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Help: Need a tune for my new song!
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Help: Need a tune for my new song! |
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Subject: Need a tune for my new song! From: Mark Cohen Date: 14 Mar 02 - 03:13 AM Well, I've just written my second song in the last ten years, so I must be on a roll. (The first one was a Hawaiian reggae number, maybe that doesn't count.) But I'm realizing that in order to make the tune and chords do what I'd like them to do, it will take (a) a lot more time than I currently have available, or (b) a better musician than I am. So I'm open to suggestions, ideas, or a fully-realized product. The tune I had in my head when I wrote the words was Steve Allen's 1954 hit "This Could be the Start of Something", and that's kind of the feel I'm aiming at: 1940s or 50s pop standard/swing style. You know, bouncy tune, jazzy chords. Any takers? (Suggestions for improving scansion and sense also welcome!) LET'S BE FRIENDS (c)2002 Mark Cohen I slept all night the day that I met you Didn't see the world through a rose-colored lens When I looked into your eyes I didn't get hypnotized What do you say? Let's be friends I don't want to fly so high I'll never be landing I don't want to dive so deep I come up with the bends I'll keep my feet on the ground But I'm happy that you're around What do you say? Let's be friends I know that you've been in love before You've had your share of joy and pain You don't want to find yourself on the wrong track So let's not rush onto the train I know the book of love has plenty of heartache Nobody knows how the next chapter ends Let's open a different book Let's keep ourselves off the hook What do you think? Why don't we Give it a try--could we be What do you say? Let's be friends Aloha, Mark |
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Subject: RE: Help: Need a tune for my new song! From: Steve Parkes Date: 14 Mar 02 - 08:22 AM I'm on the case! Don't hold your breath, it may take a whole weekend ... Meanwhile, I think for that true 40s/50s style, you need an intro, like "You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen ..." or "I have got a little flat in/What is know as Old Manhattin", just to kick it off; maybe something along the lines of whenever I meet a girl for the first time, I fall head over heels as a contrast to the main burthen. But what do I know--it's your song! Steve |
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Subject: RE: Help: Need a tune for my new song! From: Mark Cohen Date: 14 Mar 02 - 03:12 PM Thanks, Steve, you're absolutely right. Even though most people don't know the "verse" of those songs--which sometimes can make for a fun parlor game of "guess the chorus from the verse". I'm working on it...and thanks for the offer. I can read Noteworthy Composer files, if you have that program. Aloha, Mark |
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Subject: RE: Help: Need a tune for my new song! From: Jeri Date: 14 Mar 02 - 03:22 PM I'll see what I can do as well, just for fun. I have Cakewalk, but can send in Noteworthy or as a MIDI. |
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Subject: RE: Help: Need a tune for my new song! From: Jeri Date: 14 Mar 02 - 04:52 PM Jeri's having major brain problems NOT writing the tune for "If tonight were not an endless highway" and some song that has "and get the blues right out of here." Need "mulch" time. (And I can't get any more of that second song, and I don't know what it is and it's driving me nuts. Nutser.) Oh sh*t...just realised it's "I'll have one. more. beer." BREAKTIME! (Hope Steve's doin' better.) |
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Subject: RE: Help: Need a tune for my new song! From: SharonA Date: 14 Mar 02 - 05:15 PM I'll take a crack at it, too. People often tell me my songs have a similar quality, though they usually say the songs sound like something they'd hear in a Broadway show. |
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Subject: RE: Help: Need a tune for my new song! From: Mark Cohen Date: 14 Mar 02 - 06:24 PM A Broadway show tune would be just right, Sharon. And, Jeri, "Tomorrow is a Long Time" is not really the feeling I'm aiming at--but I imagine you figured that out. Don't know the other one, sorry. MIDI will be fine, by the way...and I have a cassette player, too, for those still firmly entrenched in the analog age. Thanks, all, I'm looking forward to hearing these. Aloha, Mark |
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Subject: RE: Help: Need a tune for my new song! From: 53 Date: 14 Mar 02 - 10:52 PM I think you have a good song here, but I don't write much so I don't know if I could be much help, but if I come up with something I will let you know. |
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Subject: RE: Help: Need a tune for my new song! From: Justa Picker Date: 14 Mar 02 - 11:23 PM Interesting. I generally have the exact opposite problem. (Sorry for the thread creep.) I write tunes/melodies and can't write lyrics to save my life. I get into this mindset every single time I try to write lyrics thinking "I've got nothing original to say; whatever I have to say has already been said and written/expressed better by someone else;the lyrics don't fit the mood or space of the song; sound corny/cliche; and then just...ah f--k why bother?"..so they remain instrumentals forever. Here's an example. Wrote this about 5 years ago. Intended to record it with one of my favourite female vocalists. It was supposed to be a song about the hesitation of giving yourself to someone - sort of a "nervous love". The sax plays the melody throughout the song. There is also a sax solo after the second chorus, but to differentiate between the sax carrying the melody of the song and the one doing justa solo, I put digital delay and "effected" the sound of it during the solo only. Would have made a good "B" side for a single. *hahahaha* (Note: It ain't folk.) I envy people that can write good lyrics that work with the tunes. That is every bit as much of a talent as being able to just blow instrumentally. Maybe even more so. |
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Subject: RE: Help: Need a tune for my new song! From: Steve Parkes Date: 15 Mar 02 - 08:33 AM Well, here's the first draft, Mark ... might be mre use as a draught-excluder, but see what you think. You'll have to use a little imagination to get the words to fit properly, as I've only used the same bars for the three sections. I'll see if I can do something with it over the weekend, but there's a lot of chores waiting for me, so no promises! Oh, excuse me putting my name in front of yours! Sullivan & Gilbert never did it like that ... Steve
MIDI file: friends.mid Timebase: 192 Name: Let's Be Friends This program is worth the effort of learning it. To download the March 10 MIDItext 98 software and get instructions on how to use it click here ABC format: X:1
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Subject: RE: Help: Need a tune for my new song! From: Steve Parkes Date: 15 Mar 02 - 08:34 AM ... and it's a bit high too--I'll drop it a bit. Steve |
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Subject: RE: Help: Need a tune for my new song! From: Steve Parkes Date: 15 Mar 02 - 08:51 AM Huh! Should have known it was too easy! There should be a rest at the start. Ignore the first attempt, here's the corrected version:
MIDI file: friendsm.mid Timebase: 192 Name: Let's Be Friends This program is worth the effort of learning it. To download the March 10 MIDItext 98 software and get instructions on how to use it click here ABC format: X:1
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Subject: RE: Help: Need a tune for my new song! From: SharonA Date: 15 Mar 02 - 07:47 PM Mark: As I said in my PM to you yesterday, I had a tune in mind (almost immediately, in fact) and had to work out a kink or two in the tune for the bridge. I did so last night, and practiced a simple arrangement on guitar so that I can make a tape and send it out to you. I'm no Django Reinhart, so don't expect much, but expect to see something in the mail next week. Also, I told you I'd taken you up on your offer to suggest changes.... but later on in the evening I got carried away and added a second bridge and a 4th verse to flesh out the piece some more. Hope you don't mind; of course, it goes without saying that all changes are subject to your approval (okay, so I said it anyway! *G*). I've posted my suggested changes below. Anybody who wants to comment or ask me why I did thus-and-such, please do: LET'S BE FRIENDS © 2002 Mark Cohen revisions & additional verses © 2002 SharonA I didn't pine all night the day that I met you I didn't see the world through a rose-colored lens And when I looked into your eyes I didn't get hypnotized What do you say? Let's be friends Don't want to fly so high I'll never be landing Don't want to dive so deep I come up with the bends I'll keep my feet flat on the ground But I'm still glad you're around What do you say? Let's be friends bridge 1: I know that you've been in love before You've had your share of the joy and pain And you don't want to find yourself on the wrong track So let's not rush onto the train I know the book of love has plenty of plot twists Nobody knows just how the next paragraph ends Why don't we write a different book And let our hearts off the hook What do you say? Let's be friends INSTRUMENTAL BREAK bridge 2: I know that you've been in love before You've had your fill of the word "Goodbye" Well, you don't have to say any fare-thee-well's to a friend – And, friend, neither do I! I know the song of love has plenty of verses Nobody knows just how the next syllable ends Let's sing and play a different round And keep our hearts safe and sound What do you say? Why don't we Try it and maybe we'll be – What do you think? What do you say? Let's be friends! |
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Subject: RE: Help: Need a tune for my new song! From: Jeri Date: 15 Mar 02 - 07:50 PM Well, here's mine. I'm not sure it's close to what you're looking for, and I couldn't deal with accidentals to save my life!
MIDI file: FRIEND2.MID Timebase: 120 Name: Lets Be Freinds This program is worth the effort of learning it. To download the latest version of MIDItext and get instructions on how to use it click here ABC format: X:1
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Subject: RE: Help: Need a tune for my new song! From: Mark Cohen Date: 15 Mar 02 - 10:38 PM Gaaaack! All those little red numbers! I guess that means it's... time for me to make the effort of learning this program!Thanks, both of you...I can't wait to hear what these sound like! Hmm...one's in 4/4 and one's in 3/4. Nothing like a lyric with a good solid pulse! ;-)Aloha, Mark |
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Subject: RE: Help: Need a tune for my new song! From: Mark Cohen Date: 16 Mar 02 - 03:54 AM Hmmmm...I took the trouble to learn it, did all the downloading and dragging and clicking...and it didn't work. When I tried to open either of the MIDI files, WinAmp popped up with the name of the file, but nothing happened--no sound, no action, nothing. Tried clicking on the "play" button, tried right-clicking the MIDI file and hitting Open or Play...still nada. WinAmp worked just fine when I played another MIDI file. Any suggestions? Aloha, Mark |
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Subject: RE: Help: Need a tune for my new song! From: Amos Date: 16 Mar 02 - 10:26 AM Mark: that is a GOOD song!! JP: That tune is hot, man!! And the title brings up all sorts of possible ideas as themes. Not to hijack the thread, but did you compose that arrangement using a MIDI program? Which one? A |
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Subject: RE: Help: Need a tune for my new song! From: Jeri Date: 16 Mar 02 - 10:47 AM Yo, Mark dude! MIDI clickies: Steve's tune Jeri's Tune |
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Subject: RE: Help: Need a tune for my new song! From: Mark Cohen Date: 16 Mar 02 - 06:12 PM Wow, JP, just heard your tune. Fantastic! And now you've got my motor running...gotta make some words happen to that one! Jeri and Steve, thanks, some good ideas there. Steve, I think you're on the right track, but I had something more uptempo in mind. Here's a kind-of-hard-to-hear Real Audio sample of the Steve Allen tune, to give you a vague idea of where I was headed: This Could Be the Start of Something. As JP says, it ain't folk! Keep at it, though...this cross-pollination is fun! And I'll have to play with that MidiTxt program some more...maybe I downloaded a buggy version. Aloha, Mark |
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Subject: RE: Help: Need a tune for my new song! From: Justa Picker Date: 16 Mar 02 - 06:32 PM Thanks Amos and Mark. (Write some good lyrics, and I'll hire Al Jarreau to sing it. *BBG*) |
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Subject: RE: Help: Need a tune for my new song! From: MMario Date: 16 Mar 02 - 07:01 PM Mark - for some reason when I paste the miditxt into a program to save as a text file I sometimes get a single blank space at the beginning of every line. In order for the midi to convert properly you have to remove the blank at the beginning of each line. |
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Subject: RE: Help: Need a tune for my new song! From: Mark Cohen Date: 17 Mar 02 - 04:02 AM Hmmm..I'll check that out. I just sent an email to Alan of Oz asking him about it, but that might be the answer. Thanks. Aloha, Mark |
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Subject: RE: Help: Need a tune for my new song! From: Steve Parkes Date: 18 Mar 02 - 11:57 AM Mark, I meant to put in some time fiddling with the timing to make it swing, but there seems to be less time at weekends than I remember! Also, my mother was frightened by The One-Note Samba when she was carrying me, which accounts for something (I think Jeri's might have been listening to the same show). I'll try and get some time in tonight. Steve |
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Subject: RE: Help: Need a tune for my new song! From: SharonA Date: 18 Mar 02 - 11:59 AM Hello again, Mark! Just wanted to let you know, while you're waiting for the snail-mail, that my rendition is definitely up-tempo! It's got swing and syncopation and all that good stuff in it. Someday I'll learn that MIDI program, but I'm more than a bit swamped with other stuff at the moment. Besides, how would I incorporate the whole presentation (vocals and guitar) into a MIDI? That's beyond my ken right now (and beyond my Barbie, too!). *G* Sharon |
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Subject: RE: Help: Need a tune for my new song! From: MMario Date: 18 Mar 02 - 12:07 PM sharon? Lean a little closer please? *THWAP!* (for your own good!) |
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Subject: RE: Help: Need a tune for my new song! From: SharonA Date: 18 Mar 02 - 12:09 PM Owwwwwwww. Thanks; I needed that. |
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Subject: RE: Help: Need a tune for my new song! From: Jeri Date: 18 Mar 02 - 12:39 PM Steve, LOL! I can't blame this one on my mother. At one time, she sang with a local "big band" and would occasionally just start singing "Beat Me Daddy, Eight to the Bar" or "Minnie the Moocher" while doing housework. If I listen to a bunch of the stuff, I can get in the right mood to write it, but I don't have any of that sort of music here except on 78's, and I can't play 78's. If I DID manage to come up with a reasonable tune in my head, I'd have to figure out how to get all the stupid little syncopated dots right. I could whip out a new tune in maybe a week or two...and you'd probably get a midi with a horn section that sounded like the Salvation Army on crack. |
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Subject: RE: Help: Need a tune for my new song! From: Steve Parkes Date: 19 Mar 02 - 03:25 AM Jeri, my Mom sang with a dance band (for about a week!) c. 1949, before she got engaged to Dad (who rode speedway at the time). Hard to believe they could turn out so respectable and upright, but it's skipped my generation and come out in my kids ... where did we go wrong?! I've got tons of 78s--lots of Paul Whiteman and Ted Heath (not the ex-PM!) and the like--and I contacted a UK firm that make custom styli: they called me last night, out of office hours, and offered to find me a decent refurbished turntable too. Maybe we need a new thread on this? There must be a few Catters in the same position as us. I spent a while trying to get the swing into my tune last night, but I had a headache and gave up. Maybe, Mark, you can swing it yourself? Maybe I should learn to play a keyboard ... |
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