People sometimes ask me where or how we learn the songs we sing together. The short answer is that I learn them by singing them, by being taught them, and doing it again and again. And here's the longer answer: ## Learning other peoples' songs The singing we do is part of a modern oral tradition of folk songs. That means we learn the songs by listening to them, not by reading off of a musical staff. This keeps the songs alive. It forces us to listen well and use our full voices--our bodies, hearts, and minds in unison... I digress. One "hack" for learning songs this way is to use the voice recording feature on your phone. Most song circles and leaders are comfortable and even encourage participants to record the songs for themselves. That way you can go back to listen to them alone or at home and get them down in your body. So, go out and sing. ## "Catching" songs We are all song-beings. Song lives in us as an ancient medicine. Song is one of the primary birthrights of the human species—alongside crafting, storytelling, and dance. Anyone can catch a song. Maybe you hear one in the waterfall roaring at you or you find a little jig as you sing back to the frogs. These little blippetts are songs. Sing them. Share them. Anyone can do it. ## A few pointers Here are some of the folks' whose songs I carry. Some (most) of them have very generous websites with audio tracks of theirs and others' songs. My only demands are these: 1. If you learn a song, share it. 2. If you share a song, name it's sources. **Some song leaders:** - [Ian Carrick](https://www.openhubsinging.com/songs) - [Anni Zylstra](https://www.weavetheday.com/originalsportal) - [Laurence Cole](https://www.laurencecole.com/album/) - [Heidi Wilson](https://www.patreon.com/c/heidiwilson/membership) - [Sarina Partridge](https://www.patreon.com/c/sarinapartridge/membership) - [Lisa Littlebird](https://thebirdsings.com/library-a-z/) - [Aimée Ringle](https://aimeeringlemusic.com/music) - [Barbara McAfee](https://www.barbaramcafee.com/community-songs.html) - [Alexandra Blakely](https://www.healingattheroots.com) Start your own private catalog.