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DNA of a Song

DNA of a Song

Come learn more about the song September by Earth, Wind & Fire. While the song may sound familiar, what are the music elements that make it work? And why is it so popular?

  • WHEN: Thursday, March 21 @ 7 - 8 PM ET

  • WHERE: Zoom

Released in 1978, September reached No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart and remains a popular hit for the band. In 2018, it was added to the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry.

White and Willis wrote the song over the course of a month, conjuring images of clear skies and dancing under the stars. Willis says she likes songs that tell stories, and that at a certain point, she feared the lyrics to "September" were starting to sound simplistic. One nonsense phrase bugged her in particular.

"The, kind of, go-to phrase that Maurice used in every song he wrote was 'ba-dee-ya,' " she says. "So right from the beginning he was singing, 'Ba-dee-ya, say, do you remember / Ba-dee-ya, dancing in September.' And I said, 'We are going to change 'ba-dee-ya' to real words, right?' "

Wrong. Willis says that at the final vocal session she got desperate and begged White to rewrite the part.

"And finally, when it was so obvious that he was not going to do it, I just said, 'What the f*** does 'ba-dee-ya' mean?' And he essentially said, 'Who the f*** cares?'" she says. "I learned my greatest lesson ever in songwriting from him, which was never let the lyric get in the way of the groove." (NPR)

Encore’s new virtual series, Beyond the Soundboard, offers events that dig deeper into music — from theory & history to practical lessons & tips — to help you connect more with the healing power of music.

This DNA of a Song session will cover the inner workings of September and answer questions, such as What about this song makes it popular? How do musicians choose elements of a song? How do we identify the elements of a song?

Whether you are a musician or just interested in learning more about music, this event will provide insight into the world of music as a human phenomenon.

  • WHEN: Thursday, March 21 @ 7 - 8 PM ET

  • WHERE: Zoom

About Your Instructor

Matthew Sorena received his Bachelors degree in Music and Masters degree in Music Therapy. He practiced music therapy for over 7 years and has been playing a variety of instruments for over 15 years.

Matthew enjoys teaching people of all interest and ability levels about the phenomenon of music. He presents material in a relatable and easy to follow manner, and he welcomes both experts and novices to join in!


Encore

Encore provides veterans & first responders with (free) opportunities to learn, write, play, record, and share music.

  • JAMS: Regular sessions of casual community-based music experiences hosted by a trained Lead Musician. Guardians of any skill level are welcome to join — using their own instrument or one of ours. Come jam with us in Beacon NY, Mahopac NY, Manhattan NYC, and Billings MT.

  • LESSONS: We offer beginner to advanced guitar, ukulele, bass, and piano lessons via zoom. Lessons will start at your level & go at your pace, based on your individual goals and objectives with music. You can also learn basic music theory, if interested.

  • RETREATS: Led by a music therapist, these 3-day retreats offer guardians the opportunity to immerse in music together, providing a chance to reset through music & community.

  • TRACKS: A unique experience where we facilitate professional songwriting, recording, and releasing of a guardian’s original music. This opportunity to share their story helps them process emotions as well as offer a potential professional path forward with music.

    • Through our Tracks experience, we work with a guardian on professional songwriting, recording, and releasing their original music on our label, Guardian Revival Records (available on all streaming platforms).

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March 20

Wellness Wednesdays

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March 22

Veterans Gathering