copied by the group. Many of these were snippets of songs learned long ago, and happily revived, giving a lot of laughs, as well as good exercise for the voice.
Tuesday 27 October 2009
THE BLACK SOCKS WARM UP
Black socks, they never get dirty,
The longer you wear them the stronger they get.
Sometimes I felt I should launder them;
Something keeps telling me: don't wash them yet,
Not yet, not yet, not yet _.
This energetic round started us off on a chilly morning, warming the voices and the spirits. Careful attention to tuning the notes and managing the jumps in the melody paid off as we were soon singing it well. Next week will be the move into three (or four) parts.
Our current Burns song GREEN GROW THE RASHES O was next. We spent some time noting pronunciations and note lengths before launching into the song, the challenge of which, for a group, is to sing the tricky rhythms together and accurately; the words are so good that they sing themselves. The range of this song makes it difficult for a group of mixed voices, and here it is the bases who need to jump octaves to stay with the melody. But ever resourceful, they manage it and our tenor, struggling somewhat in the low notes of the verse, really shines in the chorus.
The scale in the accompaniment of THE FAIR LADY is now a dawdle for us but fitting it in between what comes before and after is still difficult. It's a real joy now to see the agility of everyone crossing the sticks for the notes of the scale and playing with obvious feeling for the pulse of the piece.
We ended the morning with FAREWEEL TAE TARWATHIE, always a favourite
Tuesday 20 October 2009
OUR DEFINITIVE VERSION
Singing a Burns song as a group means deciding on pronunciation and that involves considering all the ways we've heard that song sung, as well as our own individual native dialects of the Scots words. In our group these native dialects include Glasgow/central Scotland, Aberdeen, Stirlingshire and west coast and today we worked on finding a consensus as to what felt right for all of us. So pencils in hand, we read over GREEN GROW THE RASHES O, writing in word by word, directions as to how to pronounce the printed text and ending up with our definitive version.
After that we sang it with good feeling, not quite all together yet, but now at least we know where we're going with it.
The cafe is now open again and we enjoyed the break upstairs.
Afterwards, working on the instruments, we practised fitting in the 'scale' section of THE FAIR LADY, which took some time, but as I see those crossover movements with the sticks looking more agile, it is now beginning to feel more relaxed and truly musical.
After that we sang it with good feeling, not quite all together yet, but now at least we know where we're going with it.
The cafe is now open again and we enjoyed the break upstairs.
Afterwards, working on the instruments, we practised fitting in the 'scale' section of THE FAIR LADY, which took some time, but as I see those crossover movements with the sticks looking more agile, it is now beginning to feel more relaxed and truly musical.
Tuesday 13 October 2009
WE DO BURNS
Beginning today with some scat singing in a jazzy round by Orff teacher Woflgang Hartmann, we further warmed up the voices with the round BIRDS FLY SOUTH, in three parts plus bass ostinato. Two whistling improvisers, although soft, gave the piece atmosphere and the ensemble worked well.
After that, we took a fresh look at the Burns song GREEN GROW THE RASHES O! and decided we liked every one of the five verses. There was some discussion of how we should pronounce various words _ we have many different backgrounds, as far as Scots language is concerned _ in our group. Interesting to hear the range of ideas and come to consensus. The range of the tune is a challenge for our mixed voices but we'll work at it and perhaps stretch the range of a few members (in a good way).
We missed the flutes today for the Connemara lullaby but substituted voices before coming in with the words. Wonderful how we can now sing and play at the same time, keeping it all together beautifully.
Finally, we practised the parts for THE FAIR LADY, which we've always found difficult and we'll come back to that next week hoping to get it right next time.
After that, we took a fresh look at the Burns song GREEN GROW THE RASHES O! and decided we liked every one of the five verses. There was some discussion of how we should pronounce various words _ we have many different backgrounds, as far as Scots language is concerned _ in our group. Interesting to hear the range of ideas and come to consensus. The range of the tune is a challenge for our mixed voices but we'll work at it and perhaps stretch the range of a few members (in a good way).
We missed the flutes today for the Connemara lullaby but substituted voices before coming in with the words. Wonderful how we can now sing and play at the same time, keeping it all together beautifully.
Finally, we practised the parts for THE FAIR LADY, which we've always found difficult and we'll come back to that next week hoping to get it right next time.
Tuesday 6 October 2009
TO GREENLAND AND BACK
We spent some time and effort today on TARWATHIE, achieving a good blend of the voices and having a try at memorising the words, which one member, who'd visited Greenland, found entirely reminiscent of the landscape there.
LOVE SOMEBODY, in 'call and response' form, always requires sharp attack at the beginning of phrases and this took a little time to establish. Also, more verses would be fun and this was the challenge set to our wordsmiths this week: Write more verses!
By now in good voice, we revived from last spring the Orff piece about the bells of towns in France, CARILLON. The melody is in two voice parts with the bass holding a low, sonorous DIN DONG ostinato.
This is accompanied by our two flutes, glocks, xylophones and metallophone. It lacked good balance since several strong singers were missing today, but it should sound good with our full complement.
We ended the morning with CONNEMARA LULLABY; remarkable to hear how comfortable we now are with this dorian mode melody which at first seemed quite strange to our ears.
LOVE SOMEBODY, in 'call and response' form, always requires sharp attack at the beginning of phrases and this took a little time to establish. Also, more verses would be fun and this was the challenge set to our wordsmiths this week: Write more verses!
By now in good voice, we revived from last spring the Orff piece about the bells of towns in France, CARILLON. The melody is in two voice parts with the bass holding a low, sonorous DIN DONG ostinato.
This is accompanied by our two flutes, glocks, xylophones and metallophone. It lacked good balance since several strong singers were missing today, but it should sound good with our full complement.
We ended the morning with CONNEMARA LULLABY; remarkable to hear how comfortable we now are with this dorian mode melody which at first seemed quite strange to our ears.
Tuesday 29 September 2009
A SCALED DOWN (AND UP) DAY.
For various reasons, to do with The Mod, sunny climes, grandchildren and home maintenance, our group was small in number today: nevertheless we learned a new round _ a "DOO-BE-DOO" by Wolfgang Hartmann, an Orff teacher who worked for many years at the Orff Institute in Salzburg and now travels the world giving seminars.
Moving on to the instruments after that, we had a really good practice, 'crossing over' with the beaters and playing scales, up and down. We did make those xylophones sing!
We followed this with CONNEMARA LULLABY - practising the words to become more comfortable with them and enjoying the repeats: flute-song-flute.
Although the high voices were missing today for SONG OF THE SOUTH, Irving Berlin's arrangement of WAY DOWN UPON THE SWANEE RIVER, we sang the melody which gives scope for concentrating on good, round tone on the long notes.
FAREWEEL TAE TARWATHIE was our final song, started by Don singing verse one in a low key then raising the pitch, all joined in for the rest of the verses.
Moving on to the instruments after that, we had a really good practice, 'crossing over' with the beaters and playing scales, up and down. We did make those xylophones sing!
We followed this with CONNEMARA LULLABY - practising the words to become more comfortable with them and enjoying the repeats: flute-song-flute.
Although the high voices were missing today for SONG OF THE SOUTH, Irving Berlin's arrangement of WAY DOWN UPON THE SWANEE RIVER, we sang the melody which gives scope for concentrating on good, round tone on the long notes.
FAREWEEL TAE TARWATHIE was our final song, started by Don singing verse one in a low key then raising the pitch, all joined in for the rest of the verses.
Tuesday 22 September 2009
THE CALL OF THE SOUTH
Returning to BIRDS FLY SOUTH today, we sang the four part round in perfect togetherness, the bass ostinato giving just that little bounce to keep the birds going so that the soprano improvisation on names of the big, solitary birds _ osprey, eagle, sparrowhawk, falcon_ was able to soar above the music of the flock.
This good ensemble continued in CONNEMARA lullaby, the melody played today on two flutes, an octave apart, which gave a fine, full sound. The original words of this melody being lost in time, we sang a new text written by one of our members which fitted perfectly both the music and the mood of the melody.
CONNEMARA LULLABY
Words: Ruth Mills
Tune: Irish, Traditional
On peaceful shores the waves are lappng
And calling me to tarry awhile.
I walk beside the sparkling water
And all my cares wash away on the tide.
A gentle breeze embraces me softly,
A gentle breeze is leading me on
To tranquil pools I see before me ,
My cares are washing away on the tide.
Next. we sang through THE CALL OF THE SOUTH, an Irving Berlin arrangement of the Stephen Foster song, Way Down Upon A Swanee River, which features a melody for soprano which complements the main tune. This gives scope to the fine soprano voices in our group and will be interesting to hear next week when they've learned it.
We ended the morning with FAREWEEL TAE TARWATHIE, giving the first verse to our bass singer, in a low key, accompanied by quiet humming from the others. Raising the pitch after that, we enjoyed singing the rest of the verses.
This good ensemble continued in CONNEMARA lullaby, the melody played today on two flutes, an octave apart, which gave a fine, full sound. The original words of this melody being lost in time, we sang a new text written by one of our members which fitted perfectly both the music and the mood of the melody.
CONNEMARA LULLABY
Words: Ruth Mills
Tune: Irish, Traditional
On peaceful shores the waves are lappng
And calling me to tarry awhile.
I walk beside the sparkling water
And all my cares wash away on the tide.
A gentle breeze embraces me softly,
A gentle breeze is leading me on
To tranquil pools I see before me ,
My cares are washing away on the tide.
Next. we sang through THE CALL OF THE SOUTH, an Irving Berlin arrangement of the Stephen Foster song, Way Down Upon A Swanee River, which features a melody for soprano which complements the main tune. This gives scope to the fine soprano voices in our group and will be interesting to hear next week when they've learned it.
We ended the morning with FAREWEEL TAE TARWATHIE, giving the first verse to our bass singer, in a low key, accompanied by quiet humming from the others. Raising the pitch after that, we enjoyed singing the rest of the verses.
Tuesday 15 September 2009
ONE FLUTE FOR CONNEMARA
BIRDS FLY SOUTH was again a good warm up song, now more relaxed and even sounding 'fluttery' in softer voices and four parts.
Moving on to THE CONNEMARA LULLABY, we sang the tune by heart this time before picking up the beaters to play the instrument parts, glocks and upper xylophones playing two note chords. By the time Diana added the flute melody, it was really impressive how everyone was listening intently, slowing or speeding up to follow her and keeping the ensemble intact to give a really sensitive and musical rendering, __ a pleasure for us all. We look forward to hearing this piece next week with the whistle and perhaps another flute.
After the coffee we picked up the golfing song CARMEN ANTISPHAERISTICUM, which we'd promised to help Gordon with, ready to sing the choruses after his three verses. We were completely unprepared and amazed at the lovely tones that flowed and the confident singing Gordon gave us. As a result we sang with gusto and declared him well ready to sing at the golfing dinner in Troon.
FAREWEEL TAE TARWATHIE the song of the Dundee whalers, collected by Ewan McColl with its lovely slow three beat metre, recalling perhaps quiet reflective nights rocking on a calm sea, was our last of the morning __ five verses and a good sing.
Moving on to THE CONNEMARA LULLABY, we sang the tune by heart this time before picking up the beaters to play the instrument parts, glocks and upper xylophones playing two note chords. By the time Diana added the flute melody, it was really impressive how everyone was listening intently, slowing or speeding up to follow her and keeping the ensemble intact to give a really sensitive and musical rendering, __ a pleasure for us all. We look forward to hearing this piece next week with the whistle and perhaps another flute.
After the coffee we picked up the golfing song CARMEN ANTISPHAERISTICUM, which we'd promised to help Gordon with, ready to sing the choruses after his three verses. We were completely unprepared and amazed at the lovely tones that flowed and the confident singing Gordon gave us. As a result we sang with gusto and declared him well ready to sing at the golfing dinner in Troon.
FAREWEEL TAE TARWATHIE the song of the Dundee whalers, collected by Ewan McColl with its lovely slow three beat metre, recalling perhaps quiet reflective nights rocking on a calm sea, was our last of the morning __ five verses and a good sing.
Wednesday 9 September 2009
OUR NEW SESSION BEGINS.
The seasonal round, 'Birds Fly South' _four parts with bass ostinato, was a good start, going at a brisk pace and opening up the voices.
But following that burst of energy we could wait no longer to hear from our new member who'd brought along his concertina. To see such an instrument, far less hear it played these days is rare and we appreciated every note of the two tunes, sensitively played.
Lucky then that our next piece was The Connemara Lullaby, arranged by Orff and Keetman for flute and instrumental ensemble. We began by learning the distinctive melody, in Dorian mode, singing it many times until our concertina player declared "I can play this!" and went off to practise in the next room.
Meanwhile, we picked up the sticks to tackle the parts for the barred instruments.
Finally coming together for the whole piece, the Lullaby, played softly on this fine rosewood framed concertina, sounded beautiful accompanied by the xylophones, glocks and metallophone. Next week, we hope to hear it on flutes and tin whistle as well.
'Beautiful Africa' was a good sing to finish off our morning.
But following that burst of energy we could wait no longer to hear from our new member who'd brought along his concertina. To see such an instrument, far less hear it played these days is rare and we appreciated every note of the two tunes, sensitively played.
Lucky then that our next piece was The Connemara Lullaby, arranged by Orff and Keetman for flute and instrumental ensemble. We began by learning the distinctive melody, in Dorian mode, singing it many times until our concertina player declared "I can play this!" and went off to practise in the next room.
Meanwhile, we picked up the sticks to tackle the parts for the barred instruments.
Finally coming together for the whole piece, the Lullaby, played softly on this fine rosewood framed concertina, sounded beautiful accompanied by the xylophones, glocks and metallophone. Next week, we hope to hear it on flutes and tin whistle as well.
'Beautiful Africa' was a good sing to finish off our morning.
Tuesday 19 May 2009
Enjoy Music and Fun at Fintry
Enjoy Music Group at Fintry -- Click to enlarge
On Moira Perritt's invitation, we held our last meeting of this session at her house in Fintry. The rain poured down all the way but the temperature was up and the coming of summer was confirmed by the many swallows that darted in front of the car as we approached Moira's house. What an inspiring setting for our music,- beautiful views in every direction and a warm welcome as we were ushered in.Although our group of twenty filled the room we were still able to begin with some fine stretching and opening movements, led by Diana, to a vocalisation by the Swingles Singers of a melody by Bach.
From there on in, there was no stopping us as members one after the other, contributed poems and songs.
With everyone in good voice after that, and with our best Old Norse pronunciation, we returned to the Icelandic folk song about the coming of summer:
NÚ ER VETUR ÚR BÆ --- Icelandic folk song
Nú er vetur úr bæ ---- Now winter has left (the farm)
rann í sefgrænan sæ ---- Has run into the reed green sea
og þar sefur í djúpinu væra ---- And is sleeping there in the calm deep,
en sumarið blítt, ---- But (the) kindly summer
kemur fagurt og frítt ---- Comes, beautiful and mild
meður fjörgjafar ljósinu skæra. ---- Bestowing (the) energising bright light.
Tune, traditional. Text, Jónas Hallgrímsson.
Our call and response song, LOVE SOMEBODY YES I DO was a success as verse after verse was led with confidence, by a new person and spontaneous harmonies sprouted at the end of every chorus.
We ended the musical morning singing ASALAAM in four parts, the harmonies ringing to the rafters in the lovely room.
As Moira invited us to the buffet lunch, we were urged to feel free to spread ourselves around the house and we took full advantage enjoying the space, the views and the garden (when the rain subsided) as we ate and talked together.
This was a great ending to a good year, both musically and socially. This year has been hugely enjoyable for me thanks to the commitment, in every way, of all our members and I look forward to our next session, starting as last year, the second week in September: Tuesday 9th.
HAVE A GOOD SUMMER,
To see a few photos click on the small thumbnail photo
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| Enjoy Music Group at Fintry |
Tuesday 12 May 2009
WEATHERING THE BEATS ON THE XYLOPHONES.
We were small in number today which was an opportunity to have a good practice on the xylophones. Our song THE WEATHER was an exercise in using the beaters and finding the notes and it paid off when by our half way mark we were able to play the piece right through at a good pace. We moved on from there to improvise sections for a rondo using the xylophones and also the temple block and the cymbal. The inspiration was flowing and we made a truly original piece.
After the break we returned to the 'tricky' rhythms of THE FAIR LADY accompanied by Jim on the whistle and Diana on the flute, feeling the delightful effect of the composition when all the instruments are playing accurately and precisely.
Our morning ended with several energetic repeats of the call and response song LOVE SOMEBODY YES I DO, with a different caller each time receiving enthusiastic and musical responses _ a good fun song.
For our final meeting of the 2008-2009 session we are all invited, beginning at 10.00,to Moira Perritt's farm in Fintry, where we'll stay for lunch from 12.00 onwards.
After the break we returned to the 'tricky' rhythms of THE FAIR LADY accompanied by Jim on the whistle and Diana on the flute, feeling the delightful effect of the composition when all the instruments are playing accurately and precisely.
Our morning ended with several energetic repeats of the call and response song LOVE SOMEBODY YES I DO, with a different caller each time receiving enthusiastic and musical responses _ a good fun song.
For our final meeting of the 2008-2009 session we are all invited, beginning at 10.00,to Moira Perritt's farm in Fintry, where we'll stay for lunch from 12.00 onwards.
Sunday 10 May 2009
Wednesday 6 May 2009
A WHISTLE FOR THE FAIR LADY.
After warming up to the WEATHER song, we moved on to the African WATCHA, picking up the three harmony parts.
Getting down to instrument practice, we worked on the rhythms of THE FAIR LADY, simple but tricky and ultimately very effective in accompanying the song. That rhythm is not yet bedded in and some felt it easier to play while singing the song but the real challenge was when Jim added the tune on the tin whistle, a quiet, clear sound. Real concentration was required on the part of everyone to keep the piece together and we did manage it but perhaps next time we'll be less anxious and begin to enjoy it.
Still working on BEAUTIFUL AFRICA, these words are coming easier now and always uplifting to sing.
As before when I've missed a week the group took over and entertained each other and I think it's time I was in on this, so I'm suggesting that we have a re-run of last week's programme when we meet in Fintry on 19th May. Now that'll be a treat!
In our group of mixed voices we talk a lot about high and low registers in an effort to find a comfortable singing range for everyone.
Here are some musicians who between them cover quite a range, _ and with humour!
Getting down to instrument practice, we worked on the rhythms of THE FAIR LADY, simple but tricky and ultimately very effective in accompanying the song. That rhythm is not yet bedded in and some felt it easier to play while singing the song but the real challenge was when Jim added the tune on the tin whistle, a quiet, clear sound. Real concentration was required on the part of everyone to keep the piece together and we did manage it but perhaps next time we'll be less anxious and begin to enjoy it.
Still working on BEAUTIFUL AFRICA, these words are coming easier now and always uplifting to sing.
As before when I've missed a week the group took over and entertained each other and I think it's time I was in on this, so I'm suggesting that we have a re-run of last week's programme when we meet in Fintry on 19th May. Now that'll be a treat!
In our group of mixed voices we talk a lot about high and low registers in an effort to find a comfortable singing range for everyone.
Here are some musicians who between them cover quite a range, _ and with humour!
Tuesday 28 April 2009
Enjoy Music without Moira
In Moira’s absence we held another ‘concert’ this morning.
Diana started us off with a beautiful and calming warm-up exercise, called Body Prayer. We performed this to Air on a G String by J.S. Bach.
Isla then followed on with a vocal warm-up with a difference. We all sang a chorus from Rhythm of Life, while trying to remember to think about breathing, expression and rounded vowels.
Joan then played a piece on the flute called Andante in E minor by J.S. Bach. This was a lovely piece, with a lot of difficult trills.
Ruth then recited a couple of poems. The first one, ‘Swallows’ was written by Ruth herself, inspired on a nice afternoon while watching birds near Lennoxtown. Ruth’s second poem was called Meditation and was written by Iris Hesselden, who writes poems with uplifting thoughts.
Next on the agenda, Mairi sang a song called Caledonia by Dougie MacLean. This song was chosen this year as the homecoming song. We all joined in with the chorus – to the best of our ability!
The café was next in line for a welcome cup of tea/coffee.
After the break we all sang There was an Auld Seceder Cat. This was our 2nd attempt at this. Rosemary, Lyn and Mairi sang the parts which we found difficult to manage last November and it sounded much better this time.
Jim and Rosemary then sang O Gin I Were a Baron’s Heir, with Rosemary playing the keyboard. This is one of the most beautiful of old Scots love songs, with words by William Holden and composed by Joseph Wm Holden.
Next we heard Sue read a couple of poems. This first one was called Prima Donna of Pittenweem, a light hearted poem by Nanzie McLeod. Sue’s second poem was called Hebrides, which was a description of the islands. It was written by Kenneth Stevens.
Mairi then sang ‘Through Bushes and Through Briers’ which is a traditional Irish ballad. Mairi then taught us a chorus from ‘Mary Mack’ which was difficult to sing at speed, but we managed to sing ‘Mary Mack’s mither’s makin’ Mary Mack mairry me etc when it was slowed down.
Finally, we all enjoyed a good sing with The Lights of Lochindaal.
Thanks to everyone who participated this morning. We all enjoyed the variety and quality of the performances.
Diana started us off with a beautiful and calming warm-up exercise, called Body Prayer. We performed this to Air on a G String by J.S. Bach.
Isla then followed on with a vocal warm-up with a difference. We all sang a chorus from Rhythm of Life, while trying to remember to think about breathing, expression and rounded vowels.
Joan then played a piece on the flute called Andante in E minor by J.S. Bach. This was a lovely piece, with a lot of difficult trills.
Ruth then recited a couple of poems. The first one, ‘Swallows’ was written by Ruth herself, inspired on a nice afternoon while watching birds near Lennoxtown. Ruth’s second poem was called Meditation and was written by Iris Hesselden, who writes poems with uplifting thoughts.
Next on the agenda, Mairi sang a song called Caledonia by Dougie MacLean. This song was chosen this year as the homecoming song. We all joined in with the chorus – to the best of our ability!
The café was next in line for a welcome cup of tea/coffee.
After the break we all sang There was an Auld Seceder Cat. This was our 2nd attempt at this. Rosemary, Lyn and Mairi sang the parts which we found difficult to manage last November and it sounded much better this time.
Jim and Rosemary then sang O Gin I Were a Baron’s Heir, with Rosemary playing the keyboard. This is one of the most beautiful of old Scots love songs, with words by William Holden and composed by Joseph Wm Holden.
Next we heard Sue read a couple of poems. This first one was called Prima Donna of Pittenweem, a light hearted poem by Nanzie McLeod. Sue’s second poem was called Hebrides, which was a description of the islands. It was written by Kenneth Stevens.
Mairi then sang ‘Through Bushes and Through Briers’ which is a traditional Irish ballad. Mairi then taught us a chorus from ‘Mary Mack’ which was difficult to sing at speed, but we managed to sing ‘Mary Mack’s mither’s makin’ Mary Mack mairry me etc when it was slowed down.
Finally, we all enjoyed a good sing with The Lights of Lochindaal.
Thanks to everyone who participated this morning. We all enjoyed the variety and quality of the performances.
Wednesday 22 April 2009
WEATHER WARM UP AND RHYTHMIC LADY
We opened our morning with swinging energy, listening and moving to FOLIA, based on a European dance form from the renaissance period and played on guitars, lute, psalter and double bass and featuring an improvisation on clarinet piccolo, beautiful open sounds for a sunny day.
Our voice warm up was WHETHER THE WEATHER BE FINE, WHETHER THE WEATHER BE NOT, something of a tongue twister song which really loosens up the facial muscles and gets the deep breathing going.
Now in good voice we returned to the African song which celebrates music and singing,
TINA SINGU LELUVATEO, WATCHA, WATCHA, WATCHA.
This is sung in two basic parts and we quickly added more (as you do) feeling the full sound of the harmonies and we're working on achieving a good blend.
Next after singing through the Scots ghost song about Mary Queen of Scots, THE FAIR LADY, we got out the instruments, ready to work on Carl Orff's arrangement for this song after the coffee.
Duly boosted by coffee and a chat, we picked up the beaters and concentrated on the simple but tricky rhythms of the music on xylophones.
Drums, flute and whistle parts remain to be added. That's for next time.
We ended the morning with BEAUTIFUL AFRICA, it's five verses being quite a sing, but with such uplifting words the energy finds its flow.
Our voice warm up was WHETHER THE WEATHER BE FINE, WHETHER THE WEATHER BE NOT, something of a tongue twister song which really loosens up the facial muscles and gets the deep breathing going.
Now in good voice we returned to the African song which celebrates music and singing,
TINA SINGU LELUVATEO, WATCHA, WATCHA, WATCHA.
This is sung in two basic parts and we quickly added more (as you do) feeling the full sound of the harmonies and we're working on achieving a good blend.
Next after singing through the Scots ghost song about Mary Queen of Scots, THE FAIR LADY, we got out the instruments, ready to work on Carl Orff's arrangement for this song after the coffee.
Duly boosted by coffee and a chat, we picked up the beaters and concentrated on the simple but tricky rhythms of the music on xylophones.
Drums, flute and whistle parts remain to be added. That's for next time.
We ended the morning with BEAUTIFUL AFRICA, it's five verses being quite a sing, but with such uplifting words the energy finds its flow.
Friday 10 April 2009
Tuesday 31 March 2009
A.G.M. PLUS SONGS PLUS LUNCH
Anticipation of a good sing, together with careful preparation by our secretary and treasurer ensured that the business was dealt with in the minimum of time and after a cup of coffee and a good chat, we got down to the music.
The four part harmony of ASALAAM is holding up well, even improving, and after a number of weeks getting familiar with the words of BEAUTIFUL AFRICA we are now beginning to sing them with some expression and think about improving our tone.
We lunched in style, in bright spring sunshine, at the Douglas Park Golf Club, - fine view, good food and plenty of talk; a grand finale to our winter term -- click on the photo above to see us all at lunch
HAPPY EASTER TO ALL.
Tuesday 24 March 2009
WE REVISIT 'THE FAIR LADY', WITH THE BEATERS.
Having warmed up our voices, the four part harmony of Asalaam (Arabic for 'peace be with you') had a full, rich sound and although we're not yet fully confident in the parts, we're beginning to understand that lovely feeling that comes from close harmony singing.
Our main focus this morning was the Orff-Keetman arrangement of the old Scots song about the ghost of Mary Queen of Scots, 'The Fair Lady'.
We learned the song some time ago and this was a help when working on the tricky ostinato of the accompaniment on the xylophones.
There was some discussion among our amateur psychologists, about whether the hand movements for the instruments are learned by the brain or the muscles, but in any case, the home task this week is to do a 'David Beckham', (he visualises his kicks for the penalties, found to be every bit as effective as working in the football pitch) and practise, miming or visualising, the hand movements.
Interesting to see if the patterns come more easily next week.
NEXT WEEK TUES 31ST MARCH is our AGM which will be followed by our usual, if shorter, session and HOLIDAY LUNCH, informal bar food in the Douglas Park Club House straight after the music finishes.
Our main focus this morning was the Orff-Keetman arrangement of the old Scots song about the ghost of Mary Queen of Scots, 'The Fair Lady'.
We learned the song some time ago and this was a help when working on the tricky ostinato of the accompaniment on the xylophones.
There was some discussion among our amateur psychologists, about whether the hand movements for the instruments are learned by the brain or the muscles, but in any case, the home task this week is to do a 'David Beckham', (he visualises his kicks for the penalties, found to be every bit as effective as working in the football pitch) and practise, miming or visualising, the hand movements.
Interesting to see if the patterns come more easily next week.
NEXT WEEK TUES 31ST MARCH is our AGM which will be followed by our usual, if shorter, session and HOLIDAY LUNCH, informal bar food in the Douglas Park Club House straight after the music finishes.
Tuesday 17 March 2009
MOVING ON IN HARMONY
We began with warm up movements to the Allegro from Bach's Concerto for Oboe d'amore in A major, _ wonderful music for a fresh, sunny morning.
This seemed to encourage good, deep breathing as the long phrases of ONE BY ONE EVERYONE COMES TO REMEMBER sounded controlled and almost effortless, giving the song a lovely lilt as we continued on to sing it as a 4 part round.
ASALAAM, by Nickomo Clarke.
This new song, short, only four phrases, two words, has melody lines for four voices.
The words, 'Aleykum asalaam' in Arabic mean 'Peace be unto you.'
Starting with the basses, we learned one voice at a time until we were able to blend all four melodies in harmony,_ a first for this group and what a good sound it was. Spontaneous applause broke out!!!! That was a good point to stop for the coffee and chat.
A good practice on the instruments followed as we moved on to some different patterns preparing for a new Orff piece next week.
We ended our session this morning with the five verses of BEAUTIFUL AFRICA.
This seemed to encourage good, deep breathing as the long phrases of ONE BY ONE EVERYONE COMES TO REMEMBER sounded controlled and almost effortless, giving the song a lovely lilt as we continued on to sing it as a 4 part round.
ASALAAM, by Nickomo Clarke.
This new song, short, only four phrases, two words, has melody lines for four voices.
The words, 'Aleykum asalaam' in Arabic mean 'Peace be unto you.'
Starting with the basses, we learned one voice at a time until we were able to blend all four melodies in harmony,_ a first for this group and what a good sound it was. Spontaneous applause broke out!!!! That was a good point to stop for the coffee and chat.
A good practice on the instruments followed as we moved on to some different patterns preparing for a new Orff piece next week.
We ended our session this morning with the five verses of BEAUTIFUL AFRICA.
Tuesday 10 March 2009
WE CONSOLIDATE OUR HARMONIES.
Working on BEAUTIFUL AFRICA today, we abandoned the usual circle formation in an effort to strengthen our part singing. We closed up into groups enabling much keener listening and this paid off as 'solid' was the word for the alto part after several runs through. This leaves us with something of a 'balance' problem but we can sort that.
After three verses of BEAUTIFUL AFRICA we went on to the two verses of PEOPLE OF AFRICA, the beautiful words of which are always a trial for my composure,_ and looking round it was clear I wasn't the only one to find this a very moving text.
Harmonies came freely again in LOVE SOMEBODY YES I DO; we are getting the hang of this 'on the hoof', or 'pick your part' harmonising.
Carl Orff's CARILLON went well today with Joan and Diana both on flutes blending well together and everybody playing and singing confidently and also bringing the piece to a crisp ending.
To see the slideshow above Click Here
Tuesday 3 March 2009
IN HARMONY WITH AFRICA.
We were in good voice today, beginning with DAY BY DAY EVERYONE COMES TO REMEMBER and moving on to a spirited singing of LOVE SOMEBODY YES I DO, which inspired us to work out harmonies for the final bar of the song. This made and impressive and even heart warming ending.
Encouraged by this success, and after singing once through BEAUTIFUL AFRICA, we spent some time learning the alto part for the chorus, which seemed to come fairly easily; I do think we're gaining confidence in part singing and what a satisfaction it gives, to hear these harmonies warm up our sound!
With everyone now playing and using the beaters with confidence, we focused today on the dynamic possibilities of these barred instruments, from ppp to fff and amazed ourselves at the range of possibilities.
Following that we picked up our SPRING SONG from last week, this time inserting improvisations, each in turn on the bass xylophone, _ exciting to hear all the variations while Mhairi kept the rhythmic support going on the metallophone.
Finally coming to CARILLON, we decided it's time to hear a recording of this, so that's the plan for nest week.
Tuesday 24 February 2009
RONDO À LA SPRING.
Inspiration this morning came from the daffodils blooming, the frogs returning to the ponds and the rhythms of all those 'spring' words.
This, in addition to the 3 new instruments, allowing everyone to have a good practice, awoke the creative spirit.
Using that well known rhyme,
Spring is sprung,
The grass is riz,
I wonder where the burdies is.
for rhythmic inspiration, soon we had put together a four bar melody, playing it on the glocks and xylophones accompanied by ostinatos on the bass xylophone and the metallophone, which was a good first part of a rondo.
After all that, the confidence was flowing and a line of volunteers was ready to improvise a section, until every single member had played, - a 'stretched' rondo, for sure!
CARILLON, we played and sang, everyone ready today to give it a good ending.
We continue with Beautiful Africa, looking to begin with a harmony in the chorus, next time.
This, in addition to the 3 new instruments, allowing everyone to have a good practice, awoke the creative spirit.
Using that well known rhyme,
Spring is sprung,
The grass is riz,
I wonder where the burdies is.
for rhythmic inspiration, soon we had put together a four bar melody, playing it on the glocks and xylophones accompanied by ostinatos on the bass xylophone and the metallophone, which was a good first part of a rondo.
After all that, the confidence was flowing and a line of volunteers was ready to improvise a section, until every single member had played, - a 'stretched' rondo, for sure!
CARILLON, we played and sang, everyone ready today to give it a good ending.
We continue with Beautiful Africa, looking to begin with a harmony in the chorus, next time.
Tuesday 17 February 2009
TOWARDS A GOOD ENDING
A new warm up song today was by Michael Stillwater, 'ONE BY ONE EVERYONE COMES TO REMEMBER", _ a lovely slow melody where we can really feel the sound quality of our voices. Moving on to singing this as a round will be for next week.
BRAND NEW DAY gets stronger week by week and we continue to listen hard, keeping the parts firmly together.
DUNCAN GRAY is a very good sing, if we can find a pitch that's comfortable for all of us and in our group which includes trained sopranos, fine tenors as well as deep basses, unison singing is not easy. We'll have to work on this problem.
CARILLON.
After some time spent on instrument technique, as well as practice in singing the song, we put it all together, glocks, metallophone, bass xylophone and this week Joan on flute.
This piece comes to an abrupt end, which is part of its impact. We played and sang it well, but didn't quite make the precision at the end, to get the full effect of that finality. Of course, that's something to work at and as we always say in our group, we WILL get there.
BRAND NEW DAY gets stronger week by week and we continue to listen hard, keeping the parts firmly together.
DUNCAN GRAY is a very good sing, if we can find a pitch that's comfortable for all of us and in our group which includes trained sopranos, fine tenors as well as deep basses, unison singing is not easy. We'll have to work on this problem.
CARILLON.
After some time spent on instrument technique, as well as practice in singing the song, we put it all together, glocks, metallophone, bass xylophone and this week Joan on flute.
This piece comes to an abrupt end, which is part of its impact. We played and sang it well, but didn't quite make the precision at the end, to get the full effect of that finality. Of course, that's something to work at and as we always say in our group, we WILL get there.
Tuesday 10 February 2009
WE REMEMBER BURNS
We can't let this 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns pass without singing some of his songs and we began with the comic love story Duncan Gray.
The text with many wonderful old Scots words is set to a lively tune and some time was spent discussing meanings and pronunciation using some detective work based around the rhymes.
One or two of the group had known a completely different text but couldn't remember it exactly, and went away to check that. I've managed to track down this version from 1851, Scottish Parodies (CLICK LINK) included in The Merry Muses of Caledonia, (enough said). Is this the one they've heard? All will be revealed next week!
Having sung the five verses of Duncan Gray, our energy was flowing so that we were ready for the more controlled, refined singing of CARILLON DE VENDÔME, putting in some practice on the parts.
After the break, we got out the instruments, this time using only those, glocks, metallo, and bass, plus flute as in the score and for the first time, put it all together, instruments and singers. We're keeping up the 'togetherness' in this piece and it's getting better week by week.
Beautiful Africa, on a beautiful, sunny morning, ended our session.
The text with many wonderful old Scots words is set to a lively tune and some time was spent discussing meanings and pronunciation using some detective work based around the rhymes.
One or two of the group had known a completely different text but couldn't remember it exactly, and went away to check that. I've managed to track down this version from 1851, Scottish Parodies (CLICK LINK) included in The Merry Muses of Caledonia, (enough said). Is this the one they've heard? All will be revealed next week!
Having sung the five verses of Duncan Gray, our energy was flowing so that we were ready for the more controlled, refined singing of CARILLON DE VENDÔME, putting in some practice on the parts.
After the break, we got out the instruments, this time using only those, glocks, metallo, and bass, plus flute as in the score and for the first time, put it all together, instruments and singers. We're keeping up the 'togetherness' in this piece and it's getting better week by week.
Beautiful Africa, on a beautiful, sunny morning, ended our session.
Tuesday 3 February 2009
TOGETHERNESS
After a good warm up, the singing voices in our group can be good, but this morning we showed our listening has improved enormously.
BRAND NEW DAY with its five bar phrases, is quite a challenge to sing as a round but that feeling of togetherness, which comes from listening intently while singing, was there and the parts kept in perfect time with each other. This song will become really enjoyable to sing and to listen to, when that listening habit becomes so embedded that it's effortless.
CARILLON DE VENDÔME
We had a good practice at this, everyone playing the instrument parts. Although we used all the instruments, the score requires only the glockenspiels, soprano and alto. plus metallophone and bass xylophone which leaves a good number of voices for the singing. What was impressive today was exactly that togetherness when Diana added her flute part and everyone was again listening while playing and singing to achieve that good 'ensemble'.
BEAUTIFUL AFRICA. We sang three verses of this and are already beginning to feel comfortable with the tune _ a really good sing!
Thinking of Africa, and good singing, this video seems to fit.
BRAND NEW DAY with its five bar phrases, is quite a challenge to sing as a round but that feeling of togetherness, which comes from listening intently while singing, was there and the parts kept in perfect time with each other. This song will become really enjoyable to sing and to listen to, when that listening habit becomes so embedded that it's effortless.
CARILLON DE VENDÔME
We had a good practice at this, everyone playing the instrument parts. Although we used all the instruments, the score requires only the glockenspiels, soprano and alto. plus metallophone and bass xylophone which leaves a good number of voices for the singing. What was impressive today was exactly that togetherness when Diana added her flute part and everyone was again listening while playing and singing to achieve that good 'ensemble'.
BEAUTIFUL AFRICA. We sang three verses of this and are already beginning to feel comfortable with the tune _ a really good sing!
Thinking of Africa, and good singing, this video seems to fit.
Tuesday 27 January 2009
CARILLON WITH FLUTE
We began with BRAND NEW DAY, singing it many times, getting the feeling of Time's never ending flow. Long notes in this song allow us to feel our own voices strengthening with each repeat.
The beaters were bouncing today as we rehearsed the instrument parts for CARILLON DE VENDÔME and it was
quite special to have Diana playing the flute, completing the ensemble. The basses on the DIN DON worked on blending their bell sound and it gave a good support to the upper register voices in two parts.
BEAUTIFUL AFRICA, a song from the musical AFRICAN JIGSAW was our final song of the morning. In the news we see so much sadness and suffering in Africa that it's easy to forget what a beautiful country it is, rich in so many wonderful ways, and that not all Africans are 'victims'. This is a song about that. I know we will enjoy it in the coming weeks.
The beaters were bouncing today as we rehearsed the instrument parts for CARILLON DE VENDÔME and it was
quite special to have Diana playing the flute, completing the ensemble. The basses on the DIN DON worked on blending their bell sound and it gave a good support to the upper register voices in two parts.
BEAUTIFUL AFRICA, a song from the musical AFRICAN JIGSAW was our final song of the morning. In the news we see so much sadness and suffering in Africa that it's easy to forget what a beautiful country it is, rich in so many wonderful ways, and that not all Africans are 'victims'. This is a song about that. I know we will enjoy it in the coming weeks.
Wednesday 21 January 2009
OUR MUSIC FOR WARM UP MOVEMENTS
Lucilla Galleazzi sings Voglio Una Casa, with the instrumental group L'Arpeggiata, led by Christine Pluhar.
INSPIRATIONAL SONG FOR OBAMA DAY
We warmed up the voices with the call and response: LOVE SOMEBODY YES I DO eventually producing the good strong sound, needed for our next song.
Having introduced it last week, we worked at the song of celebration 'BRAND NEW DAY' which turned out to be completely appropriate with respect to the Inauguration Ceremony taking place across the Atlantic later that day.
Tides of time and rivers of song _ legends that whisper from days long gone _
Rocks of ages make us strong _ as the years go rolling away _
Celebrate the power they bring _ turn to welcome strangers in _
Coast to coast the bells they ring _ to mark a brand new day _ .
Paul Wilson and Marilyn Tucker.
After coffee, we returned to the Orff's CARILLON DE VENDÔME, the two voice parts blending nicely together over the basses intoning the DIN DON. Some practice on the instruments followed leading to making a start on the instrumental parts for the piece. Flutes (or glasses, as in the score) will be added next week.
INSPIRATIONAL SONG FOR OBAMA DAY
We warmed up the voices with the call and response: LOVE SOMEBODY YES I DO eventually producing the good strong sound, needed for our next song.
Having introduced it last week, we worked at the song of celebration 'BRAND NEW DAY' which turned out to be completely appropriate with respect to the Inauguration Ceremony taking place across the Atlantic later that day.
Tides of time and rivers of song _ legends that whisper from days long gone _
Rocks of ages make us strong _ as the years go rolling away _
Celebrate the power they bring _ turn to welcome strangers in _
Coast to coast the bells they ring _ to mark a brand new day _ .
Paul Wilson and Marilyn Tucker.
After coffee, we returned to the Orff's CARILLON DE VENDÔME, the two voice parts blending nicely together over the basses intoning the DIN DON. Some practice on the instruments followed leading to making a start on the instrumental parts for the piece. Flutes (or glasses, as in the score) will be added next week.
Tuesday 13 January 2009
ITALIAN HOUSE AND FRENCH CHURCHES.
Our warm up music this morning was the Italian song Voglio Una Casa _ I Want a House _ composed by Lucilla Galleazzi, and sung by her in an arrangement by Christine Pluhar with the ensemble Arpeggiata.
The gentle but intense 3 beat metre suited our movements but it wasn’t until we sat down to listen again while following the text that the song could be fully appreciated. Beautiful voice and tender sentiments.
Awakening our voices after the long break we tackled some scales and breathing exercises before launching into the new song ‘Brand New Day”, written by Paul Wilson and Marilyn Tucker for the Milennium but definitely a good sing at any time. This piece will take some time to bed in but it will be worth the effort. (Don’t I always say that?)
The noisy as ever coffee break was followed by some practice on the instruments, up and down scales, stoating the sticks.
Then, continuing on the ‘new’ theme, we began a new Orff piece with French text, Carillon de Vendôme, arranged for 3 part voice ensemble with glockenspiels, metallophone and flute. We made a good start, singing the 3 parts.
I didn’t interrupt the flow of my blog to mention the fire drill which came smack in the middle of our listening to ‘I Want a House”. Suffice it to say that we all made a quick exit, out beside the pond, on a lovely morning, happy there was no real fire in our house (pictured above)
Thursday 1 January 2009
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