What Would You Do Differently?

Subject: RE: What Would You Do Differently?
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 02 Feb 01 - 01:19 AM

Yup, I know what I'D do differently. I wish I hadn't spent 20 years of my life playing everything from soup to nuts in bars six nights a week. It took me til 40 to realize I was a folky through and through. For the last 13 years I've been teaching and ONLY playing gigs where the audience KNOWS folk music. It's kept me from going crazy!

Rick

Subject: RE: What Would You Do Differently?
From: English Jon
Date: 02 Feb 01 - 03:47 AM

I try, as far as is possible to live to the highest moral and ethical standards. I don't always succeed, but I was brought up proper, like. Musicaly, I try to present folk music (by which I mean English trad. material) in as honest a way as possible. If a song's provenance is uncertain, I will try and take a balanced view if it has any potential bearing on the performance. Politically, I am a socialist, for moral/ethical reasons, but I don't do party politics. Just not interested. I do a few songs dealing with social injustices, and a few fox hunting songs. I don't approve of fox hunting, but there are some good songs, part of the tradition etc. If I had to make a choice, It would be for the Lib/dems, except that I think de-criminalising Cannabis is probably not a particularly good idea, health wise. Hence, I don't do Dope songs. Nor do I condemn those who do, it's just not part of my life/performing repetoire. I'm going to start a new thread in a bit: Something along the lines of "At start of Career, Guidance?" I would love to know what Catters think makes a good performance, in all senses of the word (Good). In fact, I'll do that now and avoid thread creepage.

Subject: RE: What Would You Do Differently?
From: Naemanson
Date: 02 Feb 01 - 06:32 AM

Yeah, Spud, and those were hard times. The problem with people today is that most do not experience the hard times. They are fat dumb and happy so they listen to a stereo or go out to concerts. The rest have the hard times but don't have the release of good neighors sharing good music. There is a big difference between sitting around listening to a stereo and sitting around MAKING the music yourself. The latter brings people together.

Matt, I don't know how to break this to you but you're a kid. Kids are SUPPOSED to look to the future. Leave it to us old farts to look at the past with longing. The handicap a kid has is they are living the past that we would like to change. We you reach our exalted age you will look back and pick out a few things you'd like to change. My blessing on you is a wish that, when that time comes, you find there is little you would change.

Bart, as the Nike ad used to say, JUST DO IT! Go to the local Unitarian Church and ask them if they would host the coffeehouse as a fund raiser. You will be volunteering to do all the work, they provide their common room. Print up some posters and you are in business. You'll be surprised how many people show up but don't get discouraged. It will take a few months, maybe even a year. Keep at it and you will have that dream.

Jon, last night when I first read through this thread I was feeling as you were when you first posted. Yesterday was the anniversary of the greatest betrayal of my life and I was down in the dumps. But life will be better. That is a fact but the only way to prove it is to hang in there and experience it. And remember your friends on the Mudcat who would miss you if you weren't there.

JAB, you and I have similar experiences where it comes to music. I grew up singing and listening to folk but lost it in high school. I didn't rediscover it until my thirties. If I could chang the past I would never have left it.

Subject: RE: What Would You Do Differently?
From: mkebenn
Date: 02 Feb 01 - 06:56 AM

Praise{I still like that best}, Your question is timely to say the least. The music I love{and it's a weird mix} has always been close to my heart. I've been "sidetracked" by making a living etc, but in truth I've lacked determination and I've spent far too much time killing my desires with assorted beverages. I have not played in public in ten years, and it was another ten before that. I find that if I spend anytime playing, the rewards are great. Thirty five years of storing ideas and tunes and all they need now is polish and they will shine. What would, could, MUST I do now is quit smoking and get a mic so I can join in at paltalk, hit a couple of local open mics to get my feet wet again, and then play. I'm fifty one years old now, and as I watch my father fade, I see myself in that position. I must move now, as time is fleet indeed.. Love and God Bless..Mike Bennett

Subject: RE: What Would You Do Differently?
From: LR Mole
Date: 02 Feb 01 - 09:01 AM

Hm. I'd Get closer to the nexus of music and meaning, but that's where I'm headed anyway. Grab the strings, look over the top of my ego and see if there's any generosity left,back there. Ponder the freedom within connections (like the infinity of time between chords in a song).A step's a step, in a journy or a dance, and a note's a note, either sung or written to someone. Too early in the morning to think this hard. Off to teach about poor F.Scott Fizgerald...

Subject: RE: What Would You Do Differently?
From: little john cameron
Date: 02 Feb 01 - 09:24 AM

Rick,if you had not played in Steeles we would not have met.I would not have met Alan.We would not have gone to Montreal.Ralph and i would not have come to Nfld.I would not have settled here.I would not have got on T.V. ETC. So it is all your fault. ljc

Subject: RE: What Would You Do Differently?
From: Midchuck
Date: 02 Feb 01 - 09:28 AM

MkeBenn, a mic that is adequate for PalTalk costs about 4 to 5 packs of cigarettes, in your local (USA) Wal-Mart.

Peter.

Subject: RE: What Would You Do Differently?
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Feb 01 - 10:19 AM

Thanks, Peter, meaning taken. Mike

Subject: RE: What Would You Do Differently?
From: GUEST,Bun
Date: 02 Feb 01 - 10:22 AM

What would I do differently?

learnt to spell and probably just about everything
bun

Subject: RE: What Would You Do Differently?
From: GUEST,Guest, WYSIWYG
Date: 02 Feb 01 - 10:31 AM

After weeks of trying this and that, and having corrupt cookies, at last I can sign in as a guest!

I treasure all these replies. I wish I had time to reply to each and every one, right now, but you really don't need for me to do that. But let me offer this-- when the dream seems faint, when the obstacles seem real, when the regret at what you have not done is keeping you from doing what you can, in the present moment-- write to me, if you want a hand being pried out of the rut. Remember this thread and simply click to my e-mail.

I believe in each and every one of us, you see, and one thing I know I can do any time is help stretch wings when they get cramped and brittle. It helps my music, to help others; so you see, it all fits together.

(Click HERE to e-mail me.)

~Susan

Subject: RE: What Would You Do Differently?
From: John Hardly
Date: 02 Feb 01 - 01:06 PM

I suppose to be honest to what I truly believe I'd probably quit playing guitar. It seems to be something I'm incapable of sharing--either by life's timing, opportunity, or my general suckitude. It's therefore a distraction from things I could better pour my energies into and an endless source of frustration (constant reminder of yet another thing at which I'm mediocre<<<------hey, at least I know how not to end a sentence with a preposition. (if the last word of a sentence is "preposition" is that the same thing??)...

...I probably won't quit

Subject: RE: What Would You Do Differently?
From: GUEST,~Susan
Date: 02 Feb 01 - 01:15 PM

JH--

Pooh! Pish and tosh!! The only reason you have not shared it yet is that it isn't time yet, and that I have not called you to learn that tune we talked about before our little housefire here derailed all my time and plans.

Plus, have you considered that some other part of your belief system might just apply? What does your belief system say about music anyhow? Huh? Go see... come on... you know where I'm going with this!

*G*

~Susan

Subject: RE: What Would You Do Differently?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 02 Feb 01 - 01:19 PM

Ya rick! That's what I'm talkin' about!

;-)

Subject: RE: What Would You Do Differently?
From: GUEST,Melani
Date: 02 Feb 01 - 01:25 PM

I'd be braver--play instruments in front of people, instead of only in closets.

By the way, my aunt used to live in Northbrook. It's a hotbed of culture and tradition compared to my hometown, Prospect Heights.

Subject: RE: What Would You Do Differently?
From: Marion
Date: 02 Feb 01 - 01:36 PM

Praise:

Hmm... I'm a Christian. If I were a better Christian, I would have to stop making bootleg copies of sheet music and recordings - that would affect my musical life.

Also, there's definitely an element of pride (in the seven deadly sins sense) in my musical life. If I were a better Christian, I would probably have less desire to perform and hear applause, and when playing with others, I would have less desire to play fancy and be more happy to just keep strumming chords and let others shine.

If I were a better Christian, I would play less music. I find that there is a conflict between music and God for who will be my first love. The balance between how much of my time goes to practice and how much goes to prayer, meditation, and service of others would have to shift drastically if I decided to really put God first in my life.

For example, many Sundays I have the choice between two churches: going to mass, where my soul is nourished, or going to a United service, which feels more like a meeting than church to me BUT the choir likes to have me bring my fiddle and play descants to their hymns. (No offense intended to Protestants here - I don't mean to even remotely suggest that your services don't feed YOUR souls). I consistently choose the "gig" over the opportunity to commune with God.

Actually, if I really wanted to follow Jesus, I wouldn't be able to play my instruments at all, because I would have to sell them and give the money to the poor. Though I could still sing and write songs if I did that, I'm not planning to do it any time soon.

Jon Freeman:

Jon! Are you getting somebody to help you? Suicidal fantasy is a great big symptom for clinical depression, which is not a "mode" but a disease that responds to medical intervention. Jesus and friendly support will help, but not nearly as much as the right therapy/drugs will. Depression is not something to be trifled with - it is often fatal - and it isn't up to you to just get over it anymore than victims of other diseases should be expected to just tough it out. Please let us know what you are doing about getting help for yourself - your post was frightening.

Marion

Subject: RE: What Would You Do Differently?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 02 Feb 01 - 04:25 PM

Susan - You asked: "if you were to totally live your highest beliefs-- spiritual, political, moral, ethical-- whatever you call them-- What would you do differently IN YOUR MUSIC?"

Okay. I find that the main problem is that my beliefs keep shifting and changing. My focus keeps changing. I am interested in so many things that I can't keep up with all of them, and I can't decide whether to commit to this or that or the other, so I bounce around between them...and none of them get done according to my highest concept of what I would like to achieve in that regard.

It's frustrating.

It's one thing to talk about your HIGHEST beliefs, but how much of that is projection...or wishful thinking...based on vague desires and sssumptions around some theoretical ideals...which may seldom actually be put to the test in daily life?

I think it might be more useful to examine one's CORE beliefs...one's underlying beliefs that are taken for granted. It is from those beliefs that one tends to act. So...if you believe that money is the most vital factor in life, for instance, your behaviour will be very much affected by that. This is true of probably a majority of people nowadays.

Therefore, I would suggest that their ruling god in that case IS money. So they have a lot of faith in what money can do for them...and a lot of fear regarding what may happen if money (their chosen god) turns its back on them, and they don't have enough of it!

I know this worries me a great deal, and I am not the most prime example of this type of person, but still it is on my mind a lot.

Then there's aging. People worry about getting old. That's another core belief that affects people's consciousness daily, and yet the highest esoteric teachings suggest that we are potentially ageless and timeless beings in our true nature.

And there's love and friendship...and loneliness. If people truly believed in God they would never feel alone, now would they? Unless, maybe, they figured that they weren't worth having God's company? I bet there are a lot who feel that way. I have felt that way at times, but I know it's an illusory feeling, because everyone is entirely worth God's company...or they would not be here in the first place.

My "Highest Beliefs"? Well, like I said, they keep changing...or my consciousness of them keeps changing. The only thing I can say for sure is that my highest beliefs are generally revealed in my songwriting, and how I sing the songs. That changes too, because sometimes I go through a period where I don't do any writing for awhile.

I don't find any easy answer to your question.

- LH

Subject: RE: What Would You Do Differently?
From: GUEST,~S~
Date: 02 Feb 01 - 04:45 PM

Yup!

Subject: RE: What Would You Do Differently?
From: John Hardly
Date: 02 Feb 01 - 07:40 PM

Marion,

There once was a shepherd who owned two collies.

Tipper's sole goal in life was communion with the shepherd. Day after day she could be found laying by his side, comforted by the nearness of the sound of him, his smell nearby, the occasional pat on the head.

Pip was the more typical border collie--he loved to chase sheep. He could always be found far from the shepherd, a streak of black and white against the green background of the most distant hills. With a slight whistle from the shepherd, off he'd head toward another straying sheep.

In which collie did the shepherd find more pleasure? (I assume no wrong answer)

Ironic

Tipper, who wanted nothing more than communion settled for what she took.

Pip, who favored a vantage point from which the shepherd was hardly visible, nonetheless had daily non-stop communication in those almost imperseptible whistles from his master.

If you play music anywhere nearly as well as you write on the mudcat forum (there is nobody who posts on this forum whose thoughts I enjoy reading more than yours)I would respectfully suggest that you stay on that distant hill--betcha God put(s) you there.

JH

Subject: RE: What Would You Do Differently?
From: Dave Wynn
Date: 02 Feb 01 - 09:08 PM

I wouldn't pay lip service to songs any more . I would sing and play each song like it was written and intended to be sung. I would reach and grasp for the heart of a song or tune , every time I played or sang it.

That way Black Velvet Band and Wild Rover would never lose their heart for me and I would be happy playing to all crowds large or small , attentive or not.

Jon...Please keep having those birthdays...your post disturbed me too. I looked over that abyss many years ago and know a little of what you feel. It got better for me. I hope it does for you too.

Spot.

Subject: RE: What Would You Do Differently?
From: GUEST,~S~
Date: 02 Feb 01 - 09:25 PM

Nice doggies... nice.

~Sugar Dog

Subject: RE: What Would You Do Differently?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 02 Feb 01 - 09:50 PM

Marion - I think that playing music IS communing with God, as are a multitude of other activities, so in order to commune with God more, why not play more music? Any worthwhile activity can become communion with God, not just activites of an outwardly "religious" sort, such as being in church or praying.

As for selling everything and giving the money to the poor..well, then you'd be poor too. Then what? What next? I don't think it would actually help, but I do think that a general sharing of things among people on a more equal basis across the whole of society would help.

- LH

Subject: RE: What Would You Do Differently?
From: Matt_R
Date: 02 Feb 01 - 10:05 PM

Wait...if I haven't "done" it...how can I do it differently?

Subject: RE: What Would You Do Differently?
From: pict
Date: 02 Feb 01 - 10:35 PM

Jon Freeman keep going it's worth it you only get one kick at the ball make it count.

Subject: RE: What Would You Do Differently?
From: rangeroger
Date: 02 Feb 01 - 11:31 PM

Marion, Little Hawk stated my sentiments also.My music is my communing with God. My gigs are at church as a member of a praise and worship band. I meditate and pray with my music. Particularly when I'm alone I use my guitar as the medium to bring me closer to Him.

Do I play other music? You betcha. and I will listen to most anything. There are genres of music I don't like, but there is so much good music out there,that I can't ignore any of it.

rr

Subject: RE: What Would You Do Differently?
From: Marion
Date: 07 Feb 01 - 11:35 PM

Thanks to those of you who responded to my post - sorry for leaving it so long, but I've been distracted by some other threads.

I've heard the concept before that you can play your music to God as a prayer, but I haven't understood it. How can you think about God at a time like that? I guess I have to concentrate so hard on getting the job done right. On the other hand, when playing with others I sometimes have a feeling of communion with them - so maybe that's something like the religious ecstasy that some find in music.

(Actually there was a guy in my community who was studying to be a priest and who once borrowed my guitar to use in his prayers. I never did ask what exactly he had done with it - but the guitar came back out of tune.)

Little Hawk, I wonder what Jesus would have said if the Rich Young Ruler had said "but then I'd be poor too."

John, thank you for your kind words about my postings. I never would have expected that. I am definitely not God's gift to music (no pun intended), but I like it.

Marion

Subject: RE: What Would You Do Differently?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 07 Feb 01 - 11:45 PM

Marion... I could tell you, and with some degree of detail, but not here. In e-mail?

(Click HERE to e-mail me.)

~Susan

Subject: RE: What Would You Do Differently?
From: CarolC
Date: 07 Feb 01 - 11:57 PM

I believe I would do just as I have. Because I believe that perfection hides where we least expect it, and seldom conforms to our expectations. And I believe that nirvana is a state of mind and of being that takes this into consideration. (Personally, I'm not looking for nirvana, although playing my Italian accordion comes pretty close.)

Subject: RE: What Would You Do Differently?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 08 Feb 01 - 12:01 AM

Ooops-- Marion, I meant I could tell you about praying and playing, not what you asked LH! LOL!

~S~

Subject: RE: What Would You Do Differently?
From: Ebbie
Date: 08 Feb 01 - 12:50 AM

Wizzywig, you said: "What does your belief system say about music anyhow? Huh? Go see... come on... you know where I'm going with this!" My guess is that you may be saying something close to what I believe. IMO, the reason that we love music is because God does, and I believe that music has far greater importance for humankind than we know.

Immersion in music, especially when you are making it or sitting in the presence of others who are making it is such a life-affirming experience it is a tragedy that some never discover it.

Naemanson, I agree with you. I've often said I would be rich if I could have live music in my house at all times. Different groups, different kinds, what bliss...

Jon- just a thought- I used to wish I'd never been born- and then one day it occurred to me that if there were no ME to live with, I'd simply be a different "ME", I'd be someone else, that there is no way to get away from my self. I get lost in the thought but somehow I also understand it. And somehow it clarified my muddled mind, maybe with just the reminder that the Plan is much greater than my understanding of it.

And since I believe we retain our consciousness after 'death', I will still have to face the lessons I refused or found myself unable to learn...

What would I do differently in my music? Learn rich harmonies.

Peace to all.

Eb

Subject: RE: What Would You Do Differently?
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 08 Feb 01 - 12:58 AM

music...change my phonograph needles more often. Life, quit waiting for this one man (long long ago) and marry another quite fine one, the likes of whom I have not seen since. mg

Subject: RE: What Would You Do Differently?
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Feb 01 - 03:19 AM

Wow!

Ebbie, Ebbie, Ebbie.... you know we will end up meeting; I wonder when and where and how? It's always such a pleasure to read what you say. Reading what you wrote, my mouth was going like this (silently): Mmmmmmmmuszzzzzickkk..... Hey Eb, have you been to Beliefnet yet? Let's go take over the musicians board there! Yeah! Take Marion and a coupla others.... the B'netters haven't even started yet (that I have found) on spirituality and music! It's at www.beliefnet.com.

mg-- yeah! You go girl! Are you in or near the northeast US? Because I know someone who..... is looking for the woman who has decided that. I think. You can always e-mail me... wow, would I love to see the two of you together-- give you both away!

~Susan

[e-mail]

Subject: RE: What Would You Do Differently?
From: Katcina
Date: 08 Feb 01 - 01:33 PM

The first change I would make is to start saving for a piano and violin so I could take up what I dropped back in my 20s when Life held much larger problems, it seemed at the time, than to allow time for my music.

Katcina

Subject: RE: What Would You Do Differently?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 08 Feb 01 - 03:31 PM

I love to sing in church; but most of the time, working as a church musician has put me in the middle of a lot of nastiness. I don't know why it is, but church musicians are are some of the meanest people I've ever encountered. Still, I plan to keep with it and try to ensure both quality and kindness in the choir.
Oh, and I think I should have married a musician, somebody I could share my music with. I've always loved to sing, but music could not become a major part of my life until I got divorced. I'm still looking for a girl with a guitar...
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: What Would You Do Differently?
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Feb 01 - 03:45 PM

burn the credit cards and quit this job

Subject: RE: What Would You Do Differently?
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Feb 01 - 05:16 PM

Joe, keep lookin',ya know, around here there are a few gals with guitars, who I suspect are available. And, I agree that having someone to share the music with is a good course to follow.

Dear Abby's helper

Subject: RE: What Would You Do Differently?
From: rangeroger
Date: 08 Feb 01 - 06:45 PM

Dear Abby's helper

I guess that is one thng I needed to add to my previous post.I too miss having a love partner who I could share music with.Sometimes it seems that singing heart wrenching love songs to my self is a waste of good music. Thought I had one once till she ran of with a mining engineer from Utah.She hasn't come round knocking on my door yet either.

She went to Coalville,Utah, so I moved to Smelterville,Idaho.If I ever move back to California, I want to live in Copperpolis.

rr

Subject: RE: What Would You Do Differently?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 08 Feb 01 - 06:51 PM

I'll creep along with you rr. One town that alomst "called" Hardiman was Gallipolis, Ohio, a lovely southern Ohio river town. I always wondered if there was a Dudopolis also on the search track. Or if in Gallipolis the police force was all female, and thus in Dudopolis they'd all be men.

They say in Gallipolis it's pronounced "GAL-p'leece" but I bet Dudopolis is Doo-DOP-o-liss. And I bet they do bebop there, not doo wop, just to be ornery.

~S~

Subject: RE: What Would You Do Differently?
From: rangeroger
Date: 08 Feb 01 - 07:24 PM

Creep? Are you calling me a creep lady?

Actually, when I die,my headstone is going to read " I forgot to get married"

rr

Subject: RE: What Would You Do Differently?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 08 Feb 01 - 07:40 PM

rr,

Me, calling you Creep Lady? Just cuz you wear purple?

Prolly not!

Good epitaph!

*G*