tookatooka
759 posts
Nov 10, 2009
2:09 PM
|
A couple of years ago, I asked the forum members to suggest a poignant piece of harp music that I could play at a funeral. There were a few suggestions. There wasn't very much to choose from and I wasn't very harp savvy at the time so decided to shelve the idea.
The trouble was it was for my dear old Mum who died in 2007 and I wanted to be able to play it at her funeral. I didn't and I promised I would write a piece of harp music especially for her to say goodbye. My Dad's still hanging in there so I'm hoping to play it for him, when he goes.
The suggestions I got fell mainly into the Amazing Grace arena and to be perfectly honest I never really had much time for that song since they put it to the Scottish bagpipes. So unashamedly I've stolen bits from various tunes that I liked and have come up with a concoction that I'd like your opinion on please.
There are influences from St James Infirmary, Wayfaring Stranger and bits of Irish I expect but I couldn't conciously name anything in particular. After a few attempts at the composition it tended to find its own direction and I don't know how much it may be like anything else.
This is the first tune I've ever developed so if anyone can recommend how it could be improved I'd be grateful for any ideas please. The only thing to bear in mind it's a solo harp piece to be played in a tiny granite church in Cornwall which has some nice natural reverb.
I have called this piece "Lament for Marie" and here is the Soundfile.
I cocked up a little towards the end in the last few notes, my timing/speed was a bit off. I will also try and post the tab in case anyone wants to suggest any improvements.
Thanks for listening. All crits, comments and ideas are most welcome. Thank you.
Lament for Marie. (Saying Goodbye to my Mum).
-4 -5 -6’ -6 -5 6 -6 -5 -4
-8 8 -8 7 -6 6 -6
-4 -5 -6’ -6 -5 6 -6 -5 -4
-4 ^ 5 -5 -4 -5 5 -5 5
-4 -5 -6’ -6 -5 6 -5 -5 -6
-8 8 -8 7 -6 6 -6
-4 -5 -6’ -6 -5 6 -5 -5 -6
-4 ^ 5 -5 -4 -5 5 -5 -4
-6 7 -8 8 -8 7 -6 6 -6 -4
-8 8 -9 9 -9 8 -8 8
-8 8 -8 7 -6 6 -6 -4
-4 ^ 5 -5 -4 -5 5 -5 -4
-6 7 -8 8 -8 7 -6 6 -6 -4
-8 8 -9 9 -9 8 -8 8
-8 8 -8 7 -6 6 -6 -4
-4 ^ 5 -5 -4 -5 5 -5 -4
----------
Last Edited by on Nov 11, 2009 4:13 AM
|
Leanground
89 posts
Nov 10, 2009
2:17 PM
|
Love it,heartfelt and moving
I'm interpreting the song by the Clancy Brothers "A Parting Glass" on lone harp for a similar situation
|
toddlgreene
108 posts
Nov 10, 2009
2:25 PM
|
Very haunting, and beautiful in its simplicity. I can imagine how that would sound with the acoustics you describe.
I've played harp at three funerals thusfar-all three were great-uncles. The first two were TAPS. Being a military vet(retiree now)myself, I played a dedication at Funeral #1 for my uncle who was a retired Air Force Major. The officer in charge of the 21 gun salute detail came up to me and asked if I could and would play it, since the bugler was a no-show. Of course, I said, and I was in my dress blues. Not a dry eye to be seen-including my own.
Funeral #2 was two months later, this time for an uncle who had been in the Navy during Korea as an enlisted man. The Navy sent out a detail in whites, and I approached the fella in charge when I didn't see a bugler. He produced a Radio Shack tape recorder, and I said "Bullshit!" I had my harps as I usually do and did the honors with TAPS again.
Funeral #3 was last year, and I had time to prepare beforehand. This particular uncle was never in the military and his favorite Gospel tune was The Old Rugged Cross, which I played on a LO Melody Maker. I will have to video myself playing it.
Wear sunglasses when you play-it hides the tears.
----------
GO SAINTS!
crescentcityharmonicaclub@gmail.com
Last Edited by on Nov 10, 2009 2:26 PM
|
mickil
615 posts
Nov 10, 2009
2:31 PM
|
tooka,
After just one listen, the first thought I had was that there wasn't much to distinguish one section from another. It was an ABA form, right? It's that change that helps to create the drama, makes your ears prick up.
As for playing Amazing Grace, I hope you don't mind me suggesting that the music used on sombre ocassions is as much about everyone else present as it is about one's own feelings; you know, the way that Purcell's Dido's Lament and Elgar's Nimrod variation are used every year at the Cenotaph.
I'm not sure whether to post this because the decision is a very personal one. Still, it's offered with the best intention.
Mick
----------
YouTube SlimHarpMick
|
Aussiesucker
426 posts
Nov 10, 2009
2:58 PM
|
tooka
Lovely. Should sound perfect in the church you have described.
To me it looks by the tabs very much a variation on St James Infirmary but sounds cleaner. Nice playing. What harp did you use & what if any any effects?
toddlgreene
Cant wait to see the video of you playing The Old Rugged Cross on a MM. I'm a fan of using MM if it makes playing something just that much simpler.
mickil
Not sure I agree with the need always for sombre music as its different with every funeral. A well lived long life of some people could see the funeral being a celebration of their life. Joyous music as was liked by the deceased might be more appropriate. I remember seeing a televised state funeral of our country music ikon Slim Dusty when everyone in the cathedral rousingly sang 'The Pub With No Beer'.
Last Edited by on Nov 10, 2009 3:09 PM
|
tookatooka
760 posts
Nov 10, 2009
3:02 PM
|
@Leanground. Thanks I'll look up "A Parting Glass", I don't know that one.
@toddlegreen. Thanks I'll also need to look up TAPS. I know it's a military thing but I'm not too conversant with it. The glasses is a good idea though.
@harmonicanick. Once again, I'll look up "In a Crowd alone" I don't know it.
@Mickil. Yes I think it's more AABB but I may fiddle some more and try an ABAB arrangement. Not sure about your next paragraph - can't see what you mean, sombre occasions = sombre music? Is that not right? Thanks for your input.
----------
Last Edited by on Nov 10, 2009 3:06 PM
|
tookatooka
761 posts
Nov 10, 2009
3:05 PM
|
@Aussiesucker. My trusty old Delta Frost with ProMaster plates key of "C" played through my Roland MicroCube with a little bit of reverb, using my 99p mic. Thanks, pleased you liked it.
----------
|
mickil
616 posts
Nov 10, 2009
3:34 PM
|
tooka,
I just meant that people often associate certain music with certain ceremonies. Still, it's not something that's fixed. Like I said, it's a very personal thing.
----------
YouTube SlimHarpMick
|
Aussiesucker
427 posts
Nov 10, 2009
4:09 PM
|
Leanground
I didn't know the song 'The Parting Glass' so looked it up. Great song & a great version on youtube by The High Kings - stirring stuff. Don't know how it would be adapted to harp as the lyrics are very powerful. The High Kings version finishes with some stirring bagpipes which might be adapted to harp.
|
Shredder
41 posts
Nov 10, 2009
4:56 PM
|
Tookatooka,
My self and 2 other band members"acoustic and bass guitars" played a song called "natural high" at a funeral. Not sure but I think it's a Mearl Haggard song. You could play the whole song on harp but I just did fills and a lead break using a verse as an outline to follow.
One of the lines is "You put me on a natural high and I can fly,I can fly. We used it as an inturpetation of the power of the Heavenly Father to lift you to a higher place after death.
It really went over good.
Mike
Last Edited by on Nov 10, 2009 4:56 PM
|
nacoran
372 posts
Nov 10, 2009
6:33 PM
|
I really like it. The only thing I might do differently is the last little bit I wouldn't do the little flourish at 1:32 before getting to the end.
|
Gwood420
71 posts
Nov 10, 2009
7:02 PM
|
i like it tooka.. all that really matters is you like it.. doing good so far..
at my fathers funeral my brother and sister played "time in a bottle" by jim croce, and it seemed fitting.. first song i learned on a harp.. someday i plan on playing it at his grave.. just cant bring myself to go there yet.. too hard..
|
ricanefan
29 posts
Nov 10, 2009
11:51 PM
|
It has a tone and a pace I would like to hear at a funeral. I like the personal touch of it being your own. (As I started reading, my thought was "Ave Maria", but after reading the whole post and giving your song a listen, I'd go with your own.)
I'll offer up one observation for your digestion, and I'm not musically inclined enough to offer an alternative. I hear "Summertime" at the beginning.
Another thought...I don't know your faith or its traditions, but in mine (Roman Catholic) there is always someone (or two or three) memorialized at every service. If your faith allows someone to be remembered during a service, request such for your mother and also request that you play your piece at some point during the service.
|
tookatooka
762 posts
Nov 11, 2009
4:11 AM
|
@Shredder. Thanks, that's another one I don't recall, I'll look it up.
@nacoran. Agree that little flourish at 1:32 was me stumbling, I think I got so excited with being able to record it in it's entirity, I stumbled. Thanks.
@Gwood420. Know what you mean. I had this on the backburner for a while before I could develope it fully.
@ricanefan. Thanks. I like Ave Maria but as we are secular thought it a bit too much for the occasion. Funny how you can hear Summertime, I listened over and couldn't detect that at all, but I did do that on HPC2 and was rehearsing it for ages. I'm just hoping that not too much of it crept in subconciously.
Thanks for all the input so far. It's been an interesting exercise which I'm hoping to do more of with my harp playing.
I've always wanted to compose music and this little instrument is providing the gateway to do just that. Even though it may have its limitations, the possibilities are endless.
----------
Last Edited by on Nov 11, 2009 4:11 AM
|
Shredder
43 posts
Nov 11, 2009
2:50 PM
|
Tooka,
here's the link on Y/T
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lB7ysl-1E6Y
You can see why it would fit at a funeral. At church we add "and LORD you put me on a natural high" to tie it into spritual meanings.
I couldn't embed the video cause it was blocked on Y/T.
Mike
|
wallyns10
73 posts
Nov 11, 2009
6:54 PM
|
Speaking of Irish music and the Clancy Brothers (and Tommy Makem), maybe learn or adapt a portion from Boulavogue? I know there are a few different tunes that go by that name...the one I'm thinking of is an old rebel song about "Fr. Murphy from old Killcormack" and so on. Also, I know you were going for a somber texture and you did achieve that, but the melody from the opening riff struck me as being minnie the moocher haha, just slow and sorrowful. Thats not a reflection on your mother or anything thing like that, just what I heard. All in all good job
Last Edited by on Nov 11, 2009 6:56 PM
|
Hobostubs Ashlock
118 posts
Nov 11, 2009
7:39 PM
|
your song sounded really good,very soulful,with emotion i liked it alot.
|
tookatooka
765 posts
Nov 12, 2009
6:27 AM
|
Thanks for your input. I'll take a look at that shredder and wallyns10, I love Boulavogue and have been meaning to look into why it has such an impact musically. Thanks hobo, your comments mean a lot to me.
Guess what? I knew you'd be delighted (as you quickly try to get to the next thread) I've made a second version and here is the Soundfile.
I've made it a proper ABAB this time and made some subtle changes to some of the notes which I don't think you'll notice.
I'm a little unsure of this now, however if you can spare a few minutes of your time to review it I'd be eternally grateful for any feedback.
----------
Last Edited by on Nov 12, 2009 6:31 AM
|
