p0llux

cool, i love asian music(being chinese myself). i've only begun to compose so i dunno much. but i think use a lot of asian instruments. all the ones listed above are really good. however, i have somthing against using the erhu. yes, even though it creates an undeniable asian sound, you shouldn't use it in a japanese film because everyone knows erhu is chinese not japanese. Taiko drums for battle scenes are good. Pentitonic scale is a good idea. however, someone mentioned it might sound too much like folk. the difference is the use of the rythm, esp. 16th notes. John Williams score to Memoirs of a Geisha was a successful score, give it a listen for ideas. oh and don't forget to listen to scores from a local composer. Try Joe Hisaishi's score to Spirited Away.;)

i taught myself how to play piano. and yes, it's much easier if you know how to play another instrument. I know how to play the violin, so I know how to read music, however, im weaker in the bass clef because violin reads only the treble. however, i adapted quite quickly to reading bass clef by knowing the relationship between bass clef and treble. Learning where each key was on the piano was easy also, because once you know the location of one note you can figure out the others and as you play more, those locations will eventually lock into your memory. The only thing i'm missing from piano is technique. Fingerings, positions, form, etc. Things that trip me up when im practicing is rythm. Sometimes, theres a weird rythm in the left hand and right hand is doing somthing else. Similar to playing drums, where each one of your hands and feet are doing something different. my brain has to adjust, for trained pianists i'm sure that's not a problem, but for me i have to play it a dozen times to get it. Currently, i've taught myself to play Joe Hisaishi's "Ashitaka and San" and i'm working on a solo piano piece that i think is more difficult than i can play.

My favorite composer is Joe Hisaishi. Although John Williams can take it as well. Both composers are masters of thematic material, but Hisaishi takes it simply because his themes appeal more to me and his music much easier to listen to. In terms of complexity though, Williams takes the prize. Williams' music have more of a classical feel/style, and as we all know classical music contain some of the most difficult music to play. i remember reading somwhere Williams' said he has many influences from classical composers such as Richard Strauss. Hisaishi's style is more a Pop/Contemporary/Orchestral style which a genre that really appeals to me, so with that said, Hisaishi takes it over Johnny.