[HANASHIR:6425] Re: HN 2000 songs

[Andy Curry <acurry...>]

I echo Adrian's words.  While I sympathize with those who do not play the
guitar, there is, as far as I know, little money to be made in publishing
Jewish music.  The significant money that is made comes from performance of
that music.

It takes me hours to compose something more than a lead sheet, since I am
not a pianist.  How much should I charge for this effort, considering that
a) the song was not written for piano, and b) most people who would shell
out the shekalim for my music would find piano accompaniment useless?

And, I have to ask:  Chords CAN be played on a piano, can they not?  I
would think that melody, chords, and some instruction on rhythm and tempo
would be sufficient to play most songs.

Shavua tov,
Andy


At 05:13 PM 7/1/00 -0400, you wrote:
>Dear Hanashirites:
>       The request (below) sent in by Neil Weinstein recently, highlights
>a very big problem which composers of Jewish music, especially written in
>the folk/pop idiom, need to address. Not every performer plays the guitar
>(I, for example, had a childhood accident and can only play the guitar com-
>fortably when seated and with the instrument held with the neck almost at
>right angles to the floor. If those who create such music could provide
>more than just chord symbols, especially when a sound version may not be
>available, it will do wonders for both musicians who can play a keyboard
>and for non-Jewish musicians who have little concept of our music, to help
>in perpetuating the traditional performance of many of these selections.
>As Director of the International Archive of Jewish Music I will not accept
>any music which has only a lead-sheet format.  There is a market for Jewish
>music out there.  For many musicians (Jewish and otherwise), the "Sing Out"
>format may be acceptable.  For many others, an alternative offering ought
>to be available.
>       (Just an observation).  Burton Zipser

Andy Curry
6016 Holmes St
Kansas City MO 64110-3034
Home: (816)363-8381
Work: (913)312-4739

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