Thanks Dino, for the Elton John suggestion--he and Bernie Taupin are great songwriters and definitely deserve a look.
102 2014-03-10 21:02:40
Re: Bridge over troubled lyrics? (7 replies, posted in Songwriting)
D.E.,
Country Roads, and then Rocky Mountain High, were life changing songs for me.
And yeah, I was using "obscure" ironically. But that's the thing with humor--it doesn't always come across unless people know you're trying to make a joke.
103 2014-03-10 03:47:44
Re: Bridge over troubled lyrics? (7 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Thanks for the reference to the John Denver and Paul Simon songs--they are good examples to draw on. I enjoyed your Pistol Don song, and found the non-traditional structure of verse, verse/refrain, chorus, and bridge engaging.
104 2014-03-10 01:34:43
Re: A video of a music get together for a birthday; made for a fun time! (10 replies, posted in My local band and me)
Picked up my guitar and played along--it was almost like being there.
105 2014-03-09 15:37:29
Re: Love on the Line (7 replies, posted in Songwriting)
The rhythm of the lyrics really supports the chord changes--it was very easy to sing. At first, I was wondering about the use of so many minor chords and how that moody sound wold fit a love song, but as I played it, I got the feeling that the guy in the song is a bit tortured by his desire--so I guess the minor chords fit. The mood of your song reminded me of Springsteen's "I'm on Fire," or Foreigner's "I want to know what love is."
106 2014-03-08 04:34:40
Re: Get out your checkbook guitar lovers (7 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
I look at my guitar as a good friend, something that I communicate with everyday, something that brings me pleasure and provides a creative and emotional outlet. To me, my guitar is an essential part of my everyday life . . . it's hard to imagine all those wonderful guitars being sold off to investors who might not even play the damn things. It's like putting a singer in solitary confinement. Great instruments should be preserved, yes, but not horded like gold coins.
107 2014-03-07 21:09:41
Re: Today's classic remark (7 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
normtheguitar wrote:
Were you egging him on, Roger?!
LOL!
108 2014-03-07 21:08:11
Topic: Bridge over troubled lyrics? (7 replies, posted in Songwriting)
I'm wondering about how often you folks use bridges in your songs. As an example of a perfectly designed popular song, I offer "Country Roads" written by Bill Danoff and Taffy Nivert with help from an obscure singer/songwriter named John Denver. Some of you may have heard of him. Anyway, "Country Roads" is structured,
Verse/Chorus
Verse/Chorus
Bridge
Chorus
I'm thinking that, had they wanted to, the writers could have written another verse, but in order to create variety and interest, they developed a bridge instead. As a beginner song writer, I never think about using a bridge--what about you guys? Do you include bridges and do you have examples of bridges, in your music or the music of others, that you really like?
109 2014-03-07 02:26:35
Re: Just a Young Cowboy (10 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Phill Williams wrote:
i like it. a good cowboy story.
what sort of beat do you use? i tried it with both waltz and 4/4 and it worked with both.
ps dont tell anyone,but i dont know much of dylan's work.
phill
Hi Phil,
In the production, I played it in waltz time, but like you, I've also played in in common time.
I won't tell anyone that you don't know much of Dylan's work--that'll just be our little secret!
110 2014-03-07 02:07:13
Re: Just a Young Cowboy (10 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Thanks, Joe! I really appreciate that.
111 2014-03-06 21:17:12
Re: Babys gone shopin again (11 replies, posted in Songwriting)
"The shopping mall is only closed today"--LOL! spit my coffee on that one!
112 2014-03-06 20:08:07
Re: Just a Young Cowboy (10 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Thanks, guys, for the comments. Here's the Bob Dylan song that I based mine on.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xpob0o … hobo_music
His tempo, chords. and melody are a bit different from what I did in "Bus Stop," but I couldn't have written my song with his as a model. And that's what you call the folk tradition!
113 2014-03-06 18:28:05
Topic: Just a Young Cowboy (10 replies, posted in Songwriting)
I'm relatively new to guitar. The first time I got paid to play was about a year ago for a production of the comedy "Bus Stop." You may remember the movie version that starred Marilyn Monroe. I also got a small stipend for writing this song--the producer didn't want to pay royalties for a published song, so I said I'd come up with something that suited the play.
Just a Young CowboyInspired by “Only a Hobo” by Bob Dylan
Capo 1
In [G]ol Kansas city I was [C]walking one [G]day,
[Em]Saw me a cowboy, in the [A]gutter he [D]lay.
His [G]eyes were both closed and his [C]body was [G]cold
But he spoke from the grave, here’s the [D]story he [G]told
I was [D]only a cowboy, a [G]man with no name
[C]Ain’t got nobody my [Am/D]body to [D]claim
I [G]ain’t got nobody to [C]carry me [G]home
Only cowboy, who [D]died all [G]alone.
A [G]red pool of blood [C]seeped from his [G]shirt,
His [Em]face was unlined, but [A]veiled with [D]dirt.
[G]Couldn’t a been older than [C]twenty one [G]years,
And on the side of his cheek was the [D]trail of a [G]tear
I was [D]only a cowboy, a [G]man with no name
[C]Ain’t got nobody my [Am/D]body to [D]claim
I [G]ain’t got nobody to [C]carry me [G]home
Only cowboy, who [D]died all [G]alone.
His [G]left hand was holding a [C]photograph [G]with
A [Em]picture of a woman [A]he once thought was [D]his
In his [G]right hand, he clutched a [C]Colt forty-[G]five
Which he challenged his [D]rival and [G]died.
I was [D]only a cowboy, a [G]man with no name
[C]Ain’t got nobody my [Am/D]body to [D]claim
I [G]ain’t got nobody to [C]carry me [G]home
Only cowboy, who [D]died all [G]alone.
The [G]love of a woman is a [C]powerful [G]thing,
[Em]When it’s been won, a man [A]feels like a [D]king,
But [G]if it gets lost, desper-[C]ation sets [G]in,
‘N he’s willing to place his [D]life on a [G]string.
I was [D]only a cowboy, a [G]man with no name
[C]Ain’t got nobody my [Am/D]body to [D]claim
I [G]ain’t got nobody to [C]carry me [G]home
Only cowboy, who [D]died all [G]alone.
114 2014-03-04 04:46:19
Re: The Hollies (6 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Here's an interesting documentary about The Hollies:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSYUOWx0qz8
115 2014-03-03 05:14:35
Re: Doesn't That Look Like Heaven? (13 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Very well done! I like the melody and rhythm, and your voice sounds great--good intonation, clear tone, and expressive without being pushed.
116 2014-02-24 19:13:47
Re: Catalog`s (11 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
I've changed from catalogs to websites. I especially enjoy looking at sites that feature vintage guitars and equipment. One of my favorites sites Willie's American Guitars: http://www.williesguitars.com/.
I've been in the store several times; it's dusty and old, and packed with gear. The guys there are always really generous about letting you play the instrument on display, and it's really cool to be able to hear what famous acoustic models from the 30s, 40s, and 50s sound like.
117 2014-02-10 20:47:32
Re: Ice Skating to The Pink Floyd (8 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Phill Williams wrote:
you've never heard of royalties? it's amazing how money will cool your anger.
In that case, Mr. Gilmour must be very cool indeed. Actually, I'd be interested in how much royalties for this cost, especially considering that the music was edited and a new arrangement was involved. I suppose there's a sub-category within the music industry that deals with creating music for ice skaters and taking care of the legal issues involved. I'd also like to know whether this skater has actually listened to Pink Floyd or whether it was simply chosen for her by her choreographer.
118 2014-02-10 17:23:26
Topic: Ice Skating to The Pink Floyd (8 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Wonder what David Gilmour would think of "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" being used as the background music to an ice skating routine?
http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/ashley … ic-journey
I'm all for it--if more skaters used Pink Floyd, I'd definitely watch more ice skating. Of course, it helps that Wagner is stunning.
119 2014-02-04 04:43:50
Re: The Superbowl Thread (32 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
I didn't watch the half-time show with Bruno Mars and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, but apparently the Chili Peppers were playing air guitar:
120 2014-02-04 02:35:05
Re: Criticism (17 replies, posted in Songwriting)
An interesting thread! I've never gotten a penetrating analysis of song I've written, but I think it would be very interesting. My own 8 part critical method method goes like this:
1) get inspired and come up with a song,
2) get very excited about it,
3) play it a lot, thinking how great it is,
4) wife says, "sounds like you've come up with a new song," (meaning, "could you maybe play something else for a while?!")
5) get her drift and put song away for a couple of weeks,
6) bring it back out, play it, and realize it's not as hot as I thought it was,
7) think to myself, "why bother?" and go back to playing other people's songs,
8) get inspired and repeat
Oh well . . .
121 2014-01-09 19:25:57
Topic: Great Vocals and Guitar Work (6 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
I recently came across a band on YouTube that seems to specialize in songs that feature excellent acoustic guitar playing, strong solo signing, and tight harmonies (e.g., stuff by CSN). I've really been enjoying the exceptional quality that this band -- Foxes and Fossils -- bring to their performances, especially on this version of "Suite Judy Blue Eyes." I urge you to give it a listen and hope you like it as much as I have:
122 2014-01-07 18:43:11
Re: Football 2013-2014 (209 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Now that the Green and Gold our out of the playoffs, it's time to think about next year!
123 2014-01-01 18:19:26
Re: Alternate Tunings (7 replies, posted in Acoustic)
topdown wrote:
I think this is what you are looking for Artie
Wow, this is great! Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you so much for your help!
124 2014-01-01 17:39:49
Topic: Alternate Tunings (7 replies, posted in Acoustic)
Does anyone know of a website that describes chord shapes for alternate tunings? For example, an explanation of how a C chord changes if you're going to play it in Dropped D?
125 2014-01-01 17:33:18
Re: Great Article on Guitar Effects (7 replies, posted in Electric)
That was a very informative page of information, Tenement. Thank you for posting the link; I've bookmarked it for future reference.