Eselbeus

sounds cool, sign me up! About time I wrote a solo violin piece....

I submitted mine last night...I hope you got it...

count me in....I'm guessing there is about a 50% chance or less of actually finishing since I just found out about this, but I'm going to try for it anyway!

sounds good, you got some good orchestral sounds out of it!

I just finished a choral piece and I wouldn't mind writing another. Count me in!

So what's the difference between composing classical music an popular music? As I am involved in both of these genres, my experience is that if you compose a popular song, you are more likely to be the performer/recording artist as well. Believe me, I wish it wasn't that way. There are plenty of songs (if not all) that would sound a lot better if a professional rock band recorded them (rather than myself). I've also noticed that it's a lot less expensive to be a classical composer in this respect. All you need to compose is manuscript paper and possibly Finale or Sibelius. Also, when I record popular music, part of the composition process actually occurs within the recording/performing process. I'll either write one track at a time and see what else it needs, or I'll be collaborating with other musicians. Other than that, there isn't much difference between the styles as far as I can see.

spice girls? oh, and the best types of tabasco are the habenero and garlic flavor

at least 5 pieces I can think of off the top of my head, but then there are probably at least 3 songs I'm working on too. I put 7+, cause I know it's a lot....

I'm Seann.

I am done too! Composed and submitted!

Count me in. I'll go compose it right now....

Yes I compose in my sleep on occasion. I only remember it about half the time and when I do, I usually remember a melody and some basic harmony that goes with it in context. All the really cool countermelodies and anything complicated is usually gone the minute I wake up no matter how hard I try to remember it. Although sometimes I'll forget a melody and remember it at a later point. This is a concept that I have found comforting in recent years where I create a good melody, forget it and at a later date (anywhere between a few hours and a few years), I re-compose it. If you came up with it at one point, I guess you can come up with it again.

Here is the first movement of my latest woodwind quintet. It is a bassoon feature. World premiere this May, so I'm not looking for tons of input since it's (this movement) basically done. Comments are welcome. Spontaneous_Bassoon_Fabricator___Mvt._1___Branchfield.MID

I'm not sure if the ratio of inspiration/perspiration is 1:99, but I think it's important to realize that this is different for every composer and we all have the ability to improve both of these components. One of the best ways to become inspired (and become a better composer) is to give yourself the tools to do it. I do this by exposing myself different types of music, and acquainting myself with new musical instruments when possible. It's not really about talent. Talent is just our creative capacity based on our previous experience. (whoa, I got philosophical!) On the other hand, composing is a lot of work and there is not getting around that. If you want to compose great music, you have to COMPOSE great music. What I mean by that is, if you want to write good orchestral music, you need to start writing for the orchestra ASAP! Giving yourself practice in the genres you wish to write for is the best thing you can do. I'm not saying I've become a great composer by doing this, but I'm am becoming more satisfied with what I do on a personal level as a result of my endeavors. And if anyone tells you you're writing boring, simple, melodic music...that is their opinion! It is a sad state that we are in today that academic centers pressure us to compose complex music. Write simple, beautiful music for yourself...and when the time comes, try to do it their way too...it's for your own good in terms of development. I hope I've said something enlightening here...it was enlightening for me to think about!

I do try to compose pieces and songs about peace...or at least works that I think will make people think about peace. And when I do compose a piece about war, it's usually to point out how much it sucks.