[HANASHIR:16473] Re: ecycled melodies

[deborah dolin <kibitz30...>]

karen,
 
I totally understand what you mean.  The nice thing about recycling well known 
songs (esp. during purim) is the kids and parents already know the tune and all 
they have to do is plug in new words.
Also, not to hurt myself patting me on the back...but I am good at what I do- 
singing and songleading etc...  When it comes to making up melodies to new 
songs to fit my needs...i stink at it.  That is one area I am not talented in, 
like yourself.
 
on a different note...
gotta tell ya Karen...I taght and performed your potato song for my hanukkah 
shabbas last month...kids performed it etc...parents practically gave us a 
standing ovation! LOL  soooooo cool!
"Deb, where do you get your music" and "Did you write that" were asked and even 
"This is definetly going to become a classic here!"
thought i'd tell you!  kids, parents, my music asst.'s, and myself really loved 
playing and teaching it.  Lots of fun!
 
b'shalom,
deborah dolin

Danielkare (at) aol(dot)com wrote:
At the risk of being trounced upon by the members of this list, I submit my 
opinion on the following.

Regarding recycled melodies:

In a message dated 1/8/2004 11:27:28 AM Central Standard Time, jdkrheum (at) 
verizon(dot)net writes:


"if you see two neirot hide your
eyes??" 

For years I have been saying I didn't like spoofs or using well known melodies 
and putting Jewish words to them.  Let me say why.  I think a melody carries 
emotional weight with it.  Changing the words is just confusing to people, 
especially to children.  They might learn your version and not the "real" 
version of a song.  As a composer of melodies, I find this frustrating.  Why 
not use or create a new melody specifically written for your purpose?  So that 
a melody can have emotional connections with a Jewish experience.  My own song 
says this:  "A melody has a special way of breaking the lock apart..." that is, 
the lock that keeps emotion hidden inside our hearts.  The melody of Kol Nidre, 
even without the words, evokes a special feeling.  

This being said, if you are singing these new words to the tune of If You're 
Happy and You Know it...might I suggest: 

When you light the Shabbat candles (or neirot), hide your eyes!

Then at least you can teach the significance of covering your eyes when you 
light the candles.  



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