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David doesn’t play an instrument. So when he gets an idea for a new song he will sing his melodic ideas for me and/or share some ideas for lyrics. On this one he took a rather novel approach. He didn’t own any recording equipment. So he called his own phone number and left himself a voice mail. A few days later he played me the message, which consisted of his scat intro and the first few lines of what turned into verse #1.
I really liked his ideas and agreed we should develop this new song. We got together in either his or my classroom (I can’t remember which) and wrote the song. We agreed not to have a bridge or instrumental solo. That middle section would be reserved for a rap that would feature the students. By including a rap it was possible to give each student a brief solo while not having to be concerned with pitch.
David and I completed a quick demo and then I set upon organizing a band. Since it had a funk groove I had to have my son, Ryan, provide the bass track. He gave it that Rocco/Rainey feel I wanted. Mike had provided me incredibly funky tracks on past projects. So asking him to work on this one was a no-brainer! Not only did he play drums. He also contributed a wonderful conga track. He also seemed to know, without ever being told, I had to have more cowbell. I asked John to play piano and clavinet. He quickly came back with a pair of outstanding tracks.
But two Macjamers, no matter how talented, just wasn’t enough. But who to ask? And what should they contribute? The instrumentation seemed set. Well what about a singer? I wondered if Dani would be willing to contribute some vocals. I sent her the demo. She quickly emailed back saying, “Anything for the kids!” It wasn’t long after that she sent three tracks of incredible background vocals. I sent David a rough mix with Dani’s contribution. That Monday morning he ran to my classroom with a stunned look on his face. We were both blown away by the way she lifted the track!
The only thing left to do was record the kids. I burned them all CD copies of the song with David performing the rap section. After a few days for them to practice at home I brought them to my class to record their tracks. Each of the ten students recorded the entire 16-line rap. That way I was able to burn them their own special mix with themselves as the featured rapper. Having so much recorded content also allowed me to pick each student’s best lines and ensure everybody was included in the mix posted here.
Of course I can’t post one of these songs without Bob’s perfect artwork!
Thanks so much to Ryan, Dani, Mike, John, and Bob for so generously donating their time and talent. And a special thank you to Karen who listened and commented on several mixes as this song progressed.
Oh, one more thing! David’s wife has since bought him a field recorder as a Valentines gift!
D. Jorden: lead vocal
5th Grade Enrichment Students: rap
RAVENS: vocals
alackbass: electric guitars
Ryan: bass guitar
Ktb: piano & clavinet
Kevmikwa: drums & percussion
I really liked his ideas and agreed we should develop this new song. We got together in either his or my classroom (I can’t remember which) and wrote the song. We agreed not to have a bridge or instrumental solo. That middle section would be reserved for a rap that would feature the students. By including a rap it was possible to give each student a brief solo while not having to be concerned with pitch.
David and I completed a quick demo and then I set upon organizing a band. Since it had a funk groove I had to have my son, Ryan, provide the bass track. He gave it that Rocco/Rainey feel I wanted. Mike had provided me incredibly funky tracks on past projects. So asking him to work on this one was a no-brainer! Not only did he play drums. He also contributed a wonderful conga track. He also seemed to know, without ever being told, I had to have more cowbell. I asked John to play piano and clavinet. He quickly came back with a pair of outstanding tracks.
But two Macjamers, no matter how talented, just wasn’t enough. But who to ask? And what should they contribute? The instrumentation seemed set. Well what about a singer? I wondered if Dani would be willing to contribute some vocals. I sent her the demo. She quickly emailed back saying, “Anything for the kids!” It wasn’t long after that she sent three tracks of incredible background vocals. I sent David a rough mix with Dani’s contribution. That Monday morning he ran to my classroom with a stunned look on his face. We were both blown away by the way she lifted the track!
The only thing left to do was record the kids. I burned them all CD copies of the song with David performing the rap section. After a few days for them to practice at home I brought them to my class to record their tracks. Each of the ten students recorded the entire 16-line rap. That way I was able to burn them their own special mix with themselves as the featured rapper. Having so much recorded content also allowed me to pick each student’s best lines and ensure everybody was included in the mix posted here.
Of course I can’t post one of these songs without Bob’s perfect artwork!
Thanks so much to Ryan, Dani, Mike, John, and Bob for so generously donating their time and talent. And a special thank you to Karen who listened and commented on several mixes as this song progressed.
Oh, one more thing! David’s wife has since bought him a field recorder as a Valentines gift!
D. Jorden: lead vocal
5th Grade Enrichment Students: rap
RAVENS: vocals
alackbass: electric guitars
Ryan: bass guitar
Ktb: piano & clavinet
Kevmikwa: drums & percussion
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Lyrics
Begin Today
By D. Jorden & alackbass
Get up early! Starting on my way!
Gotta get ready! Gotta go to school today!
I brush my teeth! Put on my clothes!
Prepare myself! So many places I will go!
In class early! I’m ready to learn today!
Gotta be ready! I got no time to play!
Get out my books! Stay on task!
Prepare myself, for any questions I get asked!
Chorus
Begin today! Prepare for tomorrow!
I learned it and I know it!
And it’s time for me to show it!
Begin today! Prepare for tomorrow!
My future I can see!
Earning it is up to me!
I gotta go to school! That’s what Momma said!
Gonna earn a career so I can make some bread!
As I stroll across the stage everybody will see,
Not a thing in this world can hold up my degree!
Places to go! Won’t stop till I’m through!
When others ready to quit I’ll be saying, “Can do!”
I wanna be clear and make one thing straight!
If I’m gonna have a future it’s mine to create!
Hey now, see I’ve got no time to waste!
Don’t mess around in class! I gotta graduate!
There’s a big bright future laying ahead of me!
Focus on my A first, but I’ll take a B!
At least, I guess, but I won’t second-guess my plan!
I gotta study real hard! Do the best that I can!
And at the end of this round when it’s all said and done,
I’m gonna have my degree! I’ll see you up there son!
Gotta start early! Got no time to waste!
If I’m gonna be ready, for the future I will face!
Study hard! Good grades I’ll make!
Prepare myself, so that I will graduate!
Chorus
Begin today! Prepare for tomorrow!
I learned it and I know it!
And it’s time for me to show it!
Begin today! Prepare for tomorrow!
My future I can see!
Earning it is up to me!
Chorus
Begin today! Prepare for tomorrow!
I learned it and I know it!
And it’s time for me to show it!
Begin today! Prepare for tomorrow!
My future I can see!
Earning it is up to me!
By D. Jorden & alackbass
Get up early! Starting on my way!
Gotta get ready! Gotta go to school today!
I brush my teeth! Put on my clothes!
Prepare myself! So many places I will go!
In class early! I’m ready to learn today!
Gotta be ready! I got no time to play!
Get out my books! Stay on task!
Prepare myself, for any questions I get asked!
Chorus
Begin today! Prepare for tomorrow!
I learned it and I know it!
And it’s time for me to show it!
Begin today! Prepare for tomorrow!
My future I can see!
Earning it is up to me!
I gotta go to school! That’s what Momma said!
Gonna earn a career so I can make some bread!
As I stroll across the stage everybody will see,
Not a thing in this world can hold up my degree!
Places to go! Won’t stop till I’m through!
When others ready to quit I’ll be saying, “Can do!”
I wanna be clear and make one thing straight!
If I’m gonna have a future it’s mine to create!
Hey now, see I’ve got no time to waste!
Don’t mess around in class! I gotta graduate!
There’s a big bright future laying ahead of me!
Focus on my A first, but I’ll take a B!
At least, I guess, but I won’t second-guess my plan!
I gotta study real hard! Do the best that I can!
And at the end of this round when it’s all said and done,
I’m gonna have my degree! I’ll see you up there son!
Gotta start early! Got no time to waste!
If I’m gonna be ready, for the future I will face!
Study hard! Good grades I’ll make!
Prepare myself, so that I will graduate!
Chorus
Begin today! Prepare for tomorrow!
I learned it and I know it!
And it’s time for me to show it!
Begin today! Prepare for tomorrow!
My future I can see!
Earning it is up to me!
Chorus
Begin today! Prepare for tomorrow!
I learned it and I know it!
And it’s time for me to show it!
Begin today! Prepare for tomorrow!
My future I can see!
Earning it is up to me!
magnatone
FIRSTIES!!!