All in Composition
As a composer, working in notation software with uninspiring sounds—especially for electric guitar—has always been frustrating. These days, I primarily compose in Dorico Pro, which allows me to experiment with ideas and refine decisions before stepping into a studio or rehearsal space. It’s a process I value and one I teach to my college students.
Engaging in music research has become an integral aspect of my musical journey, as I continuously explore avenues to enhance my composition, theory, learning, technique, and performance knowledge. Several years ago, I initiated the practice of consolidating my research within the confines of an iPad app called Goodnotes. The app's unique feature of creating "notebooks" appealed to me initially.
However, my allegiance to Goodnotes waned over the past year due to an update that complicated backup access and an inability to address sign-in issues with the app's developers. This created a dilemma as it hindered my ability to seamlessly access my accumulated data on various devices, instigating a sense of vulnerability concerning the safety of my over 1,500 pages of painstakingly compiled research.
Realizing the potential pitfalls of relying solely on a digital platform, especially one with uncertain customer support, I made a conscious decision to transition back to traditional pen and paper. The prospect of safeguarding my research from potential app discontinuation or developer unavailability became a paramount concern.
Hello, everyone. Welcome back to another episode of Anatomy of Tone, where we learn new tips, secrets, and improvements to our music journeys. In episode 26, we delve into the techniques of improvisation, its benefits, and how to enhance those skills.
Improvisation is an important aspect of musical comprehension whether you're a guitar player, a jazz enthusiast, or a classical composer. It's a journey that needs time, patience, and most importantly, skill development.
Recording and analyzing live performances has become integral to my musical journey, providing valuable insights into my improvisational guitar solos. Utilizing a simple iPhone placed strategically on stage or near the amp, I capture the raw essence of each gig, allowing me to reflect on what worked and what didn't.
Reviewing these recordings is a powerful tool for self-assessment, dispelling the tendency to overly scrutinize minor mistakes made in the heat of the performance. It's a means of separating perceived errors from the overall impact of the musical experience, providing a more balanced perspective.
Stevie Wonder is one of my favorite songwriters. His adventurous chord progressions and melodies really excite my ears and mind. Stevie is one of those artists that can make complex ideas sound simple and approachable.
In this week's podcast, episode 15 of Anatomy of Tone, I mentioned one of my favorite Stevie Wonder songs, “Too High,” from the Inervisions record released in 1973.
In episode 14 of the Anatomy of Tone podcast, I talked about how the Bee Gees used an expansion technique in the bridge to take a familiar phrase and wake our ears up. The Bee Gees were crafty songwriters. Not only did they write a very memorable riff for this song they found ways to reuse the riff without it feeling overdone.
An example of this is in the bridge. If we look at the song's intro, we’ll see two bars of a riff in F minor. Then we move to two bars on a Bb chord. This is the basis for the instrumental hook of the song.
In episode 12 of Anatomy of Tone, I discussed Rick James’ “Super Freak” and the use of mixed modes. The verse riff is based on the A Dorian mode, while the pre-chorus is based on the A Aeolian mode. This subtle change between modes creates a refreshing effect on the ears.
Step modulation, also known as pitch shifting, is a captivating technique in music that adds a unique and dynamic element to compositions. By altering the pitch of a musical passage or instrument in specific increments, step modulation offers an intriguing way to explore different tonalities and create a sense of movement within a piece.
In Episode 10 of the Anatomy of Tone podcast, I delved into Tom Petty's song "Yer So Bad" from his album Full Moon Fever. In the podcast, I love pinpointing standout moments in songs - not only to discuss songwriting and composition craft but also to share how I research music to build my own library of creative ideas.
The chorus section of "Yer So Bad" caught my attention due to its unique structure of measures, setting it apart from other songs. Tom Petty was a master of songwriting and took his craft seriously.
Learning scales is an essential aspect of every musician's journey. However, there often needs to be more connection between learning scales and the ability to employ them effectively in music.
I have witnessed numerous students diligently memorize scales without comprehending how to apply them to actual musical contexts. They seem to perceive it as a mere ritual they must perform because they were instructed to do so.
But let's not place blame on the students themselves. The emphasis has long been placed on mastering scale positions rather than integrating them musically and meaningfully.
Understanding registers is crucial when working with musicians or in any production scenario. Registers refer to different ranges or sections of the musical spectrum, typically categorized as low, middle, and high. By being aware of these registers, you can troubleshoot issues related to sound balance, clarity, and overall mix quality.
Listen to episode 6 of Anatomy of Tone on all podcast outlets including Apple and Spotify.
I'm a big fan of the surf genre, which had a short life in the late 1950a to early 1960s. The sound is fun but melancholy, fast but moody.
The early days of surf music were an underground movement. Long before The Beach Boys took over with their polished looks, real edgy characters like Link Wray and Dick Dale built the scene.
I'm a big punk fan, and bands like the Dead Kennedys led me back to discover many original surf bands, such as the Shadows.
I composed a lot of surf music for my Mark Marshall's Future Relics project. The concept is as soon as something is created (which is the future), it becomes the past. So in this project, I time travel to different eras to explore sonically the future of the time.
Welcome, fellow music enthusiasts! I'm thrilled to introduce you to the podcast series, "Anatomy of Tone." In this comprehensive series, we embark on a journey through the various elements of music creation, covering everything from the art of composition to crafting unique sounds, selecting the perfect gear, and engaging in insightful business-related conversations.
