{"id":4182,"date":"2020-03-24T16:37:14","date_gmt":"2020-03-24T21:37:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/artwethereyet.com\/blog\/?p=4182"},"modified":"2022-01-25T18:31:55","modified_gmt":"2022-01-26T00:31:55","slug":"music-workshop-along-the-blue-ridge-parkway","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/artwethereyet.com\/blog\/music-workshop-along-the-blue-ridge-parkway\/","title":{"rendered":"A Song Celebrating Healing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"video-container\"><iframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/HQuVnQZhFII\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tucked high up in Appalachia, a stone\u2019s throw from the Blue Ridge Parkway, sits Sparta, North Carolina.&nbsp; Sparta was our home for two weeks of the Art We There Yet journey, and our music workshop at Alleghany JAM was a special experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fifteen students from <a href=\"https:\/\/alleghanyjam.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Alleghany JAM (opens in a new tab)\">Alleghany JAM<\/a> came together and wrote this piece in a few short hours.&nbsp; Each music workshop is different, each final song has a different flavor and feel. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The song from this workshop really captured our hearts.&nbsp; So we decided to edit in footage the we captured for our final documentary film.&nbsp; It just flows so perfectly and well with the song. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When you read the song lyrics, it immediately strikes you as sad and a bit dark.&nbsp; The students\u2019 aim was rather for the song to be about rebirth.&nbsp; To leave behind the old, embrace the uncertainty of the moment, and to allow emotions free reign to help carry us through.&nbsp; This seems a timely message for the moment we find ourselves in.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>\u201cThe Wind From the South\u201d Lyrics<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I drive, the wind from the south<br>Lightening strikes the ground<br>Love dies<br>Oh why must this make sense when everything\u2019s in doubt?<br>And I\u2019m crying<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The road welcomes me home<br>Is this a test of life?<br>My load is the moon shining<br>And a wreck off the road is beside me<br>And I\u2019m dying<br>Crying<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How the Music Workshop Works<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Songwriting can be an intimidating thing.&nbsp; If I had a nickel for every time someone has told me, \u201cI wouldn\u2019t even know where to begin!\u201d&nbsp; Or \u201cI definitely don\u2019t have the talent.\u201d &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The heart of the music workshop is to introduce students to songwriting in a fun and welcoming way.&nbsp; We want students to walk away from the workshop feeling that it was surprisingly easy to write a song, and that they definitely have the talent to do it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We start by looking at a song as a three-layer cake: <strong>chords, lyrics, and melody<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Chord Progression<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We write the chord progression by giving a set of 4 chords to choose from.&nbsp; C \/ Em \/ F \/ G.&nbsp; Each student writes one chord on a slip of paper.&nbsp; Then we crumple the slips into balls, toss the balls into the air, and scramble to pick them up. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then we go around the circle and read out the chords one by one.&nbsp; This forms one long chord progression, that we split into three separate progressions.&nbsp; I play the three different progressions on the guitar, and the group votes on their favorite progression.&nbsp; We use this as the progression for our first verse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I play the chord progression at three different speeds and strumming\/picking patterns.&nbsp; Slow\/pick, medium\/strum, or fast\/strum?&nbsp; The students vote on their favorite. Or suggest some combination of the options!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Chord Progression &#8211; check!&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lyrics<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Next we focus on writing the lyrics of that first verse.&nbsp; We close their eyes and listen as I play the chord progression over and over.&nbsp; Then we open our eyes and students, and I ask:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Did the music bring any images to the minds eye?  Did it evoke any emotions?  What did it make you think about?&nbsp; Family, going on an adventure, feeling blue?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We share our thoughts, and from these bits of input a few lines of lyrics naturally evolve.&nbsp; When students start to see the poetry falling into place, more suggestions come forward for the next line of words. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is a stage where my role is really that of the \u2018weaver\u2019, pulling together everyone\u2019s input in a cohesive way.&nbsp; It\u2019s also very important that at this stage, <em>no one\u2019s<\/em> ideas are put down or dismissed.&nbsp; That is the quickest way to make a child &#8211; especially a young teen &#8211; <em>never<\/em> want to attempt songwriting again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Creating a whole verse goes surprisingly quickly when students start getting the hang of how we weave together different ideas into lines of poetry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Lyrics &#8211; check!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Melody<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Writing melody is the fun part!&nbsp; I do a demonstration by showing how we can come up with melody ideas, simply by playing chord progression and singing the lyrics off-the-cuff.&nbsp; I sing the same line of lyrics with different melody patterns. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then I invite any students to try it.&nbsp; This takes <em>tremendous bravery<\/em>.&nbsp; Speaking in front of a group is hard. Singing in front of a group is harder.&nbsp; Being a young teen and singing in front of a group is\u2026phew!&nbsp; It\u2019s tough! &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Students share their melody ideas, and those are woven together to form the melody of the verse!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Melody &#8211; check!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At this stage, the students get the process, and we repeat to create the chorus.&nbsp; Then we repeat the lyric writing process to write the rest of our verses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Our Thanks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our immense thanks to <a aria-label=\"Alleghany JAM (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/alleghanyjam.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Alleghany JAM<\/a> for hosting the workshop, and to the <a aria-label=\"Alleghany Arts Council (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.alleghanyartscouncil.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Alleghany Arts Council<\/a> for helping arrange the workshop with JAM.\u00a0 A special thank you to JAM for allowing us to park the bus for nearly <em>two weeks <\/em>next to the JAM house.\u00a0 Thank you to all the JAM board members, Arts Council members, teachers, and community members who made our visit to Sparta so special.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2896\" height=\"310\" src=\"https:\/\/artwethereyet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/art-we-there-yet-skoolie-bus-travel.png\" alt=\"art-we-there-yet-skoolie-bus-travel\" class=\"wp-image-5344\" srcset=\"https:\/\/artwethereyet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/art-we-there-yet-skoolie-bus-travel.png 2896w, https:\/\/artwethereyet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/art-we-there-yet-skoolie-bus-travel-1536x164.png 1536w, https:\/\/artwethereyet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/art-we-there-yet-skoolie-bus-travel-2048x219.png 2048w, https:\/\/artwethereyet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/art-we-there-yet-skoolie-bus-travel-1170x125.png 1170w, https:\/\/artwethereyet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/art-we-there-yet-skoolie-bus-travel-1920x206.png 1920w, https:\/\/artwethereyet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/art-we-there-yet-skoolie-bus-travel-585x63.png 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2896px) 100vw, 2896px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"did-you-know\">Did you know?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"the-awty-patreon-family-is-the-beating-heart-behind-the-art-we-there-yet-project\"><strong>The AWTY Patreon Family is the beating heart behind the Art We There Yet project.<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Patrons pitch in $1.50\/mth to help support our community art programs&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"and-they-get-a-mountain-of-goodies-in-return\">&#8230;<strong>And they get a mountain of goodies in return!<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">50+ unreleased demos from Cora<br>100 print-ready fine art photographs from Jose<br>Untold stories and behind-the-scenes vignettes<br>Early access to new Cora Rose songs<br>Downloads of all new Cora Rose songs and albums<br>Credits in the final film and book<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-horizontal is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-7d812b4c wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-outline is-style-outline--1\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-background-color has-text-color has-background no-border-radius wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/artwethereyet\" style=\"color:#d29c1f\">Get Access<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tucked high up in Appalachia, a stone\u2019s throw from the Blue Ridge Parkway, sits Sparta, North Carolina.&nbsp; Sparta was our home for two weeks of the Art We There Yet journey, and&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4184,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[51],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4182","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-workshops"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/artwethereyet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4182","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/artwethereyet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/artwethereyet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/artwethereyet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/artwethereyet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4182"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/artwethereyet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4182\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5215,"href":"https:\/\/artwethereyet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4182\/revisions\/5215"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/artwethereyet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4184"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/artwethereyet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4182"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/artwethereyet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4182"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/artwethereyet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4182"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}