Why Do You Compose?

Nothing like some elementary philosophy to brighten up your day.

You shouldn't compare this mawkish rubbish with philosophy.

Bitterness is such a clear path to all good things in life...

This thread will certainly turn totally bitter if we keep derailing it. Especially when doing so in a "pick-a-streetfight" language and with no respect for what fellow members answer. Cool down, gentlemen...

I will cool down when girls stop recoiling at my touch. You're a meanie and I hate everybody.

The only way Phil knows how to break the sexual tension is with his fist.

**back on topic***

I compose music simply so I have something unique and original to perform. I know the strengths and weaknesses of myself and the musicians I work with; as such, I can exploit this to my advantage.

Hmm, quite a community. Young composers, indeed. :hmmm: ... :headwall:

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On-topic:

Robin, do mean to say you exploit your own weaknesses, as well as your strengths? I'm curious of how you go about exploiting your weaknesses. If it were me, and I was aware of them, I would exploit them, until they were no longer weaknesses. How do you mean?

Robin, do mean to say you exploit your own weaknesses, as well as your strengths? I'm curious of how you go about exploiting your weaknesses. If it were me, and I was aware of them, I would exploit them, until they were no longer weaknesses. How do you mean?

I would say I exploit strengths as opposed to weaknesses; however, I'm very aware of where my personal limitations lie (also applies to most of the musicians with whom I work). I consciously write music with the idea that a particular part is best suited for a particular player.

Working on my limitations and pushing myself technically is for the practice room, not the concert hall.

Well, this topic is about the practice room as well. However, you're fortunate to know who you write for. That would definitely change my thought process...until then, I will just write with the assumption that virtuosos are common enough to write whatever (within reason :P).

I have taught piano for many years. When people ask me what I do for a living I say, "I am a piano teacher." But I never felt quite right labeling myself as a piano teacher. Then one day someone said, "Oh, I know you, you are a composer." Suddenly my body felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Yes, I am a composer. How wonderful that felt! I compose because that's who I am.

Debussy described music as 'the imaginary country; that is to say, the one that can't be found on the map'. This comes close to the reason why I feel the need to write; namely to create something that is an object of fantasy, some kind of landscape that does not really exist in a tactile, material form. I believe that music should not ignore the real world, indeed it is sometimes the strongest way of addressing it, but it justifies its existance by being a means of accessing 'another place' which is otherwise hidden, and so to compose is to give others some experience of one's imagined world. There is an element of fantasy in most music, and this seems to be particularly prominant in many of my works along with a need for drama. I have to have the stimulation of some unpredictability, and so this is something I try to put into my music. Nearly as strong is the desire to leave an impression on others and for my listeners to be stimulated and transported by the music (also something I try to achieve in performance). I also believe that creative, useless acts are what makes us special.

I suppose I could, more bluntly, say it's because I have an opinion of what music should sound like, and feel the need to express this in some recognisible form (which probably explains why I am drawn to arranging almost as much: I feel I can almost always 'improve' something existing). And I can't imagine not trying to write notes on the page.

I really like this response.....I think that manifesting one's own fantasy world is definitely part of why I (sometimes) compose, though the reasons are manifold and mysterious even to myself.

Personally, I do it for the babes, booze, and most of all the money.

Personally, I do it for the babes, booze, and most of all the money.

Wow, did you ever pick the wrong profession.

Personally, I do it for the babes, booze, and most of all the money.

That just reminded me of this XD

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/550212_3877477213867_1186838709_33682198_1970827094_n.jpg

composing serves as an outlet for me.. releasing through my composition whatever I feel inside -------------------------- well that was before.. I now compose as my means of living.. : )

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These blogs keep the fire of music burning in me:

http://www.scarysquids.com/

http://www.audiomasteringman.com/