TAMMY: Inspired Variations

To: andrewhearne2003@yahoo.co.uk, nigelsp@synthzone.com
From: Khai-Wei Choong
Subject: TAMMY: Inspired Variations
Cc: Bill (BEBOP) Forrest


Dear Andrew and Nigel,

Hi! As a follow-up to my previous proposal, I have carefully prepared the Tammy script (entitled "TAMMY: Inspired Variations", as included below) to start the TAMMY project rolling. You may change or adapt the script below to suit the design/format of your websites.

Please kindly set up a web page containing details of the Tammy project on TechnicsForAll, the Synth Zone, and any other relevant sites.

The first page will contain the Tammy script below. On the same page or subsequent page(s), spaces can be made available to record the details of participants' submissions in a table as follows:

Date of Submission:
Name of Contributor:
Name of Genre or Style:
Musical Equipment Used (optional):
Additional Comments (optional):
Contact Details (optional):

If possible, all of these can be automated through software such as JAVA, so that contributors can fill out their details and attached their submissions. A simple error checking should be included to ensure that each submission contains an attachment of Tammy arrangement.

I have included a MIDI file "Tammy.mid". You may want to allow visitor the option of clicking on the 16 bars of TAMMY and listen to the short MIDI file.

Thank you very much.

Kind Regards,
=========
KHAI-WEI
=========


___________________________

TAMMY: Inspired Variations
___________________________

We would like to make a potentially exciting proposal or project for everybody to collaborate in a more concerted way towards the goal of allowing our creative energy to aggregate on a set theme:

Contributors, irrespective of their skills and instruments, are invited to use only the first 16 bars of the song Tammy (#1 hit 1957 from the movies: "Tammy and the Bachelor") as the basis for their own arrangement(s) or variation(s) on their chosen style(s) or genre(s).

The lyrics for the first 16 bars are as follows:

I hear the cottonwoods whisp'rin' above
Tammy! Tammy! Tammy's in love!
The ole hootie owl hootie-hoo's to the dove
Tammy! Tammy! Tammy's in love!


The notes for the song melody in the first 16 bars are:

We would like to invite you to join in the fun and challenge, and to send your versions/arrangements of Tammy to:

songs@technicsforall.com


Please include for each distinct contribution:
Date of Submission:
Name of Contributor:
Name of Genre or Style:
Musical Equipment Used (optional):
Additional Comments (optional):
Contact Details (optional):



Contributions can be submitted in any common audio format and/or General MIDI format. There are no restrictions as to the number of contributions that a participant may submit.

Any styles, genres and instruments (including human voices) are allowed.

Visitors and participants are welcome to download the listed contributions. Enjoy them and get an idea of what can even be done with such a simple tune and begin to make your own contributes to the project. The experience will certainly sharpen your creativity and hone in your skills in musical arrangement(s) and variation(s).

Looking forward to savouring your clever renditions of Tammy!



[This message has been edited by Khai (edited 01-19-2005).]

Dear All,

The above should have contained a JPEG of the printed score of the 16-bar melody of TAMMY. It seems that the Synth Zone engine would not accept pictures.

Khai

Dear All,

As an incentive, if and when the website for the TAMMY project does get off the ground, I shall post three or more of my arrangements/variations onto the site as inaugural contributions that will also serve as examples for other participants. Of course, anyone is welcome to comment on my works, as I did yours. The very thought that this opportunity to review my music could indeed be your chance to pull me apart so hard that I am unable to put myself back together can also be another incentive for you to make the TAMMY project a reality.

You are welcome to guess now which Technics instrument is going to be the one used in producing my arrangements/variations. All will be revealed when the website is up. Then the rest is mostly up to you.

Let's hope that the TAMMY project can be one of the highlights for all of us who enjoy music making.

All we need at this foundational stage is someone who has the expertise to design and automate a website for the TAMMY project.

This website should be part of, or affiliated with, one central site that is already well-known to many people, such as TechnicsForAll, the Synth Zone, and any other relevant sites of considerable popularity and/or reputation.

The TAMMY project website can also be mirrored at one or more other sites to increase the size and diversity of its "clientele".




[This message has been edited by Khai (edited 01-19-2005).]

Trouble with waltzes is that there's a beat missing from every bar...
Ever tried playing a waltz to a 4 beat rhythm?

[This message has been edited by RMepstead (edited 01-20-2005).]

Dear RMepstead,

It certainly can be done and is part of the fun and challenge of the TAMMY project. Conversely, a 4-beat rhythm can be converted to a 3-beat rhythm, or to a compound rhythm such as 6/8. There are also other rhythmic possibilities for a piece originally played in a 3/4 time.

You can practice rhythmic conversion or transformation with perennial tunes like "Moon River", "Silent Night" and "Morning Has Broken". If you prefer some Australian tunes, then try "Waltzing Matilda" and "I Still Call Australia Home".

Just as we do not have to stick to the same key and instrumentation for a piece of music, we can also take liberty with its timing, phrasing, syncopation, and even its time signature.

Khai

So where's this web site of yours Khai, where this is all happening...?

Dear RMepstead,

Thank you very much for your interest. Just like you, I am looking for a host to get the project off the ground and carry it to fruition. As I stated in my third posting in this thread:

All we need at this foundational stage is someone who has the expertise to design and automate a website for the TAMMY project.

This website should be part of, or affiliated with, one central site that is already well-known to many people, such as TechnicsForAll, the Synth Zone, and any other relevant sites of considerable popularity and/or reputation.

I have provided the concepts and the guidelines for implementing the project. And I hope that owner(s) of certain sites will bite the bullet and provide the space and tool for all of us to submit our contributions.

Can you help in any way through some suggestions, lobbies, actions and/or plans towards achieving the goal that will ultimately benefit many of us?

Khai

YAWN ZZZZZZzzzzzzzzz---

A reply so sobering that it is remarkable.

So let me get this right...
You've had an idea and you want someone else to do all the work and cover the cost, and that without any certainty that it is a marketable proposition or of interest to anyone else...
Amazing.

Hi Khia.other members have their own websites.can you not create your own!!.

Bill Forrest I know asked you to send him something you have played on one of your many instruments,and he will send it out,you have not taken advantage of this kind offer..
Sincerely.
Joe

Dear RMepstead,

I hope to dispell your scepticism. I believe that if you had indeed read both the threads "TAMMY: Inspired Variations" and "Collective Music Making on a Theme" with care and understanding, you would have realised by now that the project is intended to serve public purposes that are non-profitable and non-commercial, with the aim of achieving some (self)-educational, participatory and creative outcomes that can be shared among all.

Furthermore, as you can see from the relevant section in my first posting, the script that I have carefully prepared for the website does not even bear my name as the originator of the idea or concept, and for which I shall also receive no remuneration.

In addition, like the engine running the many forums in the Synth Zone, the project will be largely automated by the underlying web engine(s) with little maintenance or human intervention.




[This message has been edited by Khai (edited 01-21-2005).]

To Phil Lynch (Joe), RMepstead, and whomever it may concern,

I know that I have written a lot, and that there is a great deal to digest. Apart from the fact that we all need time, patience, understanding and even a dose of scepticism and the benefit of doubt to register new or radical ideas, I would sincerely hope that there is something much more in my proposal than that which meets the eye or ear.

I also believe that I have already made it quite clear in both the threads "TAMMY: Inspired Variations" and "Collective Music Making on a Theme" that the purpose of this project is ultimately beyond my personal need or aspiration. The project is meant to become a platform invested with far more global, participatory, heuristic and long-term goals than just the mere whim or desire of a person wanting to set up his or her own website from scratch for people to know his or her music. Hence, the project should be implemented at an already well-known and established site, with the enticement of the availability of a large number of contributions by many people, as well as the excitement of a far greater exposure of the posted musical works to a large public.

Furthermore, I am not even strict about whether the web designer(s) will follow my script to the letter, for I did indicate that it can be changed or adapted to suit the design/format of the adoptive website(s).

As I write this, my idea is already in the public domain. If someone has the foresight and recognises its potential, then it will be used sooner or later. If, however, there is no taker, then we are still better off at least to the extent that there is a pregnant idea or option out there for those who want it. If some people find ways to commercialise it, then that is good for them too as long as they balance their financial gains with the good that the idea may bring.



------------------
Khai

A while back I wrote:
"I do believe that there is a new Khai posting on the forum -------".

I do believe I have to take that statement back. All I see is a lot of verbose gibberish with no action.

Dear Khai
There's an interesting course at The University Of Queensland according to the web site called: Humanities, Social science, Education and Arts - have a look at it sometime will you while you are there...

Hi Khia. I asked.
Other members have their own websites. Can you not create your own!!.
Bill Forrest I know asked you to send him something you have played on one of your many instruments, and he will send it out, you have not taken advantage of this kind offer.
Do you not wish to comment!!

If you do send Bill one of your compositions
A Technics would be the best instrument to use. You do have one!. I have seen. This post is not meant to be rude in anyway. I would simply like to hear you play, not with your friend, who you work with, just you on your own.
Sincerely.
Joe.

WE have adequate distribution channels for our music with out the need to create more.
We have Cee's website. Andy's Technics for all website, and my email distribution lists. These enable each player to play what they want, and how they want and share it when they feel others will be interested in their work. NO OTHER EFFORT IS REQUIRED BY THE PLAYER.
Am I to understand that now it is going to be acceptable to tell people what to play and record for our distribution. Get REAL
BEBOP

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Khia

we are still better off at least to the extent that there is a pregnant idea or option out there.

I have no intention of letting you get me pregnant thanks very much. If thats how Tammy got started with child, I think I will give the variations a miss, I would not mind performing the intro though
Sincerely.
Joe

Is something such as the TAMMY project going to deprive people of their existing options? You can answer that for yourself.

Khai

My proposal and the TAMMY project will be unnecessary and redundant if it is just about distribution.

Khai

Thank you for your suggestion. I have been involved in a number of ways at those schools and faculties. So, what is your point?

Khai

Good! Give us some really helpful and meaningful actions at the Synth Zone, Walt, if you are not after constructive contributions.

Khai

Would you also not bother to "take advantage of this kind offer" that is the TAMMY project?

Please do not claim that I continue to ignore an offer when others are not willing to reciprocate and accept my offer, which I have put forward with sincerity and considerable thought and latitude.


[This message has been edited by Khai (edited 01-21-2005).]

Thanks for spicing up the thread with animated graphics.

------------------
Khai

Hi Khia.
A firm answer if possible,this is the third time of asking.

Hi Khia. I asked.
Other members have their own websites. Can you not create your own!!.
Bill Forrest I know asked you to send him something you have played on one of your many instruments, and he will send it out, you have not taken advantage of this kind offer.
Do you not wish to comment!!
If you do send Bill one of your compositions
A Technics would be the best instrument to use. You do have one!. I have seen. This post is not meant to be rude in anyway. I would simply like to hear you play, not with your friend, who you work with, just you on your own.
Sincerely.
Joe.

Dear Joe,

If you still think that what you have repeatedly asked for an answer is really the crux of the issue, then you are sorely missing the whole point. Please go and read my fifth, eighth and thirteenth posts of this thread as well as the opening post of the thread "Collective Music Making on a Theme" with greater understanding and open-mindedness. Also, read my other posts and threads as correlations if necessary. They contain not only the answers that you are seeking but also a range of far more important issues, in which you will sooner or later begin to show an interest, as I sincerely hope so!

There is simply no comparison between the importance and benefit of the implementation and avaiability of the website that I propose, and your wish to listen to my musical works, as flattered as I am by your explicit and repeated request. As I already stated with clarity before, the project is meant to become a platform invested with far more global, participatory, heuristic and long-term goals than just the mere whim or desire of a person wanting to set up his or her own website from scratch for people to know his or her music. Hence, the project should be implemented at an already well-known and established site, with the enticement of the availability of a large number of contributions by many people, as well as the excitement of a far greater exposure of the posted musical works to a large public. Therefore, I (and I wish that you too will) give such a project (whether it has been proposed by me or someone else) a higher priority over my own music or yours.

Thank you.




[This message has been edited by Khai (edited 01-21-2005).]

There once was a fellow named Khai
Who wrote lots of " Pie in the Sky"
But when asked to Perform
Treat the question with scorn
And with rather a petulant Sigh .
( Apologies to Edward Lear )

The proof is in the pudding, and all good things come to those who wait with patience and understanding.

------------------
Khai

Excuse me Khai,

but is there just a tiny tiny little chance or a possibility that you ever will
be able to answer any questions just as simple as they are asked?
Several questions are asked in a way that you easily could answer yes or no, or
am I wrong? As a example: http://www.synthzone.com/ubbs/Forum25/HTML/002926.html

I'm sorry to say that due to my limited knowledge of the foreign languages, in
this case English, have problems to understand your way of writing and also your
(sort of speak / as I see it) kind of "indelicate manners" here at SZ.
I don't mean to say that you are a rude person, believe me, but you make me feel
that you're looking down to other people from someplace high abowe, or maybe the
right word for what I mean are haughtiness?
Also I can see that there are several members here who get a similiar reaction to
it and who also try to tell you, but you just (deliberately?) carry on the same
way.
As far as I know, English are the native language for many of the members who post
about it, and it make me feel that maybe my understanding of it is not at all as
wrong as I thought at first.

To me it seems like you're trying to make some "hullabaloo" here, and that you are
(more or less) perfectly aware of it.
In a earlier tread there was speaking of horses, please, why not just try to climb
down off of your high horse, and get real, at least try to write in a way so maybe
a simple guy like me (without any university education) can understand it.

Happy playing and posting.
GJ


Btw, in the same tread linked earlier in this post, you wrote:
QUOTE: "..You can see that there have been enough misunderstandings and assumptions
going on..." END QUOTE.

Hmmm... wondering what medicine to cure that impression, maybe a little humbleness,
and also the fact that it is not nessesary to always have the last word in a tread
or discussion?

Dear Gunnar Jonny,

I am sorry that I could not reply to you sooner, for I had to leave home to meet a friend.

Thank you for writing me and expressing your concern. If English is indeed not your native tongue then we already have something fundamental in common.

I would really appreciate if you could bring yourself to analyze these issues from diverse angles without assuming that the problems necessarily lie wholly on one side. Very often, a group of people tends to be composed of like-minded individuals who have self-selected each other because they share similar tastes and outlooks. Many of these individuals also often like and react well to their friends' qualities that they themselves have, or at least do not lack them to such an extent that they feel inadequate or incompetent. Whilst this cohesion is good for the group dynamics and bonding processes, it will also restrict the ability of these individuals to assimilate or understand new or foreign ideas, especially those that are contrary to or deviate from the norms, values and assumptions that have permeated these circle of individuals. In other words, group members are likely to react in similar fashion (whether positively or negatively) as a result of their own allegiance and conformity towards each other. With this analysis in mind, you may be able to put a handle on why "there are several members here who get a similiar [sic] reaction to it", as you observed.

Furthermore, even if the forgoing analysis can be dismissed, could it just be possible that some of these individuals are too quick to judge, dismiss and vilify something and/or someone that they have yet to be able to understand and appreciate?

If you had understood the context in which I use the horse as a metaphor, then you would realise that it was a multi-purpose receptacle that served to reflect the rounds of vilification, ignorance and misunderstanding that certain members have been indulging themselves in. I would much prefer them exercising more understanding than typecasting people, even though the former takes more time and patience, and requires the suspension or reassessment of initial judgements or vilifications.

In answering your question about university education, I know from first-hand experience that some people who already have or are still securing university education or degree(s) cannot even write, think or behave half as well as you do. So, a university education is no panacea. Even though it gives you a specialised means of excelling in certain vocations or professions, it does not guarantee good character and wisdom. The acquiring of the status of an authority and the degree of erudition in a specific field of knowledge do not necessary translate to maturity and clarity of thinking in other fields or in the broader sphere of life. And that is one of the important reasons why I would much prefer people to understand and judge my thoughts, writings and the TAMMY project by their merits and benefits, rather than by people's superficial perception and mentioning of my credentials, or by how good/bad a musician I am to them, or by how excellent/pathetic a keyboard arranger I am.

As I wrote to Bazz Wood once: You and I know that we can't please everyone, despite our best effort(s) and/or intention(s). Misunderstanding aside, feelings can easily become fragile and frayed for some people. But, we should keep hoping and looking for the best in our fellow beings, should we not?

On a lighter note, I do like your sudden move to spice up two of my threads with animated graphics, even if it is done at my expense. There is an impish humour in you. It could be a sign that you may well be the dark horse in the Synth Zone ----- if I may be so bold as to speak of horses again.

All the best, my friend, if I may call you as such.


------------------
Khai

Gunnar,

Your post hit the nail on the head. As long as we continue to reply to his silly nonsense he will continue.

Let us get back to the true intent of this forum, member helping member and ignore posts that have no wealth for the members and only display the writers need for self importance.

Fran in Florida

Dear Gunnar,

See what I mean? You can again see for yourself how some people are so ready to denounce, deride, dismiss and denigrade. They also believe or pretend that just helping other members with technical problems concerning their musical instruments is all that counts, and assume that the rest is just "silly nonsense" and "self-importance".




[This message has been edited by Khai (edited 01-22-2005).]

Hi there - I totally agree with Fran - you are just supplying him with an audience when you answer him - ignore him - he may go away, although I suspect he has probably run out of audiences elsewhere - Joan

Goodbye Khai...
Roger M

Gunnar and Fran,
I agree with you both 100%.
At this time my viewpoint is that Khai is deliberatly trying to disturb this forum. For what purpose I don't know, but he should be considered a "troll".
On other forums that I participate in, trolls are quickly banned by the moderator or the owner of the forum. In this case it has gone on far too long.
Nigel ??????

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Khai:
[B]
Dear Gunnar Jonny,
you may well be the dark horse in the Synth Zone
[QUOTE
Khai
I am sorry that I have say that your need or shall
I say craving for writing seems to have fallen on deaf ears.
There are people on this forum that I have had a run in with on many occasions but most are my friends and I wholeheartedly agree with what they say.
It is obvious that you are a student and have chosen this forum to practice your English or otherwise what motivation would you have to bellicose in such a manner.
Do you live in such a sad little world that you have no friends to talk to,do you not have anything better to do with your time you seem to have more than your fair share.
It is probable that the majority of the people on this forum are middle aged 50 or over and possibly really not interested in what could be termed as a scientific approach and most certainly do not wish to be patronised.
As far as suggesting that Gunny Jonny is the dark horse of this forum is concerned, I would suggest that you do him an injustice because for your information Gunnar Jonny is one of the most respected members here.
Now be a good chap and go and annoy some of your Yamaha friends.

Khai,
that's OK, not nessesary to reply any posts at once, you know, we're living in
different parts of the world, and since you are down in Australia and I'm up on
the top of the world, you probably sleep when I'm awake and vice versa.

In my post I started with a simple question, and again it looks like that is not
possible for you to answer any questions in a simple way, but rather use long
terms and in a (again, as I see it) rather "cryptical way" that can be read in
more than one way.
Maybe it's the language who are the problem, but I've analyzed as best as I can
using my limited skills, and still having the same feeling as I had before.

Everybody at the forum like to see new members coming to participate and have a
nice time here, regardless to skills, and I know Nigel welcome all of us with open
arms and mind.
I'm pretty sure that this are the same regarding to your arrival here, but maybe
it's time for you to analyze too? Could it be that there is something you could do
to "calm down" the feelings some members here give expression to?

Your Tammy-project are probably good, but could it be that you started in the wrong
end? Maybe you should created a website due to your interests at first and then
announce it here and invite people to participate, and not a kind of ask people to
do it all for you?

Regarding to the animated gifs in your treads, it was not to offend you in any way,
it was my way of "peeking in and run out again due to this was way over my head" in
hopefully a humoristic way.
But as you can see, I did not resist to take a peek again, and to say some words.

As for the dark horse comment (since it was me that startet about horses in a tread
that is deleted now), I'm maybe a horse, but sure not dark, I'm blonde.

I'll rest my case, have a nice weekend.

GJ

Dear Gunnar,

Hi! It is good to hear from you, so far away from me geographically.

You mentioned that it is not possible for me to answer any questions in a simple way, but rather use long terms in a "cryptic" way that can be read in more than one way, according to your own words. I believe that many of your life experiences have pointed out to you that simple, easy, straight or binary (Yes/No) answers are often not conducive at all to genuine understanding. They only satisfy those who want an instant fix or clarification. They do not warn against pitfalls, prejudices and assumptions. They hardly penetrate and provide little information that illuminates a subject or situation. Therefore, they are not substitutes for critical and reflexive thinking, no matter what the social background or profession a person may possess.

How typical and consistent it has been for some people in the Synth Zone to think ill and speak badly of others when in fact others' intentions are basically good and amicable! My comment about you being a dark horse is a case in point. The comment is meant to be a compliment to you. A dark horse is a person or a competitor who has an unfathomable or indeterminate potential, or who achieves something great or victorious contrary to the expectation or circumstance of the person and/or others.

Your own countryman, the Norwegian singer Kurt Nilsen, a former plumber, was declared and predicted by Simon Cowell as a dark horse that could indeed emerge triumphant against all odds. In an industry that values styles and looks over substance and depth, he, basically a plumber and a devoted family man, was not expected to win at all. His performance earned comments from the judges including "you are an underdog today", "you have the voice of an angel and the face of a hobbit", and "you are a little dark horse". Soon after, Kurt won World Idol's clash of the world's Idols. He was in total shock at the entire situation when he realized that he had won. He acquired maximum points from nine of the eleven countries that voted in the contest for his rendition of U2's "Beautiful Day". Amazingly, Kurt ended up with 106 out of a maximum 112 points that were available. In addition, he also won the Norwegian version of Pop Idol in May 2003. His single "She's So High" went straight to number one in the Norwegian singles chart and is the country's biggest selling single to date.

As to your inclusion of the animated GIFs in my treads, there was no offence at all. I already wrote previously that I enjoy your impish humour ---- a quality often lacking in some people in the Synth Zone. Obviously, you have not lost the kindness and sense of wonder in you, even in circumstances that may have easily brought out the unsavoury or unflattering sides in other people. Let me declare in the first place that the last sentence is meant to be another compliment, just in case some people in the Synth Zone would again intentionally regard it as negative, unjust, patronizing and demeaning.

My position regarding the TAMMY project is as stated before: As I write this, my idea of the TAMMY project is already in the public domain. If someone has the foresight and recognises its potential, then it will be used sooner or later. If, however, there is no taker, then we are still better off at least to the extent that there is a pregnant idea or option out there for those who want it. If some people find ways to commercialise it, then that is good for them too as long as they balance their financial gains with the good that the idea may bring.

So, as you can see, it is a very open position, in every sense of the word "open".

For you and I, since English is not our native tongue, we already have something fundamental in common. Perhaps our experiences in learning foreign languages and cultures have taught us to be kind, cautious and considerate, to avoid jumping to conclusions, and to refrain from being too hasty to judge, dismiss and vilify something and/or someone that we have yet to be able to understand and appreciate. And I am willing to salute you even just on that basis alone.




[This message has been edited by Khai (edited 01-22-2005).]