Original Tunes

[MandoLuke]

I was just wondering if anyone writes there own tunes. Learning Chris's stuff is a great way to learn, but you also want to develop your own style.

I have'nt seen anyone talk about writing yet. Just curious how everyone else get's there inspiration.

Luke


P.S When Sarah was eight she beat me in a fiddle contest. Chris kicked my butt in everthing. The whole year after that I practised on average three hours a day so I could beat them the following year, but by then they were performing at the festival not competing.[bang] :)

[Thilefan]

Hey there!

I am in the process of puting out a cd. I have been extremely inspired by Chris and his music. The style of mandolin I attempt to play and write doesn't have a name yet, but it is probably the closest to Thile on the musical spectrum. In my writing I attempt to create something that is pleasing to listen to, and something that I would want to hear again and again. Lately I have been developing slower tunes, which is VERY unlike me. If you have any insight you would like to share, I would be interested in hearing it.

I am currently struggling with Form. How do you compose something that you don't want to be a fiddle tune? (A part B part etc.). What other forms are availible? Do I have to stay within a strict form to create a tune?

Thanks!

Robin

[matt the fiddler]

i do composition when i get the time.......

listen listen listen to music... and study the form- make diagrams, and pay attention to the voicing, repetiton, harmonic progression- and more specifically the theme and devolment of motives.... chris's work is good for this- as well as looking into classical music [which is practal anal about form] a lot of earlier classical stuff was aba- abacaba.... yadda type stuff. if you want to ge tbeyond that- there are several other forms to look into- check out any concerto/ sonata in sonata allegro form- how the devolpment goes across the tonal lines drawing tonic/ dominant type sounds... also look at fuges by bach- string quartets be beethoven [especially the late quartets] [trust me- chris and sean has spent a lot of time looking into these works- so it jsut isn't me!] and mabye soem of strvansky/ copeland works/ or mahler symphonies. [got to love the mahler symphonies!!!!!]
jazz is closer to bluegrass ish form- so study that stuff as well-
matt

[sarah]

Yeah I pathetically try to write stuff. My problem is I'm shy at sharing it with other people. I don't think my parents have even heard any of my stuff. I get inspiration from a lot of Nickel Creek stuff and just about anything. I have trouble writing stuff for banjos though. Guitar and mandolin come much easier.

[mandofocus]

I think that I have the same problem as sarah. I am too shy. No one in my family ever gets to hear me play unless they want to sit quitely outside my door without me knowing. That whole process of I don't want to screw up. I want to sound good. thing goes thruough my head. I think that only when I'm really buzzed or sleep deprived do I ever play in front of other people. I have a couple works in progress but only for guitar and mando. I usually tend to write the slower songs becasue they are easier to remember when you can't record or write them down at the moment. Also they are easier to rework.
-PJ- :cool:

[matt the fiddler]

well, always be challanging your self- it you are good only at slow-- try to work some fast ones in.... if you are good a tunes in major keys- write some in minor keys. plan ahead- and start with constraints- IE plan ahead.. a,b , and c sections- with these rhythms- and this speed, following this chord progression. to have musical freedom at writing- you first have to get good at writing thigns to forms.. then once you are good at that- forms are to be broken and improved apon!

also the only way to get over your performance anxiety [which every bodya has to some degree] is to play infront of people a lot more often, and get used to it... there is really no short cut- so start small- but keep pressing your self to the limits mentally-

matt

[sarah]

Mandofocus I totally agree! I'm always saying I don't want to mess up I want to sound good! And my parents do sit outside my door without me knowing sometimes. I found that out about a week ago LOL.

[mandofocus]

Tis is gonna sound cheesy and I don't mean to rip it off but it works so well.
catching someone outside your door kinda makes you do the embarassed mando player in the headlights look. doesn't it?
-PJ-