Monday, September 14, 2020 - Beats and Life

I wrote a new song last week that has bedeviled me. The idea was to create a song that demonstrated the concept of being behind the beat and ahead of the beat in a way that anyone could actually feel the pull of the beat the way a musician does. By doing this I hoped to convey my belief that we can play with time in our minds, and that time is the most interesting thing in our life here on earth. The way I wanted to do this was to create a guitar melody and rhythm with a well-defined beat that the voice could contrast against by pulling and pushing the beat to go with the lyrics talking about falling behind and getting ahead of the beat. It would have an effect like the t-shirts and posters that put a word out of focus just enough that you strain to focus the word, except that you would strain your sense of timing to pull the words back to the beat. It’s an interesting concept, and it’s something that musicians, especially drummers, practice with exercises that help them hone the skill and mastery of rhythm. The problem for me is that I can’t disassociate my playing from my singing enough to coordinate the effect of pulling and pushing. I would like to intuitively pull and push the beat, but it would be better to actually count the rhythm mathematically so that I’m am just behind and just ahead of the beat. Hopefully I’ll get it figured out so I can actually play the song and get the effect I’m going after. In this way I can demonstrate that our life is really just the moment we are in right now and not the memories of the past or the worry of the future. I said it once in a song, “This moment is my goal, the only thing I can truly know.” That is the key to the current popular practice of mindfulness. Wish me luck in accomplishing this.  

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What have I been up to? 

Last week was a really busy week. The weather was bad enough that I had to reschedule all of my senior facilities since I couldn’t play outside in the cold to the residents, but I had four evening gigs.  

My Fogelberg online show on Wednesday was so sweet. I often forget how much his music had an effect me. I will long remember this night.  

Thursday was my private virtual show for a women's group in Wisconsin, and it went very well too. Thanks to Mary for setting it up so well.  

Saturday was an online group show for the Yellow Pine Guest Ranch where I normally play a weekly summer barbecue. It was so good to feel a little bit of the spirit of that place and those folks.  

Sunday was my favorites and requests show online, and it was like old home week with so many friends from over my whole life. Wow! 

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What am I up to this week? 

I have several senior facility shows scheduled outdoors this week, and it looks like the weather will be just right for these. Every one of the good days is a gift until the weather changes and I won’t get to see these folks for a long while again.  

Thursday 7-8:30 for my weekly theme show I’ll be featuring the music of Chuck Pyle online. Chuck was a phenomenal songwriter, and I have loved his music since the first time I heard it and met him. This will be my tribute to him since we won’t have a big tribute in Denver for him again this year. I’ve recorded his music, and if you don't know his tunes then you’re in for a treat. Please tune in. 
facebook.com/tom.munch 
tommunch.com/photos-videos 

Sunday 7-8:30 I’ll do my favorites and requests online show. I can’t express how much I enjoy doing this evening of music and interaction with so many friends. It is very special, and I’d love to have you with me.  
facebook.com/tom.munch 
tommunch.com/photos-videos 

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That’s it for this week. I’m still thinking about time and how it dominates our existence. Hmmm... 

Best, 

Tom 

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Details this week: 

Who:  Tom Munch 
What:  playing and singing a Facebook Live Concert of Chuck Pyle songs 
Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/photos-videos 
When:  Thursday, September 17, 7-8:30 pm mountain time 

Who:  Tom Munch 
What:  playing and singing a Facebook Live Concert of favorites and requests 
Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/photos-videos 
When:  Sunday, September 20, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

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