Thursday, November 30, 2006
11:51 AM
Here’s the problem: how do you get chromatic, non-diatonic, even dissonant music to sound bright and pure - like a child sleeping?
Oh, and you can’t use simple diatonicism.
Because right now, I want to write a piece as a metaphor for how I feel when I see my boys sleeping, a sight that stirs very powerful emotions in me. And I refuse to write a simple diatonic tune.
I mean, I love diatonic tunes, and I love to write them, but I need to dig further, look farther. Otherwise, my inner academic will be pissed, and that would be bad.
Up till now, I’ve been exploring various motives and pitch sets and then stringing them together, with only limited success. It sounded good, sometimes really good, but never appropriate for sleeping boys.
So this morning, I started out with reading, analyzing and listening to Bill Evans, something I’ve also been meaning to do. There wasn’t much there I didn’t know, thanks to Mark Levine’s “The Jazz Piano Book.” But it clarified a few things and got the juices flowing.
Then I started exploring in more depth the following musical concept.
You see, the melodic minor scale has some colourful chromaticism stemming from its ascending and descending forms, which feels completely organic and natural. And you know, my goal is always to make my music feel natural and organic, even when it is complex.
So I did a lot of improvisation, taking that concept for a ride – go up this way, come down that way – to see what would come out. And guess what, some nice stuff came out, stuff that seems right for two sleeping boys.
Now for the “overnight test.” Let’s see if I still like the ideas tomorrow!
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Monday, November 27, 2006
Chamber CD - Day 22
Monday, November 27, 2006
11:58 AM
You know, this music composition thing is taking its sweet time just getting started.
Is it just me? Am I the only one who goes through these pains getting my ducks in a row?
The good news is that, no, it’s not just me.
I like reading about how other creative types work, not just composers. I especially like commercial writers and designers, people who have to be very creative so that their work may compete effectively in a media-crazy world. And they have to do it under tight deadlines and demanding clients. I respect them. They are great models of creativity.
So I was reading this book about copywriters called “The Copywriter’s Bible.” and here’s a little quote from it that felt really good to read.
So that’s why I am learning my drum rudiments by heart by playing them daily, why I spent a little too much time reading through Khatchaturian’s "Ten pieces for Children" this morning, dissecting his melodic and harmonic language, and why I am still fine-tuning my composition process. I need to be ready for this project.
And now, I am getting ready to shoot at a few ideas, we’ll see how it goes.
11:58 AM
You know, this music composition thing is taking its sweet time just getting started.
Is it just me? Am I the only one who goes through these pains getting my ducks in a row?
The good news is that, no, it’s not just me.
I like reading about how other creative types work, not just composers. I especially like commercial writers and designers, people who have to be very creative so that their work may compete effectively in a media-crazy world. And they have to do it under tight deadlines and demanding clients. I respect them. They are great models of creativity.
So I was reading this book about copywriters called “The Copywriter’s Bible.” and here’s a little quote from it that felt really good to read.
“I make it a practice to never do anything until I know everything. [...] NEVER go “Ready, Fire, Aim.” If you do, you’ll always shoot yourself in the foot.”
“Consider the familiar cycle of “Ready, Aim Fire.” “Ready” takes a second, “Fire” takes a fraction of a second, but it’s the “Aim” part that’s the most crucial, that can seem interminable, what with the squinting, focusing, steadying, and just when you think you’ve drawn the exact right bead, you waver and have to begin all over again.”
- Ed McCabe, copywriter.
So that’s why I am learning my drum rudiments by heart by playing them daily, why I spent a little too much time reading through Khatchaturian’s "Ten pieces for Children" this morning, dissecting his melodic and harmonic language, and why I am still fine-tuning my composition process. I need to be ready for this project.
And now, I am getting ready to shoot at a few ideas, we’ll see how it goes.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Chamber CD - Day 16
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
12:05:00 PM
Today I wrote a bunch of cool ideas, transcribed part of a Benny Goodman solo and then adapted it to my own style. Turned out really cool.
The top one is the Goodman phrase and the bottom on is my adapted version. I won't bore you with the theoretical details.
(Don't forget: ©2006 Alain Mayrand!)
And then I also came up with two other nice ideas that I can't use!
The first is a little Dorian mode, medieval-like melody that I would onoly use in a film or for my personal use (I like the Dorian mode a lot. Sue me.) The second idea is a great start for an intermediate piano nocturne and it is in a more personal style, so I will surely use it. The only problem is; now is not the time for those pieces!
But what am I supposed to do, not write those ideas down? Just push them aside and say "I don't have time for you right now" and let them die?
If ideas come, then I don't stop them; I let them come. Then I keep them for later when I will have time to develop them into full-blown pieces. It just sucks that today I had too many and that I didn’t get the work done I was aiming for.
Ah, could be worse. Glass is half full and all that.
My “composition planner” is a real help. I can’t believe I never thought of it before. I write down what I want to work on for the next day, which enables me to get right into it.
12:05:00 PM
Today I wrote a bunch of cool ideas, transcribed part of a Benny Goodman solo and then adapted it to my own style. Turned out really cool.
The top one is the Goodman phrase and the bottom on is my adapted version. I won't bore you with the theoretical details.(Don't forget: ©2006 Alain Mayrand!)
And then I also came up with two other nice ideas that I can't use!
The first is a little Dorian mode, medieval-like melody that I would onoly use in a film or for my personal use (I like the Dorian mode a lot. Sue me.) The second idea is a great start for an intermediate piano nocturne and it is in a more personal style, so I will surely use it. The only problem is; now is not the time for those pieces!
But what am I supposed to do, not write those ideas down? Just push them aside and say "I don't have time for you right now" and let them die?
If ideas come, then I don't stop them; I let them come. Then I keep them for later when I will have time to develop them into full-blown pieces. It just sucks that today I had too many and that I didn’t get the work done I was aiming for.
Ah, could be worse. Glass is half full and all that.
My “composition planner” is a real help. I can’t believe I never thought of it before. I write down what I want to work on for the next day, which enables me to get right into it.
Monday, November 20, 2006
Chamber CD - Day 15
Monday, November 20, 2006
12:08 PM
Not a bad morning. I came up with some nice ideas. Things are starting to gain some focus.
The faster ideas are in good shape: the scherzo or barbaro type of ideas. The more eerie ones are fine too, like my nocturne ideas.
I love these types of pieces and have evolved a certain style in the writing of them. Furthermore, they hold chromaticism and dissonance quite naturally, giving them a more “modern” bite that satisfies both my aesthetic and academic sides. I’ll start writing those pieces tomorrow.
It is the brighter, lighter ideas that I wish to write I am having some problem with. You know, something that says Religioso without the Tenebroso. I want some brightness on this CD, some patches of light, not all sturm und drang!
So I am exploring to see if I can accomplish this without resorting to pure diatonic or modal writing. I have tried many ideas, and some of them work pretty well, but I sometimes feel that I am going through some purging process, sweating the “dissonance” out of my system.
Perhaps, one day, my inner-academic will make peace with diatonicism. Who know?
12:08 PM
Not a bad morning. I came up with some nice ideas. Things are starting to gain some focus.
The faster ideas are in good shape: the scherzo or barbaro type of ideas. The more eerie ones are fine too, like my nocturne ideas.
I love these types of pieces and have evolved a certain style in the writing of them. Furthermore, they hold chromaticism and dissonance quite naturally, giving them a more “modern” bite that satisfies both my aesthetic and academic sides. I’ll start writing those pieces tomorrow.
It is the brighter, lighter ideas that I wish to write I am having some problem with. You know, something that says Religioso without the Tenebroso. I want some brightness on this CD, some patches of light, not all sturm und drang!
So I am exploring to see if I can accomplish this without resorting to pure diatonic or modal writing. I have tried many ideas, and some of them work pretty well, but I sometimes feel that I am going through some purging process, sweating the “dissonance” out of my system.
Perhaps, one day, my inner-academic will make peace with diatonicism. Who know?
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Chamber CD - Day 13
Saturday, November 18, 2006
08:39 AM
Just been writing for an hour and half. Got some stuff, violin lines mostly. Using violin concerti as models; Mendelssohn, Spohr and a few more.
I realized yesterday that, when I was playing with ides, I was trying to organize them already – writing a beginning, a phrase structure right away. But it was clear to me that my mind doesn’t work like that, at least not at first. The ideas come, scattered and random, feeding on each other, almost like they are trying to outdo each other, vying for my attention “You think that’s cool? Look over here, check this out!” And if I tell the new idea to hang on a minute as I try to shape the first idea then that new idea usually tells me to never mind and goes away.
I am still too slow. Wrote a page of ideas. That’s not enough. I’ll do better tomorrow.
08:39 AM
Just been writing for an hour and half. Got some stuff, violin lines mostly. Using violin concerti as models; Mendelssohn, Spohr and a few more.
I realized yesterday that, when I was playing with ides, I was trying to organize them already – writing a beginning, a phrase structure right away. But it was clear to me that my mind doesn’t work like that, at least not at first. The ideas come, scattered and random, feeding on each other, almost like they are trying to outdo each other, vying for my attention “You think that’s cool? Look over here, check this out!” And if I tell the new idea to hang on a minute as I try to shape the first idea then that new idea usually tells me to never mind and goes away.
I am still too slow. Wrote a page of ideas. That’s not enough. I’ll do better tomorrow.
Chamber CD - Day 12
Friday, November 17, 2006
Noon
Had a real late start today, Lucas didn’t sleep good at all. Nightmares and stuff. However, once I got down to the cave, the ideas really started to come quite easily. Today I wrote a few ideas for cello and drum kit that really rock. I think that particular combination of instruments is an absolute killer, and , if I may be allowed to wear my “producer’s hat” for a second, cheap and simple to record!
5:30 PM
Went out and bought a new computer monitor. The one I had was killing my eyes and I put up with it for way, way too long. I am sure I got some eye damage from that piece of... I just got completely fed up and ran out and bought a new one.
So, no composition this afternoon. That sucks.
Noon
Had a real late start today, Lucas didn’t sleep good at all. Nightmares and stuff. However, once I got down to the cave, the ideas really started to come quite easily. Today I wrote a few ideas for cello and drum kit that really rock. I think that particular combination of instruments is an absolute killer, and , if I may be allowed to wear my “producer’s hat” for a second, cheap and simple to record!
5:30 PM
Went out and bought a new computer monitor. The one I had was killing my eyes and I put up with it for way, way too long. I am sure I got some eye damage from that piece of... I just got completely fed up and ran out and bought a new one.
So, no composition this afternoon. That sucks.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Chamber CD - Day 11
Thursday, November 16, 2006
12:04 PM
This morning was dedicated to rhythm and percussion. A few good ideas came out and it was the most fun I’ve had writing since I started this project.
For a while now I have been hearing a way to incorporate drums in my writing. I really enjoy drum corps and drumline percussion and, even though I play percussion a bit, I need to learn more about it to write for drums like a pro.
So I allotted a limited amount of time this morning for the studying of percussion, listening and reading. I focused on drum corps, drumline, snare drum, sticking rudiments and the Quad (a collection of 5 toms).
I kept my study time short and then used the stimulus to generate ideas. The writing was a lot of fun and ideas came faster than I could grab them. Some of them seem cool now, but we’ll see in a few days. I’m still “planting seeds” right now.
There is just enough time in the morning to write as much as I need. The early afternoon is dedicated to business matters and then I am off teaching. I get up early to do piano, perhaps I could replace that with more composition? The thought of it breaks my heart...
Oh, and here’s a little thought I had this morning, an analogy about the process of composition I thought was rather amusing but true.
“Coming up with musical ideas is like having sex: fun, fast and exciting. Writing the piece based on the idea, though, is like having the baby: slow, uncomfortable and often painful.”
12:04 PM
This morning was dedicated to rhythm and percussion. A few good ideas came out and it was the most fun I’ve had writing since I started this project.
For a while now I have been hearing a way to incorporate drums in my writing. I really enjoy drum corps and drumline percussion and, even though I play percussion a bit, I need to learn more about it to write for drums like a pro.
So I allotted a limited amount of time this morning for the studying of percussion, listening and reading. I focused on drum corps, drumline, snare drum, sticking rudiments and the Quad (a collection of 5 toms).
I kept my study time short and then used the stimulus to generate ideas. The writing was a lot of fun and ideas came faster than I could grab them. Some of them seem cool now, but we’ll see in a few days. I’m still “planting seeds” right now.
There is just enough time in the morning to write as much as I need. The early afternoon is dedicated to business matters and then I am off teaching. I get up early to do piano, perhaps I could replace that with more composition? The thought of it breaks my heart...
Oh, and here’s a little thought I had this morning, an analogy about the process of composition I thought was rather amusing but true.
“Coming up with musical ideas is like having sex: fun, fast and exciting. Writing the piece based on the idea, though, is like having the baby: slow, uncomfortable and often painful.”
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Chamber CD - Day 10
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
12:05 PM
Okay, I woke up this morning and still felt the pangs of panic. So I decided that it was necessary for me to write today, to trust that I knew enough, just write freely and have fun.
I started off by playing through my Schumann. Carnival is one fun suite to play. I wanted to start off with something inspiring and uplifting and that did the trick.
Then I began writing and it was good. I am in so much better spirits now that I got some notes behind me. I wrote a few ideas, pacing around my studio, jotting them down then checking them on the piano. I got about 10 ideas or so this morning and now the next step is to let them sit for a bit.
The piece listing I have worked on last week worked wonderfully in focusing my music - I looked at the list, chose a piece I wanted to write, and then I just set to work. This morning I worked on a sorrowful, Lachrymose type of a piece, based on the Greek myth of Pirene, and a fast drumline-inspired piece.
Now for the next few says I plan to just come up with ideas without judging them as I write. Just play, experiment, let go. I will let them sit for a while then come back to them and see which ones are good, which ones will “grow” into pieces. I have come to call this first creative phase as “Planting Seeds.” Pretty cool.
I also did some listening to Bang on a Can and Alarm Will Sound, two contemporary ensembles that perform contemporary composers. I just wanted to see what I liked and, just as importantly, what I didn’t like about this music and presentation. I think I need to need what I don’t like as I continue to define my musical personality.
And I am also wondering if I should set deadlines for myself... can one write in a truly creative way under deadlines? Would I even meet these deadlines? I don’t want this project to last forever, I got so much more to do!
12:05 PM
Okay, I woke up this morning and still felt the pangs of panic. So I decided that it was necessary for me to write today, to trust that I knew enough, just write freely and have fun.
I started off by playing through my Schumann. Carnival is one fun suite to play. I wanted to start off with something inspiring and uplifting and that did the trick.
Then I began writing and it was good. I am in so much better spirits now that I got some notes behind me. I wrote a few ideas, pacing around my studio, jotting them down then checking them on the piano. I got about 10 ideas or so this morning and now the next step is to let them sit for a bit.
The piece listing I have worked on last week worked wonderfully in focusing my music - I looked at the list, chose a piece I wanted to write, and then I just set to work. This morning I worked on a sorrowful, Lachrymose type of a piece, based on the Greek myth of Pirene, and a fast drumline-inspired piece.
Now for the next few says I plan to just come up with ideas without judging them as I write. Just play, experiment, let go. I will let them sit for a while then come back to them and see which ones are good, which ones will “grow” into pieces. I have come to call this first creative phase as “Planting Seeds.” Pretty cool.
I also did some listening to Bang on a Can and Alarm Will Sound, two contemporary ensembles that perform contemporary composers. I just wanted to see what I liked and, just as importantly, what I didn’t like about this music and presentation. I think I need to need what I don’t like as I continue to define my musical personality.
And I am also wondering if I should set deadlines for myself... can one write in a truly creative way under deadlines? Would I even meet these deadlines? I don’t want this project to last forever, I got so much more to do!
Chamber CD - Day 9
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
9:54:30 AM
The mailman finally delivered the complete collection of Schumann’s piano works on Friday. I can’t wait to take a good look at all this great music!
***
I am finally getting well organized and getting a good sense of direction for this music. I have taken a hint from writing film music and have started an Excel workbook to keep track of my ideas and development. Using a computer is much neater than paper, and more environmentally friendly!
I have made a page for the general concept of the CD, one for a listing of the pieces I want to write, another for the instruments I wish to use, one for titles I might use and I will probably have one worksheet for each piece.
Now this all sounds good, but I need to get my ass writing. I am feeling very stressed out and more than a bit depressive today. I feel scattered, overloaded.
It is taking too long for me to get going. I am experimenting with a higher degree of preparation and organizing than I have ever used before, and the length that it takes for this alone would be enough to drive me crazy.
However, I think the cause for my woes lies elsewhere. This is an important project for me, a turning point, or should I say, an arrival point. With this project I will find out if I am as a good as I think I can be.
10:20: PM
I had a breakdown tonight. The stress got to me. Too much is going on, too much to do: the book, the writing, the kids, the house – and everything seems to be progressing at a snail’s pace, not getting resolved. That’ all I will say about that.
My wife is a great support.
I must relax. Stay sane.
9:54:30 AM
The mailman finally delivered the complete collection of Schumann’s piano works on Friday. I can’t wait to take a good look at all this great music!
***
I am finally getting well organized and getting a good sense of direction for this music. I have taken a hint from writing film music and have started an Excel workbook to keep track of my ideas and development. Using a computer is much neater than paper, and more environmentally friendly!
I have made a page for the general concept of the CD, one for a listing of the pieces I want to write, another for the instruments I wish to use, one for titles I might use and I will probably have one worksheet for each piece.
Now this all sounds good, but I need to get my ass writing. I am feeling very stressed out and more than a bit depressive today. I feel scattered, overloaded.
It is taking too long for me to get going. I am experimenting with a higher degree of preparation and organizing than I have ever used before, and the length that it takes for this alone would be enough to drive me crazy.
However, I think the cause for my woes lies elsewhere. This is an important project for me, a turning point, or should I say, an arrival point. With this project I will find out if I am as a good as I think I can be.
10:20: PM
I had a breakdown tonight. The stress got to me. Too much is going on, too much to do: the book, the writing, the kids, the house – and everything seems to be progressing at a snail’s pace, not getting resolved. That’ all I will say about that.
My wife is a great support.
I must relax. Stay sane.
Friday, November 10, 2006
Chamber CD - Day 5
Friday, November 10, 2006
9:38:01 AM
I like the Menuet a lot, it has a very clear melodic and formal plan. Things build through great arcs with clear direction. Of that suite I also like the Rigaudon and the Toccata.
And things have to be cool, man. The music has to grab you by the collar, pull you in close and say “listen to me!” and not let go.
***
10:46
I am listening to Benny Goodman now.
His improvisations have so much music in them, thank God for these recordings. In jazz, solo sections are like development sections, and Goodman’s improvisations are better than most composers development sections!
Magical improvisers like Goodman and Django Reinhardt did not create mechanical explorations of the material but great, melodic lines with direction, dramatic shape and virtuosity.
There is so much fun and vitality in this music. That is what I want.
Thursday, November 9, 2006
Chamber CD - Day 4
9:29:02 AM
I am late again, but I will keep trying. Let’s get to work.
1:48 PM
I spent the whole morning studying the form of a short simple piece in deep, painful detail until I thoroughly understood it. What the hell am I doing...
My goal is to clarify certain ways of looking at form that have been brewing inside my slick skull for a while. I want to have a clearer idea of the elements of form, how they connect and why. I don’t want to just use a boilerplate form and just change the notes, but instead build an understanding of form that allows to mold it with control and purpose.
A lofty goal for sure, and I made some headway this morning.
However, I starting to get a little emotional at not having anything written yet. Well, almost nothing. All this organizing, preparation, studying, could it be a way for me to avoid composition?
This CD project I have embarked upon, it is something I have been thinking about for a long, long time. I am doing it now because I finally feel like I am ready for it, that my craft is up to par, but I can feel the fear, in the pit of my stomach, nagging me, “you know, it all might suck...”
Chamber CD - Day 3
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
9:34 AM
You know, getting started on time is just freakin’ hard. Because of the kids and Sophie having to walk Sam and Keiffer to school, she gets back at 9:05 and so I can’t start at 9 like I wanted. I could be ready to go, though, and that’s the plan. But I fail to do so. Composing is my job, I need to treat it as such.
12:30 PM
I have to wonder if studying as much as I do comes from insecurity. Probably does.
Chamber CD - Day 2
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
12:15:20 PM
So the second day is half done and I am still organizing and I have begun feeding the machine. I have made a list of the pieces I wish to write and I have begun collecting models and inspiration for the music – I am listening to the Chieftains right now.
For years things have been simmering, ideas and concepts that I wished to explore and now is the time, time to write and time to grow. It takes work to be the best composer in the world.
So I am ready now to spend the next little while borging, scouring far and wide for inspiration as I build a better sense of what interests me and how to get my modern chamber pieces to have immediacy of impact.
I know it is possible, I already have some vague idea on how to achieve this, but there are things I need to clarify in my mind, on a conceptual level.
So I must be patient as I feed the machine. I can already predict it – I will listen and read and the creative pressure will build until the ideas start flowing. Then the momentum will build and one idea will lead to the next.
I don’t feel that I am able to come up with ideas right now, that I would force it too much. I need a clearer vision first.
-----------------
Borging: This is a word I made up. In Star Trek, the Borg are an alien species that assimilate beings into their collective consciousness. When “borging” my goal is to assimilate the essence of a piece into my own consciousness without resorting to empty imitation or mimicry.
Chamber CD - Day 1
I already started keeping my diary at home, so I will just quickly catch up here.
Monday, November 06, 2006
Monday, November 06, 2006
Alright, today I started the chamber music CD process. I didn’t write anything this morning, just organized my binder and went through my previous ideas. I have a lot of leftover ideas but I find they do not fit my current objectives of musical language and style.
I started organizing my goals for the CD as well - what type of pieces I want to write, possible instrumentation, anything that can give the process focus and direction.
Organizing and goal-setting are no activities that hinder creative thought, quite the opposite I find – it focuses it. It’s like getting inspired by a story or an image or the scene in a film, these extra-musical stimuli are a great boon to idea generation. It’s a lot easier to get somewhere if you have a destination.
So spending the time organizing the concept for the album is a wonderful way to focus my creative energies. But that doesn’t mean I block myself from ideas that don’t fit these criteria. The way I see it, have a general plan – for a single piece or multiple pieces – then adjust as you go. You have a direction but might wind up someplace else entirely, and that’s perfect.
And so, with these words, the journey begins.
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