Help write a song about the iPad singers

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the iPad singers
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 25 May 18 - 06:17 AM

Must be unobtrusive - I've never seen you use one!

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the iPad singers
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 25 May 18 - 01:15 AM

Yep, it can be done, but it's an art in itself, and it requires practice to make it perfect. The majority of readers I come across seem to use their huge black WW3-standard music-stands as a means of hiding.

When I used to read lyrics, I tried to keep them as unobtrusive as possible. I kept the stand as low as possible - no higher than waist-height if I was standing, as low as it would go, maybe knee-height, if I was sitting. I didn't use those horrible enormous black stands, I used a light chrome-finished folding stand, very small and far less noticeable.

And, despite relying on reading lyrics, I rehearsed my stuff, quite extensively.. Many readers seem to think that, as they have the words in front of them, there's no need to rehearse. Bad mistake!

The usual disclaimers apply......IMHO, YMMV etc.

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the iPad singers
From: RTim
Date: 24 May 18 - 07:39 PM

I always like to illustrate singers - reading the words - and performing as good as anyone......
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnI2QQOB6fE


Tim Radford

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the iPad singers
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 24 May 18 - 04:31 PM

If that's our mutual friend from Derby, I'd have to bow to his judgment - he's a far better singer and player than I'll ever be, better than most (if not all) of the current crop of 'folk-superstars' too, IMHO, and I've never seen him reading the words!

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the iPad singers
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 24 May 18 - 01:45 PM

I suppose so John, but it only works if one or two in a large-ish company have the heebie jeebie collywobbles. Our mutual friend turned to me one night, and said - what is this, a folk club or care in the community week..?

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the iPad singers
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 24 May 18 - 09:46 AM

Can't disagree with any of that, Jim. I used to be a 'reader', and I swore that I couldn't remember lyrics, but by spending a great deal of time and effort I found songs were 'sticking' and I began to experience and enjoy the freedom of singing/playing without needing to read the words.

I'm still not word-perfect with a few of my songs, but I lay my iPad on a stool alongside me and, if I get stuck for a line, I can glance down and get a prompt. For me, the indignity of having to peer at the iPad for a few seconds is preferable to completely 'drying' and having to stop mid-song. But I understand that not everyone sees it that way! ;-)

I do have to say that I really don't like the 'big black music-stand' phenomenon that's all-too-prevalent nowadays, where performers basically 'hide' behind the stand with only their eyes and the tops of their heads visible but, if it gives them sufficient confidence at least to sing/play, I can tolerate it in the hope that their confidence will grow and they will take the time and trouble eventually to do it 'au naturel'! :-)

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the iPad singers
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 24 May 18 - 09:11 AM

"which I have to have an aide-memoirs for"
Me too - used to stick it on my guitar when I played one
Personally, I gou to listen to an individual's interpretation of the song - That is what I tty to share with a listener
I can't reaaly do it if I have to read it
We recorded an example of this from Walter Pardon - he half remembered a song and found a text he had written and read/sang it for us - nearest example of alter singing badly we ever recorded
On a later visit he had remembered it and sang it for us - perfick!
Fot me, it's not just a matter of pleasing the listener; in order to enjoy a song I have to make it work for me - I have never been able to do that while reading it
Jim

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the iPad singers
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 24 May 18 - 09:03 AM

I do expect someone who has come along expecting to perform to have prepared, but it varies. I know many jazz singers who are happy to let the audience select from their huge repertoire without preparation. Often the only person given music is the pianist with swathes of white paper for improv. At open mikes even singer-songwriters don't seem to be able to sing their own material without cribs, increasingly electronic.At jam sessions, however, to join in an unfamiliar song it is useful to be able to look it up and join in on the second verse.
RtS

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the iPad singers
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 24 May 18 - 08:54 AM

I'm just happy to be amongst a group of people playing and singing and making music together. Some learn their stuff (I know **most** of mine, but there are a few songs that won't 'stick' - mostly 'non-story' songs - which I have to have an aide-memoirs for) and knowing your songs does indeed make the act of performance easier. Some have a safety-net 'just in case', some read every word and chord. Makes no difference AFAIC, just do it the best way you can - but DO IT!

And I don't fall for the 'disrespecting the song' line - the song is shown 'respect' by singing it no matter how it's sung, and the greatest 'disrespect' is to not sing it at all.

The usual disclaimers apply......IMHO, YMMV etc.

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the iPad singers
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 24 May 18 - 07:03 AM

Yes I saw a bloke take a ghetto blaster out of his asda carrier bag. Then when it was his turn he said, listen to this - and he played a tape of Jack Hudson singing a song.

Now the thing is, we were in Bonsall Derbyshire - Jack Hudson's neck of the woods, and everyone likes Jack - so we all sat down and listened politely.

However, after the first song, he said - Right! Now listen to this one! Its really good!

There were howls of protest and the folk revival lost yet another revolutionary thinker!

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the iPad singers
From: Mr Red
Date: 24 May 18 - 04:10 AM

the audience judge. Just eavesdrop and you will hear. If Folkies are polite enough to applaud they have earned the right to joke about it.

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the iPad singers
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 23 May 18 - 07:17 PM

Tim
It really isn't "judgmental" to expect a singer who gets up in front of an audience to have taken the trouble to learn the song
I know a few people do have genuine problems with learning songs, but the practice is common among many who I know have no problems wahaterver
It's just damned laziness - it shows neither respect for the audience nor for the song
Those who don't want your singing to be assessed should stay at home and sing in the bath to their rubber duck
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the iPad singers
From: RTim
Date: 23 May 18 - 07:08 PM

Let's all be judgmental.............and not sing a note yourself....

Never stop anyone from singing. What is the point?

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the iPad singers
From: Mr Red
Date: 23 May 18 - 06:57 PM

having non of this tablature
wot he thought was a sacriledge
"man", with traditional cassette
was next to regail the assemb(il)lage



And don't think I haven't witnessed it. Round the room till one guy who declined to sing, but offered the slot to a walkman! 30 years ago.

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the iPad singers
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 23 May 18 - 11:43 AM

Then a feller launched into a sermon
Concerning the evils of booze
Just like Moses he read from a tablet
His face glowed as he gave the good news

More to come
Jim

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the iPad singers
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 23 May 18 - 10:49 AM

Am working on this (tune obvious)
Feel free

I went down to my local folk club
Thought I'd hear a few songs down there
Thought I'd made a mistake, nearly did a double-take
Found a room-full of people at prayer

With heads bowed, they droned out their message
About butchers, randy tailors and sin
I stood at the door and I waited
Until they had finished the hymn

Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the iPad singers
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 23 May 18 - 09:55 AM

When we've collected enough rhymes for 'snide' and 'sneer'
we might have the start of a collaborative song
about grumpy folks who get all petty and superior
about other folks singing from electronic device accessibility apps...???

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the iPad singers
From: CupOfTea
Date: 23 May 18 - 09:32 AM

oh boy! someone is going to write a song about me!

I am an unashamed user of an ipad in musical settings. It functions as the current version of my personal "fake book" with all the songs I know, what key I"m doing them in, what verses in what order, what chords. If I'm in a situation where I want to pull up a song that I haven't played in a long time, the aide to memory the digital version gives me helps me not make a total fool of myself. These are songs I know to a goodly degree, for I've worked on them, arranged how I want to do them. I stopped being embarrassed by having my own book of lyrics years ago, when I took a ballad singing class with Frank Harte, source of a zillion collected songs, who had a binder on his lap to remind him of what version of a song he was doing.   

It's not the tool, folks, it's how it's used. iPad/tablet or smart phone being used the way folks do the dreaded Rise Up Singing, yeah, that annoys the hell outta me, too, when folks are reading lyrics to songs they are only passingly familiar with, or just looked up online. If it annoys ya so much, be specific about actually KNOWING a song before trotting it out in the settings where ya deem it inappropriate.

I recently had the pleasure of Judy Cook singing me a song she was working up for a program - and she pulled up the lyrics on her phone to make sure she had it right. Sure she wouldn't be doing that onstage, but in a group of friends? Fine by me.

I'm waiting for my verse now...

Joanne in Cleveland (who looks at Mudcat on her iPad)

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the iPad singers
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 23 May 18 - 03:14 AM

What about writing a song about the many people who hide behind gigantic black music stands - those that are built to WW3 standards, and weigh half a ton - with their A4 loose-leaf binders propped up so that only the top of their heads are visible?

At least with a smart-phone or tablet you can see the person who's performing!

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the iPad singers
From: Mr Red
Date: 23 May 18 - 02:31 AM

I once saw a guy at a session play a mouth organ app on his phone

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the iPad singers
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 21 May 18 - 06:25 AM

tune: we are the ovalteenies!

we are the i-pad singers
singing from our phones
staring at our little screens
songs in leaden tones.

expressionless, a session pest
long songs that last the night
we've found a way to hog the stage
so join with us, we're all the rage
Or go out for a shite.

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the iPad singers
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 21 May 18 - 04:39 AM

From: Stevebury - PM
Date: 17 May 18 - 06:19 PM

We are the I-Phone singers,
Starting down at our Phones,
For the words.
(I haven't gone high-tech yet, and when I'm learning a song I find that a sheet of paper offers larger print.)

It's a start, but no tune yet?
Maybe . . .


I-phone singers
(D-Day Dodgers/ Lili Marlene)

We're the I-phone singers, staring at our phones
Swishing through the index, ignoring all the moans.
One day we'll try to learn the words,
We're told crib sheets are 'for the birds*'
We are the I-phone singers, in your locality.

We landed at a folk club, a dingy little room
We couldn't read our songbooks so hidden in the gloom
Then had a thought, we'll make this right,
'Cos all we need's our I-phones light.
We are the I-phone singers, with new technology.


* At least, I think it was 'birds'. I may have misheard the initial consonant.

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the iPad singers
From: Mr Red
Date: 18 May 18 - 03:50 AM

There are Apps that can display a few lines at a time and easily advance with a tap. Maybe even follow the voice. A nice feature.

But any song about singing from an iPad could point to the lack of projection and the story line might include getting lost and repeating or even end abruptly because the singer had lost their place.

And what about referring to the voice as "singing like an Adnroid"...........

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the iPad singers
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 17 May 18 - 06:57 PM

I really can't see why using an ipad should bother anyone more than ringbinder. you can get more songs on an ipad. it takes less space - you can take it on holiday with your entire record collection, if you forget the tune , look up the notation or the chords online, check out how other people have done the song. actually over the years it should expand repertoires and increase our technical skill.

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the iPad singers
From: Stevebury
Date: 17 May 18 - 06:19 PM

We are the I-Phone singers,
Starting down at our Phones,
    For the words.

(I haven't gone high-tech yet, and when I'm learning a song I find that a sheet of paper offers larger print.)

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the iPad singers
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 17 May 18 - 08:38 AM

The purpose of discussion threads seems to leave some latitude for moving to side issues.

If you want this thread to be entirely about the subject matter (and we seem to have moved away from that seven years ago) then your own comment hardly addresses the matter either.

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the iPad singers
From: Richard Mellish
Date: 17 May 18 - 07:17 AM

There's at least one separate thread about the pros/cons/acceptability or otherwise of reading the words as you sing or having them available for prompting if necessary. Let's keep this one to its declared subject.

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the iPad singers
From: Amergin
Date: 16 May 18 - 08:05 PM

Or maybe let folks have fun and participate whichever way they can....

Or is that too difficult and revolutionary?

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the iPad singers
From: Mr Red
Date: 16 May 18 - 04:56 PM

there is scope for "swiping left" when the man gets the girl and right for philanderers. Or is it the other way round?

A Tinder-hearted lover?

Subject: Lyr Add: Filofax
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 16 May 18 - 09:09 AM

FILOFAX
Nigel Parsons 16/5/18
ttto: Somewhere (West Side Story)

I’ve a Filofax, Somewhere, a Filofax.
Tunes and lyrics are noted there,
Loads of songs, and room to spare,
Somewhere . . .
I’ve a Filofax, Somewhere, a Filofax.
London Tube map and folk club dates.
Weights and measures – Conversion rates,
Some where . . .

I know I had it on Monday, But I can’t find it on Sunday,
(It’s) Somewhere!
Where’s my Filofax.
I need my Filofax.
“Comfort blanket” with pages spread,
Margin comments all made in red.
Somehow, someday, somewhere.

(spoken) Oh sod it, I’ll buy a tablet.

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the iPad singers
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 09 Aug 17 - 05:41 PM

Song above (Jan 2011) updated.
I plan to use this at this year's Worldcon in Helsinki. Reference to "Folkies" will become "Filkers". otherwise unchanged.

Second verse added for the occasion. (it always needed one!)

Folkies sing at twilight,
When the lights are low.
And the youngsters' I-Pads
Cast a gentle glow.
Oldsters 'twit' the youngsters' goldfish memories.
Saying "Back in our day, we'd none of these,
We'd none of these"

Back in those dear dead days of good recall.
We never needed Aides memoire at all.
We all could stand and sing a lengthy song
So confident the words were never wrong.
Sing one more song, and sip another sup.
(There were no songbooks there to trip . us . up!)

Folkies sing at twilight,
When the lights are low.
And the youngsters' I-Pads
Cast a gentle glow.
Oldsters 'twit' the youngsters' goldfish memories.
Saying "Back in our day, we'd none of these,
We'd none of these"

Now after years there dawns a better time.
And singers have revised the paradigm.
Singing from books is strictly "for the birds"
So, take that leap and learn those folking words!
You'll feel the glow of kudos when you do,
And yet the age old chorus still comes through:

Folkies sing at twilight,
When the lights are low.
And the youngsters' I-Pads
Cast a gentle glow.
Oldsters 'twit' the youngsters' goldfish memories.
Saying "Back in our day, we'd none of these,
We'd none of these"

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the ipod singers
From: Charley Noble
Date: 15 May 11 - 12:28 PM

Ripov-

Excellent contribution!

Someone's singing, Lord, what's his app?
Someone's singing, Lord, what's his app?
Someone's singing, Lord, what's his app?
Oh, Lord, what's his app?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the ipod singers
From: ripov
Date: 15 May 11 - 10:44 AM

In the little dark public bar, where we'd come for tune and song,
How we huddled round the little Ipad, but got the words and music wrong.

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the ipod singers
From: ripov
Date: 15 May 11 - 10:29 AM

I understand (more and more these days) the need for some way of being reminded of the words (and sometimes the tune, or at least the matching 'B' part) and I am amazed that there appears to be an "app" for an index of first lines, but why the .... does a musician need a 'black box' to tell that s/he's not in tune with the next person? If you can't tell if you're not in tune it must be time to give up (unless you're into modern classical that is!) Next thing we'll each be watching our own metronome. Now that could produce an interesting effect.

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the ipod singers
From: Charley Noble
Date: 15 May 11 - 10:13 AM

I do make exceptions for people, including myself, who are trying songs out for the first time in sessions or song swaps; a back-up copy of the lyrics in some form can be useful on such occasions. But not learning the song after several sessions gets tedious. If you really like a song, why not learn it?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the ipod singers
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 15 May 11 - 01:46 AM

I used to sing from my own song book claiming, like some above, that I didn't have the capacity to memorise lyrics, but I found it got in the way of 'performance'. Doing two things well (singing and playing, contemporaneously) is difficult enough, adding a third - reading - is just too much, and the quality of my singing/playing was suffering. In addition to which, reading prevents eye-contact with the audience (something I regard as an essential element in the performer/audient-bonding process).

So I made Herculean efforts to learn my stuff, and I'm able to perform without the safety-net 99% of the time now.

Unfortunately, during a gig last Saturday, I hit the remaining 1% - had a brain-fart and completely dried after one verse and a chorus. After four or five seconds of silence, during which my entire life flashed before me, I admitted to the packed room that I couldn't remember any more of that particular song, and went into the one that I 'keep up my sleeve for such an occasion' - one which I've sung for many a year and could sing/play in my sleep. Result......loud and prolonged applause! :-) :-)

Learn your stuff. Leave the book (or that f**kin' i-Pad) at home. There's no shame in forgetting words. Everyone does it. Even the pros do it occasionally.

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the ipod singers
From: GUEST,Dave in Michigan
Date: 14 May 11 - 03:18 PM

I recently heard an unofficial recording of a live folk concert.

The singer (no names, no packdrill), singing from memory, alone on a stage before a large audience, was halfway through the song when he misrecalled a line, retried it (no luck), paraphrased it instead, and continued without further problems to the end of the song.

I was impressed by his aplomb, not disappointed by his fallibility. We should all do so well in such circumstances.

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the ipod singers
From: Charley Noble
Date: 14 May 11 - 11:35 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the ipod singers
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 24 Jan 11 - 05:34 PM

My main advice, no matter how saintly you are and tolerant etc. is to not allow flutes. They can mess up music more than any other instrument, including even good players..but that is just my opinion...flutes in, me out.

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the ipod singers
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 24 Jan 11 - 05:15 PM

"who listens to the song on her iPod through headphones and tries to sing along with it"

Can do better than that mate!

Watched someone listen to the song on the cassette recorder (while we waited for the song to play once or twice) to get it right just before playing the tune (was recorder or whistle) in a blackboard session - can't remember if she then played along with it too .. it was quite a while ago, thank god - but she was 'very nervous and a learner' ...

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the ipod singers
From: Barbara
Date: 24 Jan 11 - 01:32 PM

The answer, partly sage, rose many a time
practice shifting the page, or learn the next line.

*sorry, I couldn't help myself*
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the ipod singers
From: Barbara
Date: 22 Jan 11 - 01:23 AM

Joe, I don't walk out on you when you're leading a song because you're a bad singer, or because you read it from a book, or because I don't like the song.
You're just too dogmatic for my taste.
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the ipod singers
From: Barbara
Date: 22 Jan 11 - 01:00 AM

Maybe I should get a clone to change the header. I meant IPad.

Thanks Nigel. I'm with mary garvey. We want different things at different times, and we need to be proactive to make them happen. I used to always sing from a book and only knew choruses, so I did a lot of requesting other people to sing the things I wanted. I still often find it scary to lead a song, especially without some sort of cheat sheet.
Still, I continue to aspire to have the courage to do it.
I don't think there's anything the matter with wanting to get better at singing. I work on it. I'm proud of that.
My favorite thing is when someone sings a song well that they know by heart.
Still there's enough time and music for it all to happen for everyone. We need to find other folks to sing with who are in our comfort zone.

Most songbooks at least have the song on one page, but these little hand held devices seem to quit in the middle of a line, leaving everyone hanging.
Here's a bit of a revision. I didn't like the rhymes or the scream part.

I see your face lit in the glare
Across the circle you're reading there
The song from your Ipad,
Ye Gad, man,
Has our pub singing come to this?
Can't remember the words when you're pissed?
So you read 'em off the screen
of your little hand held machine
And we all pause while you. go. *swish*
(make that gesture of using your index finger to move the image on a touch screen)

Blessings,
Barbara

Nigel, I assume your song is to "Just a Song at Twilight"?

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the ipod singers
From: Charley Noble
Date: 21 Jan 11 - 02:38 PM

Let the Merry Ring-Tones Ring!

Ring out! Ring out!
Throughout the land!
Let the merry ring-tones ring!
Be they sharp or be they bland,
Let the merry ring-tones ring!

Ring out! Ring out!
In the tube or loo,
Let the merry ring-tones ring!
At the opera or barbecue,
Let the merry ring-tones ring!

etc.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the ipod singers
From: Simon G
Date: 21 Jan 11 - 01:21 PM

I love the song Charlie. If only I could remember it.

Joe, no need to worry about the USB socket, I'm sure you've got built-in WiFi, you just need to work out how to enable it.

There were bundles of laughter on Wednesday when I sang How Much is that Doggie in the Window from my tablet (like an iPad but without the $400 Apple logo). Of course almost everyone else in the room knew all the words. I am now officially a paperless crib sheet singer :)

Simon

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the ipod singers
From: Charley Noble
Date: 21 Jan 11 - 10:19 AM

Oh, do you remember when we sung from our I-Pads,
Back in them days of yore?
Oh, do you remember when we sung from our Blue-Books,
And how them old duffers swore!
Oh, do you remember, do you remember,
How we all sung in them days gone by?
No, I can't remember,
No, I can't remember,
But if you hum a few lines I'll try!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the ipod singers
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 21 Jan 11 - 03:50 AM

Do you sing from an I-Pad?
Do you sing from the 'blue-book'?
Do you sing from your own song book?
Do you read your song book to make sure you've remembered the words, then get up and sing confidently from (recent) memory?
Do you memorise songs, but sing them through quickly to yourself before performing, making a crib sheet of the first line of each verse in case you lose your (mental) place?
Do you sing everything from memory, with occasional la-la-las where you forget a line?
Do you sing everything with perfect recall & no written assistance?

I'm sure that between us we all fall at some point in the above list. How far further up the list do we want to draw the line for what we consider unacceptable?

How intollerant can we be?

Can we get back to the original request, which was for a song? (I made my attempt early on, but I'm not sure I can remember it. So can I print it out please? :) )

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the ipod singers
From: mg
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 11:20 PM

I don't think the group should be under any perceived obligation to listen to Ipod woman sing along. Tell her that is not what you do in your group and perhaps she could start her own for that purpose. We can either set boundaries or we can lose the reason some of us come to musical events, which is to hear nice music. I am going to start a camp thread, because I hope to go to a music camp next week, and I know there are going to be endless hours upon hours of people reading the blue books under blinding flourescent lights and I am going to be proactive..not to get them to change or dim the lights, but just to see who I can get to go in another building, after a certain amount of politeness. But I do not want them to follow us with their blue books. Stay put and sing out of them. It is fine if you do, just don't follow me. mg

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the ipod singers
From: Joe Offer
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 09:27 PM

Yeah, but I'll have to have a USB port up my.....

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the ipod singers
From: Charley Noble
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 09:25 PM

Joe-

Not to worry. In the not so distant future the "thumdrive" will be an integral part of the human body. No need for paper crib sheets. Just scroll through your eyelashes.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the ipod singers
From: Joe Offer
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 08:05 PM

Well, we have a very spacey woman in our song circle who listens to the song on her iPod through headphones and tries to sing along with it. It doesn't work very well, and there's a lot of 'dead air' during the instrumental parts. Still, she tries. I hope she'll improve with time.

I can see value in reading lyrics from some source, because I'm a choir singer and have always sung from a hymnal. I tend to screw up songs if I don't have a crib sheet or hymnal.

I suppose, though, that folk music must be all about excluding people, so that we can feel superior to somebody. I guess I should humbly admit my inadequacy and not bother trying to sing, since I'm not very successful at memorizing songs. That's the message in this thread, isn't it? Beginners aren't really welcome among folk musicians, are they?

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the ipod singers
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 07:42 PM

And what about Ipod dancing? Hilarious! I have a short video of various people dancing to whatever they were hearing on their Ipod - obviously all sorts of different styles and tempos at the same time. Oh, forgot to say it was on a ship crossing the Drake Passage from Antarctica to S America: not a lot better to do other than count the albatrosses!

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the ipod singers
From: Barbara
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 04:17 PM

Bet I could do that now.
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the ipod singers
From: Charley Noble
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 03:04 PM

Barbara-

Then there's the future where we'll have wireless implants in our brains. If someone hesitates too long in the middle of a song, you can always just reboot him!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the ipod singers
From: Barbara
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 11:12 AM

Wow, Mary, what a terrifying thought. I don't think I'm ready for that.
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the ipod singers
From: Bill D
Date: 18 Jan 11 - 02:35 PM

arrrgghh...

I know...so far.. only one person who regularly does that... I have decided that IF I can close my eyes and pretend it is not happening, I will survive. (this guy can at least usually sing them WITH the help...some cannot read and follow and get the tune.)

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the ipod singers
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 18 Jan 11 - 01:57 PM

I think the problem will not be the original user but he or she will forward the lyrics to everyone in the room. Well, actually, I will like that better than the blue books. mg

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the ipod singers
From: Simon G
Date: 18 Jan 11 - 01:38 PM

5 years ago I lean't a singer in his 80s my Blackberry to read the words of a song he had forgotten half way through. He finished the song which showed great courage in the face of mind-blowing technology.

I have 290 songs formatted to suit me on my $120 android tablet and its great, it only has a 7" screen which is pushing it a little, 10" would be better.

There is lots of things my brain will do but remembering words is not one of them. I've tried and tried and failed and failed. iPAD's are great for people with my disability - there are lots of us about.

All power to singers with memory, iPAD or paper, Sing On

Simon G

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the ipod singers
From: Barbara
Date: 17 Jan 11 - 02:07 PM

iPAD! not Ipod, geez Louise, I am getting old. Or Iphone or Blackberry or Smartphone or something.
Nice, Nigel. I will attempt to improve my tolerance level.
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the ipod singers
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 17 Jan 11 - 12:33 PM

Folkies sing at twilight,
When the lights are low.
And the youngsters' I-Pads
Cast a gentle glow.
Oldsters 'twit' the youngsters' goldfish memories.
Saying "Back in our day, we'd none of these,
We'd none of these"

Back in those dear dead days of good recall.
We never needed Aides memoire at all.
We all could stand and sing a lengthy song
So confident the words were never wrong.
Sing one more song, and sip another sup.
(There were no songbooks there to trip . us . up!)

Folkies sing at twilight,
When the lights are low.
And the youngsters' I-Pads
Cast a gentle glow.
Oldsters 'twit' the youngsters' goldfish memories.
Saying "Back in our day, we'd none of these,
We'd none of these"

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the ipod singers
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 17 Jan 11 - 10:51 AM

Surely more a case of the modern world being incorporated into Folk!

Subject: RE: Help write a song about the ipod singers
From: GUEST,S.T.M.
Date: 17 Jan 11 - 09:14 AM

Folk music being incorporated into the modern world- yay!

Subject: Help write a song about the ipod singers
From: Barbara
Date: 17 Jan 11 - 12:07 AM

I see your face lit in the glare
Across the circle you're reading there
The song from your Ipod,
Good God,
Has pub singing come to this?
Can't remember the words when you're pissed?
So you read 'em from the screen
Makes me want to scream
When we all pause while you go swish
(make that gesture of using your index finger to move the image on a touch screen)


I just went to Camp New Harmony and then to a party last night and I see the blue book has been replaced by (God save us all) people googling the words on Mudcat.
No tune and not much structure, but this is my start.
(And if I missed a previous thread on this, point me to it.
Blessings,
Barbara