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Marimbas are wooden keyboard instruments in the percussion family of instruments. Players usually strike the keys with two – four mallets and one instrument may be played by one or two players; depending on the orchestral piece, you may even see three or more marimbists playing the same instrument. Marimbas are wooden instruments that resemble xylophones and they accentuate the unique harmonies and rhythms of the music. Other instruments in the percussion family include such instruments as cymbals, chimes, the triangle, bells, to name just a few. The marimba is a pitched percussion instrument. Other pitched percussion instrument examples include the timpani, the vibraphone, the glockenspiel, and chimes

Marimbas are used mainly for 20th Century music orchestral music, usually, as a sound effect or as a solo instrument. The marimba actually had long solos in the soundtrack to the film American Beauty.

The marimba keys are arranged like the keys of a piano and they may have as many as 4 ? 5.5 octaves of professional Orff-style marimba bars. The bars are tapped to play the notes, similar to the xylophone. Marimba bars are finely crafted from hardwoods such as rosewood, mahogany and padouk. The keys are fine-tuned to reflect the tones played in African societies.

For marimbas in the United States, the resonators under the wooden bars are usually metal and most likely aluminum. They are hollow metal pipes of different lengths with holes covered by thin cellophane (similar to the West African balafon). This is so that when the marimba is struck, you can hear the buzzing sound characteristic of these instruments.

The mallets generally have wooden shafts but may be made of fiberglass, as well. Rattan shafts are also available and they have a little bit of “give” to them while other materials do not. Depending on training and preference, a marimbist may like the flexible shaft better than the ones with no “give” or vice versa. The material that actually strikes the key is usually some type of rubber wrapped in yarn. The marimba keys themselves will define which type of mallet is used on which part of the keyboard. The harder mallets are usually used to strike the high notes and the softer mallets for the lower notes. This is particularly important in playing the marimba because a mallet that is too hard for the keys it strikes may damage the instrument.

Most marimba music calls for several mallets to be used in one composition. It is not uncommon to find 2-3 players stationed at the marimba during a performance. Because two or three people will wield four to six mallets, it is possible to hear beautiful chords coming from the instrument. Many marimba players also play with more than one mallet in each hand. Different methods have also been developed to hold the mallets necessary for a piece of music in one hand. The Burton grip and the Musser-Stevens grip are the two common methods of gripping multiple mallets and each has its advantages and disadvantages.

The repertoires of bands in the United-States tend to overlap, probably due to the fact that most of the marimba music is composed by the Zimbabwean musician Dumisani Maraire. He is one of the key people who first brought Zimbabwean music to the West, moving to and working at the University of Washington in 1968. He was a master at playing an instrument known as the mbira which greatly resembles a small hand held instrument known as the thumb piano.

A marimba is an expensive but beautiful instrument. Professional marimbas start in the $2,000 range for a used instrument. They add an open tone to many different compositions that makes them very unique and sought after in the instrument family.

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Most people associate Karaoke with going out to a bar and wailing away in front of complete strangers or being prodded to get up there and sing when they know they can’t sing at all. Especially after a few drinks, people tend to put pressure on you and some just don’t like that feeling.

Well, many are finding a new way to enjoy Karaoke – with their family. Karaoke is now being enjoyed in the home too, and for some very good reasons. Kids love to watch their parents get up and sing and have fun, and parents love to see their kids do the same thing. Karaoke is fun for the whole family because everyone can participate.

Everyday living and the stress associated with it can put strains on the family, and when it comes to looking for something they can all do together, there aren’t a lot of common ground areas that are for the whole family, that don’t cost a bomb. That in itself is stressful ? knowing that you have to pay around a hundred dollars just to start so that the whole family can do something together.

With Karaoke, it is relatively inexpensive to get a machine that has all kinds of tunes on it. Getting a Karaoke machine at home lets the kids practice not just singing but feeling comfortable doing it. There is nothing a child in their formative years likes better than the approval of their family when they get up and sing. It builds confidence and character, not to mention boosting the confidence of that special child who has “it”, and is the next rising star.

The beauty of Karaoke is that the technology of it has come a long way. With most songs now, the Karaoke version is out very shortly after the song has been out. It is now, easy, up to date and above all, affordable to have Karaoke in the home. All different kinds of songs are available with Karaoke and there are literally thousands to choose from.

A family can pick and choose the songs that they like, so if dad loves classic rock, he can have that, and if mom likes country and western, she can get that, and for the kids, they can have whatever they like as well. This means that the whole family can participate and have fun while they’re doing it, so that the family is together as a unit, doing the things together that each of them enjoy.

Karaoke is an inexpensive and fun way for all in the family to have fun together. There is nothing more wonderful than the whole family getting together to have a lot of fun together watching each other do what they enjoy doing. It brings a family closer with each other and it builds confidence in the kids. So, next time you’re wondering what the whole family can do together, try Karaoke ? you’ll be glad you did!

Author Bio: Get over *500,000* karaoke midi songs to sing on your computer now. Click on the link to find out more below: karaoke midi These ultimate karaoke midi songs DVD disc contains over 500,000 files and comes with a PC software and scrolling lyrics to sing on your computer…

It’s hard to describe how to play the 12 Bar blues on the guitar when you don’t have one in front of you. It’s also hard to play it if you have never done it before and you are interested in playing the 12 bar blues . What isn’t hard is writing about it so that you can get fired up enough to want to play it, or, if you play , and have lost your way, to re-kindle that passion so that you can learn the proper way.

Many who hear some music that they love and want to play it, often see themselves up on stage having the time of their lives with mobs of screaming fans who just can’t get enough. Well, learning should be that way too if you approach it properly.

The first thing you need to know if you are bitten by the bug is to know how to go about learning properly, and that means, wanting to really learn. If you go about it recklessly, then you won’t go far before you lose interest, and you may never touch the guitar again, and that would be a shame because all you really needed was to learn how to learn.

Start by finding a good instructor. You can usually find one by seeing where all the real musicians go. If you begin your instruction there, then you will be introduced to the world of 12 bar blues in the right way, by taking it slow at first so that you get the chords and the progression right, and then, getting it smooth. Never worry about speed, which will come once it’s fluid enough.

Once you have the basics then you can get into the theory, which is all about structure and form, and that has to with tonic chords, dominant chords, sub dominant, etc., then the 12 bar blues progression that is blended in with it. Remember, this all takes time, but if you take the time, you will get out of it what you have put into it.

There are three main chords that you need to know, and they are A7, E7, and B7, and from there, once you’ve got those down, you can move on to different keys, fifth notes, and how it all combines into that sound you first fell in love with, and wanted so much to learn. Once you do get proficient, there is a tendency to show off how technically good you are by trying to cram all you know into everything you play, and that is where the style gained through confidence is learned, and that is what makes you stand out.

So keep in mind that you must be technically proficient enough so that you can create an emotional impact, and when you do that, there will be someone else out there who will want to play the 12 bar blues guitar just like you!

Author Bio: Download 80 of the best 12 bar blues backing tracks now: Click on the link below: 12 bar blues Get access to the best 12 bar blues guitar jam tracks recorded by real musicians now…

When playing blues guitar, as with anything, you always start with the basics and gradually you advance to where you get to riffs, style, and that thing they call phrasing.

Phrasing is how you take all the techniques and all the details that go with it and make it yours. In other words, phrasing is the way you have made all the technical stuff that you’ve learned sound the way you feel.

In any kind of music, it’s the phrasing that makes the piece unique, because you’ve learned how to express yourself through all the techniques and mechanical aspects of the music. Phrasing is your way of playing and singing and your ability to create an emotional impact with all you’ve learned. However, with everything, there are pitfalls, and here is a short guideline.

It is easy, when playing to get lost in the notes themselves. What distinguishes your style from others is rhythm ? pacing, or timing. Doing a solo without this crucial element will only run everything together, and eventually it will all sound the same. It is the timing and knowing of when to add something new or let the effect of what you are doing linger.

The second thing to watch for is to avoid doing the same interval all the time. Good players always mix and match for effect, it breaks up the same pattern into interesting pieces and shows your versatility at the same time.

The third pitfall is to try to do too much. Don’t try to cram in as many notes as you can. The idea is to keep it simple which means refrain from getting it bogged down. Remember, that it is layered simplicity that, when put all together, sounds like a very complex piece that has depth and peaks interest.

The last pitfall concerns too much technique. Players who are too technical are boring because they don’t have the “fire” that makes an emotional impact. The idea is to have sufficient technique that is adequate, in and of itself to make an emotional impact, and that goes for any form of communication, be it painting, writing, photography, or music.

Really, what these pitfalls are all about is your common sense. It is easy to get so involved with your playing that you concentrate on how technically good you are. Nobody cares about the technical way you did that last riff, they only care about it makes them feel.

To summarize then, be sure that once you are technically proficient, you don’t forget the emotion behind it. It is the emotion that an audience wants, and if you are just technique then you don’t convey an emotional impact, and you will turn off your audience by boring them to death. If you are wondering about the emotion part, just remember what got you into this in the first place ? it was the passion, and that is what drives everyone who has any life in them at all.

Author Bio: Download 80 of the best 12 bar blues backing tracks now: Click on the link below: 12 bar blues Get access to the best 12 bar blues guitar jam tracks recorded by real musicians now…

If you want to play Blues guitar there are many different methods to choose from, even hundreds of them. The style has many variations and is the most traditional and well-known forms of music in the world. It would be too difficult to exactly describe how to play blues so instead here are a few tips that may help along in your quest to play a very rewarding and soulful type of music on the guitar.

Play Blues Guitar Tip #1

First off, understand that you don’t have to be the best at technique or know lots of tough cords to play the blues. The best blues sound originates from the heart using your feelings about true life and real situations. Later your technique will improve and you can add more difficult chords to try different variations of the blues but at first just get across the emotions of the song and you will be a good blues player. Remember to play with feeling and the speed will later come.

Play Blues Guitar Tip #2

You have to get used to the rhythm of the blues. A pretty common style is known as a “swung ” feel. Just think of the sound of a heartbeat to guide you along for the beat. Most of the blues as well as other types of music are played in straight 4/4 timing which can be easy to play and is easy on the ear. Once you get comfortable with this style, you’ll be well on your way.

Play Blues Guitar Tip #3

Picking the notes of the blues will get you familiar with the fret board of your guitar. Learning different licks can be great for all types of music but are the heart and soul of the blues. Take the licks your comfortable with, play well, and experiment with them all over the fret board. This will give you different keys and get you used to the various positions on the neck.

Play Blues Guitar Tip #4

Another style of the blues that makes for quite a different sound is playing slide guitar. It’s not always easy to play a regular guitar and is ignored by a lot of other guitarists for this reason. It’s definitely an art form in itself and if you learn this art you will stand out from the crowd of blues players and regular guitarists.

Play Blues Guitar Tip #5

The final tip and probably the most important is to learn the blues scale inside and out. Many different kinds of music incorporate this scale and can open the door for a more rewarding experience of the blues. It’s an easy scale to learn and if you want to try solos, it’s a great scale to practice with.

These tips, while not teaching you how to play the blues will help in honing your techniques and help you find your own style of the blues. One thing is for certain they are going to help you to enjoy many hours of guitar playing.

Author Bio: Download 80 of the best 12 bar blues backing tracks now: Click on the link: 12 bar blues Get access to the best 12 bar blues guitar jam tracks recorded by real musicians now…

So, you want to play the blues just like all the blues greats who are out there. Good, hold on to that desire. It is the love of the thing that endures and grows with you as your playing gets better and better.

So, now that you’re hooked, what about the actual reality?
The twelve bars refers to a musical term called measure, measures are informally referred to as bars, which is how the notation looks. It looks like vertical bars, and with the twelve bar blues progression, there are twelve. When you marvel at your favorite blues artist and how they do all that wonderful stuff, just remember that it is simplicity itself, and it is only one layer atop the other that gives the depth style and rhythm that you hear.

The progression part is the chord changes, and the blues part is the style. There are only three chords in blues and they are called seventh chords. The blues chords are A7, B7, and E7, and again, all the fancy stuff that you love so much is only technique and personal style in combination with those three basic chords. The actual blues style is to sing a line, and then repeat it, followed by additional lyrics that tell the story.

The first line has that all too familiar, “Woke up this mornin’ start followed by the situation, Like “Woke up this morning”, and I couldn’t feel my head. Said I woke up this mornin’, and I couldn’t feel my head”. Then the next line describes why he is this way ? “I know I lived through last night, and that’s why I feel half dead”. The pattern is repeated in the second verse.

As far as the playing goes, there are as many styles out there as stars in the sky, but what you are listening to is called a riff. A riff is a certain way of playing that sets this player apart from the others. A riff can also be called a lick. This is what the artist has learned from others on the way up, and eventually made his own. It is best not to try to figure out the fancy playing, and why it is this way or that, it is always best just to allow yourself to feel, as all the greats have.

It is easy to get lost in all the technical jargon of dominant sevenths and tonics, to sub-dominants, etc. The best advice is to either mentor with someone who knows, learning as you go, or take lessons from a qualified instructor. It is crucial that you get off on the right foot. If you don’t. Then it is easier and easier time to lose interest, and eventually give it up, because you start to think that being good is for someone else, but not for you.

So, remember to keep it simple, that’s what the blues is all about and that’s where you’ll get your enjoyment.

Author Bio: Download 80 of the best 12 bar blues backing tracks now:

Click on the link below:
12 bar blues

Get access to the best 12 bar guitar jam tracks recorded by real musicians now…

The primary function of the filters is to remove part of the sound. Then the reduced part you end up with is totally different to the entire portion that was started with. The base of the whole idea of subtractive synthesis is dependent on filters, which’re one of the most primary sections of the creation of sound. All frequencies reach a cut-off, which is the main filter control. There’re some more recognise types of filters example

A band on frequencies that’re permitted to pass through the center is called as a band pass. Whatever frequency outside of this band are blocked.

The low pass filter is the most popular. Any frequencies found below the cut-off point are permitted to pass through.

Frequency bands found in the center are not permitted to pass through cause of the band notch reject.

The opposite of the low pass of course is the high pass. This filter lets each of the frequencies above the cut off point to pass.

The higher the attenuation slope number the more effective it is. The regular numbers are 6dB, 12dB, 18dB, and 24dB per octave. It is the increased steepness of every octave that makes this effective. When you compare a higher pitch like 2000Hz, which’s a higher octave, that 1000Hz. It suggests that a 24dB filter is doubly effective as a twelve dB filter.

A 2 pole filter is not very effective in frequency reduction. Having a 4 pole filter creates a muted dull sound cause the increased number of poles attenuate the signal. The frequency is boosted by the resonance, which’s other essential feature.

The set frequency increases by being boosted. By doing this the filter with create its personalized sine wave, signifying it has self oscillated. And then if you change the filter frequency, you can control the pitch.

Creating a filter sweep is simple by using an envelope or LFO This will give you some brilliant sounds. Resonance by itself is good giving a little more high-end sound.

However, gone are the days where you need to meddle with complex hardware. If you’ve not heard of VST plugins, you must have been living under a rock.

With VST and Cubase you can now recreate every classic effect, from distortion to delay, from piano and guitar sounds using just a home computer. Create your personal hit song with the vst audio software provided. VST Platinum provides an essential, user friendly way into music recording and recreating classic effects with the minimum of cabling, using just your home computer.

Realise your own musical creativity by exploring VST plugins and get inspiration for a whole new musical composition. Create cutting-edge music loops, effects at the click on the button with software and vst instruments.

VST Instruments are vital to musicians, sound synthesists, sound designers, music producers and audio professionals alike. Create cutting-edge music loops, effects at the click on the button with software and vst instruments. So go ahead and explore your creativity in music production today…

Author Bio: Discover how to produce cutting-edge music fast and easy with VSTPlatinum.com Announcing: Former Sony BMG sound engineer, Greg Hoffman, reveals the goldmine of vst effects and effects usually available only to pro studios. As seen in Computer Music Magazine, you’ll learn to create music from home easily with over 1700 free vst plugins, software and audio effects.

For those of you who can think back to the old Atari ST computers in 1989 you will remember utilizing or hearing about the Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). Well needless to say, technology has come a long way since then in the music production and recording with comp programs. The preferred terminology now is Cubase with VST plugins. This is a programme that provides you all you need to get the sounds youre looking for.

With this, you will be able to make your personalised CDs for distribution. To begin with, the programme offers recording, producing and mixing. All the requirements for outstanding music productions.

With VST Cubase plugins, you would have a complete virtual studio. One could only visualise the money savings from not having to buy tons of equipment, or rent space to hold it all. The surplus bonus is your studio is exactly at your finger tips. You could choose the hours you want to work day or night.

You’re certainly not going to become worn with the steinberg cubase software. You will be able to edit MIDI files. In addition you can change the raw audio tracks or the lyrics for example. Then once you become truly familiar with cubase you’ll be able to compose a stereo wav file that can be burned onto a CD. With this technology, it makes the ambition of composing studio quality music a reality. Up until the cost components made it unimaginable for the regular musician to be able to cut a disc. It most surely has opened various doors to chances.

Say you’re an avid musician or even music lover then the term computer music will signify a wide range of ways to compose your music. There are three ways to compose music with your comp. There is hybrid digital-analog systems, a digital to analog conversion. Along with this, there’s sign bit extraction. Out of the 3, the most favored is the Digital to analog conversation. Its the simplest and most effective choice.

When it comes time to pick out the software to use, youre going to have the opportunity to pick out from a variety of versions. To help you decide what is best for you really consider what it’s you are going to require. The Cubase VST 3.0 Machintosh was invented in 1996. It grants up to 32 tracks. Has a lot of added features that various composer will doubtlessly utilise. Theres one problem with it limiting memory but this was soon corrected with a patch.

If you’re looking for a great windows version then check out the Cubase VST3.5 Windows. It has tremendous features along with 32 tracks of digital audio and a couple of equalisers.

The more popular choices are Cubase SX, Cubase LE and Cubase Studio 3. The latest version of VST Cubase will be the Cubase 4. It is released in 2007. It has taken care of whatever of the bugs that’ve been found in earlier versions. If you wish to go one step further than the ultimate is the Cubase 4.5.2 released on September 11, 2008.

Author Bio: Discover how to produce cutting-edge music fast and easy with VSTPlatinum.com Announcing: Former Sony BMG sound engineer, Greg Hoffman, reveals the goldmine of vst plugin and effects usually available only to pro studios. As seen in Computer Music Magazine, you’ll learn to create music from home easily with over 1700 vst instruments plugin and audio effects. Visit VSTPlatinum.com now

Playing the blues, music is something that many guitarists aspire to do. Some it comes to easily whereas others find it more difficult. Another thing about the blues music is you either love it or hate it. By the looks of how popular it is, one would have to say that those who hate it are in the minority.

One of the greatest if not the greatest blues singers was B.B.King. Many novices to the guitar marvel at how well he plays them and just how it’s done. To do so you need to learn the 12 bar blues. Don’t give up yet with some perseverance and practice you will master the blues as well.

Have you ever been listening to the blues and just know it reminds you of something? Well it may well do so if you remember the African American slaves from down south. It stems from their local traditions of how they would call out and respond to each other. The majority of blues songs is simply based on this and mimics those sounds. It is the progressive scale.

If you have been following the history of blues music then you have heard the name W.C.Handy. By using the 12 bar blues he was able to produce the very first certifiable blue hit. This is going back some years naturally, since blues has been around for a long time. We’re talking back to the introduction of the “St. Louis Blues” back in 1914.

Interestingly enough at that time the blues wasn’t all that well received it was just ok in the opinion of most. It slowly caught on and almost seemed to have an infectious affect to it.It didn’t matter what the ethnic group was it was being accepted. It really was the African American artist that brought the blues to the forefront. Artists such as Billie Holiday played a big part in this roll. By this time, it was well in the 1930′s. As the 20th century grew to a close, B.B.King added a unique touch to the Blues. Being a lead guitar player, he would bring a different touch to the music with his 12 bars blues techniques. From this point on there was no looking back or cooling off for the blues. It has just continued to grow into popularity, as it is known today.

It revolutionized the aspects of guitar playing. The 12 bars blues is now a commonplace and basic way of the guitar. Anyone aspiring to be good guitar player must learn the essential cord progression.

One of the best ways to learn this technique is through iVideosongs. Here is where you will start the beginning of learning the 12 bar blues, and then by taking what you learn here and making it a practice you will soon be surprised and pleased at how adept you will become.

It just seems to be natural to begin to learn how to play the 12 bar blues the moment one becomes serious about learning to play the guitar. Perhaps because rock includes the 12 bar blues this is the reason.

The first thing you are going to learn is that in order to learn the blues you are going to learn three bars that follow each other in succession.

The first measure is learning how to play a chord. If you are familiar with Presley’s some Hound Dog then you already know what a cord is. Don’t even think about moving onto the next step until you have this one down perfectly.

Now moving onto the second measure does not mean you will not be continuing in the 4/4 time meaning each quarter measure is one beat. The difference here is that in the first measure you were playing in “A” now you will be playing in “D” chord. Once again, become really familiar and comfortable at this measure then get ready to move onto the third and final measure.

Finally, you are here on your last measure and guess what? It’s no different from your first two except now you are going to be playing in “E” chord. That really wasn’t so hard was it? Now it means hours of practice and application to really master these 3 measures to make up the 12 bar blues.

Author Bio: Download 80 of the best 12 bar blues backing tracks now: Click on the link below: 12 bar blues Get access to the best 12 bar blues progression jam tracks recorded by real musicians now…

Thousands of songs, penned by thousands of songwriters, and I’m sure they all have their own individual ways of converting that initial germ of an idea into what they hope will become a hit song.

I am always being asked:-

a. Does the melody come first, followed by the lyrics?
b. Do the lyrics come first followed by the melody?

Speaking for myself, neither of the above are true!

99% of the time the title comes first, and I cannot stress enough the importance of a strong song title. My inspiration and starting point for a song normally comes from something someone has said , or from a catchy phrase or magazine/newspaper headline I have spotted. Once I’ve found the title, it immediately suggests a mood to me, and once that mood has been established it’s time to get on with the song.

So, without further ado, get those newspapers/magazines out and start searching for that all important starting point. Find a phrase/headline that grabs your attention and build your song around that.

The title you choose will no doubt suggest a mood for the song. If your title happens to be ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Gutbucket’, it implies immediately that it’s going to be a pretty heavy piece of work, rather than a tender love ballad. It is essential that the title strongly suggests to the listener what is to follow.

Here’s how MY latest song was conceived:-

I was idly leafing through a magazine when a headline literally leapt off the page at me:

‘I’M TURNING INTO GARBO’

What a great title for a song! ‘TURNING INTO GARBO.’
The legendary Hollywood actress Greta Garbo, and her famous ‘I want to be alone’ quote. Surely I thought, I must be able to do something with this!

Immediately I reached for the notepad and pen which never leave my side. It’s always important to have them there for just such a moment! Great ideas die just as quickly as they are born!

The title I had chosen suggested to me an air of quiet reflection. I could picture a man who had lived a big life, experienced all the good and bad things that life can throw at you, and was looking back on his past. Some of the dreams have perished, some still remain. The kids he raised have flown the nest, his wife is long gone, and now he has decided to find some peace and tranquility, and to treasure whatever time he may have left.

The lyrics came remarkably quickly, and the verses are simply constructed around the chords D & A

Verse 1.
I’m turning into Garbo, I want to be alone,
Turning into Garbo, need to spend time on my own,
Leave the crowds behind me, try to find tranquility,
Find a little home beside the sea

Verse 2.
I’m turning into Garbo, want some peace and solitude,
Turning into Garbo, hope it wont be misconstrued,
Now I’m growing older, want to leave the crowds behind
Try to find myself some peace of mind.

Verses 1&2 explain the desire to get away from the rat race to a new and peaceful environment. Having stated this, he feels, halfway through verse 2, that his friends might feel he’s turning his back on them, but hopes that they will understand.

Never having been a maestro when it comes to the use of chords, I was more than pleased with the chord sequence for the chorus/bridge. (Call it what you like). The chord progression goes from F# – Bm – G – F# – Bm – G – A – F# each chord lasting for one line of the chorus. Then on the last word of the chorus a final A leading into the D at the start of Verse 3

Chorus
I’ve had my share of ups and downs, I’ve laughed a lot and cried,
Struggled through the bad times, And heaven knows I’ve tried,
To keep a smile upon my face, When things were going wrong,
I’m turning into Garbo, It says so in this song

Verse 3 starts with a ‘Less is More’ quote from Robert Browning. I hate to admit this, but I don’t know which of his works it comes from. However it was just what I was looking for to set the mood for this last verse.

Verse 3.
Browning said that ‘Less is more’, I’m certain that it’s true,
It’s good to be alone at times , that’s one thing that he knew
But once a year in summertime my friends all visit me,
In my old secluded home beside the sea

I feel the last verse ends on a happy, positive note with our subject achieving his aim of a peaceful life, but getting the best of both worlds as his friends come to visit him in the summertime.

The chorus and Verse 3 are repeated, and a final line added which simply states ‘and I’m turning into Garbo??..that’s me’. Wraps it up nicely I think!

The song almost seemed to write itself, and it took me no longer than 2-3 hours from beginning to end. When a song happens in that sort of time I feel it’s a very good sign. The harder I have to work at a song, the farther down in my estimation it goes!

The demo I did of the song was done in my home studio, and initially had lots of harmonies on it. I lived with it in that form for a while, but decided it was far too regimented, and had lost its simplicity and charm. I stripped it down to the bare bones, and tried to sing it the way I felt somebody like Willie Nelson would have done, and for me it worked. All I need now is for Willie to record it!!!

* * * *

Well, hopefully that’s given you an insight into how building a song around a title works for me, and thank you for reading my little article.

So, don’t forget. The next time you see a phrase or headline that catches your eye, reach for that notepad and pen and start writing that song! It may not work out, but hey, what is there to lose?

!!! IF YOU DON’T BUY A TICKET, YOU WON’T WIN THE RAFFLE !!!

Author Bio: Keith Hancock and John Proctor St Cecilia We have a youtube channel with the various video’s and records that we have written and performed our channel is www.youtube.com/japroctor Link to Keith’s song and video Turning Into Garbo. Link to our video channel St Cecilia.