Strict Definition of RAG as a "PIANO COMPOSITION"

Here is a grid I made in order to organize chord progressions of musical compositions.  This will help see what "path" other works are taking.  The "ROMAN NUMERAL" system Back used is interesting to me in what chords are used behind the tune.    "The Melody is to the driver singing what the Chord Progression is to the street taken".  This is taken from "Scott Joplin Complete Piano Rags" after the introduction before the "School of Ragtime" by Scott Joplin

Eric Abrahamson Music Book #4

The third version of (Book #4).  This new cover is hand inked on a cel and painted on the back.  The lettering was added in the computer and then touched up.  Larry's hands are finally on the piano and the music he's sight reading is "Margery".  By coincidence my Grandmother's name (Marge Stefani) and also a character I drew for a long time on the Simpson's Television Show (Marge Simpson).

Extra Tall Cat and Laughing Larry were two guys who lived in the early part of the century playing their favorite Ragtime Songs as swell as other Classical pieces.  The don't smoke or drink but have a great time studying and having fun together.  Sometimes they fight.

Eric Abrahamson is a Music Teacher, Composer, who performs at Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm.  He has been teaching me how to reading "Music for the Piano" for three years.  This book includes most of all the rags I've learned in three years with him including "Swipsy", 'Solace", "Peacherine Rag", "Tick Tock Rag", "Snowflake Rag, "Bethena" and one I am currently working" on Margery".

Lyrics To Memorize

"Hold On" 

Hold On, before your going to do it

Hold On, it's okay to hesitate

Hold On, if you feel you don't know it

Hold On, before it's about to break

Hold On, when the winds not in your direction

Hold On, if you make a big mistake

Hold On, it's not time for celebrations

(Organ Break)

Hold On, maybe try out something different

Hold On, it's better that you wait

Hold On, it's better if you listen

(Organ Break)

"In The Morning"

I wonder if I can get up in the morning

I wonder if I will leave the room

I don't know, what the future holds

I wonder if I can get up in the morning

Is there something I got to do?

I don't know, what the future holds

I wonder if I can get up in the morning

or will I sleep through the afternoon

I don't know, what the future holds

(1:45)

1x loop

traffic

2x more traffic

3x chicken

"As It's All Going Down"

TAKE IT as it's handed out, MAKE IT with what you found
Really trying not to BREAK IT, as it's all going down
ERASE IT if it's not the sound, CHASE IT,  like a sight hound
you certainly can CLAIM IT, as it's all going down

  

and it's all going down
and it's all going down
and it's all going down

MEAN IT, as you breaking ground,DREAM IT, your aren't out of bounds
Silly to think you can't make it, as it's all going down
SAVE IT and cut it out, TAPE IT, you know what it's about it
Really trying not to BREAK IT, as it's all going down

It's certainly what you make it,

Edits "Jim Dandy" and "Smiley Face"

1) "It's Always Something"
My most requested song.  The chord progression was inspired by a Special AKA song from "In The Studio" (1989). Night on the Tiles

2) "Jim Dandy"

While the song is not too bad, it does go on and on and should end sooner.  Cutting out the extra guitar section the song returns to the the chorus and ends sooner for "Again and Again" to begin.
Why doesn't anybody tell me these things!!

3) "Again and Again"

The chord progression to this song was written naturally, meaning I've didn't have to hunt for them they 'flowed' out.  The lyric on the other hand took week of rewrites until I feel they were great.   The last Chorus of the song is too predicable and boring, I wish the song would fade sooner or just have it instrumental.

4) "She's Is Always On His Mind"
'flowed' out

5) "Still There's Another Day"
'flowed' out

6) "She's My Girl"
'flowed' out

8) "Smiley Face"
'flowed' out

9) "Land of Make Believe"
'flowed' out

10) Round
'flowed' out

While listening closely to the first verse of the other version I can hear it's is much better.  Swap! Wondering how it would sound without the 'Frog Man Vocal' on the fourth verse and shorten the song by 30 seconds? 

• "20 sound effect"

• Three musical edits.

The song ends a 2:31 and it much better than the original 3:00 minute version. Thanks to Norma Aragon for giving me a crazy Mark Mothersbaugh Christmas CD with excellent clown laughs.
They brought the song up to a much more believable level.

Mastering

Compression helped to make the over all track sit together better. 

"LAND OF MAKE BELIEVE" (2003)

Today I gathered all piles of miscellaneous CDS to one location.  And during this process I found left over covers and cd jackets made from making my own CDs.   I was out of "Land of Make Believe" but had four good jewel cases with U-CARDS and COVERS.  I just needed to print the CD FACE and burn them.

I started thinking it would easy but three hours of learning how to work printer and find cd face took a lot of time.  To ease or increase the pain I listened to alternative takes of the album.  "Obstacles" was rewritten over the original idea "She's My Girl" but listening to both the original is by far more listenable.  So that track was swapped back.  "Land of Make Believe" and "Still Another Day" still sound pretty good.

"Smiley Face" has some flubs and should be re-edited until they are gone.  "Again and Again" and "It's Always Something" are my best tracks on here.  I've enjoyed playing those tracks probably the most out of all my solo work.  Also people have told me they like these songs.

"Jim Dandy" and "Open Road" while I work my ass off they are ones I skip over.  But "She's Always On His Mind" I keep wanting to keep singing and playing live.  It's got a great lyric and melody probably my third favorite but I still rewrite the verses every time I sit down.

The artwork for the album was different from what I had ever done before.   I wanted one long foldable accordion poster with the lyrics and artwork.  It was the smartest way to go because making little booklets is a real f*@3r#ing nightmare, every f*@3r#in time.  Sadly the original artwork is lost and I can't find it anywhere in on computer's hard drive.

I plan to scan the artwork and reprint new copies since it's one album I am most proud of.

"Round" has some trombone playing that's about 80% there, it's better than some of the stuff I've heard from other live ska bands but would,'t consider it the more professional sound.  I hope to continue trying to play other instruments to see really how impossible they are to play like everyone thinks.

Aero Props

Aero Props (helicopter spinners) has changed the nature of my live show I do at the park.  I keep  a handful of them on my music stand in a coffee holder, and tell everyone to try flying one.  I instruct them with first asking them to hold up their right hand.  Right hand must go forward in order to fly them.



Most folk spend along time revering up their Aero Props in antcipation but really it can only confuse you with which hand to release.  I've notice people need to be told when to left off.  Counting down and followed with sound effects makes it not only more exciting for the flight but also more believable.

The beginner usually needs to be aware of several crash landings before getting off the ground.  The best sound effects are ones that ending a "CRASH!" or a "SMASH!" which is available on my Sound Effect Machine.  Some live walky-talky chatter and 1950's music orchestration would make it even better...

I now have got the iPod working with the speaker, so it's just a matter of cueing up everything together.
The kids usually ask to keep the spinners but I tell them if everyone takes one I will have to go buy all new ones so leave it with me for the fun next time.

For Kids and Families
Garfield Park South Pasadena
Monday Wednesday and Friday
3:30 - 5:30 with Eric Stefani

LIVE MUSIC GARFIELD PARK

Today was a good day for me.   I showed up at four o'clock backed my car into the unloading area and unloaded my equipment.  I then moved the car to a parking spot on the street.  Took me two trips to get stuff down to area where I set up.  Keeping my mind set on playing for one hour.

It looked like a party in one of the Cabanas was winding down so the timing was perfect for me to set up.  I use to get nervous when there is already a party in progress, I would hate to interrupt.  I brought a new box to hold all the music instruments and now it's much easier for the kids to see the instruments.
I tell them to choose one and play it the best you can.

Most of time I don't have time to practice at home with too many other this but if I take my musical instrument out and set up I not only get to share but I get some much more focused practice in.  Playing in front of others has made me a much more courteous musician.

Finally a new sign sign at Garfield park in South Pasadena.  Looks great!

New CD Printer Canon MG 6220

Canon MG 6220 allows you to print direct on white cd faces.  I was really happy having learned they made this after many years of trail and error with stickers and printing on cd.

Today I had a small learning curve, no pun intended.  PHOTOSHOP CS6 In order to get type to line in 'circular path' I had to select 'Ellipse Tool' and then select 'Path'.  The top corner of the menu you will see the circle and to the left of it you get options to choose. 'Shape', 'Path', 'Pixel'.

I had my original artwork then IMPORTED into PHOTOSHOP CS6.  It was very difficult to center the image, even after  many tests.  Finally this new way of printing has center the image perfectly.

               Here was a crazy idea I had that I decided wasn't working as well as the original idea.
Today I burned and printed six c.d.s in an hour but if I have to hear this music again I am going to jump out of my chair.

  Here was a first attempt after using Photoshop and before changing to light blue. 

"The Right Directions"

TAKE A BREAK WHEN THINGS BREAK

Everything I was using broke in the process of making the CD. The profession paper cutter I ordered was seriously jammed.  Two guys at KINKO's worked on it for me for half hour. A week later after using it to cut out covers and U-card, it jammed again!

Ink cartridges and paper jams also slowed the production time.  After handing the printing off to others at Fedex Kinko's I was much happier with results.  They're 30,000 dollar laser printers produce higher quality prints to the $200 HP ink jet printer.

Santa Balloon collapsing at Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 1940.

CDs Completed

Wooden Dowel

CD printing came out great.  Thanks to Paul Sunich (Paul Frank) I was able to center the design straight on the CD with little frustration.  He drilled a hole in the center with "saw" and had me run and get a 5/16 "wooden dowel" after digging through his wood department.   He also used a high pressure air pump to clean out the detailed design where saw dust from sanding collected.

I still had to fill in some areas where the design did not print but enjoyed doing that. 

Today I spent a half hour type setting the "name" and "title" with font point 7.  Really not too easy but what is.  The people I gave the CDs to where as expected but maybe if they saw I thanked them inside they would at least enjoy that much of it. . . ho hum.

MASTERING
Fixing mixes but running them through Garage Band to bring up over all level and trim front and ends. Fixed the "Strawberry Rag" interlude and renamed the album titles and fix artwork.  All songs cut are saved on a separate playlist/album titled "Snowed Out"(2012).

"SNOWED OUT"(2012)

• 1) Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
• 2) When You Wish Upon A Star
• 3) Skater's Waltz
• 4) But We Won't Have Another Full Moon On Christmas Eve
• 5) #9 Dream (John Lennon)
• 6) All of Me
• 7) Peanuts
• 8) Dear Santa (Eric Keyes)
• 9) God Willing
• 9) Kick out of Farmers Market (2008)

 2008 version of "Peanuts" have been printed on have the "SANTA CLAWS"(2012) and I have been burning and it's not even on the album!!!

Linoleum Block Printing (2)

One hour later . . . I read directions, got the right ink and thanked GOD for being BIG.

Suddenly my prints started coming out great.  I couldn't of been happier with this one.  It seems as if my design was made for using the 'cutters' that came in the package.

Here's the instructions to read so you are not getting it second hand!

I use paper to roll the ink but they suggested glass or plastic pan (I lost) that came with the package.

Here's what they get when they open the CD not sure if I'm going

with the printing the title in red or not.  This is TOO MUCH WORK

. . . and I still got to burn and wrap!

Linoleum Block Printing on Blank CD surface

1) Make a custom printed CD, so just cut it out of a linoleum

then print on the cd.

2) Trace the circle with a pencil, and draw the design you wish to

Cut out your splendid design with various cutters (allow 2 hours).

3) Try some different inks, Cel Vinyl Paint

4) Don't recommend!

 5) This was the best one out of 10.  The upper right corner print perfect.

6) Like a little baby's head popping it's head out of the mother womb.

Places You Get To Go

You got to come to a closed door

before you're going get inside

and not until you get up the tree

will you find the honey in the beehive!

   and when the wind begins to blow

or the sky begins to snow

you better know, where you are going

in the places you get to go

You got to come to a stoplight

before you get to go ahead 

and you better have directions right

and follow what the map said

   and when the wind begins to blow

or the sky begins to snow

you better know, where you are going

in the places you get to go

 (Instrumental)

You're gonna get there if you keep on going

don't let anything interrupt

and you got to keep momentum flowing

you don’t want it to end abrupt

   and when the wind begins to blow

or the sky begins to snow

you better know, where you are going

in the places you get to go

(Instrumental) 

Le' Strawberry Rag

Though strawberry's have a shape that is crazy

and a taste that is sure ain't bad

there's something there

 that is not really talked about

and that is because, it is sure is sad

Just take a knife and split one down the center

what do you see inside?

you might be surprised

that there's nothing in the middle

it's so sad, it makes you cry

it's so sad, it makes you . . .

but don't despair

blend the pair

up with crushed ice

you got a smoothy how nice

or chop them up 
and decorate

 your next cake

place them all 'round the side! 

They make great homemade pies!

you'll have to Shoo 'way the flies!

Tell all your friends

that the Strawberry Fruit is ripe!

Tell all your friends

WHILE the Strawberry Fruit is ripe!

They are very low

in fat and in calories

as they're all going down

And they're sweet

but they won't give you cavities
(Instrumental Bass line)

They grew straight from the ground!

Come get them while there in town!

They got nothing to hide

Their seeds are on the side!

Would not it be

very nice to be Strawberry . . .

  

  

 Each apparent "seed" (achene) on the outside of the fruit 

is actually one of the ovaries of the flower, with a seed inside it

  

An achene (Greek ἀ, a, privative + χαίνειν, chainein, to gape;^[1] also sometimes referred to as akene and occasionallyachenium or achenocarp) is a type of simple dry fruit produced by many species of flowering plants. Achenes are monocarpellate (formed from one carpel) and indehiscent (they do not open at maturity). Achenes contain a single seedthat nearly fills the pericarp, but does not adhere to it. In many species, what we think of as the "seed" is actually an achene, a fruit containing the seed. The seed-like appearance arises from the fact that the wall of the seed-vessel hardens and encloses the solitary seed so closely as to seem like an outer coat.^[1

"Minuet in F" by Mozart

Mozart wrote this at age 5.  Somewhere lies an "A Postura " not too sure of the spelling and a "Deceptive Cadence" which is not a common cadence. Rare heard.

. . . can you find them?

The last two scales I need to learn.

"Work Smart" (Day 7)

Last night I decided the arrangement of the song did not exist.  Seeming endless loop the chorus where I could not tell where I was.  To solve this I risk cut out several measures and went back the b-section the same at the song does the first time around.  Then later I decide to instead of saving the minor section at the end, use it in the middle.

At the end of the song I decided to bring back the very introduction chords but just with a piano.  They are the same chords at the b-section just stripped down.  So all together there are only 3 sections of music.

I've been working on a guitar rhythm and arrangement so lyrically and vocally I have to still examine.  I just did not want to put more hours in on  something that wasn't working as a whole.  I'd like to think the song is coming together but I really don't know but I am getting some good guitar practice in.

"Work Smart" - Length 3:00 two b-sections

Today I lengthened the song "Work Smart" from the 2:00 to 3:00 by looping near the end back to the b-section.  It sounds good musically but I can not decide if that b-section wants to stay instrumental or add words.   Is there a hidden melody that hasn't yet been developed?

A new guitar solo came out that should stay in.  The guitar keeps flip flopping from a reggae guitar to a march.  Reggae/March.  Also during this session I erased the 'flute and horn melody' lines after they repeated twice.  This way it can change back to the vocal/ or a new melody, within the same 'rhythm track' without getting too repetitious.

Lastly there were two chord changes that happen right before the b-section (C# and F#) then goes into the "Bbm" b-section.  They kind of sound strange but they give a hint something else is coming up.
The chords follow the "circle of fifths" and as they do, the song must be going out of key or something.

Note from Eric Abrahamson:
Very common in Classical music not to change key but use a "sharp", "flat", "natural" the note in order to write out what the composer wants it to sound like.

Reworking "Work Smart"

Recently I've been reworking a least listened to song "Work Smart" from my C.D. "On Time" (2012).  After talking about this song with a fellow musician I decided to take his advice and write with less chords.  

In the original version the CHORUS had FIVE CHORDS ... and the VERSE had SIX.   I had just discovered some more chords for a bridge then I met with Damien Riley.  After speaking with him I decided to make the new TWO chords section I was calling a BRIDGE  and use that as the MAIN VERSE.  Trying it anyways.  

The results were much better.  Actually the song is mostly now all CHORUS like Damien Riley suggested.  I came up 5 pages of new lyrics to see if there was some undiscovered words or ideas and settled on these.

Work Smart 

and work hard but work smart

all the problems you've gotten

be sure to solve em

Work Smart 

and work hard but work smart

whatever you got today 

will be gone tomorrow

Work Smart 

and work hard but work smart

all the plans that you made

be sure you're on 'em

(INSTRUMENTAL SECTION)

Work Smart 

and work hard but work smart

all the problems you've gotten

be sure to solve

  

Work Smart 

and work hard but work smart

whatever you do today 

will be gone tomorrow

The results from this rework made the first half the alum much better.  No longer skipping over the stinker or looking for excuses listening to the lousy guitar work.   Single note 'biffs' like on "The Lone Ranger" are ok if the performance was strong but I would like zero blunders.

"Old Fashioned Boogie" - Piano