June 1, 2003 DebPop News

This shot was taken a month ago at Carrollton Station in New Orleans. The place was packed and afterwards, we drank Belizian Panty Rippers to celebrate. (That's Pineapple Juice and Rum - Yum.)

GIG ALERT:
 
I am making my debut in New York City on June 6th at 7pm at The Living Room. I am thrilled to be playing where Norah Jones played and to finally be able to see New York. I'll bring my guitar and play the piano they've got there. And of course, I'll see the sights, take in a show and eat Chinese food in the Village.

RECORD REPORT:
 
We are mixing and mastering my first record 'chasing lunatics' and we are set for a summer release. It's sounding great and I can't wait to have the finished product in hand and ready sell and ship to radio.

WEBSITE CONTEST:
 
Treetop Records is having a logo contest. We need a cool and fresh logo to put on the records and merchandise. So if you know how to design a logo, or know some one who does, check out the contest for more details.

THE MAY POLL:
 
What CD is in your CD player at this moment? We're taking a poll and the results will be posted in next month's newsletter. Come on - don't be shy. Whatever it is - we want to know!

Have a great day and hope to see you soon...in New York?...
 
Deborah
debpop.com

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Hello from DEBPOP.COM,
 
Welcome to the first installment of the DebPop.com Newsletter. I hope to provide you with some interesting information about music, the industry and songwriting as well as keep you posted on what's going on here at Treetop Records.

IN THIS ISSUE:
 
1. Behind The Notes - Demystifying Polyrhthyms
2. Gig Alert - New York, New York!
3. Record Report - Chasing Lunatics
4. Website Happenings - Logo Contest
5. The May Poll - What's in your CD player?

BEHIND THE NOTES:
 
Polyrhythm - n. The use or an instance of simultaneous contrasting rhythms.
 
When I played last week at Kulak's Woodshed, Garry Corman (a songwriter from the Los Angeles area) commented on my use of polyrhythm in a new song "Do You Want To Be My Boyfriend?". This particular song is in common time (4/4 - meaning 4 beats in every measure - divided equally) but in the last section, instead of dividing the measures evenly, I divide each strong beat into three parts. This "3 Feel" creates a kind of floating feeling for the listener. The result is oftentimes called 6/8 (or 12/8).
 
1  *  2  *  3  *  4  * 
 
1 * * 2 * * 3 * * 4 * *
 
Now, this may sound confusing, and if I was there with you, I could tap it out for you - but try this.

Ok - you're sitting at your computer right? Take your left hand and hit it (gently) on your desk (table...whatever) while counting slowly to 4. With your right hand, snap where the &s are and you've got a 4/4 feel.
 
If you are ambitious, you could count aloud:
 
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
 
OK, now, keep your left hand steady - don't speed up or slow down! With your right hand, instead of doing one snap between the main beats, snap twice. It should sound like a waltz (like an "Oom Pah Pah" thing).
 
You could try counting:
 
1 tee tah 2 tee tah 3 tee tah 4 tee tah
 
Now, that's 12/8.
 
The whole idea of polyrhythms is to go back and forth within the same song - creating intrigue, diversity and excitement (yeah baby). Try flipping from 4/4 to 12/8 and keep that left hand steady.
 
It's not easy, but if you keep at it, you'll be ready for a drum kit in no time!

Copyright © Deborah Poppink 2003.
All Rights Reserved.
No portion of this material may be copied,
retransmitted, reposted, duplicated or
otherwise used without the express written approval of
Deborah Poppink and Treetop Records.