[HANASHIR:1627] Re: A Word from Our Sponsor

[Judy Git <hillel...>]

Dear "Listowner,"

As for copyrights, I totally agree with you - and - for the record, would like
to add that it's ALSO very nice when teacher types like me and cantor types and
performer types acknowledge who wrote the songs we teach and/or perform.
Personally, I make a point of it - especially since I started coming to CAJE and
becoming friends with some of these very people.

I also agree (and think that it was nicely put) that being able to play by ear
is a gift, and being able to read music is a skill.  HOWEVER - as someone who
took piano lessons from the age of three until I entered college and who can,
therefore, read music - I must tell you that the ability to look at a piece of
music and sing it cold is also a gift.  I know this VERY well, because it is a
gift that I don't have.  I can figure out what something sounds like if I'm
given a sheet of music  - but it will take me some time AND it will take a
keyboard (unless it's REALLY easy and doesn't have any intervals much bigger
than a third).

So - now I have spoken, too.  :o)

Judy

Adrian A. Durlester wrote:

> 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