Fortnightly Update #11
Welcome to the eleventh music update of the year
If you're interested in the creative process, or what my songs sounds like extremely early in the composing process, this update is for you!
Having finished the Ottoman War theme I now move onto the peace theme. Taking an iconic theme from the War piece I have begun drafting and mapping out how the new Peace music might go. This process is what I want to share with you today.
When I start writing a piece of music I begin at the piano. I experiment with short motifs, catchy melodies, impactful chords and funky rhythms. When I have some general idea of the piece, its ideas and its mood, I boot up Sibelius and write a short and simple piano score. This is usually just a few short disconnected sections of music so that I can easily come back, listen and pick up the ideas again on the piano.
Then, two things happen, in no particular order: 1. I begin creating a rough map for how the piece might go, 2. I note key orchestrations - or potentially even just dive straight into developing the small ideas that are there. This gives me some firm footing of what I'm going to write and how its all going to be tied together.
From here the magic begins to happen. Orchestration, dolour, dynamics, details. The works. But that is all something to look at once the music makes it to this point.
Below you will find an outline for the new piece. No dynamics, no harmonies. It is currently at a mapping stage. Just a melody and simple chord beneath. For some reason I chose a Harp and English Horn to map out a potential starting course for the music. Some things in there (like key changes) may not make the final cut, whilst others that are absent (like a tempo changes) might find their way in. A countermelody is desired too!
Have a listen and join me over the next few weeks as we find out how it will take shape!
Enjoy!
- Utopia