It has been a while since I wrote a post. The main reason being burnout.
What’s this you say! Burnout! But I thought you always had passion for composing classical music?
Yes it is true. I have noticed a trend in my own approach to hobbies, especially music. It goes something like this:
- Start to get the urge to do something, like compose.
- Think about it for a while.
- Finally sit down to do it.
- Realize that I have been wasting so much time in my life, and that I should have been doing this for 25 hours a day for the last 10 years.
- Feel frustrated where I am at in my “journey” on this hobby.
- Resolve to change it.
- Go full steam ahead.
- Burnout, and wonder why I don’t want to do this anymore.
Burnout can be a real issue, and is something difficult to deal with. But there is something that I have also noticed with this. I almost always come back to a few different hobbies, and most of them have to do with music.
My Achilles Heel
I must say, that for some reason, I have just not been able to really get into counterpoint as much as I’d like. I think part of the problem was the move to California, as well as not having a great place to study on my own in silence. Another part of the problem was really beginning the study in depth after having been at this full force for over a year.
Have I Lost My Passion?
Hardly. Chances are, that if you really had the passion in the first place, you may just need a break. And I really have the passion for composing.
I have taken a few months off, while I have moved my family to California, started a new job and a new life outside of the Army, and taken up surfing again. And it has been really helpful to reset.
One of the things that I have noticed is that I am listening to a lot more jazz music. Jazz has been one of these passions, that I’ve floated in and out of burnout since I was about 13. Its one of those things, where you have to really put in some mentally difficult practice in order to get better.
Jazz Composition
So for the next few months, I imagine that I will be talking quite a bit about jazz composition. It is a pretty different style of composition than what I have talked about on this site in the past. But I think there is a lot of room for growth.
I am a big fan of Brad Mehldau and Joshua Redman. I have been listening to both of them since college, and probably together, along with Miles Davis and Sonny Rollins, make up the majority of my jazz listening. So when I found out they created an album together, I had to get it.
Highway Rider by Brad Mehldau
The album was very different that what I expected, but found it also very mentally stimulating. One of the things that struck me, was the attempt to take jazz out of the standard, “two runs of the head, a few solos, another run of the head, and a weird chord at the end,” style of composition.
http://youtu.be/U8FyHeYF7Eg
Brad Mehldau treats this much more like a concept album, like something Pink Floyd would do, and builds off of motives, harmonies and almost a story line.
Where to Go with Jazz Composition
So this is the kind of direction that I want to take jazz composition. I am going to discuss some basic things, like standard chord progressions, ii-V-I’s, voicings, instruments and so on; But I am also going to try and bring in my experience with classical form, traditional harmony, and everything that I’ve learned about the process of composing. This is probably not going to be very easy, but it should be a great way to stir things up.
The Goal is to Be Played
Just like with any type of composition, the goal is to get your music played or listened to. This goal still stands, but I have one thing going for me… I play a bunch of instruments. I will be able to write for myself, and hopefully play and record at a level that people are at least willing to give it a listen.
I also want to try and write for a few players. Guys that I’ve met along the way, and that have taught me how to play and compose. You never know when you might get someone who really digs your piece, and would want to record it.
You Should Change it Up as Well
I have no way of knowing whether you’ve reached a point of burnout or you are just starting, but take it from me, it’s good to change things up every once in a while. It will keep you going. And don’t be afraid to take a break either. In the end, if you are truly passionate about something, you’ll do it.
Hello Jon.
I’m 14 and have been composing, studying music theory and form since late 2011. I’ve also recently began studying orchestration via Walter Piston’s manual ‘Orchestration.’ I feel like I’ve learned and improved a lot since then.
Basically, I feel like I’m going through a burnout period right now. I’ve began to procrastinate more and lack the motivation/inspiration to begin composing. I also seem to be suffering with a bit of writer’s block.
This morning I tried to compose again. I was going to work on a Fantasia for solo piano (I usually compose music in the style of either Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven and Schubert by the way) but I couldn’t seem to get anywhere and then began procrastinating again.
You speak about composing music in other genres but I don’t like any other music but classical. What can I do?
Thank you in advance. I love this site by the way…
-Ben Pritchard
Ben,
There are a few things I’ve found that help me get over the burnout period.
First, and probably the best is to just take a break. Especially if you have been seriously composing and studying music theory for over a year now, you can easily get to the point where you lose touch with what got you composing in the first place. Sometimes just taking a break, and getting back in touch with what you like about the music, just listening or maybe playing an instrument, this can have a very regenerative effect.
Second, I would recommend not putting pressure on yourself when you compose. I have found, that when I go into a composition with expectations, that is when I have the hardest time composing. For instance, say I’ve been listening a lot to Chopin Nocturnes, and I imagine myself composing something similar – that is when I just can’t compose a thing. But when I just approach the composition, as “whatever happens happens, but I am not going to try to sound like Chopin,” that is when juices really start to flow. I don’t mean necessarily going in with a plan, but there are academic pieces that you will write, in an attempt to learn more about a certain style or form, and then there are pieces which you will just naturally compose. Sometimes telling yourself that you are just going to knock out a simple little piece, nothing big, that is when you actually get some of your best work.
Third, if you don’t exercises on a regular basis, I recommend it. I have noticed in my life, the periods of my life when I enjoy everything more, not just composing, are periods where I am exercising at least 3 times a week. I prefer to exercise more, but there is just something about it. Running alone, especially with some good, slow movement pieces, like Mahler’s adagietto from the 5th Symphony, this is like a form of meditation. But it is something that you have to be very consistent with, or you won’t see the benefits.
Let me know if this helps. I’d also like to hear some of your pieces. I recommend posting them on soundcloud.
Hi,
I really like this website. There’s some really good information on it.
Regarding, burning out with counterpoint I have exactly the same issue. Many times I’ve tried to read books on counterpoint and soon after a chapter or two get super-bored or feel like pulling out my hair. So instead I’ve decided to look at Bach’s fugues from the Well Tempered Clavier and to study how they are put together. Now, this is VERY interesting as it’s a real-life living piece of music. What’s your opinion of this?
Well, have a good day. Regards, barry p
Barry,
Thanks for the post. Sorry it took me a while to answer. I have recently taken up your route, although I am still dabbling in the books. But I am going through Bach’s music, trying to find some of my own answers. I am finding copying music also to be a big help. I recently copied the 2 part invention in D minor, which has always been one of my favorite two part inventions.
How do you go about studying the music? I’d love to hear different perspectives.
Jon
Hi Jon,
This is an answer to your question: “How do you go about studying the music?”
I essentially study the music by trying to learn to play the pieces. For a fugue, I try to make some sense out of where the subjects come in. First I try to figure it out myself – which somehow is more interesting that reading about it. Then I’ll look it up online or in some books to see what other people say about it. Then it’s interesting. Sometimes I find that I was right on. Other times I find out that I was “out in wackyland”. For example, I found out by reading that the WTC 1 E flat major PRELUDE (not the fugue) was actually a DOUBLE fugue!
Incidentally a really, really good discussion is by Don Freund on youtube.
See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8bQsaGXNjc
His discussion is at “the right level” (at least for me). Some discussions (that I’ve read) are actually more complicated and tedious than reading an Advanced Calculus book (seriously). But Freund really is excellent.
Now, this process of learning to play while studying a piece can take some time. But what’s the rush? It’s unreasonable to expect to understand Bach’s counterpoint in a few months. Don’t forget that he studied it for a lifetime and his music represents the pinnacle of counterpoint. So if you take a month or more to figure out one piece then that’s OK.
So the benefit of doing this is:’
1) you get to PLAY a piece
2) you get to study a piece
So, I hope that this helps you and anyone who reads it.
So, Happy New Year (or slightly used Year)!!!
Jon,
I love this site. I certainly understand the burnout. Please know that you have inspired me to start writing. Please keep posting!!! Thanks so much!
Thanks Jeffrey. I don’t plan on quitting anytime soon, just resting and composing for a little while. I’ll post what I am composing soon.
Hi!
This site need much more recognition!
I can’t wait for the next post!
Jean-Marc,
Thanks for the support.
I think i’ve experienced burnout recently. It is partly because you haven’t been posting much and you are one of my main sources of motivation. I often have moments when I think- why didn’t I start this when I was 3… I also sometimes question whether I am as good as I like to think, but music is one of the only things I have to be hopeful about. I am now starting to get back into my good habits again, allthough the busy realities of life get in the way. I love composing and I think I always will.
If it was not for you, i’d perhaps still be writing poorly orchestrated symphonies that have no sense of structure. I’d still have a large pile of overambitious ideas that i’d never finish. Thank you Jon!
Michael,
Thanks for the kind words. It is very motivating to me to hear them, as I haven’t received a lot of feedback for my efforts. A comment here or there. I’ve received two pieces that people wrote, but I would love to hear more. Do you think you’d be interested in my starting an audience page or channel, where you could post your music would be a good idea? I’ve also thought about a forum, with a very specific focus. There are quite a few composers forums on the internet, so I don’t want to just copy them.
Once again, thanks for the encouragement.
It’s quite surprising that you haven’t got much recognition. I’ve looked hard and there really aren’t any websites that cover such a wide range of music information as this. You have done more than any of those heavy theory books will ever do. I think you’ve revealed the fun, interesting side of composing and made it within the reach of anyone- rather than the boring side that can only be attempted by advanced professors. You help us believe that we can produce the same compositions as people with degrees. I believe that one day Art Of Composing will be the site that every budding composer visits regularly.
I think an audience page would be a great idea. I’ve got loads of short compositions (and some longer) that i would gladly share. Most of what i’ve written is very simple and they are not really ‘serious’ pieces. Nonetheless, I have learnt different things from each one- for example, practicing interpolation in a small ternary piece. I have also found myself breaking the rules now and then (but everyone does it I suppose). Putting them on sibelius take a while, but I’ll get round to it.
A forum would also be a good idea. It would appeal to me because I often have simple questions about composing techniques or something while I’m composing. That would be easy with a forum. I’d also find it interesting to know if i’ve been correctly doing the things that i’ve spent hours learning about from: you, books, studying compositions and from my own practice. I have never really shown my compostions to anyone who understands about advanced composition.
What you’ve done here is special- I find it hard to imagine where I would be without Art Of Composing.
Thank you very much Michael. Your words are very kind and inspiring. I will look into getting a forum then, and seeing how I can upgrade the functionality of the website.