Is this really how you write?

One thing that I’ve always had trouble with, in regards to my composing, is my ‘process’. Now, there isn’t a set “correct” way of writing music; my friend Archie is quite the beat artist, and puts things together in quite a different way than one of my professors does, which is different from how another friend of mine, Paul Taylor, goes about things, etc. You get the picture.

But for many years, I’ve wondered, “What’s my process? What should I be doing to be a more successful composer?” And really, I’m not sure yet. One thought I have is that I use different processes based on what I am writing for, and the time-table. If I have tons of time (e.g., my Symphony), I can work on many sketches, copious notes and ideas on non-music paper (thank to Paul of opening my mind to working on legal paper! MASSIVE amounts of idea generation for my Symphony came about on these pages!). Now, if I have less time, or just get an idea right away, I just start writing… this usually works better for me when I’m doing arrangements or the aforementioned ‘quick-idea’ tunes.

Now, what I’m asking myself is this: is this my ‘process’, or am I just being lazy and only doing the work to conceptualize a piece on my long-term projects? Am I riding on the seat of my pants, relying only on whatever raw talent I have as a composer/arranger/orchestrator when I have to work faster (if I actually have any talent as a composer/arranger/orchestrator [which I do, but I’m never one to refrain from self-deprecation.])?

Interesting thoughts, ones that require more time from me.

On to more interesting things…

• Symphony Progress: Mvt. I: Draft 1 complete. Mvt. II: Draft 1 complete. Mvt. III: Piano score/sketch in progress, 180 bars done out of an estimated 500-1000 (!).
• I’m in four different ensembles at the moment: Jazz Choir I & II in Moscow, North Idaho College’s Cardinal Chorale, and the Coeur d’ Alene Symphony. Suddenly, I’m busy.
• Sweet trip to the University of Southern California to check out the Film & TV scoring program at the Thorton School of Music. Oh yeah.
• Nothing else.

Okay, the ‘nothing else’ isn’t really true, but there isn’t anything else major. I’m supposed to be working on some other arrangements, but I’m still feeling the summer vibe of being lazy. That’s gonna have to end soon. Heh.

Now Playing: “Kylie from Connecticut” – Way to Normal – Ben Folds; “Wanted Dead or Alive” – Cross Road – Bon Jovi; “Mass Effect Theme” – Mass Effect: Original Soundtrack – Jack Wall; “Enterprising Young Men” – Star Trek: The Deluxe Edition – Michael Giacchino; “Boombox” – Incredibad – The Lonely Island; “No World for Tomorrow” – Good Apollo I’m Burning Star Volume Two: No World for Tomorrow – Coheed and Cambria