Sunday, March 2, 2014

Making Music

Over the past half year or so I have been slowly easing back into music.  My various musical ventures - trumpet, saxophone, piano, and composing - have generally taken a back seat to my yoga practice.  Now my interest is returning.   I have been playing the piano more of late, relearning some pieces I wrote years ago, and working on my improvisation skills and technique.

A few weeks ago I decided to compose a piece for two saxophones for the April concert of the composers society that I belong to.  Today I got out my baritone saxophone for the first time in several years to blow out the cobwebs and begin working on ideas for the composition.  I was reminded of how much I enjoy the process of capturing musical ideas and building them into a piece of music to perform.

I need to spend a little time getting my recording equipment and computer working again.  Perhaps the biggest challenge I have is time - like today, I'll need to dedicate some time several days a week to work on the piece.

I don't yet know what the finished piece will be.  I need to select a few building blocks from the infinite combinations of sounds and rhythms and design a structure to fit the music in.  Then it will start to take shape, and after a while I will find something that I can develop and refine into the finished composition.  Finding enjoyment in the process is the main thing.


No comments:

Post a Comment