Tags

  • Published on

    41. I Am the Calm

    2:2 Be Present Calm Gather Gratitude & Trust Protection & Presence Rest Scale: Ionian (Major) Song Form: Harmonized Song Form: Layer Tend Trust
    Song I Am the Calm
    Music & Words​ by Carole Marie Downing, 
    additional harmony by Patricia Norton
    Lyrics
    I am the calm in the eye of the storm, come to center. 
    I am the calm in the eye of the storm, take a breath. 
    I am the calm in the eye of the storm, come to center. 
    I am the calm in the eye of the storm you can rest. 
    I am the calm. 

    ​I am the calm, you are the calm, we are the calm.
    Picture
    Notes: As we prepare to leave our home of 22 years and shift to a new kind of community for us, let me tell you, this song is proving useful! As I sort belongings, as inspections get scheduled... and spring begins to rise, and world news swirls, and how to responsibly bring people together is still confusing and uncertain... something sweet, short and simple that I can repeat to myself, exchanging the words "It's all falling apart! I can't do this!" with "I am the calm in the eye of the storm..." is a huge gift I give myself with tenderness and with strength. Carole Marie wrote it in the early days of the pandemic, when even yoga practice felt overwhelming -- she could sing this to herself on her mat and take a breath. I think it is aging well, holding that kind of unpanicked settling effect that lets us function through it all. And while I sincerely hope you don't need this song right now, if you learn it this week, it will be snugged into your heart for any moment in the future when it becomes useful!

    Songwriter Info: Carole Marie Downing is a songleader, music guide, and facilitator committed to sparking joy and creating connection in times of transition and change. She leads 'Simply Singing', a monthly community song circle and facilitates workshops and retreats integrating music with writing. As a music guide, she teaches introductory ukulele and guitar with a passion for supporting beginners to trust and nurture their innate musicality. Carole Marie lives in Portland, Oregon and finds inspiration for music and life in the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

    Links: Find Carole Marie in any of these places!
    Website: https://www.tunetojoy.com
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TunetoJoy
    Instagram:     https://www.instagram.com/tunetojoymusic/

    Nuts & Bolts: 2:2, Major, 2-layers, one harmonized
    ​
    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

    39. Stand In That River

    6:8 Calm Change Flex Gather Gathering & Welcome Gratitude & Trust Grieve Hope Praise & Wonder Protection & Presence Release Scale: Ionian (Major) Song Form: Harmonized Tend Water
    Song: Stand In That River
    Words & Music​ by Moira Smiley
    Lyrics
    Chorus: Come and stand in that river, Current, gentle and slow,
    Send your troubles down water, Down on that water flow.

    1. When you stand in that river, Angels sing in your head.
    Secrets beyond every worry. Dreams beyond every dread.
    Picture
    Notes: Okay, I procrastinated on recording this episode for the longest of any song yet... I respect Moira so much, and I desperately wanted to share her song in a beautiful way that convinced you to love it, too. I felt like I wasn't good enough, and I got a good run of the whole imposter syndrome going, yada, yada, yada. But you know what shifted? I remembered why this podcast exists -- to share songs that help me heal, adapt, and grow, so you can sing them, too. And this song is one that I've sung to myself over and over in the middle of troubling times to help me release and let go. When I sing this into myself, I can see more clearly which actions might be mine to make next. And when the world is in turmoil, this is what helps me navigate a way forward. None of us (myself included) need to have a stunning voice for a song to be a companion... and I'm grateful to Moira for this gift. Please notice, I haven't shared the entire song here, only an excerpt... check out the links below to hear the whole song, and buy the music on her website for yourself or to share with others. Next episode: a conversation with Moira Smiley herself, who turns out to be absolutely lovely and generous -- we talk creativity, how rest is part of the job, how her voice has protected her, and more...​
    ​
    Songwriter Info: As a composer, Moira Smiley is known worldwide for choral arrangements like Bring Me Little Water, Silvy and originals, Stand in That River and How Can I Cry. Her music is sung by millions of singers worldwide. She’s credited with helping to bring body percussion into the choral mainstream and is in demand as a commissioned composer, writing multi-movement pieces including Time In Our Voices and In The Desert With You for the Los Angeles Master Chorale, evening-length secular liturgy, The Song Among Us and Tis A Fearful Thing for Craig Hella Johnson’s Conspirare and CVAE, Vonnegut Requiem: Light Perpetual for Voces Novae, Loud My Soul for Ad Astra Festival and I Have A Voice for ACDA Women's Choral Consortium. The European premiere of Time In Our Voices was performed by the voices and mobile phones of Ars Nova Copenhagen under the direction of Paul Hillier.
      In 2018-2019 Moira released the album and choral songbook, Unzip The Horizon as companion to her ‘The Voice Is A Traveler’ solo show. In 2021 she released the all-vocal social-justice centered album, In Our Voices with four powerful singers of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.     She continues composing and improvising in collaboration with artists in film, video game production, theater and dance, and her work can be heard on feature film soundtracks, BBC & PBS television programs, NPR, and on more than 70 commercial albums.
      “Moira Smiley is a marvel—an omnivorous singing and composing chameleon with a voice that can wail or caress at will!” -- Grant Gershon - artistic director, Los Angeles Master Chorale
      “Moira Smiley is a brilliant musician – an innovative composer and arranger, and a heartbreakingly beautiful singer. Her music transcends (and expands) boundaries.” -- Billy Childs - multi-grammy-winning composer/pianist
      “I’m so thankful I’ve had the privilege of performing and recording with Moira. She embodies the endless creative potential of the voice, and… (has made) a deeply moving body of work.” -- Merrill Garbus - Tune-Yards

    Links:
    www.moirasmiley.com for all info including sheet music, practice tracks!
    https://moirasmileysubscription.com/ to support Moira monthly for as little as $4/mo.
    https://www.instagram.com/moirasmiley/ for up-to-date personal and music pics
    https://www.youtube.com/c/MoiraSmileyMusic for official music videos, song and body percussion tutorials and live performances
    A beautiful recording of a quartet singing the full Stand In That River, part of "The Mt. Tom Sessions".
    Moira's own recording of Stand In That River with VOCO.

    Nuts & Bolts: ​3:4, Ionian, harmonized melody

    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

    31. Voices Rising

    4:4 Celebrate Change Empower Gather Hope Power & Change Ribbon Scale: Ionian (Major) Song Form: Unison With Separate Harmony Line Song Form: Zipper Trust
    Song Voices Rising
    Words & Music​ by Lisa Doscher
    Lyrics
    ​All our voices are rising up...oh, my soul
    Voices sing, voices ring
    Sounding out, echoing!
    Quiet voices are rising up
    Wild voices are rising up
    Sacred voices are rising up
    Awakened voices are rising up
    Inspired voices are rising up
    United voices are rising up
    Hear our voices rising up!
    Picture
    Notes: Lisa wrote this song in a beautifully flexible way, so we can each adapt it to what we need to be singing in the moment... in the podcast, I only sing "All our voices are rising up...", but you can insert your own word for the kind of voices rising up inside you. In the community singing world, songs like this are called "zipper songs", and they can be a beautiful practice of awareness -- as you sing, over and over, other words might appear in your head -- and some of them may surprise you, or make you laugh, or touch you tenderly. Welcome to your voice -- welcome to mine -- I can imagine them thrumming through the earth as we sing this song together....

    Songwriter Info: Oxford, U.K.-based singer-songwriter Lisa Doscher believes in the power of the voice to reconnect us, to ourselves and to each other. Her songs open up a portal for listeners to go within, while at the same time resensitizing to the world through beautiful harmonies and life-affirming lyrics. Her new album, ‘Tuning In: Songs to Reconnect and Recharge’ is a retreat from the stresses of daily life, designed to activate our creative energy and help us realign with our unique purpose. There are songs to soothe, uplift and restore balance. For those interested in going deeper, Lisa is offering a ‘Tuning In’ Women’s Group starting February 1st, 2022, with monthly live sessions, weekly meditations and support for going within to activate your voice and creative process. Lisa also offers individual voice and healing sessions.

    Links:
    All the info, places to buy/listen:
    https://lisadoscher.com

    Or go directly to buy/stream on Bandcamp: https://lisadoscher.bandcamp.com/
    It includes a beautifully designed booklet with the intentions behind the songs and ways to use them in your daily life.

    Find Lisa on Facebook or Instagram as @lisadoschermusic

    You can also hear Lisa singing Voices Rising on youtube at     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjDQDDf_MU4

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:02:37
    Start time of reprise: 00:14:09​

    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, Ionian (Major), melody with harmonized interlocking part; zipper potential
    ​
    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

    30. Labor On with Lissa Schneckenburger

    6:8 Change Empower Gather Grief & Fear Hope Journey Notice Power & Change Scale: Aeolian (minor) Song Form: Verse & Chorus Songwriter Conversation Tend
    Song: Labor On
    Words & Music by Lissa Schneckenburger
    Lyrics
    When the darkness overtakes you and you shiver in the cold
    When disparity wakes you, and you know you must be bold
    When you put your body on the line don’t hesitate in fear
    We know the train it is coming, it is near

    Chorus: Labor on my children, labor on my friend
    Labor on my children, we will not let this be the end

    When they dig the earth and turn it into dollars to be made
    You can’t help but try to save her, for her sake don’t be afraid
    While the fire it rages onward, burning everything it sees
    And destruction consumes our decency
    Chorus
    When the powerful corrupt us and complacency sets in
    They’ll distract you, they’ll placate you, but we can not let them win 
    With each step we take together, we are stronger by the hour
    And we are rising, we are shining, we have the power
    Chorus

    Picture
    Notes Lissa Schneckenburger's song has a personal back story that we get into during the conversation part of the episode -- along with discussion of change-making as integral to music-making, the similarities and differences of violin and voice as instruments, why Lissa chose songs with words for her recent solo album... Lissa spills over with ideas, generosity, connections, and a deeply caring heart -- our time together was a treat for me. This song feels particularly appropriate at this turn of the year, when we are tired of COVID and injustice and it is easy to be fearful... "we are rising, we are shining, we have the power"... "we will not let this be the end". Something a little different on this episode -- after she invited us to join, I included myself singing with Lissa and experimenting (sometimes more successfully than others) with harmonies... my hope is that that encourages you, too, to explore. Brendan Taaffe says you're only ever one note away from a great harmony! If you want to hear the song already beautifully harmonized and sing along with a polished version after you've learned it on the podcast, check out the links below for Low Lily's video.

    Songwriter Info: Lissa Schneckenburger is a fiddle player and singer whose roots are in folk music in Maine. She lives in Brattleboro, Vermont, now, and says, “To me, music creates community. Music is what people sing along to, dance to, fall in love to… music brings people together." Giving concerts on her own or as part of the trio, Low Lily, as well as supporting other musicians with practice challenges (and jokes) through her website, Lissa consistently does her part to build community. Her solo album, Thunder In My Arms, is a tender, powerful collection of songs about attachment, parenting, and trauma. We talk about its origin and development in today's conversation.

    Links:
    Lissa's website: lissafiddle.com
    Low Lily's music video of Labor On: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2XtOspP1Jc
    Peter Mulvey (bike tours and music!) https://www.petermulvey.com/
    The Road North by Alasdair Fraser and Paul MacHlis -- one of Lissa's influential albums
    Moosewood borscht recipe by Mollie Katzen -- the link goes to a blogpost with the recipe, or buy the whole cookbook at your local bookstore -- a 40th anniversary edition was released and is still in print.
    Kafari on kafarimusic.bandcamp.com/ -- a Black, Portland, Maine-based artist Lissa wishes more people knew about... piano and percussion music.
    Duet with Lissa on TikTok here: https://www.tiktok.com/@lissafiddle?

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:03:16
    Start time of reprise: 00:56:30​

    Nuts & Bolts: 6:8, Aeolian, verses & chorus
    ​
    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

    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!
  • Published on

    23. Falling Acorns

    6:8 Be Present Gather Grieve Power & Change Praise & Wonder Release Scale: Ionian (Major) Song Form: Layer Trees
    Song Falling Acorns
    Music & Words​ by Joy Truskowski
    Lyrics
    Falling acorns on the ground, I am standing here
    We are here through the seasons, And we are always one

    And it’s time to change, And it’s time to grieve, And it’s time to grow
    And it’s time to change, And it’s time to breathe, And it’s time to let go.
    Picture

    Notes:     It's a generous mast year here around the Connecticut River -- another gift of the trees, our breathing partners. Joy brought this song to my Pocket Songs group in the fall of 2020, and it is much loved by the Pocket Song Singers. A thing to know about Joy is that she has an extraordinary ability to be present with the feelings of those around her -- and an incredible capacity for delight and kindness… as well as an openness to learning that is hard to have unless you feel confident about your own innate worth. There's something about this song that transmits that sense of one's own standing: present, and also willing to change. It is a TOUGH one for me to sing in tune!!! (Thanks, Joy!) There are back-up parts that remind me of my once-upon-a-time deep desire to be one of the Shirelles, and a sweeping melodic line for the first part, followed by a breathing, in-and-out line for the second part. I hope you find it as satisfying and affirming as I do.

    Songwriter Info: Joy Tru combines heartfelt harmonies with vocal percussion, electronic layers, guitar and flute to create unique, honest folk and pop songs evoking love and hope. She also leads circlesinging and creates live improvised prayer songs and soundscapes using a loop station.

    Links: 
    Joy's website: joytru.com
    Joy singing Falling Acorns herself:     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFLvejDaz7E

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:02:43
    Start time of reprise: 00:16:41
    ​
    Nuts & Bolts: 6:8, Ionian (major), 2-layers with 4-layer background
    ​
    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!