Category Archives: Uncategorized

A Smaller Infinity

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NOTES FOR A SMALLER INFINITY

The full title is (I just need) A Smaller Infinity…first introduced in Feb. 2023 while still in Connestee but soon to be forced out of my home…moving and finding a place to live at 74, being the casualty in another failed relationship that, of course, was my fault…still…I think the essence of my dilemma is revealed in this little tune…

….the structure revolves around, at least in the early versions, the F major flowing into a hybrid A minor diminished with the five note on the A minor becoming the root note for the flow between the F Maj. to the A minor diminished…F =’s F..A..C to the Am +…E..Fflat…C

…this two chord sequence is the base for all that comes next and none of the “rest of the song” is to be repeated but to ‘evolve’ one from the other into a sub-structure that after “a certain number of beats” returned to the opening two chords.

This approach to the song is what is catalogues in the folder “Infinity” with the pdf music scores…and sometimes the transcriptions are not accurate but mostly so….

…the “01.***A Smaller Infinity.wav” is the first version of how to use these two chords together to express a convergence of meaning within the blues context….this is a 10:37 minute adventure of a piano thought on how to construct and complete all at once….it was given the *** for a reason…I do not go above the three…

But now, starting in October of 2023, there has been a new addition to the structure…in the folder Song 8, I have saved “A Smaller Infinity (workshop) which has found a new opening sequence in the chords C minor in the left and G minor in the right…to be followed by F minor in the left and C minor in the right…then this squeezes into the F major-to-F minor diminished and THEN onto the original song sequence which now returns to the “new” opening chords after coming to first the D minor…then Opening going past the D minor to the B flat…then back to the Opening, going past again the D minor, the B flat to the C resolution and back to the opening…as of 11/4/203 I have not moved beyond this.

March 12, 2026

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Today is March 20, 2026 and I am on a Friday night, going over the music recorded on 3/12…will be revamping and re-dressing this site I think tomorrow….dedication because I want this to be my only 2¢ worth to the world…for now.

The media file below is the whole record of that date…I have the individual songs segmented below the main file…you will hear me talking about the music, my depressed state of mind, shit that an artist will say without apologies…still, one needs to juxtapose the content of the speech with the musical tenants..there is a symbiotic relationship…somewhat.

First off is the little intro blues number…unknown until the moment…

Working out and through the latest creative attempt, “I Am An Immigrant”…here I finally get the phrasing right after a false start…

So at the end of the session, I hit into what I thought was something I wrote/recorded earlier, “Requiem for US”…I’ll post that later because it is a jazz digression…this is a lot different even though I tried to recreate Requiem…failed for the better as they say…actually, I never heard anyone say that but me, here and now…could be the name of an album…think I will…Failed for the Better”….by the band, The Choosey Beggars….need to copyright that title Joey…

the second attempt with a good mirror…

..thanks for listening..

March 12, 2026

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Today is March 20, 2026 and I am on a Friday night, going over the music recorded on 3/12…will be revamping and re-dressing this site I think tomorrow….dedication because I want this to be my only 2¢ worth to the world…for now.

The media file below is the whole record of that date…I have the individual songs segmented below the main file…you will hear me talking about the music, my depressed state of mind, shit that an artist will say without apologies…still, one needs to juxtapose the content of the speech with the musical tenants..there is a symbiotic relationship…somewhat.

First off is the little intro blues number…unknown until the moment…

Working out and through the latest creative attempt, “I Am An Immigrant”…here I finally get the phrasing right after a false start…

So at the end of the session, I hit into what I thought was something I wrote/recorded earlier, “Requiem for US”…I’ll post that later because it is a jazz digression…this is a lot different even though I tried to recreate Requiem…failed for the better as they say…actually, I never heard anyone say that but me, here and now…could be the name of an album…think I will…Failed for the Better”….by the band, The Choosey Beggars….need to copyright that title Joey…

the second attempt with a good mirror…

..thanks for listening..

A Smaller Infinity

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0

NOTES FOR A SMALLER INFINITY

The full title is (I just need) A Smaller Infinity…first introduced in Feb. 2023 while still in Connestee but soon to be forced out of my home…moving and finding a place to live at 74, being the casualty in another failed relationship that, of course, was my fault…still…I think the essence of my dilemma is revealed in this little tune…

….the structure revolves around, at least in the early versions, the F major flowing into a hybrid A minor diminished with the five note on the A minor becoming the root note for the flow between the F Maj. to the A minor diminished…F =’s F..A..C to the Am +…E..Fflat…C

…this two chord sequence is the base for all that comes next and none of the “rest of the song” is to be repeated but to ‘evolve’ one from the other into a sub-structure that after “a certain number of beats” returned to the opening two chords.

This approach to the song is what is catalogues in the folder “Infinity” with the pdf music scores…and sometimes the transcriptions are not accurate but mostly so….

…the “01.***A Smaller Infinity.wav” is the first version of how to use these two chords together to express a convergence of meaning within the blues context….this is a 10:37 minute adventure of a piano thought on how to construct and complete all at once….it was given the *** for a reason…I do not go above the three…

But now, starting in October of 2023, there has been a new addition to the structure…in the folder Song 8, I have saved “A Smaller Infinity (workshop) which has found a new opening sequence in the chords C minor in the left and G minor in the right…to be followed by F minor in the left and C minor in the right…then this squeezes into the F major-to-F minor diminished and THEN onto the original song sequence which now returns to the “new” opening chords after coming to first the D minor…then Opening going past the D minor to the B flat…then back to the Opening, going past again the D minor, the B flat to the C resolution and back to the opening…as of 11/4/203 I have not moved beyond this.

February 28, 2026

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Another recording from my studio…this is the rough final of a tune that’s been in the words for a month or more…and it still has a smoothing out that needs tuning….but with the words in the text and the words as I sing them unrehearsed and yet still potent, this may give a view of the process. I’ll be posting the earlier work-outs as I get the time.

This is the first version and not knowing where exactly the words are going to fall….

I am an immigrant 

disguised by my white skin

The humans in my country

look like me time and time again.

Anyone looking burnt

from a sun that spares no pain

I’ll put them to work

grind them in the dirt

and give them all the same name.

I am a pretender

dressed in crowns and jewels,

never got trapped 

in the Darian Gap

never lived under anything “Cruel”

never had to sell my soul

to keep a child in school

never had to spend a dime

for a two cents journey as a fool.

I am the seeker of truth

as long as it keeps me first

and rewards the sin

with all that pretends

to be what you think I’m worth.

I’ll preach a pretty penny

I’ll sell a funny story

you’ll be amused if not confused

that my power has no glory.

But I’m still in charge 

of small looking large

and my interpretation of all the Meaning

it won’t be long 

as we both sing the song

that keeps you thinking you’re winning.

-J. Olschner

This is the second version recored at the same time and still not knowing but with a better feel.

G/Bm

I am an immigrant 

disguised by my white skin

C

The humans in my country

are just like me 

time and time again.

G/Bm

Anyone else is looking burnt

D7

from a sun that’s hot to hurt 

G/Bm

and shines to spare no pain

G

only one that’s gong to be first

Bm

from a sun that hurts

Bº

and shines to spare no pain

C

I’ll put ’em all to work

Cm

grind ’em in the dirt

A                                                   D

give ’em all the same damn name.

I am a pretender

dressed in crowns and jewels,

owned the throne

made the Church my home

found the fear that goes with the Rule

put in the ground …..

never got trapped 

in the Darian Gap

never had a home town turn cruel

never had to sell my body

to keep my child in school

never had to spend a dime

for a two cents journey with a fool.

I am the seeker of truth

as long as it keeps me first

and rewards the sin of color.

I can’t be last, not in my past

since I depend on

what you think I’m worth.

I’ll preach a pretty penny

I’ll sell a funny story

you’ll be amused if not confused

that my power has no glory.

But I’m still in charge 

of small looking large

and my interpretation of all the Meaning

it won’t be long 

as we both sing the song

that keeps you thinking 

you’re winning.

-J. Olschner (2/26/26)

Welcome to my Piano

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I am happy to welcome you to my site. I have been “serious” about this work since mid 2010. In my Bio off to the left, I explain a bit more about how my Life affected this artistic enterprise but in the welcoming of guests, that would be a bit extraneous.

My albums/CDs/media files are arranged below in the order they were produced. All the music is either original, or original takes from traditional numbers. I intend to get better. I hope I get better. The pages on the albums give some written merit to the effort.

Each CD image is linked to my site where these CDs and the songs are available for purchase.

Part of the reason for this new page (as of 2/14/13), is to announce my entry into songwriting. The last CD, “Sign of the Times” will house original tunes where I have buckled into the HUGE task of penning to the melodies my own fatal poetry…thus, a song and, I hope, a story. My goal in the coming weeks & months is to complete 10-12 numbers, working on established melodies (mostly) and finding a bit of myself, a lot of you and some of what we all share.

I look forward to performing these songs this summer. Dates, times and places to be discovered. Thanks for listening.

All songs, lyrics and art work exist under copyright protection© by Joseph Olschner

August Opera

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August Opera

This is one of my deepest and most creative albums but one that remains a mystery. It’s like a picture of a painting I see in the future and cannot get to in time before it dissolves.

Clicking on the songs below will take you to my Bandcamp link where there is a purchase option OR just the ability to hear the tune free…my other music is there as well.

1. Slow Departure Riff
2. Blood and Honey
3. Sweet and Sour Blues (no vocals)
4. High Sun Adventure
5. Getting Past The Future
6. The Darkest Art
7. Fun Play
8. Surprises
9. What We Do Instead of TV
10.The Start of Something
11. A Very Weird Blues
12. The Dark Art Suite

Nine Lives & Counting

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Nine Lives & Counting

This is a work that signaled a physical journey for me, moving from my home county to a neighboring town in order to maintain a living as a cabinet maker. Most of these tunes were constructed in the new apartment and new forgetables.

Hopefully, these are less so.

1. Flavor #153
2. Goodbye To Those Not Here
3. Spunky Blues
4. For The Times With You
5. Sprinkles
6. For the Friendship
7. Nine Lives and Counting
8. Another One
9. Another Two
10.The Hand Held
11.My Blues For You
12.Time’s Music Box
13.Late night Boogie Stomp
14.It Was Only Something Else

Spontaneous Hesitation

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Spontaneous HesitationReckless wisdom. The stuff of dreams that turn ugly in the pale light of day, useful for the way it’s played to exist. Nothing takes us there except our own spontaneous hesitation and the reckless of wisdom of Belief.

1. Mr.Irving’s Blues
2. Ode to Spare Change
3. Somebody’s Something
4. Take Me Back Blues
5. More of an Answer
6. Mr.Irving’s Blues #2
7. Shaking Bacon
8. Not Meant 2B Blues
9. Simple Flux
10. Soft Stepping Blues
11. Tip to the Spider
12. Street Friendly Blues
13. Job Well Done
14. Empty Blues
16. Mr.Irving’s Blues #3
17. Spontaneous Hesitation

New Soul

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New SoulLike my other two albums, this is a collection of new material based solely on my compositions on the piano. I do not do vocals. I write poetry but have not set lyrics to most of this just because I am coming at it from another place. Lyrics have meaning but so do melodies. I am my own boss in my own little creative world here so this is how I do it. I do hope you like it, can feel from it, all of that. Most of the material here is “re-producible,” some is not. Some of these are the original, one-shot-from-the-heart recordings. I have written down the changes and have recorded them again but the originals force a conclusion and an empathy the others don’t. I am working on that to be better at it.

The human Soul is a garden with a gate that acts like a window. Beyond either, lies neither. Knowing who you are will allow you to use both. Thanks to my mom for that.

1. New Soul
2. Big ol’ Blues
3. Christmas Shopping
4. Lament For My Stars
5. Closing The Door On Silence
6. Soft Knowledge
7. World Blues
8. Going East For Kitty West
9. Tip to Jess
10. My Size Jazz
11. Departure Blues
12. Blues 002
13. Like Water & Light
14. Never Ever Say Never
15. Lullaby for Joy
16. From Balloons to the Noose
17. Not To Be Blues
18. Sweet Sewer of Life