Tags

  • Published on

    160. (O Spirit) Guide Me to Those I Need with guest Aimée Ringle

    4:4 Chant Hope Journey Listen Love Prayer Scale: Aeolian (minor) Song Form: Unison Songwriter Conversation Trust Wisdom
    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:03:53
    Start time of reprise: 01:34:28

    ​Lyrics:

    O Spirit, guide me to those I need.
    Guide me to those who need me.
    I follow where You lead.
    Picture
    Song: (O Spirit) Guide Me to Those I Need
    Music by: Aimée Ringle

    Notes: If you've run across Aimée Ringle's work, you know her wicked musical skills, her exuberant, high-energy presence, her huge heart and desire to be of service... and you may not yet know how she grew into her voice, the questions she asks herself around how best to contribute to songcircles, her deep desire for village community, and questions about how to make that real in the here and now. We dig a little into one of the hard conversations in songcircles or any group situation where people bring varying skill levels -- how can people of varying skill levels feel welcome and find space and satisfaction as they are? We talk about what Aimée finds she needs to be able to let songs come through and more! Aimée shares the story of how O Spirit came through and we sing it both with guitar and in an up-close and personal way. It's a big episode because we let our conversation spread out, enjoying the end of summer and a sense of expansiveness. I hope you, too, find that pleasure of connection when you join us.

    Songwriter Info: Aimée Ringle is a singer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, song-leader, and storyteller. She has an invigorating teaching style that is enriched by her capable percussion and guitar skills. Aimée’s work as a song-leader and storyteller have woven her into an ever widening community of cultural shifters around the country in the realms of sustainable agriculture, alternative education, community living, healing, creativity, and spiritual exploration ~ all of which are reflected in the songs she carries. As a song-leader, Aimée’s work and example have become a valued part of several Ancestral skills gatherings including Winter Count, Spirit Weavers and Sharpening Stone.

    Sharing Info: The song is free to share in oral tradition groups, but please contact Aimée for recording and/or performing permission. She says: "For now, the song is just the chorus, but I am paying attention to its evolution and leaving space for the possibility of verses, etc. But this will not be a group process and I'm not inviting unsolicited creative ideas in this process."

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:03:53
    Start time of reprise: 01:34:28

    Links:
    Aimée's website: www.aimeeringlemusic.com 
    Aimée's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/AiméeRingle
    Aimée's O Spirit video on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/C8wzISTpTsh
    Aimée's Bandcamp: https://aimeeringle.bandcamp.com
    Earth Practice: https://www.instagram.com/earthpracticemusic/
    Tone Home by Elijah Ray: https://soundcloud.com/entheo/tone-home?in=l29rjc61w9os/sets/the-upload-1
    I'm My Own Walkman by Bobby McFerrin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8DUi9RCTiQ
    Samara Jade: https://www.instagram.com/samara_jade_music/
    Three Wheels Turning: https://threewheelsturning.com/
    "We are what we repeatedly do." Aristotle interpreted by Will Durant: https://blogs.umb.edu/quoteunquote/2012/05/08/its-a-much-more-effective-quotation-to-attribute-it-to-aristotle-rather-than-to-will-durant/
    The Sharpening Stone: https://www.instagram.com/thesharpeningstone/
    Laurence Cole: https://www.laurencecole.com/
    Liz Rog: https://www.facebook.com/liz.rog1/
    Shireen Amini: https://shireenamini.com/music
    Song Village: https://www.songvillage.net/
    Emergent Strategy and Holding Change by Adrienne Maree Brown: https://adriennemareebrown.net/book/emergent-strategy/, https://adriennemareebrown.net/book/holding-change-2/
    Billie Eilish: https://www.instagram.com/billieeilish/
    Ganavya: https://www.instagram.com/ganavya 

    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, Aeolian, unison chant

    Join this community of people who love to use song to help navigate life? Absolutely:
    https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/335811/81227018071442567/share

    Help us keep going: reviews, comments, encouragement, plus contributions... we float on your support.
    https://www.abreathofsong.com/gratitude-jar.html
  • Published on

    158. Quiet At First

    4:4 Be Present Birds Earth Gentle Listen Love Notice Ribbon Scale: Ionian (Major) Song Form: Harmonized Wisdom
    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:04:33
    Start time of reprise: 00:18:11

    Lyrics:

    It's quiet at first,
    this song of love
    for all the living things.
    But once you start to hear it,
    it's quite impossible to pretend
    there's something better
    you could be doing.
    Picture
    Song: Quiet At First
    Music by: Eileen Webb
    Lyrics by: Kai Skye

    Notes: How often do you get to sing with a thrush? Eileen Webb has made that possible for us... and so we get full enjoyment out of it, singing the entire song twice after learning it. The song itself, with words from Kai Skye, is a succinct reminder to drop in to that sensation of connection to all living things and how good it feels. What could be better? Recording this was unusual for me, because instead of loops on Loopy (where I just have to get it sounding right once!), it's layered tracks because of singing with the thrush... so I got to practice staying centered for the entire length of the song... not once, not twice, but three times plus a bit! It was really good for me -- so thank you for singing with me and perusing the A Breath of Song library -- I love the way my sense of responsibility to you keeps me in practice.

    Songwriter Info: Eileen is a consultant and facilitator who helps tech companies build stronger relationships within and across their teams. She loves how music-making helps create deep connections in diverse groups of people, and leads the circlesinging community in Portland, Maine.

    Sharing Info: The song is free to share, but please remember to share the lyrics credit to Kai Skye as well!

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:04:33
    Start time of reprise: 00:17:52

    Links:
    Eileen's Portland circlesinging group: https://www.meetup.com/circlesinging-portland/.
    Kai's art website: https://flyingedna.com/
    Note: For credit purposes, his NAME is Kai Skye, his PEN NAME (also his previous name) is Brian Andreas, and the site where people can buy his arts is Flying Edna.

    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, major, 2-3 part harmony plus some extras

    Join this community of people who love to use song to help navigate life? Absolutely:
     https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/335811/81227018071442567/share

    Help us keep going: contributions at https://www.abreathofsong.com/gratitude-jar.html, plus reviews, comments, encouragement... we float on your support.
  • Published on

    151. Deeper

    4:4 Be Present Change Determination Generosity Grow Heart Scale: Aeolian (minor) Song Form: Layer Wisdom
    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:03:03
    Start time of reprise: 00:12:16

    Lyrics:

    ​Here in the place I am,
    I drop in a little deeper.

    All I've known and the ways I've grown,
    I take in a little deeper.

    To live and to give from a place
    that's a little deeper.
    ​
    I want to live from a place
    that's a little deeper;
    I want to give from a place
    that's a little deeper
    Picture
    Song: Deeper
    Music by: Meg O'Dell Chittenden

    ​Notes: I was stymied when I came to the point in the podcast where I explain why I chose this song... because to me it simply is exactly the way I'm trying to live. It's like Meg O'Dell Chittenden went in my brain and named what was happening! Do you find songs like that -- ones that simply speak your truth so clearly that singing them feels like naming your very own core? It reassures me that I am not alone...

    Songwriter Info: Meg loves helping people access their innate capacity for healing, connection, and joy. She is a somatic coach, supporting individuals and couples in growth, transformation, and healing. Because she's always found the voice, and especially singing in harmony with others, to be a particularly powerful pathway for connection with ourselves and the world around us, she delights in serving as a music teacher, song leader, and vocal mentor. She hosts an annual adult and family singing retreat on the coast of Maine called SongWeavers. In addition, Meg is an Adjunct Professor for Antioch University's Graduate Program for Waldorf Teachers and for the Center for Anthroposophy's Waldorf High School Teacher Education Program. Her sources of inspiration include the small, misty mountain that overlooks her home and singing with her children, Clancy and Celia.
    ​
    Sharing Info:     The song is free to share but Meg always welcomes financial and/or networking support if/when folks are so moved.
    ​
    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:03:03
    Start time of reprise: 00:12:16

    Links:
    Meg's Website: www.singwaldorf.com
    ​Meg’s A Breath of Song songwriter conversation:     https://www.abreathofsong.com/episodes--show-notes/135-what-would-it-take-with-guest-meg-odell-chittenden​

    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, minor with a major V7 chord, 4-layers

    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, or by making comments, leaving reviews, suggesting songs or songwriters (including yourself) ..... your participation matters!
  • Published on

    145. Hold On with guest Aaron Johnson

    2:2 Calm Determination Empower Grieve Heal Hope Love Mantra Prayer Safe Scale: Aeolian (minor) Song Form: Unison Song Form: Unison With Separate Harmony Line Song Form: Zipper Songwriter Conversation Time Trust Wisdom
    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:04:42
    Start time of reprise: 01:13:45

    ​Lyrics:
    ​
    Hold on (sing on, love on, march on)
    ​just a little while longer
    ​Everything will be all right
    Picture
    Song: Hold On
    Music by: Rev. Cleophus Robinson, Jr.
    Composed in: 1980
    ​
    ​Notes: Aaron shares his close personal connection with this song: after the horrible accidental death of his father, "“It was the first inkling, the first kind of hint that this kind of grief might be bearable.” We dove into how to bring anti-oppression work right into songcircles, or any other kind of work you might do. Aaron helped me consider how I, as a white person with financial stability, could practice persistence in anti-racism work... looking for ways to move beyond the crash-and-boom cycle of support that's triggered by a disaster. How do you hold grief and joy at the same time? Aaron invites us into an exploratory "jamming out" section into the song, and talks about touch and connection as self-care. Lots to celebrate, lots to grieve... and while I was sick at the time of recording, (I don't have Aaron's robust immune system!), I'm so grateful to have had the chance to listen.

    Songwriter Info: Aaron Johnson (he/him) is a facilitator, public speaker, and touch specialist working to identify and interrupt barriers between people. As co-founder of both Holistic Resistance and Grief to Action, Aaron takes the time to hold the stories of black people around homophobia, transphobia, internalized racism, and those that are Chronically UnderTouched. Because oppression is a part of historical and present American culture, the long-term impact of those trauma stories should be acknowledged and held as a map for our collective healing. Aaron Johnson practices and invites various methods of moving through these stories, such as the communal listening ear, sound healing, meditation, and closeness to the earth.
    ​
    Sharing Info:     When sharing in a money-making venture, like a workshop, class, or performance, please contact Aaron for permission and rates.
    ​
    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:04:42
    Start time of reprise: 01:13:45

    Links: 
    Bliss is Ordinary podcast episode with Yam and Jessi: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/aaron-johnson-invites-you-to-risk-something/id1614727245?i=1000641691263
    Holistic Resistance podcast with Lisa Littlebird: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/holistic-resistance/id1368705035
    Rev. Cleophus Robinson, Jr.’s recording of Hold On : https://youtu.be/awyHHZ44YDU?feature=shared
    Aaron's link tree:     https://linktr.ee/HolisticResistance
    Holistic Resistance website: https://www.holisticresistance.com/
    Holistic Resistance Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holistic_resistance
    Grief to Action fund: https://www.grieftoaction.com/
    Chronically Under Touched (CUT) project: https://www.cutproject.org/
    CUT Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cut.project/
    Rescue (album by Acappella Company): https://store.acappella.org/acappella/rescue/
    Alillia Johnson's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alillia.sound/
    and Bandcamp: https://alillia.bandcamp.com/album/fragments-2
    Fivacious, Aaron’s family group:     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvh0HKHo5jE

    Nuts & Bolts: 2:2, Minor, unison with opportunities to harmonize, zipper

    Join the A Breath of Song Mailing list
    (https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/335811/81227018071442567/share)  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
    (https://www.abreathofsong.com/gratitude-jar.html) (whoo-hoo!!!!), or by making comments, leaving reviews, suggesting songs or songwriters (including yourself) ..... your participation matters!
  • Published on

    144. I Hear

    4:4 Be Present Belonging Friendship Gather Grieve Heal Heart Listen Love Mantra Notice Scale: Ionian (Major) Song Form: Unison Song Form: Unison With Separate Harmony Line Wisdom
    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:05:09
    Start time of reprise: 00:13:20

    Lyrics:
    ​
    I hear my voice
    from my heart to my soul;
    I hear your voice
    from your heart to your soul.
    Picture
    Song: I Hear
    Music by: Aaron Johnson

    ​Notes: What I love about Aaron's song is how it is quick to learn, and then can be taken in many directions -- it can stay simple, giving a chance to listen deeply to one's own voice or the voices of surrounding people. It can be explored in many ways -- growing, soft, harmonies, rhythmic intense or free -- and for this recording, I had the privilege of listening to five friends learn it for the first time, and then let themselves take risks and explore. When making a studio recording, anything that didn't ring perfectly would be taken out -- but I've left the exploration in, to encourage you to do some of your own. Your voice from your heart to your soul. Listening to what it's saying. What a beautiful practice.

    Songwriter Info: Aaron Johnson (he/him) is a facilitator, public speaker, and touch specialist working to identify and interrupt barriers between people. As co-founder of both Holistic Resistance and Grief to Action, Aaron takes the time to hold the stories of black people around homophobia, transphobia, internalized racism, and those that are Chronically UnderTouched. Because oppression is a part of historical and present American culture, the long-term impact of those trauma stories should be acknowledged and held as a map for our collective healing. Aaron Johnson practices and invites various methods of moving through these stories, such as the communal listening ear, sound healing, meditation, and closeness to the earth.
    ​
    Sharing Info:     When sharing in a money-making venture, like a workshop, class, or performance, please contact Aaron for permission and rates.
    ​
    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:05:09
    Start time of reprise: 00:13:20

    Links: 
    Link tree: https://linktr.ee/HolisticResistance
    Grief to Action: https://www.grieftoaction.com/
    The Chronically UnderTouched Project:
    https://www.cutproject.org/
    https://bio.site/cut.project
    TEDx on Youtube: https://youtu.be/zi_hm0-zrgk

    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, major, unison with option of adding harmonies

    Join the A Breath of Song Mailing list
    (https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/335811/81227018071442567/share)  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
    (https://www.abreathofsong.com/gratitude-jar.html) (whoo-hoo!!!!), or by making comments, leaving reviews, suggesting songs or songwriters (including yourself) ..... your participation matters!
  • Published on

    141. Suis ton rêve

    4:4 Dreams Empower Flow Future Journey Listen Mantra Scale: Aeolian (minor) Song Form: Unison Song Form: Unison With Separate Harmony Line Trust Wisdom
    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:03:19
    Start time of reprise: 00:12:39

    ​Lyrics:

    Suis ton rêve
    Suis tes rêves
    Suis tes rêves
    Suis ton rêve
    Il connaît le chemin

    (Follow your dream,
    follow your dreams.
    Follow your dreams,
    follow your dream;
    it knows the way)
    Picture
    Song: Suis ton rêve
    Music by: Rafaela Carlier

    ​Notes: Rafaela and I struck up a friendship when we were both fortunate enough to spend a week exploring vocal improvisation together at Le Cercle Enchantée in the summer of '23. Now, Rafaela thinks of herself as a visual artist -- but listen to what came through her as she was freely exploring song a few months later. Wow! And then she shared it with me over WhatsApp -- and so I could sing this song first heard by a friend of mine, in the language that was speaking to her. I love singing the heart songs of friends -- I wish sharing them with each other could be as ordinary as texting a heart emoji! You'll hear me "duetting" playfully with her song -- making up lines -- I hope you'll try, too...

    Songwriter Info: Rafaela says, "I am a handycrafter and an artist, without distinction between the two. I hope to have more lives to learn and practice all I would like to: tango, ceramic, botany, muralism, circlesinging... yet I feel lucky to have followed a lot of my dreams... and to keep on it!"

    Sharing Info:     The song is free to share in oral tradition groups, but please contact Rafaela for recording and/or performing permission.
    ​
    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:03:19
    Start time of reprise: 00:12:39

    Links: 
    Rafaela's website: www.rafaelia.com
    Rafaela's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RafaeliaHandmadeDesign
    Rafaela's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rafaelia_handmadedesign/

    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, Aeolian, unison (with made up harmonies)

    Join the A Breath of Song Mailing list
    (https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/335811/81227018071442567/share)  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
    (https://www.abreathofsong.com/gratitude-jar.html) (whoo-hoo!!!!), or by making comments, leaving reviews, suggesting songs or songwriters (including yourself) ..... your participation matters!