Ghost Notes

Heartache

2011-06-15T08:07:00.003-04:00

Loss can be a horrible word. None of us likes losing something or someone.

Sometimes facing our loss is the hardest thing we ever have to do.

But sometimes it is the very action of our acknowledgment that makes us stronger and wiser.

I wrote this piece for a friend of mine during a rough time in her life. This solo piano piece captures my interpretation of her loss, the difficult climb out of the pain to a place of resolution and acceptance.

Heartache.Mp3 (c) 2010 William Cushman (4:05 / 5.6Mb)

To directly download to your computer click this icon:--------Want to use this piece in your project or website - Royalty & Commercial free at no cost?Just ask. Send me a quick email: Email-Bill

The Dream

2010-09-10T08:36:00.004-04:00

Years ago, a friend of mine told me about a recurring dream. It was a dream about childhood and wishing that they could return to a time of innocence and delight.

I've met many people who wish they could turn back the clock. But this is not the nature of things.

We must go forth, mature and seek wisdom.. "..put childish ways behind me."

But I seem to miss the wonderment of my youth. I don't want to forget it, or go without it forever.

How foolish am I? Compared to Eternity, I Am a child... fumbling about.. still immature and unknowing.
Instead of Dreaming of the past.. we should dream of the future, when one day our clouded judgment will finally become clear.

The delight of my childhood was simple and true ..but it never left.. I just have to open my eyes to it.

The music to this idea takes a winding path.. follow it as it finds its way.

The Dream.Mp3 (c) 2010 William Cushman (4:05 / 5.53Mb)
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*Special thanks to Tom Forrest for the photo.
*Click the picture to go to his website.
Want to use this piece in your project or website - Royalty & Commercial free at no cost?Just ask. Send me a quick email: Email-Bill

AWAKE

2010-02-01T10:28:00.005-05:00

I love our new little baby girl. I especially love to watch her sleep.

Sometimes, while asleep, she smiles.. sometimes she giggles. I find myself feeling so happy while I'm watching her sweet face.

I wonder what babies dream about?

It is beautiful to see such innocence.. and it's even harder to know - that as our little one travels along through the storms of life, it is our job.. My job.. to guide her.. to protect her.. to be a guiding light for her as best as I can.

I know I can't do everything. I mean, I'm only human.. and I won't be around forever, or even able to keep up with her as she gets older.

But there is a light that will always be there.

So the most important thing that I have to do is help introduce her to my Father. The One. The Light in the dark.. Who never will let her down.. Who loves unconditionally.. Who knows her heart.

But for now, sleep and dream your wonderful baby dreams.. it's not time to be awake just yet.

Awake.Mp3 (c) 2010 William Cushman (5:32 / 7.4Mb)
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-Bill

Over my shoulder

2009-12-24T10:59:00.000-05:00

Our little one came yesterday and she is perfect.

Looking back over the past 9 months, it's been insane.. it feels like a million years..

Yet, time just keeps creeping along. I am so grateful for the blessings that we've had in our life.. despite this recession, despite all of problems surrounding us today.. we are truly blessed.

I lay all of my thanks and praise at the foot of the cross..

It's so easy to look forward and see the uncertain future.. but I have to remember to look back and see the beauty behind us.. all of the things that worked out..

As I turn my head, musically, metaphorically.. try to hear the sweet fragrance of His blessing.

Merry Christmas.

Over my shoulder.Mp3 (c) 2006 William Cushman (4:17 / 6.0Mb)
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-Bill

A Woman

2009-08-02T14:59:00.011-04:00

Click here to visit NILMDTS.com

We are expecting again and couldn't be happier!

Several years ago, when my wife, Shannon was going through an especially heartbreaking miscarriage, I wrote a song for her. The simple act of recording this song helped her to heal and move past the pain. It is a song that could apply to any woman going through a rough time in their life. As a man, there is so much that I could not relate to.. but one thing I do understand is that our belief in God's will in our lives is stronger than anything this world can throw at us.

The site that is shown above is an amazing resource for families that have lost a child. All of my music is available for use for any NILMDTS photographer without having to ask permission.

The music is listed below.. and special thanks to Todd Roberson who played electric guitar on this track.

A Woman.Mp3 (c) 2006 William Cushman (2:50 / 3.3Mb)
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-Bill

A long day at work

2009-04-29T10:51:00.001-04:00

When God created the whole universe in 6 days, He took a breather on the 7th day. It was so important that He blessed that day.

So what did He do? Did He take a nap? Or did He chill out in a cosmic armchair and enjoy His creation?

All I know is that after I've really worked hard and given my all, sometimes the best reward that I can experience is to unwind my mind at the piano. For me, making music is like curling up on the couch or eating an ice cream cone.

I don't record a lot of free-form jazz, but sometimes it just hits the spot. I think my wife knew I needed to go straight to the piano as I walked in the door..

And as soon as my fingers brushed the keys.. I felt all the tension just wash away.

And what was left.. well.. I hope it blesses you.

A long day at work.Mp3 (c) 2009 William Cushman (4:43 / 6.5Mb)
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Amazing Grace

2008-03-23T00:50:00.008-04:00

Photo by P. Neil Ralley

Easter, 2008. His Grace is Still Amazing to me.

Amazing Grace! How Sweet the Sound.Mp3 (c) 2006 William Cushman (5:02 / 6.7Mb)
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Beyond

2008-01-01T12:16:00.002-05:00

You know, one of the strangest life lessons that I need to learn and re-learn, is how small we truly are.

I mean, how weird is it to be taught our entire lives that if we apply ourselves hard enough that we can accomplish anything... only to come to the final realization that I have basically no relevance to anything in comparison to the vastness of this incredible universe.

And how wonderful is it to know that regardless of my size or relevance, that the One who created it all, still loves me, just for me. It is impossible to refute and it is so simple.

It's never been about me... life is beyond anyone's understanding...

"For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible..."(Colossians 1:16)

Listen below to my wonder..

Beyond.Mp3 (c) 2007 William Cushman (10:38 / 14.7Mb)
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-Bill

Also: I'd like to recognize a wonderful time-lapse video made by Shane Gehlert that blends his photography with this song.. Thanks Shane! .. see below:

Theme from Mozart's Sonata in C

2007-07-24T23:13:00.000-04:00

I couldn't help myself. After listening to this piece over and over as our youngest begs for yet another repetition of his Baby Einstein Dvd, I finally broke down one evening and made the piece my own.

Yes.. it's the same piece. And if you're a purist, please forgive me.. I know not what I do. This is how I hear this beautiful work inside my head. I hope it blesses you as much as the original.

"Sing to Him a new song.."

Theme from Mozart's Sonata in C.Mp3 (c) 2006 William Cushman (5:28 / 7.6Mb)
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-Bill

Sweet

2007-06-11T00:32:00.001-04:00

"Laura"© Caleb Cushman age 4

This is a quick post. My brother in law asked me to show him how use my recording software (Garageband) on my Macintosh. So I put together this loop in about 5 minutes. When it was finished, he said, "sweet!". So that's what I named it. When I was putting it together, the clean feel of it made me think of the color blue, for no particular reason. I found this old painting that my oldest son, Caleb, painted a few years ago and it matches the color I was thinking of.
I hope that you can use this music!

Sweet.Mp3 (c) 2006 William Cushman (2:01 / 2.8Mb)
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-Bill

Are you sleeping?

2007-05-06T14:23:00.000-04:00

"Mother and Child"© Brett Rogers

Brett was right when he painted this.. there is nothing more beautiful in the world than a mom and her baby sleeping together.

My wife was asleep on the bed with our baby.. and I couldn't help but just stare.

The composition below came into my mind... I sat down and recorded it instantly. Yes, it's definitely slow, and meditative, but, after all, it was the middle of the night.

But, my intent was to be gentle, soft. Like a baby's breathing... and also capture how special the moment was.. how perfect they looked together.

I kept thinking that this little baby in her arms, not too long ago was asleep inside of her. And here they are again... a perfect fit.

I finished the recording and wanted to know if I had woke her up with my playing..

so I asked.. are you sleeping?

Neither of them stirred. And kept dreaming.

Are you sleeping.Mp3 (c) 2007 William Cushman (3:36 / 5.0Mb)
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-Bill

Sanctity

2007-01-08T10:40:00.000-05:00

"Sunrise48"© Mark Thomson

A big thank you to Mark. Honestly, I haven't been able to find a single photograph that captured what I was feeling when I recorded this piece. I've been looking for about a year now. Then out of nowhere, I got a request by Mark to use my music for his slideshows.

So, I do what I normally do, I visit the requestor's website, browse through their works to get a feel for their type of art and then add their link to my blog (over on the left) and then shoot them an email giving them permission to use my music.

I knew instantly, that this photograph was what I was looking for.

The type of Sanctity that I felt when I recorded this piece was vast. I prayed for several minutes before flipping the record switch, and then let come out the first thing that came into my heart. It was appreciation. For the creation of this planet. For life.

I hope you can hear that as well.

Sanctity.Mp3 (c) 2006 William Cushman (5:22 / 7.4Mb)
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-Bill

On my way

2006-08-06T01:21:00.000-04:00

"Going my way" Watercolor © Verhagen 2004

So, to quote Dr. Suess.. "The time has come, the time is now."

Me and the fam are packing up and moving back to Florida. It's not that we don't like Nashville, but an offer we can't refuse has suddenly appeared.

There are so many emotions involved with moving. Leaving my friends and all of these memories behind.. it's such a mixed bag of excitement and heartache all at the same time. But... we all must go our own way sometimes.. just like little Julia in the painting up there. And sometimes, it's not our own choice... it's a choice made for us. I can be very stubborn, but even I can't ignore it when my Father calls me.

This piece is a little different because it has a 808 drum groove going on behind it. I actually really like the way that this turned out. Not too shabby for one take completely made up on the fly, eh?

Hope you like it.

On my way.Mp3 (c) 2006 William Cushman (4:52 / 6.8Mb)
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-Bill

Healing slowly

2006-06-11T11:38:00.000-04:00

"Broken" Abstract © Dale Hudjik 2005

This piece was actually physically painful to play.

Towards the end of 2003, I had a horrible accident where I had my left shoulder completely dislocated leaving my left arm practically inoperable.

The only solution was intrusive shoulder surgery.

Two weeks after the surgery, I had to prove to myself that I would be able to play again.
So, with my left arm taped to my body, a morphine pump hanging around my neck, and me finally coming off of the Mepergan.. I sat down and forced myself to play...mostly right handed.

It is possible you know..

To heal, that is. Whether it's a shoulder, cancer, a broken heart, or a terrible loss..

He made us able to heal. Like a crack of sunshine in a mass of confusion, like the picture above. It is possible to put the pieces back together...

Even if sometimes it takes a while.

Healing slowly.Mp3 (c) 2006 William Cushman (6:11 / 8.6Mb)
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-Bill

Just a Moment

2006-04-22T00:29:00.001-04:00

"Enter With Boldness" Watercolor © Gwen Mehard

I was sitting at the piano practicing one day and it was almost time for us to leave the house. I can't remember exactly where it was we were going.. some sort of errand.

My wife called from the kitchen, "We're leaving in five minutes."

Right at that instant, I heard this piece in my head... I called back, "Just a moment."

I had to act fast, I knew if I didn't record it at once, I would probably lose exactly what I was feeling.

I flipped on the recorder, and started playing...

...right as I finished the last note, I looked up, she had our son, and was ready to roll.

I flipped off the recorder and followed her out the door.

Do I feel over-scheduled and cramped for time? Sure. But I choose not to back down. If it requires a boldness in the way that I am, then so be it. Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world.

Please take a moment to listen to this small tribute.

Just a Moment.Mp3 (c) 2006 William Cushman (2:41 / 3.7Mb)
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Morning has Broken

2006-03-24T09:43:00.001-05:00

"Black distraction of a cats desire" Digital Print © Rich L. Frederick

The melody behind the hymn "Morning has broken" is an old Gaelic melody. This melody has been set with different text over the years.. but one of the most famous is 'Morning', which most people associate with the Cat Stevens recording.

I grew up in the Presbyterian Church, so this hymn was part of the normal repertoir of pieces that we would chorally sing, accompanied by the organist (who by the way, was my first piano teacher).
As we approach Easter, I thought it would be appropriate to share my own version of this classic. The lyrics are simple and sweet, and I believe are reflective of the new beginning that Easter brings.

Morning has Broken.Mp3 arrangement (c) 2006 William Cushman (4:45 / 4.4Mb) / Original melody is public domain.
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*New* - for a copy of the sheet music of this arrangement - Click HERE for a pdf copy ..Please note that this arrangement is Copyright protected and cannot be published without permission.
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-Bill

Esmovoir

2006-02-22T13:44:00.000-05:00

"Emotion" © 2005 Nicholas Rougeux

Back when I was working to discover my current compositional technique, which is composing music completely improvisationally, I spent years writing pieces in the standard method.
I would carefully work out each element of a piano piece and practice how I wanted everything to sound. This piece was actually written out by hand on staff paper, sitting at my piano.

This piece, called esmovoir, which is a French word for emotion, was written back then. It also happens to be one of the few works that I actually decided to record back then.

I was planning to write a whole series of "esmovoir" type pieces that were all interrelated. I ended up only writing two. This is the first. But I felt that it would be nice to share this piece with you.

My intent for this piece is to try to capture a sense of pure emotion like the fractal image above. There is not a specific subject matter that inspired it, just my overall sense of the beauty of life.

I hope you enjoy it.

Esmovoir.Mp3 © 2006 William Cushman (3:22 / 3.1Mb)
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Here are some links to projects that people have made using this composition.. check them out!

Tucson Vacation 2006 (2.1MB, 00:05:10) by Eric at Widewaterfilms.

If you have a project you'd like me to link.. just email me.
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Want to use this piece in your project or website - Royalty & Commercial free at no cost?
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-Bill

Whither thou Goest

2006-01-23T19:22:00.001-05:00

"Ruth and Naomi", by He Qi, China (c) 2001

After my wife's grandfather passed away recently, we wanted to make a video for her. We gathered up footage and created a DVD.

Her grandparent's favorite hymn was "Whither thou Goest" op.103c 1962 by Flor Peeters.

So, I decided to record a small intro loop for the menu portion of the DVD. I purposely made the composition loopable, because, I think we all know how people tend start a film and then let it sit on the menu while they get situated. A loop allows the menu music to repeat almost seamlessly.

"Whither thou Goest" is primarily used as a wedding song. But why?
It comes from the book of Ruth. But not from a wedding. It is a pledge. A lifelong pledge.

A wonderful woman named Naomi moved with her two sons and husband to a new country. Her sons married two local women in this new place.

And then tragedy happened. Naomi lost her husband, and both of her sons.

All she had left in the world were these two daughter in laws. So she decided to leave the new country and go back, a fraction of the woman that she once was. She asked her two daughters in law to leave her. One of them left.. but then something unexpected happened with the second.

The second daughter in law felt that there was something special about Naomi. And knew that beyond shadow of doubt, that she needed to stay with her. Her name was Ruth.

Rth 1:16 And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, [or] to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people [shall be] my people, and thy God my God.

Could you make this pledge to another person? Many of us already have.

Take another look at the picture above. Do you see Naomi and Ruth together? Do you see the other daughter in law turning away?

I know that my wife's Grandmother traveled with her husband through all of life's challenges. And someday.. will yet again, go where he has gone.

Whither thou Goest.Mp3 - Performed/Arranged by William Cushman (c)2005 - composed by Flor Peeters (1903-1986) public domain (2.3Mb / 1:38 duration).
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****I've also had several people ask me for the notation on this piece.. I'm not really good with computer notation and you really don't want to see my sloppy hand notation, so below is an "auto" notation that is built into Apple's Garageband Software that gets kind of close. Click here for a pdf file. The arrangement is copyright protected.

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Want to use this piece in your project or website - royalty & commercial free at no cost?
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-Bill

When Brandi's down

2006-01-13T17:05:00.000-05:00

"Christina's World" (c) 1948 Andrew Wyeth (American, 1917-)

Brandi was a close friend of mine that found herself constantly immersed in a chaotic whirlwind of events.

Because she was dear to my heart, her tragedies would affect me.
I wrote this piece for her during one of her particular sad moments.

One amazing thing about her was her ability to smile and laugh at problems.
Sad laughter.

Can you hear it in the music?

When Brandi's down.Mp3 (c) 2003 William Cushman (5:28 / 7.6Mb) -please give it time to load.)
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What child is this?

2005-12-20T13:01:00.001-05:00

"Baby Jesus" by Deborah Woodall (c) 2005
(click link to see her blog)

I have no idea who Deborah is. She posts these beautiful paintings to her blog yet remains anonymous to us all. Click on the painting to link to her site.

The original author of the English folk tune, Greensleeves, the melody behind this Christmas Carol, may also remain a mystery forever. However, it is well known that the words of this carol were penned by William Dix in 1865.

Although you don't hear the words in my recording, I most definitely was thinking them as I played the music. And even though my version sounds almost sad, in fact, this carol is actually written in a minor key. When it's slowed down like this, it sounds very brooding.. but instead, I like to think of it as contemplative.

Ask any mother, childbirth is an exciting time, but it is also very exhausting. The last chorus of this carol indicates that Mary is singing to the baby. I'm sure she was happy yet tired. This particular little baby had a big mission ahead of him, and so far He was off to a rough start...

So, sleep little child...

Raise, raise a song on high,
The virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary

What child is this.Mp3 arrangement (c) 2006 William Cushman (5:28 / 5.1Mb)
To directly download to your computer click this icon:

*New* - for a copy of the sheet music of this arrangement - Click HERE for a pdf copy ..Please note that this arrangement is Copyright protected and cannot be published without permission.
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Want to use this piece in your project or website - royalty & commercial free at no cost?
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-Bill

Angels

2005-12-06T12:05:00.000-05:00

Some of my favorite music of all time is Christmas music. I tend to lean away from Rudolf and Frosty and more towards the classic hymns and Mel Torme sort of stuff.

I know it sounds cheesy, but my favorite Christmas Album of all time is the Carpenters Christmas Portrait. Growing up, we used to have an old LP of it, and around this time of year we'd dust it off, drop the needle and fill the house with Karen's dreamy intoxicating voice.

I have my own piano versions of most of the classic songs.. and someday, if you tune into this blog long enough, you might get a chance to hear them all, if I can persuade my wife to sing them for me.

About 3 years ago, I noticed that I had never experimented with "Angels from the Realms of Glory". The song is always accredited to James Montgomery in 1816.. but he was the lyricist, the music was composed by Henry Smart.

So.. I dug up our old Presbyterian Hymnal and played through the song a couple of times. Then, I hit record, closed my eyes, tried not to think about the notes, but instead.. I found myself soaring through the clouds, imagining what it would be like looking down on the earth on the day Jesus was born, and hearing the Angels sing out in chorus...

Angels.Mp3 (c) 2002 William Cushman (6:21 / 5.9Mb)
For just the 20 second sample, click here.
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Want to use this piece in your project or website - royalty & commercial free at no cost?
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-Bill

Pizza Man

2005-11-01T17:20:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to let you know that I'm still here, but super busy with hardly any time to work on music right now.

We need some extra cash, so I picked up a part time gig - as a Pizza delivery man for Papa Johns. It's helping.

The other night I got home and was still buzzing from driving all over town like a crazy man, so I booted up Apple Garageband on my Mac, and literally Spat this out in one take..

Yes, I know, it's not piano, it's organ, and it's not mellow, and it is not my normal genre, but.. this is how I felt. Maybe some of you can put it to good use. Action sequences, podcast intro music, credits.. who knows?

Pizza Man.Mp3 (c) 2005 William Cushman (2:14 / 3.1Mb) For a low-rez/bandwidth version, click here.
To directly download to your computer click this icon:
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Here are some links to projects that people have made using this composition.. check them out!

Boris Yamnitsky Parte - Rocco C. "Yarin VooDoo" Videomakers.net Staff

If you have a project you'd like me to link.. just email me.
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Want to use this piece in your project or website - royalty & commercial free at no cost?
Just ask.
Send me a quick email: Email

-Bill

Enchantment

2005-10-13T11:24:00.001-04:00

"Enchantment" Copyright © Powers Photography

Back when Shannon and I were dating, I asked her if she would like to get a "nice" picture of us together as a couple. I was also in the process of moving my piano from college back down to Orlando. I told her that I would take care of everything, and all she needed to do was show up at the park with a nice dress on.

When Shannon arrived, I met her in the parking lot, (she looked radiant) and asked her to come with me along the path. Deep in the middle of the park, she discovered my piano, accompanied by the master photographers that I had set the appointment with.

She thought that it was charming that I had gone to such lengths for just a simple picture. Susan, one of the photographers, sat Shannon down on the piano bench and began to adjust her hair. When she finished, Shannon turned to ask me if I was ready, only to find me bent, on one knee.
Needless to say, everything turned out perfect that day.

Shannon came to find out that Stewart, the other photographer, under the guise of "getting his camera ready", had documented the entire event in real time. One of Shannon's favorite albums, is her very own Engagement Album from that day.

This piece "Enchantment", was written as a present for Shannon later on during our engagement. It's much older than any of the other pieces you've heard on this blog, and it is composed differently. I wanted to capture my feelings for her in this piece, and so the music was actually written out the 'normal' way, in advance and practiced; long before I had discovered my improvisational method. I still have the hand written notation in my piano bench.

Sorry, it's been a while since I've posted, we've been busy having another beautiful little boy.

Everyday, especially lately, I am so in awe of my wife, and thought that it would be nice to share this music that I wrote for her.

Enchantment.Mp3 (c) 1997 William Cushman (3:53 / 3.6Mb / Low bandwidth version Here.
To directly download to your computer click this icon:
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Here are some links to projects that people have made using this composition.. check them out!

LemckeHighlights.wmv - by Philip Hinkle of http://www.frogmanproductions.com/

"Enchanted" - by Benny Wibowo of Neus Motion.

America

2005-09-11T17:16:00.000-04:00

Katherine Lee Bates, a professor of English at Wellesley College in
Massachusetts, visited Pikes Peak in the summer of 1893. It was a hard
wagon drive through the heat and thin air to the top, but when she attained
it, the view provided an incredible feast for her New England eyes: the
russet and purple mountains and the golden green valleys below, and the arch
of the infinite sky above. "It was then and there," she said, "that the
opening line of a poem floated into my mind-'O Beautiful for spacious
skies...'!" Later she sketched out the remainder of the verse. When the
poem was published, more than 60 composers offered to set the words to
music. But Miss Bates chose a melody written for a hymn "Materna" in 1882 by Samuel
Augustus Ward. Ward's music and Professor Bates' lyrics are now happily
inseparable. Once, while being honored for her work by educators and
musicians, Miss Bates remarked: "It is not work to write a song; it is a
great joy."

In September 2002, one year after the terrible tradegy, as the clock moved past midnight and into Wednesday morning the 11th, I sat
down at the piano and played. This was recorded in one take and reflects my
personal feelings of mourning and the healing that this beautiful country is going through. Again, my heart reaches out to the victims of another terrible tragedy, Katrina.

Thank you, Ms Bates, for your wonderful words, and you, Mr.
Ward, for your music. But most of all, thank you God, for your creation.

America the Beautiful "Materna" (as performed by W. Cushman).Mp3 (c) 2002 William Cushman (4:35 / 4.2Mb)

Note: Although the original melody is public domain and can be used commercial free, if you wish to commercially use my version, please let me know via email. Thank you. Email Me

To directly download to your computer click this icon:

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Here are some links to projects that people have made using this composition.. check them out!

Pamela Gordon's Project
Showcase - by Tommy
Stewart Memorial - by Philip "Frogman" Hinkle.

Before the Wall

2005-08-24T02:32:00.001-04:00

"Calinerie" by William Bouguereau (1825-1905) click picture for link

There is a purity in a child's mind that allows a parent or a loved one to let down their guard and be themselves.

I see myself treating my children with this same abandon, without worry of judgement.

And there was a time... long ago, that I vaguely remember how my father used to be around me.

But things change, and people begin to put up walls. Sometimes it's a parent, getting uncomfortable with their own child's loss of innocence. Some parents have no problem showing/allowing affection as long as their child doesn't get embarrassed. But as soon as the child becomes aware that others are watching, Boom! .. up goes a wall. Sometimes forever. It is invisible, but tangible.. like a father and son afraid to say, "I love you." Or a mother and daughter that became strangers during her high-school rebellion years, and have never found a way to re-connect.

This music is how I feel when I find myself adrift in the peaceful solace of an innocent hug, or the comfortable unjudging conversation with my kids.

Cherishing these moments before the walls start to grow.

Before the Wall.Mp3 (c) 2003 William Cushman (2:53 / 2.7Mb) - For a smaller preview click HERE.
To directly download to your computer click this icon:
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Want to use this piece in your project or website - royalty & commercial free at no cost?
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Send me a quick email: Email

-Bill

He's so sweet

2005-07-29T19:26:00.000-04:00

"5 months old" (second trimester)

Friends of ours have recently gone through the unsettling loss of their little girl, Mari. Having gone through four miscarriages, we understand pain and overwhelming loss. Our prayers are with them during this time.

After time, my wife has developed a wonderful way of thinking about our losses. Her grandfather passed away a few years back, and she can see Grandaddy just having a ball with his four little grandbabies up in heaven. She says that he's just watching over them right now until it's our time to go see them. In our eyes, it's four of our children that we don't have to worry about making it to heaven.

This is one reason why we focus so much attention and "over-protectiveness" on our little boy.

It's amazing how sweet little kids can be. I sat down to record my feelings about just how sweet my little guy is.. but I couldn't keep out my fear of losing him.

So what remains is a mixture of joy.. and something else...

He's so sweet.Mp3 (c) 2003 William Cushman (3:21 / 3.1Mb) For a low bandwidth preview click here.
To directly download to your computer click this icon:
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Want to use this piece in your project or website - royalty & commercial free at no cost?
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Send me a quick email: Email

-Bill

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Here are some links to projects that people have made using this composition.. check them out!

"And Baby makes five" (1.8mb) by Kimberly Kwan

Email me if you want me to showcase your project.

17 extended

2005-07-13T17:20:00.000-04:00

Another quick post.

I remixed the audio loop that I previously posted called "17".

I slowed it down and made it more ethereal sounding.

Once again, if anyone would like to embed this FLASH-loop into their webpage, I created a help page with the example & code.. click here.

Or if you want to listen to the actual mp3, click or download it below.

17 extended (c) 2005 William Cushman (0:17 / .3Mb)
To directly download to your computer click this icon:
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Want to use this piece in your project or website - royalty & commercial free at no cost?
Just ask.
Send me a quick email: Email

-Bill

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Here are some links to projects that people have made using this composition.. check them out!

"Loving in Blue" (8Mb) by Rocco C. "Yarin VooDoo"

Email me if you have a project you'd like me to showcase.

Examples

2005-07-08T18:02:00.000-04:00

Just a quick post..

Here are some examples of how the guys over at screene.com are using some of my compositions.

Thanks guys!! Great work.

http://www.screene.com/previewflagshipecard.php3?image=14_298.swf
http://www.screene.com/previewflagshipecard.php3?image=14_135.swf
http://www.screene.com/previewflagshipecard.php3?image=14_321.swf
http://www.screene.com/previewflagshipecard.php3?image=14_224.swf
http://www.screene.com/previewflagshipecard.php3?image=14_331.swf
http://www.screene.com/previewflagshipecard.php3?image=14_352.swf
http://www.screene.com/previewflagshipecard.php3?image=14_356.swf

Monotony

2005-06-28T18:02:00.000-04:00

"Monotony" by Manuel Catez "Golog".

At one time, life felt way too cyclical. Day after day.

The repetition made me feel dull inside, like a featureless lanscape.

The same comfort that I sought to find inside of a pattern.. slowly traped me.

I began to dream of change... what did it feel like?

Listen as I struggled to fight the monotony.

(Composed in 2003 when I felt trapped in my job... little did I know that change was on the horizon.)

Monotony.Mp3 (c) 2003 William Cushman (4:14 / 3.9Mb) Click here for a small preview.
To directly download to your computer click this icon:

Bonus---------------------------------

My good friend Christian Holihan from http://www.holihandesign.net/ has sampled the first couple seconds from Monotony, looped it and created his own version. He has given me permission to post the following two derivative works under the same royalty free stipulations that cover all of my works on this site... enjoy and use in your projects!

Monotony Remix 1 (Mp3) - 1:04 - with added solo. (cc) 2005 Holihan/Cushman
Monotony Remix 2 (Mp3) - 1:04 - without solo. (cc) 2005 Holihan/Cushman
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Want to use this piece in your project or website - royalty & commercial free at no cost?
Just ask.
Send me a quick email: Email

-Bill

Fear Itself

2005-06-14T11:25:00.000-04:00

"Calabi-Yau Cross Section" Indiana University.(click)

There's all types of fear. I've discovered through life that I'm not only afraid of extreme heights or the inside of a MRI, but also hundreds of other fears.

What the heck happened? No wonder so many teenagers get in wrecks. We were fearless... I was.. fearless.

But time goes on, we get broken and built back.. and our fears change, some disappear (like being grounded by your dad or dentists) and others come along that are more complex. I am scared to death that something would happen to my family.

A strange fear is the fear of change. Change of life, job, love. Change of knowledge... like, the fact that the Earth isn't flat or the center of the Universe. Those used to be fighting words. Or how about the idea that there are more than 4 dimensions? But there is not a single human alive that can visualize more than four. But science now tells us that there could be more... that "shape" up there.. the "Calabi-Yau".. that's a six dimensional shape. Believe it or not, this scares people. It implies so much more about reality than people are willing to believe.

Fear. We've all got it.. and sometimes it sucks. But I'll tell you what..

It's saved my life. And in a weird way, It's saved my soul.

Fear Itself.Mp3 (c) 2003 William Cushman (4:41 / 4.3Mb) Click here for a smaller preview.
To directly download to your computer click this icon:
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Want to use this piece in your project or website - royalty & commercial free at no cost?
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Send me a quick email: Email

-Bill

17

2005-06-09T20:30:00.000-04:00

So.. I normally get emails requesting permission to use the music on this blog for commercial royalty-free purposes.. like wedding videographers, etc..(and I always say yes and send a permission email back.)

A couple weeks back I got a request to design a short loop for a webpage..something that would play in the background when people clicked on the page.

There have been several versions and several "out-takes". This was version #1 and my personal favorite.. so I figured I'd share it since nobody is using it.

I went a step further. It's 17 seconds long (hence the name) and you could easily loop it in your video software for the credits or whatever.. but I figured somebody also may want to use it for what it was created for.

So..

I embedded it for you. Go ahead and click on the link to get a sample of how it works. All you would need to do is copy the code (that I provide on the sample page) and paste it into the html on your web page.

Example 3 (Flash version.. my fav.)

Or.. you can just listen or directly download the loop below..

Have fun!

17.Mp3 (c) 2005 William Cushman (0:17 / .3Mb)
To directly download to your computer click this icon:
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Want to use this piece in your project or website - royalty & commercial free at no cost?
Just ask.
Send me a quick email: Email

-Bill

Courtyard

2005-05-26T01:50:00.000-04:00

"Courtyard" Copyright © 2004 Musa Sayyed (click picture to link)

A non-piano composition (it's electric keyboard).. and you'll have to forgive the amateur drum loop...

This is an older piece that I improvised years ago and dug back up for you to check out... I've used it it for several of my home video projects.. it comes in handy.

To get the real scoop on why I wrote it, just click on this old archive audio commentary of me talking about why I wrote it...
Courtyard Commentary.Mp3 (2:46sec please give it time to load.) or direct download:Commentary ZIP FILE.

Courtyard.Mp3 (c) 2001 William Cushman (1:02 / .9Mb)
To directly download to your computer click this icon:
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Want to use this piece in your project or website - royalty & commercial free at no cost?
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Send me a quick email: Email

-Bill

Naive

2005-05-19T01:19:00.000-04:00

"Naive eyes of children" (c) Theit Dung Tran -Veitnam

What can I say? Being around my son inspires me.

That amazing wonder... it almost seems impossible. It's more beautiful than almost anything I have ever seen.

He was standing right next to me watching me play this as I recorded it. His hands reached up and hovered inches from the keys.. but he didn't touch.

Wide eyed, he just looked up into my eyes, blinked and smiled.. perfect.

Naive.Mp3 (c) 2003 William Cushman (3:02 / 2.8Mb)
To directly download to your computer click this icon:
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Want to use this piece in your project or website - royalty & commercial free at no cost?
Just ask.
Send me a quick email: Email

-Bill

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Here are some links to projects that people have made using this composition.. check them out!

Brenda Logan's flash site "A fine print"

Email me if you have a project you'd like me to showcase.

Holding my Breath

2005-05-12T10:38:00.000-04:00

"Holding our Breath" by Martin A. Poole. Click on picture to link to Gallery.

There are moments in life when time seems to slow down..

When the inhalation of hope causes a person to.. float in indeterminite anticipation.

I found myself standing there.. just like the woman in the painting. Waiting as God moved the world around me. Hoping for the best, unsure about what to think. Holding my breath.

This piece moves slowly.. but I think I captured it just right.

Holding my Breath.Mp3 (c) 2003 William Cushman (3:25 / 3.2Mb)
To directly download to your computer click this icon:
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Here are some links to projects that people have made using this composition.. check them out!

Fritz Demo - This is an example of a Photographer Demo, which showcases a photographer in action during his wedding shoot. This and other great works are produced by Philip Hinkle at Frogman Productions.

Chocolate

2005-05-02T08:43:00.001-04:00

Ah.. chocolate. How can words describe it? In a moment of delight and euphoria over eating some left over chocolate, I sat down in my caffeine enhanced state and played this random composition.

At first listen... it didn't sound perfect. How strange.

So, using my computer, I tweaked an electronic instrument and re-recorded the piece using the original midi. I like them both.

I recently had an opportunity to use both pieces in a little video project. It is a nice contrast to use one piece for the intro and another for the credits.

Simple and sweet. Like it's name.

Chocolate (synth version).Mp3 (c) 2003 William Cushman (5:40 / 5.2Mb)
To directly download to your computer click this icon:
Chocolate (piano version).Mp3 (c) 2003 William Cushman (5:40 / 5.2Mb)
To directly download to your computer click this icon:
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Want to use this piece in your project or website - royalty & commercial free at no cost?
Just ask.
Send me a quick email: Email

-Bill

Where's the Juice?

2005-04-25T13:00:00.000-04:00

"Treasure Map" by Caleb age 4. Crayon.

I have an idea about why boys draw pictures differently than girls. I was checking out Ava's thursday picture over at Ward's blog.. and once again I asked myself why Caleb's drawings and paintings look so completely different from hers.. being ~ the same age and all...

See that picture up there? Do you have any idea what that is? It looks like complete insanity. But why would a healthy, intellegent boy draw complete insanity? Ah.. let's ask him. "So tell me Caleb, what exactly is this a picture of"? (In my mind, I'm trained to look for things that make sense.. like faces, shapes, etc.)
Caleb said, "That's a map."

Ok... I guess that works.. but it still doesn't answer my question.. why does it look so crazy?

Of course, the answer lies not in the end result, but in the production. I needed to watch him make one of these creations.

So I watched... and guess what.. I got it.

Almost all of his art works are "performance" pieces. He's playing, that's it. He draws a line and tells me, "this is the ship (or other vehicle), and it flies this way and.. Oh NO! there's a missle.. watch out!! and CRASH! (insert little boy sound effects) Ahh! Bang! Splash.. I got the Treasure.. run! run!"... you get the point.

Those aren't faces on the picture. That's machine gun fire. There's no expectation for him to actually draw anything. This is art in motion. Some kids just simply draw what we think they're supposed to do. They draw objects and people. I'm generalizing of course. But it makes sense to me.

I love his mind. Back when he was 2 years old, he used to call any liquid "juice". Milk, water, soda, a swimming pool.. they were all filled with "juice".

One day it was raining and I found him plastered up against the back window staring at the flood of water running through the back yard. He turned and looked at me and said, "Daddy, where's the Juice"? I smiled and nodded in the direction of the water and said, "It's out there Caleb". He'd turn and look, and then he'd ask me again. Over and over. Intrigued in the motion. The confusion of it all.

So.. I tried to capture it. You know.. the motion.. the dynamic of his mind. A little boy's mind.

This is as close as I could get... enjoy.

Where's the Juice? (c) 2003 William Cushman (6:23 / 5.9Mb)
To directly download to your computer click this icon:
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Want to use this piece in your project or website - royalty & commercial free at no cost?
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Send me a quick email: Email

-Bill

Inspiration

2005-04-16T17:27:00.000-04:00

"Shannon's Hair" Copyright © Powers Photography

When we got married, we had our pictures done by Powers Photograhy in Gainesville, Florida. Susan and Stewart were amazing. Almost magical.

We have gone back over the years to have family portraiture done. This piece simply captured my simple emotion of amazement and inspiration of their art.

The photo above was from our wedding day.

Inspiration.Mp3 (c) 2003 William Cushman (7:38 / 7Mb)
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Want to use this piece in your project or website - royalty & commercial free at no cost?
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Send me a quick email: Email

-Bill

Gravity

2005-04-11T08:57:00.000-04:00

"Light the Night" cancer walk : "Balloons"CC2005

I told Shannon [my wife] , that I was going to post 'Gravity' today. She said, "so, what are you going to write"?

I told her that I actually had two problems.. what to write, and what picture to use.
On my first couple posts, you'll notice that I don't post a picture. I realized later, that I have images insided my head as I write these pieces. Sometimes.. hundreds of images. So, it's important for me to share what I 'see' and not just what I hear.

These balloons were in a corner over by a fence at the "Light the Night" Cancer walk that year in Nashville. Shannon used to work part time at the Disney Store, and one of her managers was struggling with lymphoma. We all went and walked a mile to show our support for her.

This piece is hard to explain.

First of all, it's one of my longest. Of course, the entire thing was recorded just like all the other pieces. One sitting, one recording, made it up on the spot.

I was feeling too deep into my own life. All about me. So, I tried to push off. To float outside my little world and bring my focus out broader. To take a step back. To see those around me.. to see Their lives. There is more to life than me.

Then.. to move around the earth in my mind, to recognize the vastness of humanity. To try to grasp the immenseness of it all; the beauty of the Creation.

All of us tied to this planet. All of us pulled into our own little worlds.

There is a physical gravity that pulls us down and holds us here. But there is yet another Gravity that pulls a person into their own life. We all forget about it. It's just there. And it's so easy to go about your day, taking it all for granted.

I remember just staring at those balloons.

This music captures something... a moment... when I fought my way away from that force.

Gravity.Mp3 (c) 2002 William Cushman (12:51 / 11.8Mb)
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Want to use this piece in your project or website - royalty & commercial free at no cost?
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-Bill

If I Persist

2005-04-01T23:05:00.000-05:00

Caleb's Art: "Mommy, Daddy & Me" (Click picture for bigger version)CC2005

My wife's family has some friends that let them borrow a cabin up in Maggie Valley, North Carolina this past weekend. So naturally, we joined them for a couple of days.

Wow, what a refreshing, wonderful time we had. On the drive over there, me and my wife had a couple of arguments in the car. Normal stuff. I don't even remember what it was about. But, I think I know why...

We were de-toxing. We were getting the junk out. By the time we pulled into the mountains, it was snowing and sticking. Amazing. And everything was ok again.

It was beautiful, the rainbow trout were biting anything we put on the line, and the weather was perfect.

And then, suddenly, it was all gone.. and I find myself back at work again. Rested, and refreshed.. but back in the grind. Dreaming of more family time. Upset that I can't spend more time with them.

I keep thinking that someday it will pay off. All the hard work. But then, i'm also learning that life is more about the sides of the mountains, instead of the top.

The "magical" payoff. Hmm. I'm not so sure anymore. Nobody said life would be easy.

Don Finto explained something to me once. It's such a strange concept to me.

He said, Suffering produces perserverance and perserverance produces character... it's right there in Romans, in the Bible.

What? So.. you mean to tell me.. bad things, tough situations.. they make my character better?

What a strange life. The only way to trully 'get it', appreciate it, and Grow, is to Try and Fail. Over and over. Through good and bad. Trusting Him.

If I Persist.Mp3 (c) 2002 William Cushman (8:25 / 7.8Mb)
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-Bill

Alamo

2005-03-30T11:36:00.000-05:00

Postcard of the Alamo : San Antonio, TX

I feel that I need to mention this little piece.

On my search over the years to "discover" my composition technique.. at one time, I had decided that I would compose a series of "postcard" pieces.
Basically, I would put the post card on the piano.. and then use it and the message on the back as inspiration.

Many people have sent me postcards over the years. But this particular postcard stood out. Mainly because it was from my parents.. and because of what my mom wrote on the back.

She explains that her visit there made her want to weep.

After staring at the postcard for several weeks.. I came up with a motif and sketched out this composition around it. -Keep in mind- This composition occured BEFORE I began composing my completely improvisational pieces. This piece is a hybrid... both predetermined motifs and improvisation during the recording.

The Alamo is more than just an old, strategically placed mission.

I believe that this location.. it's history.. represents human determination.

The story of David Crockett, and how they held the Alamo against terrible odds. All of the blood that was shed in the historical struggles to control this land.. was it in vain?

These men and women died for us. So that we may be free. So that the ideas of our founding fathers could flourish.

So.. this piece is somewhat of a Dirge... Very sad. Yet.. somehow.. hopefull, steadfast, determined, and accepting. For them.

For us.

Alamo.Mp3 (c) 2001 William Cushman (5:10 / 4.8Mb)
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Want to use this piece in your project or website - royalty & commercial free at no cost?
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-Bill

Under my Skin

2005-03-25T00:09:00.000-05:00

Caleb's Art age 4 : "Crash" (Click picture for bigger version)CC2005

Boys think so differently than girls at this age. Take for example Ava over at Ward's blog. She's 4, but her art has so much more realism to it.

Caleb is just pure abstract. If I ask him what he painted.. (like I did on this one), he says, "there was a man running and he went Crash!" Boys are awesome.

How perfectly does that tie in with my composition...

I recorded this piece after several months of just working my fingers to the bone (at the restaurant- not on the music). This work was the oupouring of emotion, exhaustion, and being just totally pissed off about work and the bull that I had to put up with.

You know what I'm talking about. The endless nonsense that drives you crazy. But you keep on going at it. Have to. There's a family at home that needs my support. But sometimes you can only take so much. And work just gets down deep under my skin and just won't relent. Talk about a man who went Crash!

The piano called to me.

And so I spat this frustration out on the keyboard. Point blank. I felt like I was dictating a spiritual battle inside of me. I don't think I could play this piece ever again if I tried.

But it worked. You can feel me working it out. And at the end.. you'll hear it.. you know exactly when i've tilted the scales back into place and everything is well..

once again.

Under my Skin.Mp3 (c) 2002 William Cushman (4:36 / 4.3Mb)
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Here are some links to projects that people have made using this composition.. check them out!

Marc Peters Christmas 2006

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Want to use this piece in your project or website - royalty & commercial free at no cost?
Just ask.
Send me a quick email: Email

-Bill

Meditation

2005-03-19T12:33:00.000-05:00

So let me tell you about Brandi.

I met Brandi years ago when I was a store manager at Ruby Tuesday.

She's one of those people that just inspires you. She believes in people. So we became good friends.

Well, she used to meditate quite a bit. She had a little sand meditation garden at her pad. It was centered in the middle of a sort of shrine that was on a table. And she'd spend hours clearing her mind and just drifting into the elements on this table. There were rocks, and trinkets, and presents. Things that would represent people, hopes and dreams.

Ok, I know all this sounds incredibly "new agey" but, as I said, she was a friend. I'm not the type of person who jams religion down other peoples throats. I prefer to just let my life do the talking.

Brandi was one of the first people to listen to my new compositional style that I'm now sharing with you. And she loves it. Usually when I would finish a piece.. I would let her listen to it right away.

Actually, my preferred method of sharing my music is to sit down with you and tell you how I was feeling when I composed it.. and then let you hear it on cd... but this text will have to do for now. I've actually recorded myself telling about each composition.. but it seemed out of context for the blog world.

Give this work some time. Take your time listening to it. It is meant for meditation, relaxation. Contemplation. Introspection. Peace.

A few of my friends say it sounds like Vangelis. This is the first piece you will hear that has a "pad" beneath the piano.. which is a soft sound layer like strings.

Put on headphones to hear the sublety.

Let me know what you think. I love feedback. Write a comment, email me through my profile.. or use the mini vote over on the sidebar.

Meditation 7.02 .mp3 (c) 2002 William Cushman (7:02 / 6.5Mb)
To directly download to your computer click this icon:

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Here are some links to projects that people have made using this composition.. check them out!

Showcase - by Tommy
"The love song of J. Alfred Prufrock" by T.S. Eliot - spoken recording by Librivox under direction of Richard Hart.

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Want to use this piece in your project or website - royalty & commercial free at no cost?
Just ask.
Send me a quick email: Email

-Bill

He likes to Ride

2005-03-13T23:56:00.000-05:00

"Car Ride" © Jennifer Branch 2004

First off, I must give you fair warning... this piece is not the same as hardly any of my other works. This one is kind of an experimental blend of techno and piano.

Most of my works are just solo piano.. so, if you like techno type stuff, this is pretty much all i've done in that genre.

Anyways... kids are funny.

I've been around bunches of kids, and they all are different when it comes to riding in cars. Well, we have the sweetest, coolest little boy in the world. (I'm opinionated in some things.)

And if there is one thing that Caleb loves.. it's riding in the car.

So.. there we were, cruising home, just him and me.. and he was just grinning and loving it. Sitting there in his little car seat, all strapped in, just staring out the window and grooving to the rythm of the road.

I got home, and started messing around with a loop editor on the iMac called Mixman. I spliced together a bunch of cool loops, hooked up the keyboard and just started playing.

In my mind, I imagined the lines on the street passing under us.. dash.. dash.. dash. It matched up with the beat of the loops.

You can almost imagine the different sounds representing other cars on the road, the trees going by, the clouds overhead, it's all in there.

And there he was..

Little boy.

Just hanging in the back seat.. like he was meant to be there.

So..

close your eyes and take a little journey with us.

He likes to Ride 5.14 .mp3 (c) 2002 William Cushman (5:14 / 4.8Mb)
To directly download to your computer click this icon:

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Here are some links to projects that people have made using this composition.. check them out!

Check out Martin Bailey's podcasts - they use this song as a lead-in.
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Want to use this piece in your project or website - royalty & commercial free at no cost?
Just ask.
Send me a quick email: Email

-Bill

Feeling Better

2005-03-08T23:43:00.000-05:00

Several days after I came out of the gloomy haze that surrounded my sickness (listed in the previous blog), I woke up suddenly one morning.. and felt as if a veil had been lifted.

It was gone... whatever had been dragging me down. For you, this could be something in your life that has just pulled you down and dragged you through the mud.

Then.. imagine yourself slowly coming out of a thick fog.

This piece starts off almost as if I was just beginning to wake up (which I was). As I shake off the sleepyness and confusion, my head begins to clear...

Why do bad things happen? I've heard people ask.. "Why would a Good God let such bad things happen?"

Simple. Without the bad.. there would be no contrast.. no balance.. and we would never learn to cherish the important things.

Ever meet somebody who always gets what they want? I'm sure you have.

A world without "bad" is a world without hope or love.

This music below is my interpretation of this sentiment. The elation of the soul as it breaks free. The celebration of a new day, a new beginning.

Let this music lift you up as it has lifted me.

Feeling Better 8.05 .mp3 (c) 2002 William Cushman (8:05 / 7.5Mb)
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Want to use this piece in your project or website - royalty & commercial free at no cost?
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-Bill

Nothing Helps

2005-03-05T15:24:00.000-05:00

First of all, I would like to thank all of the people who have shown an interest in my music. Thank you for your compliments. I hope that you will enjoy all of the works to come.

Most of my works are a reflection of an inner conflict or emotional response to something.

I personally despise being sick.

And boy, was I sick.

I just couldn't shake the respiratory infection that I had and despite everything that I tried.. antibiotics, vitamin C, chicken soup.. absolutely Nothing would Help.

I was being a terrible person too. Whenever I get sick, I turn into a Big, Whiny, Dork. My poor wife.

So, the agony of feeling miserable basically led me to pour the emotions out onto the keyboard.

All I had strength for was to flip the record switch, spit the catharsis out, and then hit 'save'.

You may think it's choppy, or even arythmic... and you'd be right. But it's for real.

This is how I feel when I'm sick.

Nothing Helps 5.16 .mp3 (c) 2002 William Cushman (5:16 / 4.9Mb)
To directly download to your computer click this icon:
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Want to use this piece in your project or website - royalty & commercial free at no cost?
Just ask.
Send me a quick email: Email

-Bill

Balboa Park

2005-02-28T23:14:00.000-05:00

A friend of mine sent me a postcard of Balboa Park, in San Diego. She had been visiting up there and thought that it was absolutely beautiful.

I put the postcard on my piano and just stared at it while I was practicing. After a couple of days, I felt like I could almost see the action of the photograph. In my mind, I wondered, what if the leaves could fall down from the trees and dance across the water. It would be a beautiful way for these fall leaves to end their spiral decent as parteners on this reflective landscape.

And so sprang to life, my music of this dance.

Once, again, in my newfound compositional style, this piece is recorded at one sitting, with no previous practice or thought. I just closed my eyes, cleared my mind of everything but the subject and played the first thing that came to me. The music you hear below is the original and only recording. This is my gift to you, not necessarily from me.. the music was there in that photograph, I just recorded it for you.

Balboa Park 7.06 mp3 (c) 2002 William Cushman (7:06 / 6.6Mb)
To directly download to your computer click this icon:
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Want to use this piece in your project or website - royalty & commercial free at no cost?
Just ask.
Send me a quick email: Email

-Bill

Thursday Afternoon

2005-02-23T21:31:00.000-05:00

This story begins in January 2002...

Up until that point, I had never really felt comfortable with any of my compositions. I had tried so many styles and directions and was thoroughly confused about what to do. One of my practice methods had been to relax and run freeform mods over key signatures.

It was early in the afternoon, overcast and drizzling. My son, Caleb, was just hanging out playing with toys. A sudden inpiration came to me..

I booted up our old iMac, turned on Cubase and clicked on my Korg X3.
I cleared my mind. And just thought about the beautiful scene that I could see out the apartment window. The leaves catching the drops, the water bouncing off the bricks..

And then..

I just played.

The piece you will hear below is the Actual piece. I have never played it again. I don't think I could unless I printed it out on sheet music and actually learned it. It is completely improvisational, stream of consciousness and completely unique.

I thought, "this is how I will write from now on."

I have found my style.

Thursday Afternoon 3.32 (c) 2002 William Cushman (3:32 / 3.4Mb)
To directly download to your computer click this icon:
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Want to use this piece in your project or website - royalty & commercial free at no cost?
Just ask.
Send me a quick email: Email

-Bill

Coming Along

2005-02-23T17:31:00.000-05:00

It's absolutely amazing at what goes into blogging. I've been experimenting with multiple drafts of exactly how I need to go about linking my music into this blog and I'm almost ready. I'm aware that once I place my music on here, it will be completely naked and available for anyone. I've gone around and around about this over the years.

However, I know I'm ready to make it available.

My friends and listeners have all told me NOT to do this. They feel that once I make this music available for free, that someone else could come along and use it for whatever they wish.

The truth is.. that's perfectly fine with me. I'd probably be a little disgruntled if it was used for Porn or something nasty.. but otherwise, I want people to use my music for whatever the wish. Home movies, documentaries, whatever. I only ask one thing.. and that's to simply give me credit. And I will turn around and give God credit. I think we all know that God is the Rizzle for the Sizzle. :)

Visit back in a few days and I'll have my first piece ready for you.. it's called "Thursday Afternoon". It's cool.

Introduction

2005-02-18T18:21:00.000-05:00

I found it!
Ok.. well, let me restate that.. After many years of searching, I was gracefully Given it.
I'm speaking of this Style, this compositional style... just a few years ago, the beginning of 2002 to be exact, I finally came across the piano style that fits me perfectly.
In a nutshell, it's improvisational. It's.. stream of consciousness mixed with impressionism. But most importantly, it's not mine to keep. God has graced me with this music, but only so that I can share it with others.
So please, listen, enjoy, try to understand what i'm trying to say with the music.. and please, pass on this gift to others.

****Notice on Commercial Free Royalty Free Useage****

Copyright Law of the United States of America
Circular 92
Chapter 1
§ 106. Exclusive rights in copyrighted works 36
Subject to sections 107 through 122, the owner of copyright under this title has the exclusive rights to do and to authorize any of the following:
..
(3) to distribute copies or phonorecords of the copyrighted work to the public by sale or other transfer of ownership, or by rental, lease, or lending;
..

I have decided that I would like to lend, anyone who ASKS me, via email, comment, or other method, useage of my music for their commercial projects, free of charge and without me collecting the royalties on that specific production, once I have given them written approval. Once given approval (I am very quick to respond, and haven't turned anyone down yet), I will indicate that I will allow commercial useage for free and you can proceed. To quick-link to my email.. just click: here.
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Due to requests, I now also offer a cd for purchase

NOTE: You do NOT have to purchase my CD to Use my RF music commercial-free.

This cd is offered as an additional resource to my blog, only.
Click here to purchase my FIRST royalty-free CD, "William Cushman's Ghost Notes Vol. 1". This CD contains the first 11 selections from this blog. All of the selections are recorded in full CD quality Aiff format, better for professional video and slideshows than the free posted mp3 versions. After requesting my permission (via email) you may utilize any of the pieces on my cd in any of your multimedia projects completely royalty free. Every Purchase helps me keep the free music available. 10% of every purchase will be donated to charity.

Price $7.99.

-Thanks and God Bless,

Bill

Royalty Free Music

2005-02-17T01:58:00.000-05:00

This blog contains Royalty & Commercial Free music at no charge with permission, also called "RF" Music, stock music, or in certain instances called "buy out" music. To learn more..

click here.