[HANASHIR:1620] A Word from Our Sponsor

[Adrian A. Durlester <durleste...>]

I knew if I waited long enough, others would make my points for me.

1. I acknowledge the joy and skill of the spirit of folk music but believe
songleaders should endeavor to learn musical skills. The gifted and talented
artist about which Rick Lupert spoke has greater knowledge than one might
assume. One can not be able use the terminology and techniques but may still
understand the concepts. If you play it wrong, this person knows-and not
just from instinct, either.

The ability to play by ear is a gift. The ability to play by written
notation is a skill. In return for the gift, don't you think a little effort
at learning the skill is an appropriate way of thanking G-d for the gift?

2. I do not intend for this list to become a source of textual notation
substitutes for commercially available music. Patronize Tara, Soundswrite,
Sisu/Kol Ami, Transcontinental and the few other publishers/distributors. As
far as I am concerned, a textual transcription of an entire copyrighted work
disseminated on this list violates the copyright (unless the music is
already public domain.) So I side with a "a short illustrative snippet"
crowd.

If you get the copyright holder's permission (and some of those people are
on this very list,) then go ahead and disseminate. But be prepared to verify
the permission-because I will check.

3. Instead of just saying "it's ok, everyone else does it" - the next time
you need music tell your administrator or rabbi that as an ethical Jew you
refuse to photocopy, and either the synagogue pays for the music, or it
doesn't get sung/performed/learned. Time to take a stand.

The list owner has spoken. So there!

Adrian

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adrian A. Durlester  -  durleste (at) home(dot)com
http://members.home.net/durleste/
Student, Vanderbilt University Divinity School
Music Director, Congregation Micah, Nashville, TN
Home phone (615) 646-9788
Nextel cel-phone (615) 207-2661
You can page me from http://www.nextel.com
List-Owner for hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org; Co-Owner for L-Torah (at) 
shamash(dot)org
http://uahc.org/hanashir
Editor, Bim Bam (for Torah Aura Productions)
Evening Program Chair, CAJE 23 - San Antonio TX, Aug 9-13, 1998
http://www.caje.org
Alternate Email: aad (at) iname(dot)com  adriand (at) aol(dot)com