I've written a work and posted it on Score Exchange. How do I create a "buzz" about it?
I've emailed a ton of friends.
I've posted it on facebook.
Trying to wrack my brain for anything else I can do.
Suggestions? Yes, I'm asking you.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Only four measures left, but...
I'm orchestrating Jabberwocky, and I am four measures away from having it transcribed from the original ensemble. Problem is, my brain has conjured up a little more to put in the final part of the work. Being new to composing, I am completely enamored with how different instruments sound together. I love having such a large palette to play with! More instruments means more fun!
Not to say that it isn't fun to write small stuff. It is. It's just a new experience for me.
And, through all this, I have realized that I need to seriously upgrade my laptop and also purchase an external sound card. Neither is cheap, but both are necessary if I am to keep composing using my computer. I like to be able to hear what I am writing. Technology--it's a blessing and a curse, right? Wow--and to think, Mozart and Beethoven had nothing like Sibelius. They had to trust completely in themselves and their abilities to write because that is all they had.
We are so spoiled.
Music is much more complicated rhythmically, tonally, and even instrumentally. Composers are constantly pushing the envelope, and being to hear what you are creating is a true blessing.
Not to say that it isn't fun to write small stuff. It is. It's just a new experience for me.
And, through all this, I have realized that I need to seriously upgrade my laptop and also purchase an external sound card. Neither is cheap, but both are necessary if I am to keep composing using my computer. I like to be able to hear what I am writing. Technology--it's a blessing and a curse, right? Wow--and to think, Mozart and Beethoven had nothing like Sibelius. They had to trust completely in themselves and their abilities to write because that is all they had.
We are so spoiled.
Music is much more complicated rhythmically, tonally, and even instrumentally. Composers are constantly pushing the envelope, and being to hear what you are creating is a true blessing.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
What's next?
The weather is actually nice today. I think I'll go on a walk this evening. But for now, I need to choose some music for offertory at church tomorrow. I've also got some serious practicing to do. I have two concerts in Ft. Smith next month, and the music is definitely challenging. I'm looking forward to it.
Composition-wise, I need to finish the last part of the "Jabberwocky" orchestration, and then I have a couple of projects. One is a cute little clarinet trio, which is called "Variations on a Cowboy Song". It's Red River Valley, which is a very pretty melody. I'm going to offer this one for free on Score Exchange when it is finished. The other piece is another original work, a Romance for clarinet, violin, and piano. That one will probably be another $5 piece.
I need to fix my coffee and meet with my friend Cindy to work on our church piece. Have a wonderful day!
Composition-wise, I need to finish the last part of the "Jabberwocky" orchestration, and then I have a couple of projects. One is a cute little clarinet trio, which is called "Variations on a Cowboy Song". It's Red River Valley, which is a very pretty melody. I'm going to offer this one for free on Score Exchange when it is finished. The other piece is another original work, a Romance for clarinet, violin, and piano. That one will probably be another $5 piece.
I need to fix my coffee and meet with my friend Cindy to work on our church piece. Have a wonderful day!
Friday, August 12, 2011
Jabberwocky is on Score Exchange!
Jabberwocky is now available on a site called Score Exchange. I am asking $5 for it. That is the score and parts. I've listed it as a piano trio.
You can also listen to it. Please read narration as you go through the piece as it will make what you hear and where you hear it make sense.
I hope you enjoy it.
The fully orchestrated version should be up soon!
You can also listen to it. Please read narration as you go through the piece as it will make what you hear and where you hear it make sense.
I hope you enjoy it.
The fully orchestrated version should be up soon!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
First composition is complete!
My first composition, Jabberwocky, for clarinet, horn, and piano, is complete! I plan to make it available on Sibelius.com. Because this is the first time I've posted any composition via that site, it might take a couple of days for it to become available.
Jabberwocky, a famous poem found in Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking Glass, is the subject matter and is narrated by the instrumentalist throughout the piece. The nonsense words that make up the poem, still evoke imagery--perhaps even more so than if the language was clear. Because most of the words are imaginary, the mind can wander. This allowed me to incorporate a number of musical styles to provide the backdrop "aural scenery". So many things inspired this work. When I wanted something to sound creepy or "a little off", I recalled images from Tim Burton movies. The pictures in my mind helped me create the clashing sounds that begin Jabberwocky. British marches that I have played in band created the heroic march that is heard after the piece's climax. And my fondness for theme songs from retro television shows (two in particular--I will leave you to guess which ones), helped to create the ending.
Since the first stanza of the poem is also used as the last stanza, I was faced with a dilemma. Do I treat the beginning and ending the same, or differently. When I first started, the plan was to treat them the same. The more I got into the work, I decided to treat the beginning and ending completely differently. Since the nonsense words lack definition, they can have any number of meanings. And after the slaying of the Jabberwock, I felt the music should reflect the "relief" that the father and son must feel.
The orchestral version transitions between the heroic march and the ending with a bit of an unusual overlap. More instruments create a larger sound canvas to manipulate. As I said earlier--the orchestral version is coming soon.
And on a non-music related note (though it does have to do with sound), it is finally raining in Oklahoma! Our 100+ degree temps have finally subsided! It has been a brutally hot summer. I feel for our farmers and ranchers who have lost so much. I hope that the rain will allow them to replant some crops for fall and replenish their herds.
Take care!
Jabberwocky, a famous poem found in Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking Glass, is the subject matter and is narrated by the instrumentalist throughout the piece. The nonsense words that make up the poem, still evoke imagery--perhaps even more so than if the language was clear. Because most of the words are imaginary, the mind can wander. This allowed me to incorporate a number of musical styles to provide the backdrop "aural scenery". So many things inspired this work. When I wanted something to sound creepy or "a little off", I recalled images from Tim Burton movies. The pictures in my mind helped me create the clashing sounds that begin Jabberwocky. British marches that I have played in band created the heroic march that is heard after the piece's climax. And my fondness for theme songs from retro television shows (two in particular--I will leave you to guess which ones), helped to create the ending.
Since the first stanza of the poem is also used as the last stanza, I was faced with a dilemma. Do I treat the beginning and ending the same, or differently. When I first started, the plan was to treat them the same. The more I got into the work, I decided to treat the beginning and ending completely differently. Since the nonsense words lack definition, they can have any number of meanings. And after the slaying of the Jabberwock, I felt the music should reflect the "relief" that the father and son must feel.
The orchestral version transitions between the heroic march and the ending with a bit of an unusual overlap. More instruments create a larger sound canvas to manipulate. As I said earlier--the orchestral version is coming soon.
And on a non-music related note (though it does have to do with sound), it is finally raining in Oklahoma! Our 100+ degree temps have finally subsided! It has been a brutally hot summer. I feel for our farmers and ranchers who have lost so much. I hope that the rain will allow them to replant some crops for fall and replenish their herds.
Take care!
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