Thursday, February 19, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
Tools for Getting Unstuck #1
I have been telling myself I am stuck and in this story I'm telling myself, about being stuck, I told myself that I needed something to help pull me out of this muck. So...I went to the bookstore (for those you who know me well...stop laughing/ shaking your at my book addiction) and purchased a copy of "1000 Songwriting Ideas" by Lisa Aschmann.
This book is really great. Already I find myself coming up with lyrics and verses. I would like to commit to either writing a song a day or working on a song that I would like to finish on a daily basis. Writing a song a day for me is not impossible, but I find it takes me about 3 days to get a song where I want it to be. I am, however, committed to working on my craft as a singer/songwriter daily and I think this book is an amazing and fun way to moving forward.
GaBrilla
This book is really great. Already I find myself coming up with lyrics and verses. I would like to commit to either writing a song a day or working on a song that I would like to finish on a daily basis. Writing a song a day for me is not impossible, but I find it takes me about 3 days to get a song where I want it to be. I am, however, committed to working on my craft as a singer/songwriter daily and I think this book is an amazing and fun way to moving forward.
GaBrilla
Saturday, February 14, 2009
A Reminder...
I discovered this website www.musesmuse.com when a songwriting/ sista-friend of mine was interviewed by them. It is such a resource, for both singer/ songwriter/ musicians and anyone who is working towards living their creative dreams. Here's an article I read often when my lazy (fear filled) voices start talking. Enjoy!
GB
Perseverance: the Key to the Doors of Success
By Mary Dawson
Success!
It’s that elusive fantasy that all of us in the music business are pursuing. While we intellectually acknowledge that few of us will ever win the 'jackpot' of music fame and fortune, emotionally we still cling to the hope that one day we will be included in that small and select group.
As long as the music business has existed, people have been trying to discover the basic ingredients for success. Opinions range from having post-graduate degrees in composition on the one hand, to having an uncle who drives the bus for Reba McIntyre, on the other hand. (Probably both would be helpful!) In my opinion, however, there are two doors that are absolutely essential in order to enter real success in music. These doors are Excellence and Credibility. They are available to anyone, but they do require a key, and the key to both of them is Perseverance.
The dictionary defines perseverance as the act of persisting in a state, enterprise or undertaking in spite of counter influences, opposition or discouragement. Or as a more folksy definition describes it: Perseverance is a little like wrestling a gorilla. You don't quit when you're tired, you quit when the gorilla is tired. However you define it, perseverance essential in opening the doors to success.
Excellence
There is no substitute for excellence! It is the first door we must open in order to have any hope of achieving our musical goals. And, unfortunately, there is no shortcut to excellence. The only way to achieve it is through dedication, discipline and lots of blood, sweat and tears…in other words, perseverance.
In my daily inbox I receive emails from aspiring songwriters and musicians all around the world who mistakenly think that natural talent is the magic ingredient for success. While talent is certainly a plus, it is by no means the miraculous elixir that will turn you into a ‘household name’ celebrity. Think about it for a moment: how many very talented people do you know personally who are much better songwriters and musicians than those you hear on TV and on the radio? Like me, I’ll bet you can say that you know quite a few. And yet, most of these gifted artists will never be known outside their own family or community. Why? Because natural talent -- by itself -- is not enough.
Talent, in my opinion, is simply a pre-disposition – a potential that you have. For example, you may be pre-disposed to diabetes because it runs in yours family. That pre-disposition, however, doesn’t mean that you will inevitably get the same condition as your ancestors did. If you take steps to live a healthy lifestyle, eat right and exercise regularly, you will often be able to avoid the predisposition you have inherited. Talent is much the same. You may have been born with an above average sense of rhythm….a beautiful voice….or manual dexterity that would enable you to play an instrument well. Often that natural ability will allow you to learn certain skills more easily than other people who do not have your gift. If you can carry a tune and have a fairly nice voice, you will probably be noticed and admired by friends and family who don’t have those abilities. But as sax virtuoso Kirk Whalum so eloquently says, “Just because you can play a soulful lick doesn’t make you a artist.”
Becoming a real musician means developing your God-given natural talent through education, practice and discipline. No matter how amazing your gifts may be – they will only become more astounding in proportion to the effort and perseverance you put into advancing them. And believe me, the competition for success in music is so fierce that you will need every last shred of excellence you can muster.
OK, so you agree so far. You may admit that you need to take voice or piano lessons to develop your talent, so you sign up and start the regimen. But then, it comes to the little matter of practice – practice that has to happen every day – whether you are tired, or busy or have a date. And if you are a songwriter, you have to make time to actually write songs – not just when you ‘feel inspired,’ but when you don’t feel inspired as well. You also have to read! There are wonderful books and even online songwriting instruction courses available today, but they won’t help you if you are not making time to read and study…..daily, monthly, steadily, regularly.
Personally, I believe the relatively small number of people who succeed in music is not so much about the amount of natural talent they may or may not have, but rather about their willingness to persevere in developing the talent they do have.
Several years ago my good friend and amazing jazz musician, Tom Braxton, was visiting with me about a band he was assembling for some upcoming engagements. He said that there were several gifted musical protégés whom he had considered for his ensemble, but he had decided to offer the positions to some very good, but somewhat less-talented instrumentalists instead. When I asked him why, he replied that many of the most ‘gifted’ musicians did not show up on time for rehearsal, left early and complained loudly when asked to stay a little later for extra practice. Tom said that he would much rather offer the jobs to musicians who – while perhaps a little less gifted – would be willing to work hard and persevere to create a show that the entire band could be proud of. Tom Braxton is a very wise man!
Whether you are supremely talented – or just average – perseverance in honing your craft and skills can make the difference between success and obscurity in your music career. As Ambrose Bierce once wisely said:
Perseverance is a lowly virtue whereby mediocrity can achieve a glorious success.
Tune in next time and we will explore the other door to the world of music achievement – the door of credibility -- and how the perseverance key works to unlock it as well.
ASK A QUESTION & FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR(S):
For a short bio, along with an intro to the columnist section, see here : http://www.musesmuse.com/marydawson.html. If you would like to ask Mary Dawson a question, you can write to mdawson@musesmuse.com . Please indicate the column you're inquiring about in the subject matter of your e-mail.
If you have a suggestion for a column or would like to be considered as a columnist yourself, feel free to write to me at jodi@musesmuse.com .
GB
Perseverance: the Key to the Doors of Success
By Mary Dawson
Success!
It’s that elusive fantasy that all of us in the music business are pursuing. While we intellectually acknowledge that few of us will ever win the 'jackpot' of music fame and fortune, emotionally we still cling to the hope that one day we will be included in that small and select group.
As long as the music business has existed, people have been trying to discover the basic ingredients for success. Opinions range from having post-graduate degrees in composition on the one hand, to having an uncle who drives the bus for Reba McIntyre, on the other hand. (Probably both would be helpful!) In my opinion, however, there are two doors that are absolutely essential in order to enter real success in music. These doors are Excellence and Credibility. They are available to anyone, but they do require a key, and the key to both of them is Perseverance.
The dictionary defines perseverance as the act of persisting in a state, enterprise or undertaking in spite of counter influences, opposition or discouragement. Or as a more folksy definition describes it: Perseverance is a little like wrestling a gorilla. You don't quit when you're tired, you quit when the gorilla is tired. However you define it, perseverance essential in opening the doors to success.
Excellence
There is no substitute for excellence! It is the first door we must open in order to have any hope of achieving our musical goals. And, unfortunately, there is no shortcut to excellence. The only way to achieve it is through dedication, discipline and lots of blood, sweat and tears…in other words, perseverance.
In my daily inbox I receive emails from aspiring songwriters and musicians all around the world who mistakenly think that natural talent is the magic ingredient for success. While talent is certainly a plus, it is by no means the miraculous elixir that will turn you into a ‘household name’ celebrity. Think about it for a moment: how many very talented people do you know personally who are much better songwriters and musicians than those you hear on TV and on the radio? Like me, I’ll bet you can say that you know quite a few. And yet, most of these gifted artists will never be known outside their own family or community. Why? Because natural talent -- by itself -- is not enough.
Talent, in my opinion, is simply a pre-disposition – a potential that you have. For example, you may be pre-disposed to diabetes because it runs in yours family. That pre-disposition, however, doesn’t mean that you will inevitably get the same condition as your ancestors did. If you take steps to live a healthy lifestyle, eat right and exercise regularly, you will often be able to avoid the predisposition you have inherited. Talent is much the same. You may have been born with an above average sense of rhythm….a beautiful voice….or manual dexterity that would enable you to play an instrument well. Often that natural ability will allow you to learn certain skills more easily than other people who do not have your gift. If you can carry a tune and have a fairly nice voice, you will probably be noticed and admired by friends and family who don’t have those abilities. But as sax virtuoso Kirk Whalum so eloquently says, “Just because you can play a soulful lick doesn’t make you a artist.”
Becoming a real musician means developing your God-given natural talent through education, practice and discipline. No matter how amazing your gifts may be – they will only become more astounding in proportion to the effort and perseverance you put into advancing them. And believe me, the competition for success in music is so fierce that you will need every last shred of excellence you can muster.
OK, so you agree so far. You may admit that you need to take voice or piano lessons to develop your talent, so you sign up and start the regimen. But then, it comes to the little matter of practice – practice that has to happen every day – whether you are tired, or busy or have a date. And if you are a songwriter, you have to make time to actually write songs – not just when you ‘feel inspired,’ but when you don’t feel inspired as well. You also have to read! There are wonderful books and even online songwriting instruction courses available today, but they won’t help you if you are not making time to read and study…..daily, monthly, steadily, regularly.
Personally, I believe the relatively small number of people who succeed in music is not so much about the amount of natural talent they may or may not have, but rather about their willingness to persevere in developing the talent they do have.
Several years ago my good friend and amazing jazz musician, Tom Braxton, was visiting with me about a band he was assembling for some upcoming engagements. He said that there were several gifted musical protégés whom he had considered for his ensemble, but he had decided to offer the positions to some very good, but somewhat less-talented instrumentalists instead. When I asked him why, he replied that many of the most ‘gifted’ musicians did not show up on time for rehearsal, left early and complained loudly when asked to stay a little later for extra practice. Tom said that he would much rather offer the jobs to musicians who – while perhaps a little less gifted – would be willing to work hard and persevere to create a show that the entire band could be proud of. Tom Braxton is a very wise man!
Whether you are supremely talented – or just average – perseverance in honing your craft and skills can make the difference between success and obscurity in your music career. As Ambrose Bierce once wisely said:
Perseverance is a lowly virtue whereby mediocrity can achieve a glorious success.
Tune in next time and we will explore the other door to the world of music achievement – the door of credibility -- and how the perseverance key works to unlock it as well.
ASK A QUESTION & FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR(S):
For a short bio, along with an intro to the columnist section, see here : http://www.musesmuse.com/marydawson.html. If you would like to ask Mary Dawson a question, you can write to mdawson@musesmuse.com . Please indicate the column you're inquiring about in the subject matter of your e-mail.
If you have a suggestion for a column or would like to be considered as a columnist yourself, feel free to write to me at jodi@musesmuse.com .
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Visibility, by: Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie
I receive e-mails from mothering.scom and today I read this poem and was in tears long before the end. The universe knows exactly what we need when we need it.
Giving Thanks,
GaBrilla
Visibility
By Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie
I see you, Mama.
An ocean of people rushing past
you stand at the bottom
of the grey subway stairs
double-stroller in arms
figuring your
ascent
I see you
at the library
at the free music classes
at the grocery store
on the bus
pointing out dandelions
and pine trees
explaining that it's not
all right to throw trash
in the street
Your sleep, broken
your spirit held together
by ancestors you will never
be able to name.
There is no nanny
no babysitter
no family standing at the ready
so that you can breathe
And sometimes
the river in you rises
you bite back curses
blink away tears
the child screams fire,
water of you starts to simmer and rise
then you find your breath
you lower your voice
you lower your hand
remembering that you want
to do this differently
Traveling an hour
for the girls' rice milk
and organic berries.
Ice cream trucks blaring
candied kids carousing
teenagers rushing
adults venting
you are swimming against the tide
and the ache in your arms reminds you
No
you are the natural rhythm of water
the ache in your arms
is the start of muscle
I see you, Mama
in the street
on the bus
at the park
in the mirror
I see you
double-stroller in your arms
making
your
ascent.
Giving Thanks,
GaBrilla
Visibility
By Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie
I see you, Mama.
An ocean of people rushing past
you stand at the bottom
of the grey subway stairs
double-stroller in arms
figuring your
ascent
I see you
at the library
at the free music classes
at the grocery store
on the bus
pointing out dandelions
and pine trees
explaining that it's not
all right to throw trash
in the street
Your sleep, broken
your spirit held together
by ancestors you will never
be able to name.
There is no nanny
no babysitter
no family standing at the ready
so that you can breathe
And sometimes
the river in you rises
you bite back curses
blink away tears
the child screams fire,
water of you starts to simmer and rise
then you find your breath
you lower your voice
you lower your hand
remembering that you want
to do this differently
Traveling an hour
for the girls' rice milk
and organic berries.
Ice cream trucks blaring
candied kids carousing
teenagers rushing
adults venting
you are swimming against the tide
and the ache in your arms reminds you
No
you are the natural rhythm of water
the ache in your arms
is the start of muscle
I see you, Mama
in the street
on the bus
at the park
in the mirror
I see you
double-stroller in your arms
making
your
ascent.
Monday, February 02, 2009
Illness as Meditation
My son is under the weather with the flu and I myself have not been feeling the best in regards to my health, for a little while now. I consider myself to be a pretty health conscious person, so when he and I get sick, it is an indication that there is a shift that needs to be made. I do understand that people get sick. It is a part of being human.Part of the body finding balance when we are living in a way that brings it out of balance.I tend to always look deeply into the energetic origin of an experience, illness,etc and I feel the deeper meanining at this time is that Life is wanting me to slow down and get present.
Sitting with Omer, watching him; making sure he's getting fluids regularly; checking his temp has brought to my attention to how often I am not completely present with him. We spend a lot of time together, but usually we're doing our own thing. He with his trains, books or toys and me with... oh so many things. Yesterday we sat and painted together. It was a sweet and intimate time... Small talk about colors and dragons. I was able to experience that I am beyond blessed to have this experience being his mother. It it not as easy to remember this when I am trying to write a song or have a meeting I'm rushing off to. But once this time passes and it will, I intend to move more mindfully in my relationship with my son. Sometimes I think I get s locked in the role as a caregiver/mother/teacher that I forget that Omer is also my friend and the greatest teacher I have ever encountered.
Everything around us provides us with opportunities to wake up to the present moment (which is part of what meditation is about) and that is exactly what this "time of rest" is doing. It is allowing me to bring awareness to the amazing healing power of the body; to ways of better supportting me and Omer's body more efficiently through nutrition; and to not beating up on myself when I don't meet up to my own expectations. The laundry may not get done on time; the dishes may pile up and children get sick. As my sista/friend has said, It's not about guilt, it about awareness. Because it is only though Awareness that true change can be made.
In Greatness,
GaBrilla
Sitting with Omer, watching him; making sure he's getting fluids regularly; checking his temp has brought to my attention to how often I am not completely present with him. We spend a lot of time together, but usually we're doing our own thing. He with his trains, books or toys and me with... oh so many things. Yesterday we sat and painted together. It was a sweet and intimate time... Small talk about colors and dragons. I was able to experience that I am beyond blessed to have this experience being his mother. It it not as easy to remember this when I am trying to write a song or have a meeting I'm rushing off to. But once this time passes and it will, I intend to move more mindfully in my relationship with my son. Sometimes I think I get s locked in the role as a caregiver/mother/teacher that I forget that Omer is also my friend and the greatest teacher I have ever encountered.
Everything around us provides us with opportunities to wake up to the present moment (which is part of what meditation is about) and that is exactly what this "time of rest" is doing. It is allowing me to bring awareness to the amazing healing power of the body; to ways of better supportting me and Omer's body more efficiently through nutrition; and to not beating up on myself when I don't meet up to my own expectations. The laundry may not get done on time; the dishes may pile up and children get sick. As my sista/friend has said, It's not about guilt, it about awareness. Because it is only though Awareness that true change can be made.
In Greatness,
GaBrilla
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