As with the previous track, this one is more or less a jam session. Basically, I started with the initial progressions, decided they were worthy of recording, and after they were completed I just kept going and let it roll. Some very good stuff sometimes comes out of that, but this time I think, not so much.

Recorded in the early 1970s

As a composer, one of my most splendid experiences is sitting down at the keyboard with no song in mind at all and letting my fingers lead me into a variety of musical progressions extemporaneously.

I may have some fragment of a tune to start with, as in this case, but then the session takes off on its own and I just follow wherever it goes.

Sometimes, at the end of a jam session, a few of the unexpected progressions or riffs become seeds for the development of complete songs in their own right. You’ll hear that in these tracks from time to time.

Here’s an upbeat depressing song (see lyrics below). The music is cheery but the message is a downer. Many of my songs are built to convey a message. This one is about the way people join any line they see and follow it mindlessly without even considering where it is going. I know that’s pretty lightweight, but this was written when I was in high school or thereabouts, so cut me a little slack here.

Still, I still like the juxtaposition of an upbeat marching song with a depressing scenario. I think it helps make the point that often the most terrible things in life are sugar-coated, dressed up, and celebrated so that no one looks at what’s really going on.

The recording quality is pretty poor, so here are the lyrics:

Lyrics

Three billion people marching in line,
going to death but they don’t know.
Three billion people marching in line,
going to death but they don’t know.

La la la la, la la la la.

See all the children marching in line,
follow their parents footsteps.
They’re punished whenever they step out of line.
Nobody but the sky wept.

La la la la, la la la la.

What is the purpose and what is the cause,
and where do we think we’re going?
We hope for the harvest but really we know,
we won’t even finish sewing.

La la la la, la la la la.

I intended this as one of those short little ditty tunes The Beatles would stuff into odd corners on their albums. Fast paced and repetitive:

You see, you see, you see, you see,
you see you see you see… me.

Written and recorded in the early 1970s.

This is an alternate take of my short experimental piece to create a melodic progression in which a sour note is required to properly complete it.

Written and recorded in the early 1970s.

I wrote this one as an experiment in creating a melody flow that would require a sour note to sound right. I’ve always been fascinated by intentional discord and transient harmonics that must pass through unpleasant chord/note combinations to get from where it starts to where it wants to go.

Listen for the sour note. You’ll hear it, and also understand why it is part of the required progression for the melody to work.

Composed and recorded in the early 1970s.

This cheery little melody (which includes a few notable hooks) felt to me like a beach on a Pacific island – no job, no problems, no worries.

Imagine that after the first stanza repeats twice, a heavy beat as the drums kick in along with a strong rhythmic bass. I can hear cheering people in the track, perhaps bright trumpets and perhaps even a ballsy flute. Love to hear it that way, I would….

Written and recorded in the early 1970s

My Composer’s Sketchbook is available on Amazon
with downloadable mp3s of every song, demo, and riff

The early 1970s began with my last couple of years in high school. For me, this was a very positive time. My mom and dad were great parents, I was involved in clubs and organizations, and the future looked bright and beautiful. Naturally then, many of my songs of the time were equally bright and cheery, and this one exemplifies that mood quite well.

My Composer’s Sketchbook is available on Amazon
with downloadable mp3s of every song, demo, and riff

This is a nice frolicking melody. Nothing fancy, but intended as a “feel good” song. Obviously it needs a chorus and bridge, but I think its well on the way to being an enjoyable little ditty.

Words? I don’t know. I can see it with lyrics, though I half-imagine they might spoil the flow. We’ll see if that’s the case should I ever come back to this one for further development.

Originally recorded around 1970-1975 on audio cassette.

My Composer’s Sketchbook is available on Amazon
with downloadable mp3s of every song, demo, and riff

This one is a concept recording for a melody and a change-up partway through. When I wrote it, it struck me as something majestic in the beginning section that suddenly breaks into a playful mood at the change up.

Not sure if it would be better as a song or a soundtrack, but I find it draws me in – at least the opening section which strikes me as a rather original little progression. Perhaps I should just grab that part and build something around it since the honkey tonk middle section is really pretty uninventive.

My Composer’s Sketchbook is available on Amazon
with downloadable mp3s of every song, demo, and riff