 sj |
||
|
||
New song has hijacked CapriUni's brain!
In Mudcat MIDIs:
A Grown-Up's Lullaby (key change, and a little tweaking of the rests in the score.)
|
|
|
Subject: New song has hijacked CapriUni's brain! From: CapriUni Date: 04 Feb 03 - 11:09 AM Yesterday, I thought I could work through a bit of writer's block I'm having by thinking about something else for a while. That "something else" is the song below, and "for a while" turned out to be 13 hours. When an idea hijacks my brain like that, I've learned that the culprit generally wants to be shared... and so here it is. The first three lines, and the melody to go with them, came all at once. The last line fizzled, though, in a "Well, we have to put something there" sort of way. My ears thinks it ends too abruptly, and are itching to slip another measure in there, but the language part of my brain thinks its just fine... so I'm asking for the judgement of ears that have not been attatched to a hijacked brain. I also can't decide between a major or minor key... I think a minor key sounds more "grown-up" and a little more mellow, but it also sounds just a bit more ominous, which is not the tone you want to set with a lullaby. Again -- any ideas? The midi/ABC below is the B major version. A GROWN-UPS' LULLABY by Ann Magill It's been many years since you lay in the cradle, been man years since the tooth fairy came many long years since the moon played a ladle, But, oh, let me sing "lullaby" just the same. Beyond these four walls is a world filled with beauty: gems in the mountain and stars in the sky. Lay down your burden and rest from your duty. and drift off to sleep while I sing "lullaby" Just trade all your worries for dreams and bright visions. Let all your fears fade away in the night. Soar through the cosmos and sail golden oceans. Return to the world with your hopes shining bright. And though many miles may stretch wide between us, as over this world we wander and roam, Know that in my love, you'll find a safe haven; As long as I'm living, you're never alone. It's been many years since we lay in the cradle, been many years since the tooth fairy came, many long years since the moon played a ladle, But, oh, we still need lullabies just the same. MIDI file: GROWNU~1.MID Timebase: 192 Name: gronplul2 Text: By Ann Magill Copyright: Copyright © 2003 by Ann Magill Tempo: 105 (571428 microsec/crotchet) Key: B TimeSig: 4/4 24 8 Start 0000 1 59 110 0094 0 59 000 0002 1 59 110 0190 0 59 000 0002 1 66 110 0094 0 66 000 0002 1 66 110 0094 0 66 000 0002 1 66 110 0190 0 66 000 0002 1 68 110 0094 0 68 000 0002 1 68 110 0094 0 68 000 0002 1 66 110 0190 0 66 000 0002 1 63 110 0094 0 63 000 0002 1 59 110 0094 0 59 000 0002 1 61 110 0190 0 61 000 0002 1 59 110 0094 0 59 000 0098 1 59 110 0190 0 59 000 0002 1 66 110 0094 0 66 000 0002 1 66 110 0094 0 66 000 0002 1 66 110 0190 0 66 000 0002 1 68 110 0094 0 68 000 0002 1 70 110 0094 0 70 000 0002 1 71 110 0190 0 71 000 0002 1 68 110 0094 0 68 000 0002 1 68 110 0094 0 68 000 0002 1 66 110 0256 0 66 000 0224 1 71 110 0160 0 71 000 0032 1 70 110 0094 0 70 000 0002 1 68 110 0094 0 68 000 0002 1 66 110 0160 0 66 000 0032 1 64 110 0094 0 64 000 0002 1 63 110 0094 0 63 000 0002 1 61 110 0160 0 61 000 0032 1 63 110 0094 0 63 000 0002 1 64 110 0094 0 64 000 0002 1 66 110 0160 0 66 000 0032 1 64 110 0160 0 64 000 0128 1 61 110 0094 0 61 000 0002 1 59 110 0160 0 59 000 0032 1 63 110 0094 0 63 000 0002 1 66 110 0094 0 66 000 0002 1 66 110 0160 0 66 000 0032 1 68 110 0094 0 68 000 0002 1 68 110 0094 0 68 000 0002 1 66 110 0160 0 66 000 0032 1 59 110 0094 0 59 000 0002 1 61 110 0094 0 61 000 0002 1 59 110 0528 0 59 000 End This program is worth the effort of learning it. To download the latest version of MIDItext and get instructions on how to use it click here ABC format: X:1 T:gronplul2 M:4/4 Q:1/4=105 K:B B,B,2FFF2G|GF2DB,C2B,|-B,B,2FFF2G|AB2GGF3| -F2B2AGF2|EDC2DEF2|E3CB,2DF|F2GGF2B,C|B,11/2|| |
|
Subject: RE: New song has hijacked CapriUni's brain! From: KingBrilliant Date: 04 Feb 03 - 11:36 AM Reads fine to me. I bet it sounds lovely. The imagery is very clear and full of space and movement (which resolves really nicely back to the safe haven) both in the actual space between the people and the space in the dreamscape - so its a dreaming sleep not just a shut-down sleep. And its true too - we do still need lullabyes & fairytales. I like it a lot. I can't read the abc so can't comment on tune - but I'm sure it'll be fine since the words & melody emerged together. |
|
Subject: RE: New song has hijacked CapriUni's brain! From: CapriUni Date: 04 Feb 03 - 12:01 PM KingBrilliant, try cutting and pasting the abc text (from X:1 to ||) into the message window at the Concertina.net Tune-O-Tron converter here:ABC Convert-A-Matic, and hit "submit". That will give you gif of the score, and a link to a quicktime midi file, as well as a pdf file... unfortunately, ABC doesn't seem to do rests... so the rhythm is just a little bit off And oddly, when I saved this file, it somehow swallowed all the hmtl code I put in the post... no biggie, except for the bits within the mid2txt section. Would it help if I reposted that bit? |
|
Subject: RE: New song has hijacked CapriUni's brain! From: Morticia Date: 04 Feb 03 - 12:17 PM oh that is lovely, made me cry....just what I like in a song :) |
|
Subject: RE: New song has hijacked CapriUni's brain! From: Sorcha Date: 04 Feb 03 - 01:16 PM I went to the Tune a Tron and tried it both ways, B Major (as presented) and then changed the key to Bm. I prefer the minor. What a lovely song and tune!! |
|
Subject: RE: New song has hijacked CapriUni's brain! From: CapriUni Date: 04 Feb 03 - 01:19 PM Thanks, Morty! It started when I was enjoying a Christmas gift from an overseas friend late at night, and suddenly started feeling very sleepy, and I realized the gift was acting as a lullaby. I then asked myself why we stop singing lullabies to each other after a certain age? Especially considering the three main messages that all lullabies have in common, to a greater or lesser degree: 1) All's right with the world, and you don't have to be personally responsible for it -- it will keep going quite nicely even after you're asleep. 2) We know that what you're doing right now is lots of fun/very important, but dreams are even more fun -- trust us! -- and you'll enjoy what you're doing even more when you wake up again, so why not give them a try? 3) And don't worry, the monster in the closet is not going to get you as soon as you close your eyes, because we're right here, and we'll beat it soundly if it tries to move. Seems in today's world, with all the bad news about war and disease being piped into our homes nearly every minute of the day, 40 year-olds need to hear these messages as much or more than 4 year-olds... |
|
Subject: RE: New song has hijacked CapriUni's brain! From: Sorcha Date: 04 Feb 03 - 01:26 PM Oooo, just listened to Em, and I like that even better! |
|
Subject: RE: New song has hijacked CapriUni's brain! From: CapriUni Date: 04 Feb 03 - 01:30 PM E minor, Sorcha -- not B minor? Huh... hadn't thought of that. Wouldn't I have to change the last note from a B to an E, then? If so, would you choose the E above or below the C? |
|
Subject: RE: New song has hijacked CapriUni's brain! From: Sorcha Date: 04 Feb 03 - 02:57 PM I don't think so........or, you could try Gm, which is relative to BMaj. Definitely the lower reg. for me. |
|
Subject: RE: New song has hijacked CapriUni's brain! From: CapriUni Date: 04 Feb 03 - 04:57 PM Or, it could just be in whatever key suits the singer! ;-) I tried Em, btw, and to my ear, the C's in the score just sounded off ... suggesting a monster lurking around the corner... Then again, that may just be my ideosyncratic imagination! When I first doodle-hummed this into AKoff Music Composer (a program that converts a .wav file to midi as you sing it... kinda useful but with dodgy results, as it has trouble figuring out vowel sounds), it came out as mostly C sharp minor, and the tune ended with C sharp -- that's when it sounded really "unfinished" in the last phrase (to my ear, at least) That's when I added the "oh" syllable ("But, oh let me..."), and lowered last note to a B. |
|
Subject: RE: New song has hijacked CapriUni's brain! From: Allan C. Date: 04 Feb 03 - 06:26 PM Okay. I guess it is left to me to get critical of the lyrics. I really don't like the use of the "moon played a ladle". I think it that while it rhymes, it is just not quite right. I think I understand the imagery you were trying for; but I feel it is too much of a stretch. Unfortunately, I can't think of an alternative just now. Outside of that, I think it is absolutely lovely! |
|
Subject: RE: New song has hijacked CapriUni's brain! From: CapriUni Date: 04 Feb 03 - 08:42 PM I think I understand the imagery you were trying for; but I feel it is too much of a stretch. Alan -- Actually, what came to mind first was "Moon wore a smile"... but I didn't think it had a clear enough sound (too vowel-y). And then I remembered the Mother Goose rhyme (song, actually): Aiken Drum. It was only after I chose "ladle" that I realized it rhymed with "cradle" ... which rather set the rhyme scheme for the rest of the song. But I was wondering if it was too obscure a reference ... guess so! |
|
Subject: RE: New song has hijacked CapriUni's brain! From: CapriUni Date: 05 Feb 03 - 09:01 AM Allan -- It's me, again: When I saw you in chat, I was going to toss this alternate lyric idea to you, to see how it struck you (softly, I hope!), but you left before I had a chance to, so I'll post it here instead: What if the verse went: It's been many years since you lay in the cradle, Been many years since the tooth fairy came, Many long years since the cat played the fiddle, But, oh, let me sing "Lullaby," just the same. |
|
Subject: RE: New song has hijacked CapriUni's brain! From: KingBrilliant Date: 05 Feb 03 - 10:22 AM But "moon played a ladle" is perfect! Its my favourite line actually. I find it sets a dreamy nighttime mood, and fits in with the other three lines which are all nighttime bedroom images (I visualise seeing the moon through the window). Cat played the fiddle just doesn't seem to do the same job. Its OK - but not as good as the original line I reckon. The whole thing hangs together really well at the moment, so you'd need to be wary about destabilising it if you start changing lines. Kris Kris |
|
Subject: RE: New song has hijacked CapriUni's brain! From: Genie Date: 05 Feb 03 - 10:45 AM Can't get the ABC Converter to work. (The score pops up, then disappears and won't reload.) So I can't hear the tune yet, but the lyrics are very nice, Ann. I'll try that converter thing on the tune another time. Or maybe MMario will put a MIDI in the Mudcat MIDIs. Genie |
|
Subject: RE: New song has hijacked CapriUni's brain! From: CapriUni Date: 05 Feb 03 - 11:46 AM KingBrilliant: Its my favourite line actually. Thanks, Kris! My brain was on the cusp of doubt, after I started thinking about it... which is why I should remember that thinking too much is a dangerous thing ;-). Many of my favorite nursery rhymes I didn't learn until after I left the nursary (though technically, I never had one), but that doesn't mean they don't evoke memories of childhood, anyway. And I do like the image of the moon making a banjo or lute out of a ladle... It's the right shape for it, after all. Genie: maybe MMario will put a MIDI in the Mudcat MIDIs. I'll send it to him, after I decide what key I like best for it... (trying different keys is like trying different flavors of sauces on your ice cream sundaes ;-)). This morning, I tried B flat major, which I really like... It's a fairly simple tune (a lot simpler than "Magic is for Children"), so in the meantime, I'll try doing a finale notepad file for you... maybe I can make each verse in a different key (?). |
|
Subject: RE: New song has hijacked CapriUni's brain! From: KingBrilliant Date: 05 Feb 03 - 12:43 PM Different keys per verse sounds VERY interesting. But you'd have to find the right one for each verse, and THEN they'd all have to hang together & move properly though the song. Let us know what experimentation brings. Kris |
|
Subject: RE: New song has hijacked CapriUni's brain! From: CapriUni Date: 05 Feb 03 - 02:04 PM KingBrilliant: Different keys per verse sounds VERY interesting. Well, I don't envision the final song in different keys... ... I only offered to do that as a "sampler", so that Genie could hear the different variations Sorcha and I have been discussing, and weigh in with her opinion, if she so chose... And also, as practice for myself, so I could learn how to change keys using the notation program Finale! Notepad. |
|
Subject: RE: New song has hijacked CapriUni's brain! From: Genie Date: 05 Feb 03 - 07:59 PM Ann, in the simpler Finale programs (Notepad2003 and Notepad Plus) you can't change keys or time signatures from measure to measure within a score, but you can change the key of the whole piece easily -- just a few mouse clicks. Of course, if you send me the tune, I can play it back in various keys myself. Genie |
|
Subject: RE: New song has hijacked CapriUni's brain! From: CapriUni Date: 05 Feb 03 - 10:54 PM Genie: Of course, if you send me the tune, I can play it back in various keys myself. This is true... and I get the hint ;-) In the meantime, I'm surprised at how quickly MMario (or one of his mudelves?) works -- there's a midi up already, and I hadn't said anything yet! This place never ceases to amaze me... |
|
Subject: RE: New song has hijacked CapriUni's brain! From: Sorcha Date: 05 Feb 03 - 11:04 PM LOL! I still like Em the best............ |
|
Subject: RE: New song has hijacked CapriUni's brain! From: CapriUni Date: 05 Feb 03 - 11:34 PM I still like Em the best............ Okay... you sing it in Em, then, and I'll sing it in Bb... And I think I know why I prefer it: It just sounds better to my ear if there is a step and a half between the B's and the C's -- if B is natural, than my ear wants C to be sharp. If C is natural, than my ear wants B to be flat... Any closer, and it feels (to me) like the notes are "stepping on each other's toes. That's just closer to how it came out of my throat when I was humming it, I think... as well as other factors of my psychology too subtle to pin down -- like the timber of the voice of my imaginary friend ;-) (I also prefer butterscotch sauce to blueberry, FWIW). |
|
Subject: RE: New song has hijacked CapriUni's brain! From: Allan C. Date: 05 Feb 03 - 11:59 PM Sorry I missed you in the chat, CU. I suppose my difficulty with the ladle line is that it was totally foreign to me - not part of a verse I grew up with. Bearing that in mind, I do like the fiddle verse better. But that's just me, mind you. Clearly you have struck a chord with others. |
|
Subject: RE: New song has hijacked CapriUni's brain! From: CapriUni Date: 06 Feb 03 - 10:11 AM Well, why should we wait several generations for the "Folk process" to start? After all, lullabies are the most personal of songs -- always (or nearly always) sung to an audience of one. If the song does not evoke strong, pleasant images in the mind of the listener, than it's not doing its job. So if ever I need to sing you to sleep, I'll use the fiddle line. And for Kris, I sing of the ladle... Deal? ;-) |
|
Subject: RE: New song has hijacked CapriUni's brain! From: KingBrilliant Date: 06 Feb 03 - 12:51 PM Sounds good to me Capri. I misunderstood about the different keys, oops - but I still think i might suit some song to mess with the keys sequentially. On the other hand it might sound shite - I'll have to have a play around (but on a different song of course). Kris |
|
Subject: RE: New song has hijacked CapriUni's brain! From: CapriUni Date: 06 Feb 03 - 01:12 PM I'll have to have a play around (but on a different song of course). Hmmm... I think you'd have to really know what you're doing... But I've heard it done occasionally. I think it what would work best is in a song with a clear set of mood shifts -- or maybe one of those "discourse" songs, where a lover and his lass (Or any two characters) argue over a point -- with a different key for each person (like changing your voices when you read a story aloud). This, however, is not such a song, I don't think. But you're free to play around with it, anyway, if you want... Which of the keys do you like it in, best, btw? |
|
Subject: RE: New song has hijacked CapriUni's brain! From: CapriUni Date: 07 Feb 03 - 03:09 PM Just a note that I have sent the "final" version of the tune to MMario (in Bb) for the Mudcat Midi page, and sent the lyrics to Áine for the songbook... |
| Share Thread: |