Wednesday, July 21st, 2010 | Permalink
Dare to try something new. Something like writing a skit and music for a British Ukulele Orchestra. Don’t believe you, or anyone else, could pull off such a wacky stunt? Look again because I’ve seen them and they are wonderful. Check out the video below, and you’ll see why.
Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010 | Permalink
She didn’t write these silly song lyrics, but the structure she used in her wonderfully sad song “Motherless Children” got me thinking. These are the lyrics I started thinking about. Right now, these are the words to a silly children’s poem. If I can ever get the videos done for “House of Many Rooms,” I hope to get back and make this one into a funny little song. Check out “Grama’s Panties,” then listen to Rosanne Cash’s “Motherless Children” and you’ll hear a song structure you can use in your own song writing.
by Rodney Robbins (c) 2010
Big and pink. Grama’s panties.
Big and pink. Grama’s panties.
Hope they don’t stink. Grama’s panties.
What is Grama wearing now?
Stretchy rubber waist. Grama’s panties.
Stretchy rubber waist. Grama’s panties.
Don’t get ‘em near my face. Grama’s panties.
What’s Grama wearing now?
Something’s out of place. Grama’s panties.
Something’s out of place. Grama’s panties.
A frilly bit of lace on Grama’s panties.
I hope she’s wearing more than that now.
Wednesday, April 21st, 2010 | Permalink
I was listening to the radio and heard a very sad and charming song. It was deeply emotional and had a repeating construction that I enjoyed. At the time, I didn’t know who sang it, or even what the title was. Turns out the song is by Rosanne Cash and it’s called “Motherless Children.” It inspired me to write a funny poem using a similar repetitive construction in the lyrics. I’ll post my song lyrics here soon. For now, you can enjoy Rosanne’s wonderful song in a lovely performance video. See if it inspires you to pick up your guitar and put pen to paper.
Saturday, April 17th, 2010 | Permalink
The singer-songwriter Feist has made some of the very best music videos of all time. I love them. They inspire me. This one is a classic that just makes me want to rush home and write another musical so I can see it live on stage! You can learn more about this Canadian born singer-songwriter here.
Saturday, April 17th, 2010 | Permalink
I know there are people writing new musicals out there (if you’re one of them, contact me at Rodney Robbins’ mail). If you are looking for an inspiring guitar that will get your creative juices flowing and make you want to sit down and dream up your next shows, check out this video of a Goodall Concert Jumbo. I currently play a custom guitar engraved with the name of my new play, “Big Feet, Big Love.” It’s a Carvin electric, but my favorite acoustic guitars are all jumbos–Goodall, Martin, Gibson–they all have that warm, rich, deep-but-not-boomy sound I love. Jumbo guitars also sound great in live theater settings because they can play plenty loud, but also have a natural tone that complements singing voices well.
Saturday, April 17th, 2010 | Permalink
Here is a singer who knows how to put her heart into a song. This YouTube.com video is of 9 year old Kari Kinnett singing and playing the Suzuki Q-chord. She does an incredible job and really puts her soul into this song. I love this video. Well done Kari.
If you are looking for a song writing or singer rehearsal tool, I highly recommend the Q-chord. I used one to write much of the music for my musical “Big Feet, Big Love.” One day, I’d love to hear Kari Kinnett sing on stage in one of my shows. She sings like she means it.