Replies – Forums – Lynn Martin – Page 4

June 1, 2022 at 2:03 pm in reply to: As You Have For Me #2471

Administrator

I think this is stronger. The only pick I would have is “accord,” which doesn’t seem to be used according to its meaning. Maybe “Let my life for Your sake be outpoured” or something of the sort.

May 25, 2022 at 12:08 pm in reply to: King and God and Sacrifice #2469

Lynn Martin

Administrator

I thought I had submitted a reply to this . . . but apparently it never sent. I really like the style, and I think the tune will make the big difference as to whether the text flows well or not. A catchy tune that can accommodate rhythm differences will be great.

My main suggestion would actually change it quite a bit–I think what you’re running into is the tight constriction that the internal rhyme is giving you, as in “The wise men of old brought great gifts of gold.” Forcing conformity to that rhyme scheme is what makes some of your lines feel forced. You need to resort to things like “time” and “life”, which don’t share either the exact vowel or the exact consonant, so they don’t really even sound like a rhyme.

I think that would make the most difference and give you freedom to say what you want to say better. But I think it works as it is.

May 11, 2022 at 2:55 pm in reply to: Peace Interlude #2459

Lynn Martin

Administrator

Here are a few thoughts:

The harmony is a lot of fun, and I think the style fits the text. That being said, because it’s harmonically conceived (not a strong or intuitive melody), and the harmony differs from common practice, it will be harder for a congregation to sing.
The rhythm is the same for each phrase of text, which might become monotonous, especially if there are multiple verses.

May 5, 2022 at 2:42 pm in reply to: Join All The Glorious Names #2454

Lynn Martin

Administrator

This is a fun tune, Lyndon. As a song leader, I believe I’d find v1 easier, since the measures follow the musical pattern more closely. I like that it shifts keys and timings, as though it’s traveling through a musical landscape. But of course that will make it harder to learn.

In the case of the unison, I agree that something feels a little odd. Starting out in unison, or going back to parts on “names” would feel a little more balanced to me. But that could be just me.

I would guess that singers will find measures 5 and 6 a challenge, but not too hard. The last line will likely be harder. Sopranos may need to be able to hear the fa-te leap before they can sing it, and the re-do-la-sol-re-sol will probably be the toughest for them to get. I find it a bit unintuitive, though I really like how it opens up into the tonic at the end without any soprano movement. Love it!

The other parts won’t have nearly as much challenge throughout the song, and will probably enjoy their parts without being overwhelmed. A good congregation should be able to get this with some practice.

April 27, 2022 at 4:42 pm in reply to: How Calmly The Evening #2416

Lynn Martin

Administrator

Hi Vincent, I enjoy this tune. It flows really well in an expressive legato. I do think a few things could improve it, though.

First, there’s not a lot of repetition of musical ideas. Every line is different, and even though they are fairly cohesive, that makes for a lot of musical material to learn as well as not giving it lots of direction.

Also, the harmony could be more solid. Typically, I find that I can get away with chords in unstable inversions best when they are not on a strong beat or a prominent note or when they flow directly from the note before them and to the note after them. There are exceptions, of course, but I don’t think all of the inversions you include are exceptions, such as the IV6 at “eve.” My (uneducated) sense is that these stylistic departures could benefit from more practice of standard harmonization.

Just my thoughts.

April 13, 2022 at 2:04 pm in reply to: ‘Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus #2405

Lynn Martin

Administrator

This has a very choral sound while being congregationally singable, which I like. For me, the ending works, because it’s set up by the ending of the previous line, and the accidental there can be heard as a modulation, which sets up the IV to sound like the tonic. It also helps lead into the next verse.

The repetition in the melody throughout the verse might not be as interesting for some congregational singers. It also leans heavily on some leaps that are less common for sopranos. But it would be hard to know whether it would work or not without trying it out. The chorus, however, holds its own very well.

I like how you try out similar but different harmonies throughout.

April 13, 2022 at 1:36 pm in reply to: As You Have For Me #2403

Lynn Martin

Administrator

Hi Michelle, great to see you posting here! When you say you’re not sure about “let me,” do you mean that you’re not sure if you should start every line that way?

I like where this is going, and probably the music will make all the difference as to whether this text sings well or not, since it’s not highly bound. However, I did wonder whether there’s a reason for the order of the lines that you have now. The final line seems like it could be switched with the fourth line and it would make a lot of sense. The progression and theme aren’t super clear, although they aren’t particularly problematic, either.

March 30, 2022 at 5:19 pm in reply to: O Lamb of God (Agnus Dei) #2395

Lynn Martin

Administrator

Here’s an mp3 file.