A wardrobe of black dresses

I’m not a dress person. I don’t own many dresses but I have a few in black. They are all lined up neatly in my wardrobe. In the world of classical music, whether you are a conductor, performer, composer or an arranger, one often finds themselves dressed in black. Over the years, I’ve collected a number of black dresses in different styles. Over the years, I’ve had some opportunities to wear them…

I’d like to start wearing my black dresses more…

Ornette Coleman

Coincidentally and as if in preparation for the week coming up, I went to watch Ornette Coleman at the Opera House tonight. Coleman is a 77 year old alto saxophonist who also plays trumpet and violin. The first time he appears on stage and walks slowly across toward his instrument(s), he gives the impression of a feeble old man. With his instrument in his hand and his band (mainly comprised of bass players), in full support of him, his presence becomes strong and vibrant. He just gets better and better. His style is free jazz and we were so honoured to listen to him play for about an hour.

This was jazz at its rawest.

Week Two - Brass

Second week of class and we have already moved onto the brass section of the orchestra. It is a family that consists of two transposing instruments – the French horn and the trumpet. This means that if you play C on the French horn in F, you will hear F (the note a 5^th lower than what is written). Similarly, if you play C on a Bb trumpet, you will hear Bb (the note one tone lower than what is written).

Confused yet? ;)

Basically these two instruments produce pitches which sound different to what is written in the score. Written pitch (the notation on the page) and concert pitch (what you actually hear) differs.

The other two instruments in this family often used in orchestras are the trombone and the tuba.

To be honest, I am finding the speed of this course to be quite fast-paced. Next week we learn woodwinds.

With regards to last week’s homework, I ended up composing a solo melody for the viola. Most music written for the viola is written using the alto clef. Its tone is mellow and serious. The melody I’ve written is for my beloved grandpa who passed away when I was 9.

A Scratchy Start

The weekend gone by was a bit of a struggle.

Homework consists of writing an 8 bar melody for our choice of stringed instrument, rearranging a given piece for 2 stringed instruments and arranging ‘Toccatina’, one of Kabalevsky’s Children’s Pieces, for a string ensemble. We have been given the luxury to choose which stringed instruments to score for.

I found it very hard to actually start any of these tasks.

Writing a piece of music has always been a very organic experience for me. I may be walking, riding my bike, looking at the moon…. when a melody comes to me. I hum the melody out loud so I can actually listen to it and work on it some more. Other times I like to go to my piano, play a few chords, start on a chord progression and work out a melody on top of it.

I like improvising on my piano. There is something to be said about becoming familiar with an instrument, understanding it and writing for it. From its range to its timbre, understanding its raw qualities and its humanness…. These all contribute to how you use the musical instrument to achieve the soul of a composition.

I am presently struggling with a couple of things:

• writing for instruments I am not familiar with

• sitting down and knowing I have to write/arrange a piece of music

• writing under the constraint of so many rules to follow.

It’s 1.22am on Tuesday morning and I’ve just finished reading over the Touched by Olivia grant I prepared earlier. Tomorrow night I have a Touched by Olivia committee meeting and then I must come home to complete (and start) the homework.

I am a restless composer.

Week One - Introducing the Strings...

Lesson One. Writing for the Strings.

I’ve always thought the string family to be the most eloquent of the four families of instruments in a symphony orchestra. Visually, they are stunningly beautiful instruments and when played they evoke such emotion.

The truth is learning a bowed string instrument is not quite such a beautiful experience. The way you position yourself, the way you hold the violin, the way you hold the bow…. There is a lot to learn before you even play your first note. I am currently teaching myself the violin and it is challenging. But I love it! I love the fact it trains my ear and I love the fact I can carry my musical instrument around. (Pianists take note!)

Tonight was my first lesson at the Conservatorium and it was dedicated to writing and arranging for the string family – violin, viola, cello, double bass.

I like my tutor. The first thing she told us about herself was that she talks fast and to please let her know if she is talking too fast. She explained to us that she would like to teach us the rules to composing and arranging. Then, we would have the foundation to break these rules if we wish. I find her very endearing.

The class is filled with talented musicians – a flautist, a saxophonist, a jazz pianist, guitarist and a girl who can hum the notes off the page. These guys are pretty talented. Some of them have already written for films and ads… Not sure what I’m doing here but I smiled the whole way through class. I promise to try my best.

She also spoke to us about overcoming our shyness. The class, whilst obviously incredibly talented, is pretty shy as well. She says we can’t invest too much emotion in our creations. I’m not sure I will be able to do this…

A Promise

In a few hours I commence a course at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. It’s only a short course but marks my promise to my music.

When I say ‘my music’, don’t be mistaken. I am not a composer (not yet anyway) but I’ve been tinkering on my piano for years. I never learnt theory but I enjoy writing melodies and finding harmonies.

The dream of composing has always been just that. I’m very excited to be doing something about it this year. I’ve uploaded some pre-course original compositions and I promise to continue uploading compositions as I learn the foundations of composing.

This website is a promise to myself…. If you have some time, please have a listen and don’t be afraid to give me feedback.