Andy 60s Music Asked WhatsApp Meta AI To Define: "Social Musicianship."

[1] Joining Larry Lai's Chat Group:

I had just joined Larry Lai's 'Music Lovers' chat group created on WhatsApp. After introducing me to the group I thanked him and the group with this reply:

Hello all, 

Thank you Larry for the welcoming introduction and for letting me taste a bit of group chatting. Never been in one before... I'm no musician, only a bystander and would love to learn the intricacies and designs of social musicianship.

Cheers. 

[2] What is 'social musicianship'?

I wasn't sure myself if I had used the right phrase, 'social musicianship' so I decided to ask my mentor Meta AI on WhatsApp. Here's my question and the reply I received: 

What is 'social musicianship'? 

Meta AI's reply:

What a fascinating question! Yes, there is such a term as 'social musicianship'. Social musicianship refers to the social and interpersonal aspects of music-making, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, communication, and community in musical performance and learning.

It encompasses skills like:

` Ensemble playing

` Improvisation

` Active listening

` Empathy

` Nonverbal communication

` Conflict resolution 

Social musicianship recognises that music is often a collective and social activity, and that developing these social skills is essential for successful music-making.

I hope that helps! Let me know if you have any further questions.

Thank you Meta AI.

And thank you folks for reading the explanation.

"Who can live without it, I ask in all honesty. What would life be, Without a song or dance, what are we? So I say thank you for the music, For giving it to me. [Abba.]"

Comments are welcome.

Andy with Larry Lai and young MediaCorp producer 

HH Tang, while discussing a television project 

we were supposed to participate in some years ago.

'Thank You For The Music' Abba

[Official Lyric Video]

YouTube Video from ABBA.

The Rising Cost Of Living In Our Countries. We Need Money, Money, Money

https://steemit.com/the/@qamarjee/the-fully-greedy-man

UP TO 300 VIEWS, 25 COMMENTS, CHATS

When good friend Sunny Wee sent me the above poster, I immediately responded by mentioning that this picture symbolises what our world is today, a statement so obvious, there's no need to explain it.

And, as many friends exclaimed, there's no need to write too long paragraphs about it; why? Nobody reads nowadays. Videos and pictures, yes! I thought I'd express the above illustrative topic with songs; melodies and lyrics from the past. 

You may not know the older songs!

Money, Money, money

[Abba]

Money, money, money, Must be funny

In the rich man's world! Aha...

A man like that is hard to find but I can't get him off my mind

Ain't it sad? And if he happens to be free I bet he wouldn't fancy me

That's too bad So I must leave, I'll have to go

To Las Vegas or Monaco 

And win a fortune in a game, my life will never be the same...

Can't Buy Me Love

[Beatles]

Can't buy me love, love

Can't buy me love, oh

I'll buy you a diamond ring, my friend

If it makes you feel all right

I'll get you anything, my friend

If it makes you feel all right

'Cause I don't care too much for money

But money can't buy me love...

She Works Hard For The Money

[Donna Summer]

Nine a.m. on the hour hand

And she's waiting for the bell

And she's looking real pretty

Just wait for her clientele.

She works hard for the money

So hard for it, honey

She works hard for the money

So you better treat her right...

Sam Hui: Money 

[許冠傑 - 天才白痴钱钱钱]

YouTube Video from: Magnificent Bastard.

Contributed by Steve Ho [The Heartbreakers.

Rock Singer, Singapore]

Money: [Sam Hui]

[許冠傑 - 天才白痴钱钱钱] 

I need more money all day long 

[Money: 6 repeats]

Ganshui Niduwo 

[Money : 6 repeats]

Borrowing money is the worst thing 

[money: 8 repeats]

Climb low, oh Brother Wei 

[money: 6 repeats]

Tom T. Hall - Faster Horses 

(The Cowboy and The Poet)

YouTube Video from: Steven Spolar.

Faster Horses, [The Cowboy And The Poet]

Tom T. Hall

Well, my poet days are over

And I'm back to bein' me

As I enjoy the peace and comfort of reality

If my boy ever asks me

What it is that I have learned

I think that I will readily affirm

"Son, it's faster horses

Younger women

Older whiskey

More money...

Faster horses

Younger women

Older whiskey

More money...

Money, That's What I Want

[Barret Strong]

YouTube Video from: Virgiliu-Adrian Lopota.

Money, That's What I Want

[Barret Strong]

The best things in life are free

But you can give them to the birds and bees

I need money (that's what I want)

That's what I want (that's what I want)

That's what I want (that's what I want)

That's what I want (that's what I want)

Your love give me such a thrill

But your love don't pay my bills...

So my dear readers, with the rising cost in everything in most parts of the world and that includes our rent, marketing bills, water, electricity bills, hospital, transport and daily meal charges, cars, etc., you'd think these songs have just been composed today?

Let's hear from you. 

Andy 60s Music Chats - Decline Of Singapore Pops?

[The chat below appeared under Comments 13 years ago. Up till today, I still don't know who JOY is. Perhaps she could reveal herself soon...]

Why did the 60s music scene suddenly disappear, asked Joy.

Joy Gives Her Views

   UP TO 1,400 VIEWS,   

40 CHATS n COMMENTS 

Anonymous said...

There's no doubt in my mind that this blog is making tremendous progress. Andy is showing admirable perseverance so I hope others will show their support. Though I was not part of the musical scene in the 60s, I find this blog interesting as it helps to fill up many gaps in my knowledge of this aspect of my teenage days.

Roger

24.12.08 

Anonymous said...

I wasn't part of the scene but what I'd like to know is... why did it suddenly disappear?

Joy.

25.12.08 

Anonymous said...

Good question. I've also wondered why. It was a golden age of local musical talent never to be repeated. Perhaps, the pull of economic opportunities in the 70s led to the decline?

Roger

25.12.08 

Roger 

Anonymous said...

Hey Roger!

Thanks for the reply. It was definitely a vibrant scene during the 60's. Talentime aplenty and bands sprouting out from all corners of this little island. Nope, I wasn't born during that period, but I was lucky enough to be educated about the scene by Dad, albeit his disapproval but till this day I don't know why.

My first taste of The Silver Strings came in the form of a video titled Those Were The Days playing Apache to perfection. From then on, I've developed and affinity for local bands. The list could go on and on. From The Stray Dogs, Siglap 5 to Naomi and The Boys and who could forget Thunderbird's, 'My Lonely Heart' and the success of The Quests?

To say that it was a Golden Age of local musical talent never to be repeated? Well perhaps you're right. The only gripe I had about the bands in the 60s was their need to sound like someone else (foreign?). Maybe I'm wrong but perhaps this was their decline? Or could one of 'the member's statement' [1] that The Quests had become so big that other bands had to improve their game be true?

By the mid 70's, the world embraced the arrival of Abba and Bee Gees. In a way, music was revolutionized. Disco's were the placed to be and it was the period of technology, the beginning of the space age some called it. By this time, the local scene was already in its dwindling state. Only a handful of local bands survived. Black Dog Bone? Matthew and the Mandarins? 

By the 80's, the only thing i remembered was Max Surin's Tokyo Square alongside Linda Elizabeth and of course Dick Lee. It wasn't up until the 90's when there was a so called emergence of the local era, with some bands even citing influence from the 60's local era. They're a different breed of course but no short of talent.

Sadly though, the nation wasn't interested. Perhaps the influence of local radio stations playing songs from foreign artistes led to this demise. One could never fault them though. After all, radio stations are financial institutions.

Late 90's and early 2000, the scene finally gains momentum, that of course, after the government announced that it was going all out to support local arts. Venues and platforms were in placed to showcase their talents. Bands were starting to get recognition and quite a few have gone on to play in other countries and won MTV awards. Are we finally seeing the rebirth of the local scene?

One question remains though, will we ever recapture the spirit of the 60's, where everybody wanted to be part of a band and when practically everyone was looking forward to parties and dancing to a band? Like I said, I wasn't around during that golden era, but my guess is as good as yours :)

Joy

26.12.08 

Andy said...

Hi Joy,

Thank you so much for the feedback. Your comment, I hope will encourage others to write to this blog. I have learnt much from you.

Cheers.

Anonymous said...

Like everyone else the musicians of the 60s had to face the stark reality of making a living for themselves and their families. Perhaps this was one of the principal reasons for its decline.

However, some soldiered on and are making a scraping a living playing at night spots, clubs etc with some being forced to moonlight in a second job in the day.

26.12.08 

Anonymous said...

No really Mr. Andy, please don't say that.

Its pioneers like you that I have a lot to thank for; and that too for many many reasons.

I've always been a firm believer that Singapore's education system should provide more information on our musical heritage. What's the point of just confining it to the museum?

Anyway, will definitely keep a lookout for your shows. Have a rocking great new year and stay *young always!

Joy

26.12.08 

THE SIGLAP FIVE

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Hi Joy & Roger,

Thank you both again. I guess if it's a meeting of minds then I have to be the grateful Chair, nothing much to do except to allow this natural flow of information which our country needs so much. Please don't stop writing.

Cheers,

Andy

26.12.08 

NB - [1] Name withheld.

Click 'comments' below to read the essay type replies. Cheers.

Andy & Professor Dr. Steven Farram, 

from Darwin, Australia.

Steve is a 60s music enthusiast and

writes for this blog. Check him out.

Tokyo Square - Within You Remain

Money Money Money & Windmills of Your Mind: Written Treasures By Ms Belinda Poh

UP TO 2,700 VIEWS, 20 CHATS

Ms. Belinda Poh writes with much profundity and thought; she operates the keyboard with an efficient mind. And that's hardly the ideal today when images are more sought after than words. So I asked for permission to post her two short but sharp articles. 

Thank you very much, Belinda, for your online presence and enlightening pieces of art:

"Many people believe that they can solve all their problems by just having money. They fail to realize that money itself has its attendant problems. Money cannot solve all problems. Wealth is not something for you to accumulate for craving's sake. It is intended for your welfare, as well as the welfare of others. 

Try to make the world around you a better place to live in. Use your wealth wisely to reduce the sufferings of the poor, the sick and the aged. Your property will remain when you die. Your friends and relatives will follow you up to your grave, but only the good or bad actions that you have done during your lifetime (karma) will follow you beyond the grave. 

For our personal happiness, we should acquire wealth righteously. Blessed are they who earn their living without harming others. Our happiness cannot be long-lived and meaningful if our wealth leaves sorrow and suffering in its wake. The wealth that is floured arouses envy, but the wealth that is well managed earns respect. Your wealth can edify your house but not you. Only your own virtues can edify you. Your dress can adorn your body but not you. Only your good conduct can do so."

"A human's mind influences his body profoundly. The mind has just as much potential to be a medication as it has to be a poison. When the mind is vicious, it can kill a being but when it is steady and diligent, it can benefit others. 

A man, who does not know how to adjust his mind according to circumstances is almost like a dead man. It is only when the mind is controlled and properly directed that it becomes useful to its owner and society. 

All the havoc wrought in this world is the creation of men who have not learned the way of mind-control, balance, and poise. Sadly, there is no way that we can change everyone in this world to our way of thinking. It is not even desirable. If everyone agrees with you, the world will soon run out of ideas. Still, We need to control our Mind. 

Calmness is never a weakness. A man with a calm attitude at all times demonstrates himself as a man of culture especially when things go wrong. It is this difficult quality that is worth achieving because by exercising such calm and control, a man builds the strength of character."

Written by Belinda Poh.

You can read another article from Belinda by clicking below:

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2019/10/trouble-says-elvis-presley-we-can-work.html

The two videos are my own feelings of how I read the Belinda Poh articles and they are a personal interpretation.

Video 1: Money, Money, Money from Abba
Video 2: The Windmills of Your Mind from Barbra Striesand.

Images: A Personal Collection from Belinda Poh.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2016: AULD LANG SYNE

Auld Lang Syne - SISSEL

Images: Google.

Video by You Tube SisselFanForever.

Thanks for all the support Singapore, Friends and Blog Readers. This blog couldn't have lasted so long without you!

Click to read Auld Lang Syne story:

http://singapore60smusic.blogspot.sg/2011/01/auld-lang-syne-and-robert-burns.html

Classroom Memories: For Teachers' Day And Queenstown Festival

This special posting, to celebrate both Teachers' Day and the Queenstown Festival, is written by a dedicated education officer who lives in Queenstown. Ms C.Y. Lin taught English in a secondary school and used popular songs to teach the language to Chinese school students.  Here is her story:

"In the mid-'70s, I moved to the periphery of Queenstown and taught in a neighbourhood co-ed bi-lingual secondary school where many pupils came from the heart of the township - Prince Philip Avenue, Margaret Drive, Tanglin Halt, Stirling Road.  It was already tough teaching the English Language to the English stream kids - more so to the Chinese stream and preparing them for the 'O' level examination.

           

ABBA I have a dream

One way was through songs - pop songs.  My love for Abba came in handy. Though the principal at that time was no-nonsense and frowned on new-fangled acts, I played Money, Money to illustrate at an assembly talk.  I Have A Dream was used to teach English tenses.
                      

Parents of those days and from such a heartland were too busy making a livelihood to keep their children indoors after school.  A number of those kids of different races found themselves in my home for extra 'lessons' - of fun and games--all speaking in English.  There were also sessions of tennis with the boys at the then Civil Service Club at Portsdown Road. 

Queenstown image from National Heritage Board.

Some were given treats at the MacDonalds at the Japanese Garden - Queensway - the road not the shopping centre.  Class camps at PA holiday chalets run single-handedly saw to more singing of others like Boney M - Hooray It's A Holiday; Brown Girl In the Ring...  No written consent nor indemnity forms from the parents were necessary for their kids to attend.  Such trusting folks."

Original article by Ms CY LIN.
Images: Google.
_________________________________________________________________

I thought of another song for teachers' day. Though it is not an appropriate one like Teacher's Pet or To Sir With Love, this particular one has all the ingredients or vocabulary to pass.  Or could it? The phrases and words are all appropriate, don't you think? Take a look:

Did you say, I've got a lot to learn?
Well, don't think I'm trying not to learn
Since this is the perfect spot to learn
Teach me tonight

Starting with the A, B, C of it
Right down to the X, Y, Z of it
Help me solve the mystery of it
Teach me tonight

The sky's a blackboard high above you
If a shooting star goes by
I'll use that star to write, 'i love you'
A thousand times across the sky

One thing isn't very clear, my love
Should the teachers stand so near, my love
Graduation's almost here, my love
Teach me tonight

One thing isn't very clear, my love
Should the teachers stand so near, my love
Graduation's almost here, my love
Teach me tonight, teach me tonight

Happy Teachers' Day!

HAPPY NEW YEAR, HAPPY NEW YEAR

Happy New Year Lyrics: Sung/Composition: By ABBA. Songwriters: Anderson, Benny Goran Bror/Ulvaeus, Bjoern K.

No more champagne
And the fireworks are through
Here we are, me and you
Feeling lost and feeling blue
It's the end of the party
And the morning seems so grey
So unlike yesterday
Now's the time for us to say

 Happy new year
Happy new year
May we all have a vision now and then
Of a world where every neighbor is a friend
Happy new year
Happy new year
May we all have our hopes, our will to try
If we don't we might as well lay down and die
You and I

Sometimes I see
How the brave new world arrives
And I see how it thrives
In the ashes of our lives
Oh yes, man is a fool
And he thinks he'll be okay
Dragging on, feet of clay
Never knowing he's astray
Keeps on going anyway

Seems to me now
That the dreams we had before
Are all dead, nothing more
Than confetti on the floor
It's the end of a decade
In another ten years time
Who can say what we'll find
What lies waiting down the line
In the end of eighty-nine

A HAPPY & PEACEFUL NEW YEAR 2010 !

A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010 TO EVERYONE. LET'S HAVE MORE YEARS OF FUN AND BLOGGING SINGAPORE 60s MUSIC. CHEERS!

ABBA was a pop music group formed in Sweden in 1970, consisting of Anni-Frid Lyngstad (Frida), Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson (the B-boys) and Agnetha Fältskog (Anna). Both Anni-Frid and Benny were married.

So were Bjorn and Agnetha but both couples later divorced. They became one of the most commercially successful vocal groups in popular music, and topped the charts worldwide from 1972 to 1982.

Image: jerseyarts.wordpress.com/.../
Website: http://www.abbaworld.com/ You Tube Sidebar: Brighnights June 4th, 2006.