"Alice in Wonderland" (1951)

Reviewing a song written back in 2011. "The Colonial Rag" stands out as a song finished but listening to the recording there are some problems.  Taking a closer look at the typed sheet music I noticed there were several mistakes.  I spent and hour writing in the corrections then an hour typing the corrections into Print Music.

Now it appears that I have  better version of the song on paper and now I am playing through it to prepare for a recording session.

Other music I've been working through is the entire Walt Disney "Alice in Wonderland" (1951) songbook. June "Alice in Wonderland", "In A World of My Own", "All in the Golden Afternoon", "Very Good Advice"and "AEIOU" (The Caterpillar Song). Most of the songs are written by Sammy Fain (music) and Bob Hilliard (lyrics).  My teacher Eric Abrahamson like the piano arrangements by . . . someone in the 70's.

"Disneyland Railroad Rag" - Stefani/Abrahamson

In previous books I was spent too much time redrawing exact Disney animation scenes to get a good header.  These now ones are just clip art found on the internet.  These are some logos I am adding to my new book of "Eric Stefani Ragtime Compositions" (2015).

1) Here is the first one using the blue print from the train logo

2) This one works a little different without the train but the Disneyland Train Station.

After taking a break and coming back I still wasn't satisfied so I looked into some other more "Authentic Train" fonts.

3) This on called "Pointedly Mad" was just what I was looking for.  To me it has a "Authentic Circus and Train" feel.  Actually this looks like "Song of the South" font titled "Pointedly Mad".

4) Trying to match the Disneyland logo is IMPOSSIBLE so I thought I would try something like this that go along with the artwork . . . 

5) This on I tried to match the Disneyland Logo

6) This one work well because the thin type has good contrast . . . I like this old time font "Railroad Rag" while the logo and artwork are bookend. 

In the Works: "Franco-American Accordion" (2014)

Hello,
Thanks for reading my blog.  I hope you enjoy the different music posts I am posting.  I am currently trying to put together a music book called "Franco-American Accordion" (2014).  It is a collections of French and songs Haunting Halloween-type songs.  Mostly because I could not find this songs written for accordion and because I wanted to learn them.

This book was not made to make a profit but to organize the songs in a way the musician would have easy access to "French Music" opposed to hunting around finding one song at a time.  The songs usually have one or two sections so it's not like a 12 page Classical Book by Mozart.  They are written like a beginner workbook only they are at a intermediate/professional level.

Hope you enjoy reading this music if you decide to order one.  I have to mention that I am NO LONGER doing  EXTENSIVE ILLUSTRATION WORK for EVERY SONG like in previous books.  Photographs and clip art colash.

Some higher scholars call bite off more cause they can chew more. For me I iike to eat slowly and enjoy my meal.

While after playing an instrument that forces you to learn the circle of fifths I still don't think I got it as solid as I should. So when ever I get the chance I think about it. Talk myself through it in my head.  

C G D A E B F# C# G# D# A# C

But I have found a better way to think of such a large thing.  Group them in threes.

C G D

A E B

F# C# G#

D# A# C

You can see there are 12, and know that makes it easier because halfway thru is when it changes to the sharps.

. . . and now backwards . . . with FLATS

C F Bb

Ab Db Gb

B E A 

D G C

When you use your own power,
you are being
true to yourself.

The Road To Success Is Paved By Failure

The Road To Success Is Paved By Failure 

The choice is yours the choice is mine 

Let's get together sometime

Don't afraid you'll be fine

it's up to you to make up your mind

To put on a dance show, you'll need some wits

it don't take a fool to come up with some bits

follow yours dreams, and follow the path

get rid of this and keep all that

The Road To Success 

Is Paved By Failure (as it were)

get through the worst 

to get to the best for sure (savior)

We'll be good, we'll be fine

the road to success is yours and mine

Start out slow, write it down

don't be afraid to act like a clown

You could be making, a whole lot of dough

before you know, you've got the flow

The Road To Success 

Is Paved By Failure (as it were)

Yes you must test to find out your savor

made of wood, little boy of pine

but don't caught at the scene of the crime

you should not nervous, it's all your design

It take no fool for a real good time

Get a hold of

Check one two

Yoda and Random Drawings

This free kind of design of Yoda is sketched out in pencil then later gone over with a "Single Lined" black felt-tip pen marker.  While inking I think final line to describe the 3 dimensional form.

Similar physical traits Yoga of STAR WARS Degobah System and Ren Hoek of share. Long ears Big Eyes.  John K. creator of Ren and Stimpy.

George Lucas drew from other stories of inspiration for STAR WARS though it seems like this creator had all the power in the universe, other powers helped him.

Think three D makes your characters believable and real.

The size of your characters can make a difference.  

The lower half of the characters bodies don't move so keep them on a separate layer.

Drawing from three real life isn't that easy when our world is always moving

. . . so drawing from photos works.

Messy Mathew meets a Witch from "Clean Witch Room?"

This book was actually story boards for an animation. 

Get all your boards and story working first

 and then your animation 

will be easier to complete. 

Don't add EXTRA ACTIONS

JUST TELL THE STORY.

"I've Got A Picture" - Eric Stefani

As you can see I have aged

While I've been here in this cage

but I'm turning the page

I won't get stuck at that stage

I don't make minimum wage

I've got a picture of somebody face

it reminds me of someone I knew

I'm not pointing fingers but I think I would say

This ones got to be you

and with my hair turning grey

and wrinkles that I downplay

I'm on the corner cafe

Has it been a decade

These photographs they don't fade

I've got a picture of somebody face

it reminds me of someone I knew

I'm not pointing fingers but I think it's strange

they sure don't look like you

Somebody's Face

Somebody's Face

Somebody's Face

Somebody's Face

I've got a picture of somebody face

it reminds me of someone I knew

I'm not pointing fingers but I'd think I would say

It's left me feeling blue

I've got a picture of somebody face

it reminds me of someone I knew

I'm not pointing fingers but I think I would say

This ones got to be you

"Colonial Rag"

This piece was taking the chord progression from Scott Joplin's "Swipsy" and building a new melody line.  Eric Abrahamson wrote the main theme to page one and I wrote page two.  I tried to stick with way Joplin writes melodies.  I tend to notice the octave and double notes next to each other and lots of contrary motion.  

Abrahamson used the theory of sticking to one idea and developing it as he says, "You don't have to keep going back the well of inspiration."  His main melody repeated three times,  later the melody repeat in bars 13. Other parts I developed a simple rhythm ideas around the main melody.   There are tons of variations you could make, but here I also tried to stick with one idea and keep it simple.

The "Colonial Rag" title came about while I was playing snare drum along side of it.  It was obvious it sounded like right out of the 1800's with Ben Franklin and his kite.  The second page tends to slow down in a similar way that "Solace" or "Bethena" feels.  Joplin's minor chords straying out of key giving it contrast and serious angular direction.  

Third section that's (A7 and Dm) or (B7 and Em)  which I still will create.

Wonder Queen

I never noticed the similarity between "Isn't She Lovely" by Stevie Wonder and "You're My best Friend" by Queen.   Same drum fill and over all feel.  Wonder is it little more shuffle drums but over all 6/8 triplet. Hand claps.

The Railroad Rag (Accordion)

1

2

3

4

This version uses 16 bar Rag form which gives the songs structure, strength and length.

This song sounds just a good on a accordion as it does on a piano.