Isn’t it wonderful to get a letter from a friend? Through the old tradition of letter writing—
and the new one of email—we keep in touch with people we care about and who care
about us. Letters help us recall treasured memories, communicate feelings and thoughts,
and share precious life events and milestones.
Have you ever written a “musical letter”? If you are a musician, this may be easier than writing with words! That’s what this collection of pieces is—a group of letters I wrote to special friends, using music instead of words.
You can hear some musical ways that I personalized these songs for each friend. I’ve matched a musical phrase to the rhythm of a letter salutation—so you’ll hear a phrase whose rhythm sounds like “Dear Maureen” or “Dear Jennifer,” for example. I’ve also made each song reminiscent of my friend. Dear Mary White has a country music feel because Mary is a country singer and songwriter. Julie creates beautiful love songs, so her letter sounds romantic.
Because these are friendly letters, their style is personal and informal. The chord progressions and harmonies are those found in popular music. The structure is a simple three-part song form, ABA; so you’ll hear the first part returning after a contrasting middle part. You should find these pleasant and—well, friendly—listening!
There’s another thing about writing musical letters for your friends--you can play their song when you miss them, reminding yourself of all you treasure in them. Maybe after listening to these, you will write your own musical letter to a friend.
With love, Carla
Dear Jennifer,
I know you came from Scotland and England only eight years ago, but it is fun to see your taste for American culture. Remember the day we sat at the lunch counter for Johnny Rockets, munching cheeseburgers and fries, sipping coffee in those thick ceramic mugs? It suited you. Someday you will realize your dream of owning a 1950s Chevrolet pickup truck. I used a typical 1950s chord progression (C-A minor-F - G) for your song to symbolize your American soul.
Dear Julie,
My "girlie" girlfriend, white butterflies and yellow sunflowers are you. With your romantic spirit in mind, I wrote sweet thirds in your melody. There's a touch of wistfulness, too, because of your journey through pain and loss. True love is coming for you, my friend!
Dear Maureen,
Thank you for the extraordinary guidance you have given me as my therapist. I tried to portray your sensitive caring and light touch with this soft samba. It tells of your gentle, buoyant spirit, always reaching for the good in people.
Dear Mary White,
Hey, L.A. Cowgirl, here's a country-flavored tune with your name on in. This song comes with my heart's thanks for the care you took recording and engineering my music in your sound studio, and for your generous encouragement from the day we met.
Dear Nancy,
My blues singing, acting, and dancing soul sister, here's a blues song for you. You're a survivor of some of life's toughest challenged--friends lost to cancer, and living through that illness yourself. Your music has helped you thrive, and I hope this song does the same.
Dear Jaye,
As a karaoke business woman, singer and songwriter, you've got talent and determination to match. You love Joan Jett and rockers like her, so i wrote your song with a rock feel. You've pulled through some tough times, like losing your apartment, and my heart goes out to you in this slow, pensive song. Part A is in a minor key; but part B moves to major, telling of the hope I have for you moving forward in good directions.
Dear Stacey,
I cried when you described your childhood--the loss of your mother as a child, and being forced to fend for yourself--such painful things for a little girl. Now you're a mom yourself, channeling your wisdom into soulful poetry and exquisite jewelry art. Your song paints your a carefree childhood--can you see yourself skipping down the street to this tune?
Dear Margaret,
get excited just thinking of the weekend you introduced me to your new home town, New York City! Your song's dance-like rhythm is reminiscent of your and New York--and, of course, your first love, Italy! I can see you moving gracefully across the floor in the arms of some handsome guy, red and white checked tablecloths in the background.
Dear Debbie,
My revved-up energized girlfriend, even after all these years we've worked together on tons of projects, I'm still amazed at your boundless enthusiasm for life, its challenges and joys. I fasten my seat belt whenever we get together, ready for a wild time--like the night we dined in a Greek restaurant in Paris, dished crashing and bouzouki wailing! Your song used a jazz rhythm and harmony to capture this effervescence of spirit--and a zippy tempo to match your own.
