PG Music Home Forums General Discussion User Showcase JULIA

Hi Marty, Thank you very much Marty, I'm flattered. You're right, I think the waltz (3/4 or 6/8) gives the songs a lively feel. As it happens, current production is essentially based on 4/4 (pop, rock) or 2/4 if faster tempo and more rarely 12/8 (blues). It's hard to express this in percentages, but the waltz is always forgotten in songs. Except perhaps in country music. I'm not going to talk about 5/4 or 7/4 jazz! Personally, I like it when you manage to send out sub-rhythms, for example by syncopating the music. That's the best! Take care and have a good weekend (it's afternoon here in Western Europe).

Hi Alan & Di, How are You ? Many thanks for the comment. You're absolutely right. As I wrote above, there's something magical about the waltz. Even in classical music, there's something quite special about it, and certainly catchy! Besides, it's still a must-have salon dance...

Hi Mario, I'm grateful for the compliments. In fact, it's a song I wrote about 40 years ago, but it's still very much in my thoughts and in my heart. Sometimes I pick up my acoustic guitar and sing it with a hint of nostalgia. It doesn't make me any younger!

Thanks for the heartfelt comments. I love the last line too! This song is quite a story and, I think, the most accomplished songs are stories lived or not but, stories.

Thanks Paul! Oh yes, I've been looking to see where I'm going to put the harmonica and, I think, it's the right one. Overall, there are relatively few instruments, and that's good because I sometimes tend to put in too many. A producer once said to me. When you've finished your arrangements, take out one instrument after another. If you feel or hear that something is missing, take it out. If not, keep it! Good point of view!

Hi Ray, Thank you for this very pleasant comment from an excellent musician and composer. I'm 100% in favor of a simple melodic line over a well-built rhythm. That's the basis. Everything else is harmony and a good ear for arrangements and instrument distribution. As I've got a bit of time on my hands today, I'm going to take a look at this wonderful forum where you can find some excellent compositions. Have a nice weekend!

Hi David, In fact, the French language is perfectly suited to typical Anglo-Saxon rhythms, including rock, blues, country and even pop. The big difference between French and English is that French has virtually no tonic accent, so it's compensated for by “phrasing” and certain sounds. English, like other languages such as Italian, Spanish, etc., has a strong tonic accent and, what's more, in English certain sounds are enveloped in air added at the time of emission. Let me explain: tower will be said t “H ”ower with exhaled air. In French, this is not done at all. So, in French, we play more with intonation and, as I said, phrasing. Thanks again for listening

Hi Greg, Thanks for your feedback. I'll be listening to your tracks this afternoon.
Yes, as for the French in song, check out my comment above which sums it up a bit. It's true that French is not an unpleasant language. For one thing, it doesn't have any guttural sounds. Some languages may seem more pleasant than others, but that's suggestive. For example, my wife is Hungarian and I've learned the basics. It's a very soft language where every letter is pronounced, which is not the case with French. Those learning French are also confronted with difficulties in that some letters are not pronounced even though they are written, or words that are pronounced exactly the same but with a different spelling and a completely different meaning, such as: sang - sans - cent -s'en - sent - sens (conjugated)! Not easy at all. Have a good weekend and good music

Hello Shigeki, thank you for your constructive and pleasant comment. Oh yes! Michel Legrand, Michel Sardou, Michel Fugain and, I would add to complete the Michel series, Michel Berger! Michel Sardou had the good fortune to work with such excellent lyricists as Pierre Delanoë and Etienne Roda-Gil. Goldsmiths when it comes to writing. Personally, I'm very fond of Michel Berger and also Jean-Jacques Goldman. French writing on US-GB rhythms. A real success! My background is classical (violin) and lyrical (singing). It's a good base for composing because, whether you like it or not, classical music is immeasurably rich.
Have an excellent weekend, Shigeki

Hi Dan, So, in high school, You also met a girl called Julia ?! I'm joking... Thank you for listening and for your relevant opinion.