New
Lesson Sneak Peek 'Northern Lights' By Edward
Weiss
I'll never forget the first time I tried to "compose" something.
It was for classical guitar. I tried to create something original
and it took me 2 hours just to write out 4-bars of melody.
Of course, I didn't know what I was doing. There has to be
some kind of method that works for you. Now, the method I use today
has been very easy to work with because it gives me the freedom to
compose AND improvise at the same time. I "compose" using 8-bar
phrases.
To do this all one has to do is write out 8-bars
on a sheet of paper. Any paper will do. It doesn't have to be music
paper or manuscript. In fact, I just use a spiral bound journal with
ruled lines on it. Whenever I want to memorialize an idea, I draw
out 8-bars very quickly. I then improvise and allow myself the
freedom to play anything that comes out of me.
If I try and
think something up, the music will usually wind up sounding forced
or contrived - qualities that music is better off not having.
Once the idea (either melodic or textural) appears, I write out
the first 2-bars so I remember what it is and use chords to quickly
fill in the 8-bar section. After this is completed, I may draw
another 8-bars and see what else comes. If nothing more is coming at
this particular point, I put the journal away and come back to it
later on. This method has served me well over the years and is an
excellent starting method for beginning
composers!
By
the way ... a complete (and
easy) step-by-step breakdown of Northern
Lights is now available to course members. I go
into complete detail and show you exactly how it's done
- and more importantly, how you can do it yourself! Get
started now by clicking here.
