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    26. There's A Light In You

    4:4 Accept Be Present Change Empower Gather Gathering & Welcome Notice Power & Change Ribbon Scale: Aeolian (minor) Song Form: Zipper
    Song There's A Light In You
    Words & Music by Mazal Masoud Etedgi
    Lyrics
    There's a light in you, There's a light in me, There's a light in everybody.
    Rise up, come down. Rise up, come down, feet on the ground.
    ​
     [This song is led with participation encouraged so that the word "light" gets rotated with other words -- for example, There's a vision in me, There's a love in me, There's a freedom in me....]
    Picture
    Notes: I asked the people who have signed up for the A Breath of Song mailing list to share words they'd like to hear in this song... and I got SO many responses!!! Narrowed down to 21 words... so we sing this song in three different ways, each time with seven different words. As you sing to uncover your own wellness, you may find a song feels better slower or faster on different days, or sung with high energy or very calmly. I explore three different options with this song -- you may find more. You'll hear my voice crack and squeak -- and you'll hear many of me at one point, because this is a great song for a crowd (and hey, sometimes it IS crowded in my mind with my own voices!) It is not simple to create a song that is easy to learn, and also is a strong container for many different emotions and recognitions. I love the way this song invites us to notice what we see in ourselves and each other, and then stretches us both up and down -- an alignment in song.

    Songwriter Info: Mazal Etedgi (they/them/theirs) is a trans and Mizrahi ritualist, Drama Therapist, and herbal medicine maker living on Ohlone Land (so-called Berkeley, California).

    Links:
    Website: bsamimapothecary.com
    Instagram: @bsamim.apothecary
    Tiktok: @bsamimapothecary

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:02:06
    Start time of reprise: 00:13:02
    ​
    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, Minor (Aeolian with harmonies in 2nd go-round), zipper song

    Join the A Breath of Song mailing list to receive a heads up as a new episode is released, plus a large version of the artwork, brief thoughts from my slightly peculiar brain... and occasional extras when they seem vitally important! No junk -- I will never sell your address. I read out all your names into my living room when I send new mailings... I appreciate the connection to you who are listening and singing these songs with me.

    Exchange energy with A Breath of Song with dollars at the Gratitude Jar (whoo-hoo!!!!), or by making comments, leaving reviews, suggesting songs or songwriters (including yourself) ..... your participation matters!
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    24. My Song Is A Drop

    2:2 Empower Gratitude & Trust Grow Protection & Presence Scale: Dorian Song Form: Harmonized Song Form: Layer Trust
    Song My Song Is A Drop
    Words and Music ​by Heidi McCurdy
    Lyrics
    Dm deh dm dm --- du-wah,  dm deh dm dm, --- du!

    Spiralling out from the center.

    My song is a drop in an ancient spring.
    Reaching out with a resonating.
    Bubbling up from a well within.
    Turning round and back again.
    Picture
    Notes Heidi McCurdy used an ancient interval, the fifth, to create a song that invites awareness of resonation and connection across time and space. On the next episode, Heidi comes on A Breath of Song herself to share another song, and talk about her beginnings as a shy singer, experimenting in the car, what expressive arts therapy is, and how you might take a song and extend it further. I love the way this song invites me to turn inside and outside, to feel the inner resonation reaching out, for the song to be a drop and a bubble... and at the same time makes me smile with a little bit of a 50s-sounding riff!​

    Songwriter Info: Heidi McCurdy is a singer, songwriter and sound healer with a passion for teaching, sharing and creative collaboration. Having cultivated her own intimate relationship with the Muse, Heidi is a believer in the profound medicine and magic of Music – its power to heal, transform, elevate and connect us all. She draws from a diverse tapestry of soul, jazz, folk and new age influences for her unique blend of Global Soul original music. Her songs have received awards and have been featured on TV and Canadian radio, and she has performed at jazz, wine and music festivals throughout Canada and Europe as well as local venues. She is known for her warm, soulful voice, and her love of tuning into the music of the moment through improvisation. Her lyrics resonate with the beauty of dreams, a vital connection with nature, and our collective power to create positive change. Recently she has been exploring songwriting styles designed specifically for song circles, singing meditation, and encouraging vocal expression. As well as creating and performing, Heidi also leads transformational voice programs and community song circles. Guided by the Muse, she specializes in helping others to free their authentic voices and wild, creative spirits.

    Links
    Heidi's website: www.heidimccurdy.com
    Heidi on facebook: www.facebook.com/heidimccurdymusic

    Nuts & Bolts: 2:2, Minor (Dorian in the 2nd part harmony), both layer options and harmonies.
    ​
    Join the A Breath of Song mailing list to receive a heads up as a new episode is released, plus a large version of the artwork, brief thoughts from my slightly peculiar brain... and occasional extras when they seem vitally important! No junk -- I will never sell your address. I read out all your names into my living room when I send new mailings... I appreciate the connection to you who are listening and singing these songs with me.

    Exchange energy with A Breath of Song with dollars at the Gratitude Jar (whoo-hoo!!!!), or by making comments, leaving reviews, suggesting songs or songwriters (including yourself) ..... your participation matters!
  • Published on

    19. You've Got To Move Slow

    2:2 Calm Empower Journey Power & Change Praise & Wonder Scale: Aeolian (minor) Scale: Dorian Song Form: Harmonized Song Form: Round Song Form: Unison Trust
    Song You've Got To Move Slow
    Words & Music​ by Ishka Shir
    Lyrics
    You've got to move slow to find your flow,
    chase that mystery to know that you are free.
    Do what you do to make it through,
    ​and be who you want to be.
    Picture
    Notes: Ishka Shir says, "I created You've Got To Move Slow when I was hiking an area called Shining Rock wilderness in North Carolina. It was part of a healing from an abusive narcissistic relationship that I had been in." I learned it from Aimée Ringle at a Zoom circle, then shared it first with my Pocket Songs singing group in the summer of 2020. Personally, this song gives me a sense that I, myself, can create the space I need to heal. I love the practical, grounded approach Ishka has to singing and song making.... and for the next episode, #20, I get to have a conversation with them!!! Our conversation covers a lot of ground, and she shares a song of theirs that I've loved since I first heard it in the spring of 2020 when she and two of their good friends recorded a few "Fermentation Station" videos of songs to share.

    Songwriter Info: Ishka is someone who sings from their heart.  She has been making up songs since she was a child and has been sharing songs at community song circles since 2007.  Ishka integrates song into most aspects of their life which include, hiking, gardening, cooking, biking, and cuddling clients.  Professionally Ishka is a therapeutic cuddler in Asheville NC. Ishka is especially drawn to songs that have simple yet powerful lyrics and believes that songs can help us heal.  

    Links:
    Ishka's Soundcloud site- https://soundcloud.com/user-943187430
    Ishka's Therapeutic Cuddling website- holdmeavl.com 

    Nuts & Bolts: 2:2, mostly Aeolian minor (the harmony is mostly Dorian), either unison, harmonized, or round.

    Join the A Breath of Song mailing list to receive a heads up as a new episode is released, plus a large version of the artwork, brief thoughts from my slightly peculiar brain... and occasional extras when they seem vitally important! No junk -- I will never sell your address. I read out all your names into my living room when I send new mailings... I appreciate the connection to you who are listening and singing these songs with me.

    Exchange energy with A Breath of Song with dollars at the Gratitude Jar (whoo-hoo!!!!), or by making comments, leaving reviews, suggesting songs or songwriters (including yourself) ..... your participation matters!
  • Published on

    15. Brave This World with guest Tembre de Carteret

    2:2 Change Empower Journey Open Power & Change Scale: Aeolian (minor) Song Form: Layer Songwriter Conversation
    Song Brave This World
    Music & Words by Tembre de Carteret
    Composed in​ 2020
    Lyrics
    Brave this world
    with your heart.
    Stay open and brave this world.
    Picture
    Notes Tembre shares her song that was created in a bathtub during lockdown, "Brave This World".  I learn it as she teaches it. We talk about free-ranging children in the natural world, cold water, slowing down, expanding, spicy sweet potato soup, how Tembre can SEE someone find their voice, Ireland, and more. Tembre has been leading group singing since May of 2001, and developed a beautiful online presence hosting "May We Sing" during the lockdown. She says, "Having an English accent and a French name growing up in a rural community here in Ireland was challenging at times," yet the strong connection she has to both the natural world and music means that Ireland has been a beautiful, nurturing home.

    Resources mentioned
    Tembre's website www.tembresong.com
    Tembre's daughter, Amelia on instagram, going by the name of DECARTERET
    Also find Amelia on Spotify 
    Joni Mitchell's Blue album

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:02:54 
    Start time of reprise: 00:43:16

    Nuts & Bolts: 2:2, Aeolian (natural minor), 3 part layer song

    Join the A Breath of Song mailing list to receive a heads up as a new episode is released, plus a large version of the artwork, brief thoughts from my slightly peculiar brain... and occasional extras when they seem vitally important! No junk -- I will never sell your address. I read out all your names into my living room when I send new mailings... I appreciate the connection to you who are listening and singing these songs with me.

    Exchange energy with A Breath of Song with dollars at the Gratitude Jar (whoo-hoo!!!!), or by making comments, leaving reviews, suggesting songs or songwriters (including yourself) ..... your participation matters!
  • Published on

    11. Dust Dry

    4:4 Change Empower Grief & Fear Grow Power & Change Scale: Aeolian (minor) Song Form: Zipper Water
    Song Dust Dry
    Words & Music​ by Patricia Norton
    ​Composed in 2020
    Lyrics
    Dust, dry, looking for *some water*;
    Dust, dry, my soul.
    Dust, dry, looking for *some water*;
    Rain down on us all.
    Us all.

    *zipper song; you sing the words you want here.
    ​If it's a single syllable, I often use the word "now" after to balance the rhythm.
    If it's a two syllable word, I use "some" or "a" before it.
    Some options: *a vision*, *some breath now*, *some justice*, *acceptance*, *some healing*
    Picture

    Notes: Written at a time when my soul felt dry and fragile in response to wildfires, drought, racial injustice, pandemic, climate and political crises... I needed a song that recognized how I felt, but could also call on hope, water, justice, breath, vision -- and a song I could bring to groups which could be quickly taught and singers could name what they wanted to call for themselves. I love the determination and sharpness I feel at the beginning, followed by a peaceful settling when the rain "falls down" on us all.


    Check out the home page or the shownotes to Episode #10 to join the "in-group" that gets a colorful, thoughtful weekly email.


    If you'd like to bring this song to your own groups, simply let me know at abreathofsong@gmail.com.


    Song Learning Time Stamps:

    Start time of teaching: 00:02:20

    Start time of reprise: 00:11:53


    Nuts and Bolts: 4:4, Aeolian (natural minor) zipper song with body percussion.


    Join the A Breath of Song mailing list to receive a heads up as a new episode is released, plus a large version of the artwork, brief thoughts from my slightly peculiar brain... and occasional extras when they seem vitally important! No junk -- I will never sell your address. I read out all your names into my living room when I send new mailings... I appreciate the connection to you who are listening and singing these songs with me.


    Exchange energy with A Breath of Song with dollars at the Gratitude Jar (whoo-hoo!!!!), or by making comments, leaving reviews, suggesting songs or songwriters (including yourself) ..... your participation matters!

  • Published on

    10. I Trust My Roots with guest Samara Jade

    4:4 Change Empower Gathering & Welcome Gratitude & Trust Grow Scale: Aeolian (minor) Scale: Ionian (Major) Song Form: Zipper Songwriter Conversation Trees Trust
    Song I Trust My Roots
    Music & Words by Samara Jade
    Lyrics
    Verse: (usually sing 2 verses, then chorus)
    I trust my roots
    *to know where to go*     (3x)
    I trust my roots
    *to know where to go*
    down, down into the earth.

    Chorus:
    Down, down into the earth, intertwining with all beings,
    I'm seeing in every direction; going down, down into the earth,
    I'll send a message on the world-wide-web of interconnection.

    ​    Other verse options include:
    *to anchor me deep*
    *to reach what I need*
    *to share what I got*
    *to lead me to love*
    *to connect us as one* ("our" roots)

    Samara encourages songleaders to create their own verses to insert in between the **.
    Picture
    Notes  Samara Jade and I talk embodied intuition, the musical Rent, vocal health, names, mycelium, Moonshadow and trust... and Samara shares "I Trust My Roots". I sing along, periodically smudging the words, as I often do when I first learn a song (maybe you do, too?). A squidge of laughter, a dollop of wonder... it was a fabulous hour!

    Music referenced in the show:
    Cat Stevens, Moonshadow
    the musical Rent by Jonathan Larson
    Pink Floyd The Dark Side of the Moon
    singer/songwriter Johanna Warren

    Songwriter Info A modern folk troubadour, Samara is dedicated to the art of listening deeply and crafting soul-centered songs that are medicine for the moment. Inspired greatly by the wild wisdom of nature and the landscape of the human psyche, her songs ride the crest of the unknown and balance between shadows and light.
    Coming from a musical background as diverse as classical, jazz, folk, Broadway musical and progressive rock, Samara stitches together a unique tapestry of sounds with a quality of musicianship distinctly her own. As heart-opening as they are intellect-stimulating, A fan once coined the term "Philosopholk" to describe Samara's tunes, and no one has ever described it better in a one-word nutshell.
    Samara lives in her van, Vincent VanGo, and is committed to sharing her song-beings around like thousands of spiraling maple helicopter seeds - which is, not coincidentally, what a samara is.

    You can find her in all these places:

    On Patreon: www.patreon.com/samarajade
    On Bandcamp: https://samarajade.bandcamp.com/
    On her website: www.samarajademusic.com
    On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samarajademusic
    On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/WildPamplemousse/videos

    Nuts and Bolts Zipper song in 4:4, Aeolian (natural minor).

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:02:45
    Start time of reprise: 00:53:15​

    Join the A Breath of Song mailing list to receive a heads up as a new episode is released, plus a large version of the artwork, brief thoughts from my slightly peculiar brain... and occasional extras when they seem vitally important! No junk -- I will never sell your address. I read out all your names into my living room when I send new mailings... I appreciate the connection to you who are listening and singing these songs with me.

    Exchange energy with A Breath of Song with dollars at the Gratitude Jar (whoo-hoo!!!!), or by making comments, leaving reviews, suggesting songs or songwriters (including yourself) ..... your participation matters!