Maybe I'm way too shallow to be philosphical - but here is an attempt:
Chordpro error: This is not a valid artistname. You will have to specify an artistname in the form {st: Artistname} in the beginning of the code.
1,327 2007-05-07 03:11:43
Re: do all the girls that want to be in bands just get ditched? (6 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Yep - Ken has a good point that your skills might be a little scary to players with limited ability. Take the initiative - find collaborators - always treat fellow musicians with respect because that is way you want to be treated. James
1,328 2007-05-07 03:03:37
Re: Songwriters Circle (81 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Greetings sarah-loves-ceol - and welcome to chordie. If you have some stuff written, go ahead and post it. If you have recordings, they can also be posted to the friendsofchordie page on myspace. This songwriting forum is great fun.
Sorry, but all the original songs should appear 'all purdy like' (just the same as chordie song layouts) - but the website moved to new servers recently and also upgraded the forum software. Unfortunately, there are some translation problems with the new forum trying to read the old files.
Anyway . . . the Mighty Admin will enact a layout fix soon, but in the meantime just read around all annoying coding in the song postings.
Would love to see and hear some of your songs. James
1,329 2007-05-05 17:01:03
Re: where is everybody from? (242 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Hello gitariminTeli - Sorry that I don't know how to make my keyboard produce the dotless i letters. You know a whole more about English than I know about Turkish. We all know that we love making Music - that is what this site is about.
Don't let language be a barrier - hope you find good stuff here and enjoy the forum. James
1,330 2007-05-05 12:39:48
Re: Lyric Error 'Walking In The Rain' - Ronettes (1 replies, posted in About Chordie)
Hello zzzy and welcome to chordie. Registerd chordie users have the power to make corrections to songs - it is a really wonderful and unique feature of this site. Corrections can be small adjustments to the lyrics, or major renovations of layout and chords.
To correct a song, first move it into your songbook. Next, open the song using the (edit) button at the end of its listing. You will see two windows - the upper window is where you can make your corrections to the 'raw' file.
Carefully make your improvements to the 'raw' file and use the 'save' button inbetween the windows (NOT your browsers save button) to enact your changes. Finally, once you are satisfied that your changes are complete, you may 'improve' the song's listing out in the chordie index.
To improve a song in the index, simply hit the 'improve song' button at the bottom of the song's page. Then, zap what is there and paste in your improved version. Your name will appear on the song's page as being the person who improved the song - so make sure your improvements are really improvements.
Editing a song is tricky at first, but after a couple times it becomes very much easier and quicker. James
1,331 2007-05-05 12:27:27
Re: which is better. teaching yourself or getting a teacher? (43 replies, posted in Electric)
I firmly believe there are important advantages to having a teacher. A good teacher is an excellent resource. A good student can maximize their learning potential with the guidance and advice of a teacher.
A teacher is like a native guide that can help you find the best route through the jungle. If you are motivated to learn, a teacher can provide advice and guidance that will help you get where you want to go faster.
Also, deciding to pay for lessons can be an important step towards being committed to learn and improve. Yes, lessons cost money - but if you channel your energy to really getting the most from a teacher's advice then it will be an good investment that pays off handsomely.
A teacher can't make you learn - but if you are motivated to learn, a teacher can speed the process.
1,332 2007-05-04 00:42:53
Re: do all the girls that want to be in bands just get ditched? (6 replies, posted in Songwriting)
I'm not another chick, but I do know that finding just the right people to play with can be a problem. Keep looking, keep playing, keep creating - do as much as you can on your own to sharpen your musical skills and look for other individuals to colaborate with.
Trying to become a new part of an existing band is tough for anybody. So - find a kindred spirit or two and collaborate on writing some songs. Don't think that you've got to join somebody else's band to be legitimized . . .
Also, would you consider re-posting your message to the 'My Local Band' section of the forum? Could be that there is somebody in your locality who is seeking somebody with your talents?
1,333 2007-05-03 01:32:57
Topic: "My Geezerly Years" (7 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Here is a song I wrote when I turned 50 a few months back. Originally posted it in a forum thead that apparently got 'lost' during the recent move to new servers and switch to new forum software.
Anyway - I was proud to turn 50 and composed this little celebratory ditty in my own honor. The chorus is meant to be sung in harmony.
My Geezerly YearsJames McCormick, Oct. 30, 2006
In 6/8 Time, a potbellied waltz
(For the occasion of my 50th birthday!)
Well I [C]used to be [F]charming,I [C]used to be [G]cute.
But [C]now I’m just [F]honest and [C]oddly hir-[G]sute.
I've got [C]hairs in my [F]ears, like [C]weeds they [G]grow
Less [C]hair on my [F]head, and more [G]hair in [C]nose.
Some [G]say I'm [F]cranky, a [C]grumpy old grouch
Can-[G]tankerous, [F]crotchety, [C]wrinkly lout
Cos' I [C]won’t put on [F]airs or pre-[C]tend to be [G]cool
I’ll just [C]tell you the [F]truth and I’m [G]nobody’s [C]fool
Geezer-[Bb]ly-y-y-y-y-y-[F]-y-y, [C]geezerly years
Geezer-[Bb]ly, geezer-[F]ly, [C]geezerly [C7]years
Geezer-[Bb]ly-y-y-y-y-y-[F]-y-y, [C]geezerly years
Geezer-[Bb]ly, geezer-[F]ly, [G]geezerly [C]years . . [G] . . [G7]
As a [C]young man I [F]tried to [C]be debon-[G]air
I [C]craved the at-[F]tentions of [C]ladies so [G]fair
I'd [C]try to be [F]handsome I'd [C]preen and I'd [G]strut
But [C]now they’ve stopped [F]leering at my [G]saggy old [C]butt.
My [G]prostate they [F]say will [C]start to enlarge
My [G]colon they [F]say will [C]cease to discharge
My [C]knees are all [F]creaky, my [C]back is so [G]sore
My [C]glasses are [F]thick and my [G]jokes are a [C]bore.
Geezer-[Bb]ly-y-y-y-y-y-[F]-y-y, [C]geezerly years
Geezer-[Bb]ly, geezer-[F]ly, [C]geezerly [C7]years
Geezer-[Bb]ly-y-y-y-y-y-[F]-y-y, [C]geezerly years
Geezer-[Bb]ly, geezer-[F]ly, [G]geezerly [C]years . . [G] . . [G7]
Some [C]geezers are [F]bitter, [C]some just stay [G]mad
Some [C]geezers are [F]lonely, de-[C]crepit and [G]sad
Some [C]geezers are [F]jolly, [C]some are buf-[G]foons
Some [C]geezers are [F]nutty like [G]stark raving [C]loons
[G]Me, I'm as [F]happy as [C]happy can be
[G]Proud of my [F]life and [C]what I've achieved
[C]Proud of my [F]friends my [C]dear fami-[G]ly
I'm [C]proud to [F]be the [G]geezerly [C]me!
Yeah, I'm [F]proud to [Bb]be in my [C]geezerly [F]days
I’m [Bb]comfortable [F]in my [C]geezerly ways
You won’t [F]see me [Bb]cry any [C]geezerly [F]tears
'Cos I’m [Bb]proud to be [F]into my [C]geezerly years . . [C7]
Geezer-[Bb]ly-y-y-y-y-y-[F]-y-y, [C]geezerly years
Geezer-[Bb]ly, geezer-[F]ly, [C]geezerly [C7]years
Geezer-[Bb]ly-y-y-y-y-y-[F]-y-y, [C]geezerly years
Geezer-[Bb]ly, geezer-[F]ly, [G]geezerly [C]years . . [G] . . [G7]
As a [C]young man I [F]tried to [C]see far a-[G]head
And it [C]seemed by this [F]time I’d [C]prob'ly be [G]dead
But I’ve [C]made it this [F]far with the [C]help of my [G]friends
And we’ll [C]all keep on [F]truckin’ un[G]-til the road [C]ends
Geezer-[Bb]ly-y-y-y-y-y-[F]-y-y, [C]geezerly years
Geezer-[Bb]ly, geezer-[F]ly, [C]geezerly [C7]years
Geezer-[Bb]ly-y-y-y-y-y-[F]-y-y, [C]geezerly years
Geezer-[Bb]ly, geezer-[F]ly, my [G]geezerly [C]years
1,334 2007-05-03 01:18:56
Re: Hayseed Dixie "Keeping your poop in a jar" (3 replies, posted in Song requests)
Hello Bigbrossi and welcome to chordie! Don't worry about not knowing/writing English very well - I can understand your posting perfectly.
Perhaps your best bet for finding what you seek would be the band's site? Maybe there are links to fan sites or a message board where fans can post messages. I have had some luck finding stuff via this route. It doesn't hurt to ask and perhaps the band (or an avid fan) would be thrilled to share the info - the idea of a Danish band belting out their songs might really excite their curiosity.
Again, welcome to chordie . . . spread the word about this site to friends! James
1,335 2007-05-02 23:20:51
Re: "I Have To Let Her Go" (1 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Roger this is a lovely song about a very sad realization. The maj7 chords give it just the right hint of wistfullness and an appropriately empty feeling. Far better to write a sad song about moving on than to wallow around in an abyss of regret. Very well done and nicely recorded - like the echoing backing vocals. James
1,336 2007-05-02 15:15:51
Re: "Just One of Those Days" (9 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Roger - I am honored that you like "Just One of Those Days"enough to record & post it on the Friends of Chordie site. Love the twinkling piano and harmonized vocal backing!
Thankfully, I haven't had 'one of those days' lately . . .
Fellow chordians, here is a link to RogerGuppy's excellent version of this little ditty:
http://www.myspace.com/friendsofchordie
1,337 2007-05-02 14:11:20
Re: What 5 songs would YOU choose to perform? (40 replies, posted in Acoustic)
Here are five songs that would make a nice set: (ask me tomorrow and the list will be different)
Catch the Wind - Donovan (see Folkie Dolkie 1 songbook)
Get Together - Jesse Colin Young
Faithless Love - J.D. Souther (also Folkie Dolkie 1 songbook)
Happy Cute - by me! (see songwriting forum)
Quite the Catch - by me also! (see songwriting forum)
1,338 2007-05-02 13:12:44
Re: "Along Beside Chance" (2 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Thanks Jeff - I hope to record some tunes this weekend. Since posting this odd little ditty, I have thought of dozens more delicious & rare words.
1,339 2007-05-02 03:00:12
Re: It's a Blank Page (5 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Hello Jeff, I just listened to "Blank Page" and very much liked it. It is long and moody, but conveys the message beautifully. I think it is a song that could also be done 'faster and harder' and still retain the mood and message - sort of a Niel Young & Crazy Horse electric treatment.
Another great song based on another great idea - would like to see the lyrics and chords once the new forum's formatting voodoo is working again. James
1,340 2007-05-02 00:43:59
Re: Dueling Banjos Backing Track (8 replies, posted in Song requests)
Hello charlotte - the blank replies are fallout from the relocation of chordie and implementation of new forum software. My reply was simply a link to a site that had tabs for both instruments on the 'Dueling Banjos' tune. The original poster replied that he was looking for 'backing track' - still not sure what he means by that!
There are probably many missing posts - price of progress I guess. James
1,341 2007-05-01 22:44:27
Topic: "Along Beside Chance" (2 replies, posted in Songwriting)
It struck me that there are many delicious words that never get used in songs. So I took it upon myself to use a few obscure-but-wonderful words in a song. This song probably requires a beret-wearing bongo player plus an interpretive dancer or two to complete the performance . . . .
Hey, if Dylan or one of the beat poets had written this it would be considered profound - but it is truly just a bunch of silliness. Even though the song-formatting voodoo is not working right now, I want to post this latest extrusion from my mind:
Along Beside ChanceJames McCormick, April 30, 2007
In 6/8 time, an absurd waltz through the alphabet
[C]Absolute [Em]axes af-[F]fectionate [C]ale
Ap-[Am]propriate apes a-[G]stound
[C]Busily [Em]boning [Dm]beautiful [G]babes
Be-[C]sotted be-[C7]neath be-[C]yond
Con-[F]niving contented completely con-[C]fused
Contu-[F]macious ca-[Em]pricious [Am]cruel
[C]Devious [Em]dashing de-[F]cidedly [C]dense
De-[G]ploying de-[C7]liberate [C]drool
. . . . . .
[G7]E-[C]voking ef-[Em]ficient e-[F]bullient [C]eft
En-[Am]tirely ever e-[G]nough
Fasci-[C]nation for-[Em]getful [Dm]finest fi-[G]nesse
Fulmi-[C]nating for-[C7]givable [C]fluff
Gar-[F]gantuan gargoyle grinning ga-[C]loot
[F]Gyrating [Em]garrulous [Am]groans
[C]Harboring [Em]hapless [F]harrowing [G]hole
[G]Honoring [C7]handsome hor-[C]mones
. . . . . .
[G7]In-[C]sidious in-[Em]sightful [F]icky i-[C]nure
Into-[Am]nation is incom-[G]plete
Ju-[C]dicious [Em]jocular [Dm]joyfully [G]jest
[C]Juggling [C7]jovial [C]jeep
[F]Kevlar kibbles kippers [C]kvetch
[F]Keening ker-[Em]fuffle ker-[Am]plop
Lo-[C]quacious [Em]loyal [F]leftover [C]lout
[G]Lazily [C7]licks lolli-[C]pops
. . . . . .
[G7]Mag-[C]nanimous [Em]murky [F]manifest [C]must
[Am]Musing mandible [G]mints
[C]Negligent [Em]nascent [Dm]nattering [G]nibs
[C]Nebulous [C7]nubile [C]nymphs
[F]Opulent outcast officially [C]oiled
[F]Ousted [Em]oafish ob-[Am]tuse
[C]Petulant [Em]perfect [F]pious pro-[C]trude
[G]Perfidy [C7]prudish pe-[C]ruse[G7]
. . . . . .
[C]Quickly [Em]querulous [F]quirkily [C]qualms
[Am]Questioning quixotic [G]quips
Reno-[C]vation re-[Em]plete re-[Dm]quiring re-[G]pose
[C]Roiled [C7]restively [C]ripped
[F]Slovenly slacker slippery [C]soiled
[F]Sylvan [Em]secular [Am]sprite
Tem-[C]pestuous [Em]twirls [F]toiling tra-[C]verse
[G]Terribly [C7]twice to-[C]night[G7]
. . . . . .
[C]Unctuous u-[Em]biquitous [F]usual [C]urn
[Am]Uvula up ulu-[G]late
Vi-[C]carious [Em]viscous [Dm]vividly [G]void
[C]Vacuous [C7]vim vacil-[C]late
[F]Wrangling westward woodenly [C]wrong
[F]Wholly [Em]wolfish who's [Am]who
[C]Xerox [Em]Xanax xeno-[F]cidal x-[C]ray
Xylo-[G]phones [C7]xenon Xana-[C]du[G7]
. . . . . .
[C]Yodeling [Em]yaks [F]yellowing [C]youth
[Am]Yippee yesterday [G]yelled
Zoo-[C]logical [Em]zippers [Dm]zestfully [G]Zen
[C]Zoysia [C7]zap zinfan-[C]del
[G]Zoysia [F]zap zinfan-[C]del
1,342 2007-05-01 22:33:16
Re: Romantic song to impress your girlfriend (71 replies, posted in Acoustic)
There is a love song from 1964 that probably caused a mini-babyboom. "Catch the Wind" by Donovan is a beautifully simple romantic ballad. There are probably plenty of 43 year olds who were concieved while this song playing on the radio or the hi-fi.
Here is a video of Donovan performing the song that launched his career:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BS8RZsOZ1Dw
Here is a version of the song from my chordie songbook 'Folkie Dolkie 1':
http://www.chordie.com/chord.pere?url=h … 0mcCormick
What is most appealing about this song's lyric is that Donovan confesses his fascination/reverence for his lover AND he acknowledges his lover's free will and independence. It is a truly beautiful tribute to a person that he both loves and respects. James
1,343 2007-05-01 15:32:28
Re: "It's Money" (2 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Here is a little waltz about that stuff that would be in your pocket if you didn't spend all your time goofing around with your guitar and singing songs . . . all the odd words are various currencies from around the world.
It's Moneyby, James McCormick, April 26, 2007
In 3/4 time, a slow monetary waltz
[C]Rich folk are eccentric, the [F]poor folk just [C]loons
When [C]you got the cash you can call the [G]tune
If you [C]ain't in the black in the [F]red you will [C]drown
It's [C]money that makes this old [G]world go a-[C]round
. . .
You [F]might be plumb crazy or foolish or [C]smart
Or [F]maybe you're just a cranky old [G]fart
You [C]might be a saint or a [F]silly old [C]clown
But it's [C]money that makes this old [G]world go a-[C]round
[Bb]Ducats, [F]Florins, [C]Shillings and Drams
[Bb]Rubles, [F]Rials, and [C]Gold Krugerands
[Bb]Kronas, [F]Kwachas, [C]Kwanzas and Leu
[Bb]Qirans and [F]Quetzals and [C]Zlotys will do
[C]Paper or plastic, [F]silver or [C]gold
[C]Some money's new and some money's [G]old
In-[C]herited, earned, or dug [F]up from the [C]ground
It's [C]money that makes this old [G]world go a-[C]round
. . .
[F]Salary, wage, or government [C]dole
[F]Money that's earned, money that's [G]stole
Do-[C]mestic or foreign, rec-[F]tangular or [C]round
It's [C]money that makes this old [G]world go a-[C]round
[Bb]Rupees, [F]Riechsmark, [C]Rai Stones, and Yen
[Bb]Tugrug, [F]Budju, [C]Sheqels and Wen
[Bb]Cupon, [F]Cruzeiro, [C]Dollars and Dong
[Bb]Pengo, [F]Peseta, [C]Euros and Yuan
It [C]costs to get married and then [F]more to di-[C]vorce
It [C]costs to get sick and get better of [G]course
It [C]costs to relax if you're [F]too tightly [C]wound
It's [C]money that makes this old [G]world go a-[C]round
. . .
It'll [F]cost you to park and it'll cost you to [C]drive
You'll [F]pay as you go and when you ar-[G]rive
You'll [C]pay through the nose and [F]pay by the [C]pound
It's [C]money that makes this old [G]world go a-[C]round
[Bb]Drachma, [F]Dobra, [C]Escudo, Dinar
[Bb]Lira, [F]Livre, [C]Baht, Nahar
[Bb]Obol, [F]Nakfa, [C]Ouguiya, Kroon
[Bb]Lilangeni, [F]Ngultrum, [C]Inca and Hwan
It [C]costs to get buried and it [F]costs to get [C]born
It [C]costs to stay cool and it costs to stay [G]warm
That [C]life is expensive is [F]not so pro-[C]found
It's [C]money that makes this old [G]world go a-[C]round
. . .
Oh [F]Moolah and bucks, cold cash is [C]nice
[F]Anythings possible, just name the [G]price
In-[C]vest it or save, or [F]blow it on a [C]spree
'The [C]Man' will get paid, no [G]lunch is for [C]free
[Bb]Money [F]makes the [C]world go around
[Bb]Money [F]makes the [G]world go a-[C]round
1,344 2007-04-27 12:52:21
Re: THE concert that is burned forever in your mind. Your best concert ever seen. (27 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
1,350 2007-04-25 13:32:46
Re: Making up new riffs? (6 replies, posted in Songwriting)
The advice jerome.oneil is offering about music theory is very very good. However, good advice is not always the easiest to follow (that's life). Music theory might seem to be quite daunting at first, but the simple truth is that the more you learn about it the more useful it becomes.
Music Theory is a huge topic, so don't think you have to understand everything - just focus on the basics (scales, for instance) and go from there. Don't let the seeming complexity scare you away. You already have a 'gut' understanding of most of it from your practical experience of playing and writing songs.
While there are some very good sources on the web, there are also many fantastic books about songwriting and music theory. Go to your local public library and see what they have on the shelf - you will probably be pleasantly surpised at what you find. If the library is too confusing, just ask any librarian to help. Librarians love to help people find what they need. James