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    170. Over/Under with guest Lyndsey Scott

    4:4 Darkness Determination Freedom Grieve Journey Justice Love Ribbon Scale: Aeolian (minor) Song Form: Call & Response Song Form: Unison With Separate Harmony Line Songwriter Conversation Web
    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:05:15
    Start time of reprise: 01:06:15
    Lyrics:

    Over / under
    All the way through
    Over / under
    Back to you
    Over / under
    All the way down
    Over / under
    Lost then found

    I am the love that doesn't leave
    We do this til we free us!
    Feel thru the dark is how we see
    We do this til we free us!
    We are remembering how to grieve
    We do this til we free us!
    You are a part of my family
    We do this til we free us!
    Picture
    Song: Over/Under
    Music by: Lyndsey Scott

    Notes: Lyndsey Scott talks about her radical trust in life, how she perceives energy, the playfulness and generosity of cyclical wisdom. She shares the origin story of this song, Over/Under, and wisdom from her co-creator, Anthony R. Rhodd about gratitude. We were recording the Thursday after the US elections -- as I listen to the focus on how to find resources and energy, I realize how depleted I felt in the moment of recording. And yet talking with Lyndsey buoyed me -- the deep attunement that she practices shines through our conversation -- I feel like I can really feel the truth of "I am the love that doesn't leave..."

    Songwriter Info: Lyndsey Scott is a multimedia artist, songleader, songwriter, and ritualist committed to exploring community singing as a technology of belonging and a strategy for mutual liberation. She currently co-facilitates the yearlong cohort of emergent earth-based ceremonial study with Earthkeeper Wisdom School (Hartsburg, MO), leads song for politicized somatics practitioners in Embodying Racial Justice’s yearlong program, Opening to Freedom (Millerton, NY), and teaches "Community Singing as Collective Power" at the University of Iowa School of Music's Grant Wood Fellow.

    Sharing Info: The song is free to share but Lyndsey always welcomes financial and/or networking support if/when folks are so moved.

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:05:15
    Start time of reprise: 01:06:15

    Links:
    Lyndsey's website: https://www.lyndseyscott.earth/
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lila.gaia/ 
    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lyndseyscott 
    We Do This 'Til We Free Us by Mariame Kaba: https://www.haymarketbooks.org/books/1664-we-do-this-til-we-free-us 
    What It Takes to Heal by Prentice Hemphill: https://prentishemphill.com/book
    The Wild Edge of Sorrow by Francis Weller: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/250673/the-wild-edge-of-sorrow-by-francis-weller/ 
    Song Carrier Toolkit by Liz Rog: https://www.centerforbelonging.earth/store/p/song-carrier-toolkit 
    Earthkeeper Wisdom School: https://www.earthkeeperwisdomschool.org/ 
    Rebeccah Bennett, Root Teacher, The InPower Institute: https://inpowerinstitute.com/ 
    The Milk-Eyed Mender by Joanna Newsom: https://joannanewsom.bandcamp.com/album/the-milk-eyed-mender 
    Meredith Monk: https://www.meredithmonk.org/ 
    Emma Koeppel: https://soundcloud.com/emma-koeppel 
    Anthony R. Rhodd: https://substack.com/@anthonyrrhodd 
    Woman Stands Shining (Pat McCabe): https://www.patmccabe.net/ 

    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, minor, unison or harmonized, call & response section

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  • Published on

    169. We Are the Door with singer Rebecca Csuy

    4:4 Be Present Change Flex Journey Motion Scale: Aeolian #7 (harmonic Minor) Shadow Song Form: Layer Trust
    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:04:11
    Start time of reprise: 00:17:42

    Lyrics:
    (second half inspired by Rainier Maria Rilke)

    ​We are the door that's blowing wide open
    We are the path that's winding down
    We don't know where...

    Enter me!
    Embody me.
    Give me your hand --
    Make big shadows I can move in
    Picture
    Song: We Are the Door
    Music by: Lyndsey Scott

    Notes: Best possible things happening on this recording of Lyndsey Scott's song, We Are the Door.... I get to sing with my daughter, Rebecca Csuy and we figured out how to make a marimba sound on my keyboard!!! Honestly, life is just better with a marimba sound AND a loved one to sing with.
    This song is a beautiful entry into change and shift and the unknown -- I get a sense of almost prairie-like expansiveness, accompanied by magic and wisdom of a seer inviting me to move in the big shadows. And like most songs, the magic really starts to happen when you sing it yourself, in your own voice, vibrating with possibility. Let Rebecca and me stand by your side and sing with you -- turn it up loud in headphones or speakers so you can really expand into it -- and then go find Lyndsey's recording and sing with her and her co-creator on this album, Michael Linder!
    Don't miss next week's episode, when Lyndsey and I snug up as close as you can through Zoom and talk about resources during change...

    Songwriter Info: Lyndsey Scott is a multimedia artist, songleader, songwriter, and ritualist committed to exploring community singing as a technology of belonging and a strategy for mutual liberation. She currently co-facilitates the yearlong cohort of emergent earth-based ceremonial study with Earthkeeper Wisdom School (Hartsburg, MO), leads song for politicized somatics practitioners in Embodying Racial Justice’s yearlong program, Opening to Freedom (Millerton, NY), and teaches "Community Singing as Collective Power" at the University of Iowa School of Music's Grant Wood Fellow.

    Sharing Info: The song is free to share but Lyndsey always welcomes financial and/or networking support if/when folks are so moved.

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:04:11
    Start time of reprise:  00:17:42

    Links:
    Lyndsey's website: https://www.lyndseyscott.earth/
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lila.gaia/ 
    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lyndseyscott 

    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, harmonic minor, 2-layer (plus marimba part!)

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  • Published on

    166. Breathe

    3 Layer 4:4 Accept Breathe Calm Change Holy Mantra Release Ribbon Scale: Aeolian (minor) Song Form: Layer Trust
    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:03:34
    Start time of reprise: 00:20:13

    Lyrics:

    Breathe, breathe, breathe in
    Breathe, breathe out

    Let it go, let it go, let it go
    Let it go, let it go

    Trust in what's coming
    Trust in your knowing
    It's deeper and wider and holy
    Picture
    Song: Breathe
    Music by: Batya Levine

    Notes: This was the song I needed to sing to help myself through the pre-election moment... building trust in myself to navigate whatever comes next, tap into the energy to work up to the last moment to effect the change I hope for. Batya Levine is an incredibly heart-sourced song composer, and they'll be releasing a new album in December... check out their website and get on the list to know when it appears -- it's sure to be wonderful, and "Breathe" will be on it -- and you'll know it!

    Songwriter Info: Batya Levine (they/them) uses song as a tool for cultivating healing and resilience in their work as a communal song leader, shaliach tzibur (Jewish prayer leader) and cultural organizer. Batya is a co-founder and Director of Programs at Let My People Sing!, and they compose original music made of Ashkenazi yearning, queer heart-medicine, and emunah (faith). Batya is releasing their second album, Yivarechecha, in December 2024 through Rising Song Records.

    Sharing Info: The song is free to share but Batya always welcomes financial and/or networking support if/when folks are so moved.

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:03:34
    Start time of reprise: 00:20:13

    Links:
    Batya's website: https://www.batyalevine.com

    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, minor, 3-layer

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  • Published on

    165. Heaven Above, Earth Below with guest Becky Graber

    4:4 Beauty Earth Heal Heart Journey Light Prayer Scale: Ionian (Major) Sky Song Form: Verse And Layer Songwriter Conversation Trust
    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:04:58
    Start time of reprise: 01:15:20
    Lyrics:

    ​Heaven above, Earth below,
    And I the path between,
    Making my way through fields of ever rolling green,
    Making my way through fields of ever rolling green.

    Heaven above, Earth below,
    And in between am I,
    Finding a path with heart and spirit, earth and sky,
    Finding a path with heart and spirit, earth and sky.

    Ah dah dah, ah dah dah, ah dah dah dah.
    Ah dah dah, ah dah dah, ah dah dah, Ah.

    Heaven above, Earth below,
    And I the two reveal,
    Shining through me the light of Spirit that can heal,
    Shining through me the light of Spirit that can heal.

    Heaven above, Earth below,
    And I the path between.
    Picture
    Song: Heaven Above, Earth Below
    Music by: Becky Graber

    Notes: Becky Graber let her unconscious speak during our conversation, and when I asked what she knows about herself right now, she said, "I am a breath of air on the earth" -- and then laughed a little in surprise and delight. The song she teaches also came from delighted awareness of the place of the body between heaven and earth -- plus a little tai-chi. Becky and I share a wonderfully rambly conversation about shedding old identities and making space, wanting to allow things to bloom rather than push them, and threshold times. We also take a lot of time with this three verse song, including playing with harmonies. You'll hear me making mistakes as I learn and play with harmonies -- but hopefully you won't notice it too much, because you'll be singing right along, too! The goal of this podcast is to encourage you to keep stepping into the power and beauty of your own voice, something Becky Graber has many years of experience at helping people do...

    Songwriter Info: Becky Graber has lived her life professionally centered around music and storytelling, teaching and performing, and a heart-drive towards healing and coming to centered generosity. She is the founder and director of the Brattleboro (VT) Women's Chorus.

    Sharing Info: The song is free to share in oral tradition groups, but please contact Becky for recording and/or performing permission.

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:04:58
    Start time of reprise: 01:15:20

    Links:
    Becky's website: www.beckygraber.com
    Brattleboro Women's Chorus website: www.brattleborowomenschorus.org 
    Psychospiritual paths like psychosynthesis – Roberto Assagioli: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychosynthesis 
    The Diamond Approach – H.M. Almaas: https://www.diamondapproach.org/ 
    Helen Yeomans: https://www.abreathofsong.com/episodes--show-notes/156-we-got-all-the-love
    Natural Voices Network: https://www.naturalvoice.net/ 
    Lisa Littlebird’s library: https://thebirdsings.com/song-library/ 
    Velma Frye: https://www.velmafryemusic.com/ 
    Song “Take Heart, Take Part, with lyrics “Participation is gonna save the human race” – Pete Seeger quote set by Becky Reardon: https://beckyreardonmusic.com/product/take-heart-take-part/
    “Spes” by Mia Makaroff – Latin & Sami: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKeikhsVynM 
    Gaia Music Collective in NYC: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/gaia-music-collective-44369305153 
    Choir! Choir! Choir!: https://choirchoirchoir.com/
    Gareth Malone with “The Choir” on BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b008y125 
    Ry Cooder “Jazz” album with red cover and black letters: https://open.spotify.com/album/3Z6RuwMcmDMgBJsZ01Ouhf 
    Buena Vista Social Club: https://www.buenavistasocialclub.com/ 
    Bobby McFerrin: https://bobbymcferrin.com/ 

    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, Major (Ionian), 3 verses

    Join this community of people who love to use song to help navigate life? Absolutely:
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  • Published on

    164. Fly Away

    4:4 Change Earth Heart Light Scale: Ionian (Major) Song Form: Layer Trust
    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:03:00
    Start time of reprise: 00:16:44

    ​Lyrics:

    I feel the cold closing in,
    I see the colors light up the sky,
    I feel the part of my heart
    that's here with you.

    I want-a fly away, away,
    I want-a fly away from here.

    Give me something I can believe in     (3x)
    here on this Earth.

    Let the light shine.     (2x)
    Picture
    Song: Fly Away
    Music by: Becky Graber

    Notes: Becky Graber really captured that feeling I get sometimes when I'm so uncomfortable, I want to simply fly away... when you are seeking something that feels trustworthy, and it feels elusive. I taught this in an unusual way for A Breath of Song, using solfege to identify the very different ranges of each of the four parts... you may find that useful, or not -- let go of anything doesn't serve you! Next week, Becky and I get to dig into a conversation with both of us here in my basement workspace... newsletter subscribers will see the pairsie (what do you really call a selfie with two?) As a songleader who started a chorus that has felt like mutual nourishment for almost 30 years, Becky has a perspective on group singing that is unique, and I really enjoyed exploring this experience with her.

    Songwriter Info: Becky Graber has lived her life professionally centered around music and storytelling, teaching and performing, and a heart-drive towards healing and coming to centered generosity. She is the founder and director of the Brattleboro (VT) Women's Chorus.

    Sharing Info: The song is free to share in oral tradition groups, but please contact Becky for recording and/or performing permission.

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:03:00
    Start time of reprise: 00:16:44

    Links:
    Becky's website: www.beckygraber.com
    Brattleboro Women's Chorus website: www.brattleborowomenschorus.org 

    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, Major (Ionian), 4 part layer

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  • Published on

    163. Radiate

    4:4 Determination Dreams Empower Journey Light Motion Ribbon Scale: Ionian (Major) Song Form: Unison Trust
    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:02:03
    Start time of reprise: 00:13:57
    ​Lyrics:

    When I see me,
    I am standing in my light.
    I will be me
    when I’m standing in my light.

    And if it’s blinding,
    I’ll keep climbing
    ​oh so high
    and just keep going
    toward my knowing
    till I find:
    I radiate.
    Picture
    Song: Radiate
    Music by: Lisa Piccirillo

    Notes: Going epic this week -- we learn the chorus to Lisa Piccirillo's song, Radiate, with just me and the piano...and then when we're feeling solid, blow our socks off by singing along with her huge soundtrack! If you love the song, then there are links to find it in Bandcamp, etc, just below! I particularly love the way the word "radiate" is the most intimate in the entire chorus -- it feels like a world of confidence and self-connection right there... Enjoy -- I certainly did!!

    Songwriter Info: Lisa Piccirillo almost gave up on songwriting, but the muse wouldn’t let her. The inspiration for her latest record came to her as a vision: the silhouette of a woman, backlit by the sun, alongside the word RADIATE. Fueled by this idea and the desire to reclaim her creative identity, Lisa devoted herself to daily songwriting sessions at sunrise and the new record was born. An unapologetically loud follow-up to her mellow and folky 2008 debut (momentum), RADIATE chronicles Lisa’s vast emotional landscape with her signature blend of vulnerable songwriting and powerhouse vocals.

    Sharing Info: The song is free to share but Lisa always welcomes financial and/or networking support if/when folks are so moved.

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:02:03
    Start time of reprise: 00:13:57

    Links:
    Website: www.lisapmusic.com
    Linktree: https://linktr.ee/lisapiccirillo
    Tickets for Radiate Release Event Oct 19th 2024: https://tinyurl.com/48t8dna7
    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7GJmGSN3Era6CJspcpMMY4?si=PFoGHPmUTQOVLYSJv0UlNg
    Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/lisa-piccirillo/289758509
    Bandcamp: https://lisapiccirillo.bandcamp.com/
    Instagram: www.instagram.com/lisapiccirillo
    YouTube: www.youtube.com/lisapmusic
    Facebook: www.facebook.com/lisapmusic

    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, major, unison

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