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Well this is exciting. This is the very first episode of the Art of Composing Podcast. You want to know something funny? This is actually the 4th – 1st episode. That’s right. I have recorded, and re-recorded a first episode 4 times, going all the way back to last year. Why? Well, mostly because I wasn’t really confident in the previous episodes… but I am now.
I think this is a good way to start the show and hopefully there are more to come. As of right now, expect an episode once a month, but I will try and put out more, especially at the beginning. I am currently pending approval in the iTunes store, so it will be a day or two before you can download there, but I just wanted to post it for everyone, so that when you are driving to work on monday, you have something to listen to.
What is in this episode:
- What is music composition? I give a clear definition that shouldn’t overwhelm anyone.
- The stages of learning to compose music. I break it down b-boy style from the 80s yo.
- Who is Jon? Like the mystery of Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged… who is Jon (Galt)?
- Why I started the podcast, and what to expect in the future.
Hey! I really enjoyed your podcast and your personality shines through your chosen vocabulary.
Thanks
Sunnie Em
Thanks.
Great!!waiting for next episode
Excellent podcast, thanks!
Thank you.
PS – I also love your own music. Your sonata is in my view quite wonderful. I first listened to it 4 or 5 months ago, listened a second time after that, and can still hum the melody today.
And it’s not just that you’ve created a catchy melody, somehow you’ve developed it into a full blown large scale work that carries people along for a thrilling ride.
How nice that you didn’t harken to all the voices that say not to compose works in older styles . . . that something isn’t worthy if it’s not cutting edge new or whatever avant garde happens to be at the moment.
Jon this was just terrific! Your broad knowledge is really inspiring. I love how you begin by discussing the trivium and the approach of Greek learning. What a great way to start; orienting ourselves with a structured sequential tradition of learning and growth. I also enjoyed hearing about your personal background, and found myself identifying with your being so captivated by composition that you’re afraid you probably discuss it too much with others! Even living in NY, my dream of music composition isn’t something I can often discuss with friends. Wish I lived closer so I could join that AOC Meetup!
So, thank you for sharing your knowledge with us, and thank you for your service to our country.
Paul, thank you very much for the kind words. I love what I do, and realize that I need to at least give composing for a living a chance. If it never works out, at least I tried. I heard a great saying, “I want to regret the thing I do, not the things I don’t.” Not that I really want to regret what I do either, but the point is, if I regret anything, its because I did it, and not because I was too afraid not too.
If you are looking for somewhere to go to talk to other composers, there is a branch of the Society of Composers and Lyricists in NY, that has regular meetups. It does cost money to join, and is mostly geared towards film, tv and game composing, but if you join you can go to all of the events for free. Unfortunately, most of the action as far as seminars and screenings, happens here in Hollywood. http://thescl.com/home
Jon
Hi Jon, really enjoyed the podcast,very enlightening as to the processes of composing music amongst other things.As in my attempts at music composition the information i gleaned from your podcast has me double guessing these sentences ,now I really feel inadequate,ha ha. Good stuff.
Thank you very much.
Hi Jon! I really enjoyed this podcast it was great! It was very clear and comprehensive and will certainly make my information gathering more logical and systematic in approach. I was so surprised to hear you live in Cali. I live in North Hollywood myself. I’m so inspired by your decision to go back to school for film composition. I have a similar dream and will be leaving my job to work on my music in the next month 🙂 I am a singer and am trying to write more developed songs. Is there a large difference between songs written for singing and accompaniment than classical composition?
Jamilah,
I am glad to see you are also following your dream. There are some differences, particularly in the form of songs versus classical, but the fundamentals are the same for both. Songs tend to have simpler melodies that are easier to sing, as opposed to traditional classical music, which tends to exalt difficulty. If you are interested in the view point of traditional music theorists looking at pop and rock, I recommend reading Music Theory Online, Volume 17, No 3.
I will see if maybe I could get together an Art of Composing Meetup in the area, just to get together and chat.
Jon
Brilliant exposition on the fundamentals of the art of composing. I am eager to learn more about it from you. Good luck in pursuing you career!
Thanks.