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#500183 05/05/07 01:03 PM
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I'm starting to understand the appeal of folk music, or more specifically, the folk music scene.

When I was in bands when I was younger it was always our dream to "make it."

Folk music has no such pretensions. People get together and play their instruments. It doesn't matter if it's at someone's house, at a coffee house or open mic, at a festival, or on a huge stage with a huge crowd. It's the joy of playing music that is the most important thing. And while there are some very rich and successful folk musicians, the vast majority of folk musicians probably have day jobs, and music is something they do in their spare time because they simply LOVE it. There's no worries about "Oh, I want to make it big." Unless I'm misreading the whole scene, but I don't think I am.

I REALLY like that vibe. I write songs because I like doing it and I record them because I like to record them. I've been entirely too wrapped up in the idea that I MUST have a goal... you know, "I'll start with coffee houses and then move up to opening for some local big names and having my own gigs at small places and then move up to bigger gigs and maybe I can sell more CDs and maybe I can one day place a song on TV and maybe... and so on and so forth. And really, for me, that's entirely and totally stupid. I'll never make the kind of money in music that I make in my day job. I don't want to spend half my time marketing myself on myspace. I just want to write, record, and perform. I'm still very nervous when I perform, which means I need to do it more.

The other thing is that folk music is unpretentious, easy going, and fun. It's real easy to listen to. Listening to the local folk musicians has made me go out and start to explore folk music.

I'm probably never going to write real folk music - I write what I write, and performed on acoustic it's probably acoustic pop more than anything else. But the folk music vibe is just so cool. I'm not sure what the point is to this post, so please feel free to ignore it. Maybe there's a category for folk acoustic pop?




Richard MacLemale
Music = http://www.richardmac.com
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You might want to check out Friends Of Florida Folk.

www.foff.org


Several Jpfer's are members.



http://www.jerryjakala.com
http://cdbaby.com/cd/jakalajerry2

The difference between genius and stupidity is that there is a limit on genius.-Albert Einstein
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Richard,
I think I understand a little of what your talking about.
We seem to continue down the same musical path without regard to where we want to go. I would like to sell a song. Therefore, I really don't need to make a full blown CD. A good demo will do. I'm now writing country thinking I have a better shot there. All the while I'm back to playing blues and old rock. Regardless, I always have time to explore other interests in music. Enjoy the ride of Folk music for awhile and surely you will learn something new. Isn't that what it's all about.
Dan

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Richard,

Apparently we share some similar experiences with music.

The best thing I ever did for my music was to basically declare personal freedom and just write and play what I felt, not worrying about catagories, genres, or even if anyone else ever heard what I did.

The folk scene is a very conducive environment for developing and sharing your music, though you tend to lose some folks with complex chord structures.

There is a huge catalog of folk music that is handy to be familiar with around a campfire jam.

Check out the FFF folk festivals, and show up with a guitar and plans to stay late around the campfires!

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Hey Richard,
You have had your moment of Zen. I have been kicking around the Florida Folk scene for years and only lately I have come to this conclusion. I would write songs then chase people down to pitch the songs. Some artist would literaly run away from me. When I stopped and concitrated on what ZI was writing my songs got better and folks started to take me seriously.
Don't worry if you think that you are not writing REAL FOLK MUSIC. To tell you the truth nobody does! Absorbing the music you know how to play and using that as your vehicle. Don't be afraid to challege youself to try and learn another style of music, it sort of like learning Spainish or German. You have learned the biggest lesson that you can ever learn about Folk music, HAVE FUN! If you enjoy open mic go to them emerse youself in that culture. If you want to go and try your hand at festivals do the same. I know that I have met you somewhere and at sometime, but I would like to reconnect5 with nyou and just sit down strum a few tunes and talk.
Remember you are on the right path. Stay open to EVERYTHING. You will know when you start to hit paydirt.
James

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Richard,

I get what you're saying too. But I think you can still have goals as long as they don't overshadow your connection to the songs or the music. I've always kind of written for myself (certainly not a good plan for commercial success) and know that's the best route for me. I've still been able to set some goals and accomplish a few of them. I've also found that, regardless of the genre, folks that are in it for the actual music and song, do it for just that - the music and the song.


Steve Vaclavik

http://www.stevevaclaviktwang.com
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Long Grass And The Tall Trees Available now:

http://cdbaby.com/cd/stevevaclavik

'You probably don't like what I'm saying, or the way that it's been said. But my only goal has been to awaken some thoughts in your head.'
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I've been writing whatever I feel like writing for a long time. But I don't think anyone would classify what I do as folk.

I do think you need a goal. Too many just end up drifting and don't really improve or grow at all. But the goal doesn't have to be fame or money. The goal can (and probably should) be simply improving my lyrics or making my melodies catchier or improving my guitar playing or stage presence or whatever. Success (whatever that is) is more likely to come if you concentrate on improving yourself, which is something you have some control over, rather than trying to change everyone else around you.

Also, I think people tune in more to others who are open and honest. It doesn't matter if that manifests itself as tender or sensitive or defiant or funny, as long as it is honestly you. This honesty will also more likely turn a lot of people off. But you will reach more people by triggering strong reactions in them, again be these reactions tender or sensitive or defiant or funny, than just being safe. Too many play it safe, trying to please everyone. You end up not offending anyone, only because no one notices you.

Last edited by Andy K; 05/07/07 11:06 AM.

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