Composing

Yeah, Dwayne Williams 2. Maybe a scene where a character is walking to downtown. I can see those songs having Horror versions. The slowed and chopped version of J. Cole’s “She Knows” feels kind of insidious.

Dwayne Williams 2 I think this is such a powerful move and yes it works so well, I also love how they do this in Westworld. I think in order for it to work their needs to be a good working relationship between the director and composer so that they are clear about the creative direction they are going in. Also, you need a good music budget so you can license the music you want to create a score around

Great point, Hannah Woolmer. Do you think this could grow into studios having their own musicians or singers and also promoting their music through film?

Dwayne Williams 2 definitely, I think any song-writer would love to have their music used in this way (as long as they approved of the project)

I love to write ohorror music because of the expansive possibilities for different sounds. I usually compose in Finale and export the MIDI files to ProTools.

Starting by far! Once I get my writing groove or rhythm going I don’t usually have a problem finishing, but finding that musical idea that’s inspiring and sets all that in motion is what’s difficult for me and can be time consuming!

Mark Gosney Do you have a trick to get yourself going?

I just write lyrics. When I write a song I can immediately write a new one. The most I ever wrote in one day was 18. I was a busy guy.

I haven’t at this point figured out what triggers that other than a lot of hard work and trial and error! I don’t struggle to create good ideas but finding the correct musical idea that sets the scene and naturally leads me to the rest of the composition is the hard part. At times it can happen fastener but typically not. I’ve heard John Williams even talk about this very thing as well saying “a lot of times it come down to a lot of hard work”.

For me, finishing is much harder than starting. With orchestral compositions, I often begin with a part of the piece, sometimes just a hazy fragment, in my head, but endings are always tricky: should it end with power, or return to calm? I sometimes spend as much time on the last eight bars as on the rest of the piece...

Great question. I'd have to say it would sound discordant with a really sweet and surprising ending.

Libby Wright Nice!

The last unexpected twist in my life took place in April of this year. That is when one song I wrote titled What the Mack? unlocked my creativity. I discovered that I am on the extreme spectrum of creative synesthesia. I have now written more than 400 songs.

How would someone score that? It is my life and even I do not know.

It would start off sad, melancholic. Maybe with just piano and some strings. Probably revolving around just two chords, to show how trapped and unfulfilled I was. Then gradually, the composition would turn hopeful. Maybe four chords (a combination of major and minor chords) with more strings and probably some horns or something. And of course, the harmonic rhythm becomes longer than the first part. Maybe even add some percussion....

Einaudi - Passagio

My kids were breaking this whole plot structure down for me! LOL!

Definitely synths and pads for me.

Great video - typically synths overlayed with a simple/soft piano melody to build on. Regardless of how bombastic it may end up, I start with an ethereal atmospheric foundation.

I forget sometimes that you're also a musician, Leonardo Ramirez 2.

Some day I'll have more time to dedicate to this Ashley Renee Smith. I'm currently saving up to upgrade my Mac to something that has both Pro Logic and Final Cut Pro.

Thank you for sharing, Libby!

Maurice Vaughan 5, I know what you mean. I have added things into my scriptwriting and songs that have a connection to me. I have done it without thinking about it first. Get some real fun looking over what I wrote and realizing it is connected to my life.

I wrote a song called Alive on Arrival about my grandmother passing. a song called rusty about my biggest mistake. it’s good to go super personal at times, but daunting to play them in concert ;)

Douglas Esper, I am fortunate that I do not need to worry about performing in public. I am a simple scriptwriter and songwriter. I have written more than 400 songs. Of course, most of them are not so personal.

Wyman Brent 400 songs wow! that’s incredible. heh, performing live is a thrill, but so much stress ;) I was lucky enough to be on a small tour years ago and experience “the road”, but not sure I can do it anymore.

Douglas Esper, I can understand the stress. I used to help set up concerts at a venue in California. I know the musicians went through a lot that the public rarely thinks about. I have definitely experienced the road since I have visited or lived in 25 nations. However, the public did not pay to see me on the road. :)

Remember writing my first piece of original music while I was taking piano lessons. That would put it in the era of something like 1958 - 1963.

I only started writing songs last year. Then in April of this year, I unlocked a floodgate of creativity when I wrote a song title What the Mack? Since that time, I have written at least 400 songs. Being on the extreme spectrum of creative synesthesia has its advantages.

I started with a Casiotone like this one https://www.ebay.es/itm/256831377146?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=1185... and with a wood flute from school, so I don´t really remember the exact date :)...

Started writing jazz tunes in 1976. Started studying with Paul Caputo in 1994. He taught me harmony, counterpoint and helped me with my first compositions. I've been writing music ever since.

Libby Wright I started in 1996, right after I stopped taking piano lessons, which I started when I was 6 years old. That's when I discovered I could compose. I had to be away from the "structured learning" and expectations to find that it naturally comes to me if I don't think about the "rules."

I agree with you, music has an amazing ability to balance emotional state. And it doesn't matter whether you listen to it or it's born within you.

Chris Stefans, you are right. I only recognized my songwriting ability in April of this year. In that time, I have written more than 400 songs. Some make me think, some cry, and some laugh.

Sanna Peth, there is absolutely nothing wrong with you. I just got lucky with creative synesthesia and having ADHD with hyperfocus. The combination means that ideas arrive constantly. For me, it is like standing beneath a waterfall. I catch the ones I can and write them down.

And no, quantity does not matter. I like all of my songs. However, I do know that some are better than others. As for perfection, I do not worry about perfection. Who is to say what is perfect? Was James Cameron highly successful with Avatar? Yes, and enjoyed by people around the globe. However, I cannot stand the film. My favorite films are those which tell tales without relying on overblown stories.

The 2010 film Main Street starring Colin Firth and Ellen Burstyn is a great example. It is a story in which very little happens, but it is a real slice of life. Another example is the sci fi film Hunter Prey which is also from 2010. It is primarily a story of the interaction of two opponents trapped in a situation they did nto expect. Another great one is the animated film Nocturna from 2007. It is a beautiful story of a child overcoming its fears. There are no big names in it and no massive animation budget. Not every cartoon requires Tim Allen and Tom Hanks.

As for feeling pain, I have felt so much in real life, physical and mental. I do write songs of longing and desire. I also write songs of pure joy. I am including links to two of my songs on Bandcamp. If you do listen, I would enjoy knowing how they make you feel.

https://wymanbrent.bandcamp.com/track/you-move-backwards

https://wymanbrent.bandcamp.com/track/yay-yay-yo

Wyman Brent It’s very unique and creative, that’s for sure. I think the important question is: what is your goal with it? Do you create mainly for yourself, or do you want to reach a wider audience? As a layperson, I feel that if someone aims for a more serious career, then either they need to follow the trends, or bring something truly new that makes a big impact. On my own path, I try to find the golden middle ground: keeping my uniqueness, but also paying attention to what works for readers / or what captures the audience in a film. But if, for you, this is more about self-expression and joy, that’s perfectly great too, because it really is unique.

Sanna Peth, you ask what is my goal. Good question. I create for myself because I must. The ideas come pouring out and I must capture them. At the same time, I create equally for a wide audience. I think of my family-friendly weekly animated series What the Mack? It has zero violence, zero bad language, zero cynicism, zero alcohol, drugs, smoking. The people can get on each other`s nerves. However, they always remain friends throughout everything.

As for finding the golden middle ground, I have no idea what that is. I create what I do without giving any thought to what is currently popular or trending. I have zero clue what is popular on TV or in the cinema in the USA or anywhere else in the world. I do not know who are the most popular singers and songs. I do not know any of the current social media trends or challenges. I keep my uniqueness 100 percent. I am in talks with an animation studio that is excited about What the Mack? I did not do any studies or ask anyone what they thought of my ideas before making contact with the animation studio. It was actually one of the owners who contacted me first. It is the same with my songs. I write whatever pops into my mind at the moment. It is great if people like the songs, but I will write them no mattter what. Many of my songs could become huge. However, those are not my thoughts when I write a song. i write them because I must. The same with some of my bizarre songs that are highly unlikely to ever become popular. They are just as important to me.

Wyman Brent Of course they are important — our creations are like our children, and we love them all equally. :) I’m really glad that you stay true to yourself, that is such an important thing. :) What more can I say, neighbor… only that you’re doing great, and I wish you lots of success and, of course, plenty of joy in creating!

Sanna Peth, you are right. They are like our children. I have a real life child. I do hope that my shows and songs are successful. He has special needs and I want to make sure he is taken care of for long after I am gone. He is a main character in my show What the Mack? The character is named Glenn just like my son and looks just like him. Every character in the show has a song. I wrote one for his character titled, His Name is Glenn.

Thank you for your good wishes. I also wish you success and happiness.

https://wymanbrent.bandcamp.com/track/his-name-is-glenn