276 Reply by Strummerboy Bill

(7 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Tenement Funster wrote:

Whichever version of SB Bill shows up, we're happy to have him!

As a "Manic / Depressive" (a.k.a. Bi Polar) I can completely empathize with how essential it is to stay involved and in touch ... it's one of the reasons I post so much on Chordie. With so many great folk here and the collective musical knowledge among us, Chordie has been a HUGE benefit at so many levels. Daily positive interaction, and a sense of accomplishment, keeps the imagination from taking control. Gotta keep the mind busy in the real world!

Thanks, my friend!

I haven't said as much, but my main reason for the weaning myself off my anti-depressives was that I was at a point where the medication was a) not working or b) needed increasing, so I created option c): get off them altogether. This was MY choice because I needed to see what I am like without the meds and because mine and Dondra's lives are so "fragile" right now; I needed some inner strength I wasn't getting from the pills. Dondra has given this a name: she call's it Bill's need for "Soull Stability" (that should be a clue for a certain songwriter we all know and love here on chordie - a good working song title I mean).

My mother was bi-polar, but in my younger years I had always been described as "borderline" which seemed to be managed by psychotropics - for the most part. But when life hands you what my wife and I have had to endure of late, there's only so much one can expect, the meds to do. The only medication I take at present is a drug called "Duloxetine" which is actually for my back pain, but also acts as an anti-depreseeive.

Roger, my friend, your "Dondra-Hug" was gratefully passed along and just as gratefully accepted. The "Brotherly Man Hug" is also appreciated and returned with that all-important side-fisted knock on the shoulder!

Re: "The Whole World"....... I wonder if the band might go for a key-change a couple of times and I am sure there'll be a couple of week's pracvtice involved. There are 2 male guitarist/voices, 3 female voices, a bass and a drummer. I would just be a third guitar and voice. Thanks for the encouragement.

We send our love and wish you all a great weekend!

Bill and Dondra

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277 Reply by Strummerboy Bill

(7 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Thanks, Doug and everyone - for the replies. I had always thought of the accordion as being a very difficult instrument with all the back and forth pushing, the piano keys and the other keys as well as the singing, but have never actually held one or spoken with a player, so Roger that was a most interesting link.

I guess when one considers the harmonica - it also being a reed instrument - all that SLAWBR has to go somewhere, right? (Anyone catch a song reference in those capital letters?), but I've never seen a bib, TFN, just a lot of old black gentlemen forcefully striking it onto the sides of their hands. Easy to play along with guitar? Just a minimum of chords available, right, on a blues harp? I know there are some very fancy ones with slides and stuff, but if I were to play a harmonica with guitar it would be just a simple Hohner.

As for the steel drums, I've never actually priced one lately, BGD. but I've always thought they'd be expensive and the players having something akin to perfect pitch - there being so many sharps, flats major and minor notes available. Any of you drummers thinking what I'm thinking? I'll leave those drums alone and just play the ones with one note, thanks!

Bill

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278 Topic by Strummerboy Bill

(7 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

For instance, I've always wanted to ask an accordionist what all those little white buttons on the non-key side of the reed instruments are there for and how do you know which ones to push?

Steel Drummers: How do you guys tune your drums and how long does it take to make one?

Others?

Bill

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279 Topic by Strummerboy Bill

(7 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Hello Family

Sorry I've been "missing in action", but it was a necessary absence having to do with a "cleansing of the psyche", as it were.

Some of you may have noticed a change in my usual demeanor back before taking this "break". It had absolutely nothing to do with anyone here but myself. I'm finding it harder these days to maintain a "balance" within myself - despite the many medications I take to maintain my cognitive functions and how they regulate my moods. Even now, as I write - I am having to reread each line in a paragraph to make sure each sentence agrees with the one before it. It's getting harder to do, especially for a guy who majored in English Literature and Journalism in college.

So: Why am I back and did I solve my problem?

Not yet, but I think the answer is I need more "human interaction". I need to be around more "real people" and do some normal stuff before I sink further into these "doldrums" I've created for myself and lose whatever little human contact I still have (my doctors, the postman, the few neighbors, etc.).

So it starts with accompanying Dondra to church on Sundays and, if the opportunity presents itself, bringing along the Fender guitar gifted me by Jim and Amy and join the church band in singing and playing some spiritual hymns/songs.

That's the plan, anyway, and within that plan lies the following oldie non-denominational tune which I hope to use as my "audition" into the band. (There's really no "audition" and I've been asked to come and sit in on drums many times, so it will be just an "introduction")

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ck6cCyvo5vo

There's many versions of this traditional little tune and I hope to involve the congregation by singing their first names within the verses (i.e. "He's got Bill and Dondra, in his hands......")

My theory is this little tune will be new to many of the kids in the church and they'll enjoy the rhythmic clapping and shouting.

So what do you think, my family? Did I make any sense with what I've written here? Does my plan to make real music again have any hope of succeeding? And finally, will I able to do without some of medications I have weaned myself from?

Dondra and I send our love to all of you and I'll be interested to read your responses.

Bill

*https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/262450.html

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280 Topic by Strummerboy Bill

(1 replies, posted in Songwriting)

An interview with one of the best: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPlFKoY … CnKteCqOtw

Hope you enjoy it.

Bill

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281 Topic by Strummerboy Bill

(10 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

What's up, brother?

Haven't seen any posts/threads lately.... smile

Bill

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282 Reply by Strummerboy Bill

(25 replies, posted in Featured Song of the Month)

Well, let's see...... that video, I believe is the production which featured Linda Ronstadt and she won the Tony for her part in the production in 1981, so unless I am very mistaken that's the date.

As far as the original "Operetta", it was written and composed by Gilbert and Sullivan in 1880. The two presented other operettas just as delightful and funny as this one. One  of my favorites is  "The Mikado" which features this tune which always make me think of birds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoAmmiTzliI

Thanks!

Bill

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283 Reply by Strummerboy Bill

(25 replies, posted in Featured Song of the Month)

I don't really expect anyone to play this, but just wanted to give y'all something to laugh at (hopefully). It does fit the requirement of "Major" however. Hope you enjoy it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSGWoXDFM64

All the best

Bill

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284 Reply by Strummerboy Bill

(9 replies, posted in Other string instruments)

VERY nice! Left you a note on YT! ---- Bill

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285 Reply by Strummerboy Bill

(41 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Am I in this thread already? I notice it goes back to 2016. Just in case I'm not, I left you both a note on YouTube, and I used the word "POWERFUL. Because that is what it is, Jim. It ranks right up there with songs like ("Damn The") "Pusherman" by Steppenwolf. I honestly cannot think which song I like better, yours or John Kay's. Being that we kinda know each other, you and I and Graham, I'm gonna say I like yours the best because of the way it is written and the powerful lyrics.

The fact that it's being played in a band's set, makes you a SONGWRITER Jim! I may be way off in the way I figured it, but if you wrote it, Graham and band perform it, and then the band gets paid for its performance, you get to call yourself a fully-fledged writer of songs. Did you copyright it, yet? (send it to yourself in a registered letter)? If not, then you should. It is THAT good, and you both deserve writer and performer's credit - if not royalties.

Powerful!

Bill

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286 Reply by Strummerboy Bill

(5 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Note left on SoundCloud. Do you have a book on Songwriting and getting your work published, Jim? I had one long ago, but it's gone now - plus I think many things have changed, so I'd need an updated copy anyway. I'm gonna check eBay and see what they have. If you DO have one would you mind sharing its name with me/us?

As I stated before, you make it all seem so easy, so it's easy for me to think you see our world in a different way than I or many like me, do.

GREAT job, by the way!

Your Friend

Bill

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287 Reply by Strummerboy Bill

(6 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Brian, you are too modest. my friend. That was an awesome tune with a definite jazz flavor and I liked it. They don't call me  "Musicator Extraordinaire" for nothing! smile

Your Friend

Bill

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288 Reply by Strummerboy Bill

(474 replies, posted in Bands and artists)

Wow! VERY nice. Nice enough for me to look up some more of her work. Question for all you accomplished guitarists in "the room". She's going a little "off-key" every now and then, isn't she? I may be crazy, but not stupid enough to think that wasn't intentional, but Herr Beethoven was known to pull some little off-key tricks of his own. I first noticed this on his "Für Elise".

My question(s) though are:

1. Do you agree with me that the notes are off-key?

2. Does that type of playing "device" have a name?

Agreeing with Jim: another fine choice, Rick. In fact I was almost inspired to get down the accousitic and start practicing a pentatonic scale, but sat down till the feeling went away. smile Just kidding, guys, but I do need to start doing an easy pentatonic scale. Everytime I see someone teaching how to do one, I get all green with envy as their fingers start flying over the fretboard.

Thanks!

Bill

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289 Reply by Strummerboy Bill

(7 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

I'm always learning something from you guys and Pete I look forward to your teachings! This thread is especially fitting because it's showing me how things work, in Australia, England and here in the "colonies". smile It also lets me get to know you fellows and ladies better.

I recently had the immense pleasure of e-mailing back and forth with Dr. Barry Cooper, PhD who interpreted Beethoven's Tenth Symphony. He very kindly sent me  some copies of the hymn "Pange Lingua" contained within which I now have on my antique music stand. As we continued to communicate, I asked him about the score to the streaming Tenth Symphony and he referred me to his publisher.

After I wrote the publisher, I received an answer and a price quote of $149.00 USD for the book containing the entire score.

I don't happen to have $149.99 at hand and it bothered me to the point to where I wrote Barry (we were on a first name basis by then) back and meekly explained that I am only a drummer learning to play guitar, but that I share his love for "The Maestro" and love hearing his interpretation of The Tenth Symphony. I told him I hoped I had not misled him into thinking I was anything other than just a rock drummer and the closest I ever came to actually playing and Beethoven was in high school when I flubbed a beat on the bass drum during the "Eroica". addendum]: I also told him to please not infer that I was asking him to send me his score as a gift, nor would I accept it under those conditions.

He answered me very cordially, said he hadn't been offended or taken advantage of, and that's how we left it. I will always treasure the few words which passed between us and his music occupies the same music file as does our friend Classical Guitar's whose music I also admire and who has graced Dondra and me with a special composition.

I think I may have written about Barry Cooper before, but may not have told you the outcome of our correspondence,

So many good things have happened to me lately, but the best is being a member here and getting to know some very talented musicians, poets and teachers!

Thanks

Bill

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290 Reply by Strummerboy Bill

(9 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

My gosh, Pete! That sounds like you're describing lemmings. Sometimes no matter what we do, we either don't reach "deep" enough inside a person with problems or we reach so deep we miss it completely. Once note left read: "If someone would have just said 'hello' ". Of course we all know it's deeper than what was in the note, but that person needed someone and/or something and he or she gave up.

Thanks for your insight as always, Pete.

Your Friend

Bill

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291 Reply by Strummerboy Bill

(4 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

The question I asked here sounds familiar - like I've asked it before. If so, please excuse me. I don't retain information as well as I once could. The chord wheel sounds familiar, and I ordered one from eBay. E-chords was new, though, so thanks, Richard and J³ for the help!

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292 Reply by Strummerboy Bill

(9 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Ja, mein Freund. Mein Vater hat meine Deutschland Mutter in Deutschland geheirated.

Okay, let me save you a trip to the translation engine..... smile..... Yes, my friend. My father met and married my German mother after WWII and I was born in 1949. He was stationed in Germany until he brought me, my brother and my mother to the USA in 1960 and I've been here since then except one time when I tried to move back (long story, but let's just say that too much time had passed and the culture shock of living there again got to me and I came back to the US.). I am still fluent in the language since I was 11 when we came over and English is actually my second language. smile

What makes the Royals better than the rest of us? Nothing, Jim, absolutely nothing. As a matter of fact, I feel sorry for them sometimes - not being able to 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWEu9Rn-PaE

Alles klar, Herr Kommissar? smile

Your Friend

Bill

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293 Reply by Strummerboy Bill

(6 replies, posted in Songwriting)

Here's what I wrote on SoundCloud: Those chords sound jazzy, Brian and the voice sounds like a guy sitting in a bar at 3 am with only one couple left dancing. Yep. I definitely feel like you got the "feel" of what Jan wants! smile Nice little tune, you "Romantic Fool". LOL! smile

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294 Topic by Strummerboy Bill

(4 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

I was wondering, boys and girls if the service can do this (so far I have looked for a way, but these days it could be there and I'd miss it): Say I write a song and choose the key of G for its playing key. Can the service then take that information and show me the song with suggested chords to follow throughout the song?

Thanks

Bill

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295 Reply by Strummerboy Bill

(9 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Charles Krauthammer wishes for life. Anthony Bourdain wished for death. Two ends of the same spectrum: Living. One wishes one were a fly on the walls of both these guys and one wishes one could help them overcome their illnesses. Somebody play Louis Armstrong's "What A Wonderful World".

Man! I just don't get it! Does anyone here?

Bill.

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296 Reply by Strummerboy Bill

(5 replies, posted in Songwriting)

I agree with CG above. I think that from reading your work, I have found what I am doing wrong with mine. I look for rhymes. That is, I look for a word that rhymes with the last word of each line I choose to allow to rhyme.

You on the other hand, Jim just tell your story and the rhymes come from that story. Am I making sense?

I like this latest one very much. If you ever make a CD, maybe you could call it "Thoughts From Behind The Lawn Mower", because you sure do come up with some great ideas when you're doing something having nothing to do with writing a song. Color me green with envy as well!

Bill

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297 Reply by Strummerboy Bill

(9 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Pete, yes, I did learn from reading my German history about the Germans and Brits intermarrying. Also how "torn up" Victoria was over Albert's death. (We left Germany when I was 11 and I felt it incumbent to learn as much of my heritage as I could - yes even that part. sad

I guess Harry would be a welcome addition to our band of misfits? Or maybe not? smile One thing for sure: He'd like that lullaby of yours. I believe it would have made him think of his Mum and that she might have sung it to him and WIll when they were little and you had it published. I can't say enough good things about that song of yours, and I hope you see it all the way through to a CD/MP3 with it! As Germans say, "Augen zu und durch!" smile

I sure didn't know about the G IV bomber though, so thanks for that and the information on the name changes.  A bit of trivia, if I may? The British didn't want to call a particular breed of dog a "German" Shepherd, so they called them "Alsatians" instead. Don't know if they still do, though. And I don't know the veracity of this one, but I believe we German humans were referred to as "Aryans" for a while.

Speaking of the wedding, I think all of the male Royals wear the coolest-looking uniforms! I really liked those golden high collars.

Thanks, Pete

Bill

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298 Reply by Strummerboy Bill

(9 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Phill Williams wrote:

ach zo mine herr! you vant da head chopp-ed offn?

seriously though, i heard that prince Charles bought a guitar similar to John Lennon's back in the 60's. and they reckon that Henry the 8th wrote green sleeves, i don't think he recorded it though?

Nein nicht den Kopf ab-cutten, bitte! smile

Although I did read that Harry was very active on the club circuit at one time.Seriously, what a life those boys must have led while growing up, but then they probably knew nothing else other than their subjects were just that and not playmates. I don't know, Phill but even though there have been some bad times, if I had to choose I'd choose this one over a monarchy anytime. Maybe he could just play and record in private, but there I go again: There's no law that I know of that states a royal has to be anything other than what he is, right? smile

Danke!

Wilhelm

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299 Reply by Strummerboy Bill

(9 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Mr. Krauthammer is one of the last of a breed of journalists which include:(d) Cronkite, Huntley/Brinkley, Judy Woodruff, Sam Donaldson and Ted Koppel. "Fair and Balanced" ?Take your pick from any I have just mentioned or maybe I forgot someone?

Thanks

Bill

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300 Topic by Strummerboy Bill

(9 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

If I were Prince Harry, unless he doesn't already know how, I would learn to play guitar, piano and /or any other musical instrument, publish and record some songs and get out amongst the people - his people, and entertain them. I mean, it's not as if he'll ever have to worry about getting the Crown - or is it?

I am sure there'd be all kinds of "Royal Rumblings", but if I read my British history correctly, he wouldn't be the only Royal to have composed and performed his music.

Well, maybe not in public, but still. What thinkest thou, my fellow peasants, troubadors and jesters?

Wilhelm

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