The new piece starts with 'cellos, basses, and violas drumming, Violins I playing a melody, and Violins II handling harmony. After that, everyone switches around - Violas and 'basses get melody, 'cellos handle the harmony line, and the violins drum. The tricky part is the transition between and working it out so the rhythm flows without a gap. I have to leave space for musicians to pick up or put down bows, and I think I worked out a reasonable solution.
I like to write for a few hours, and work out what I can, but an important part of my process is to walk away for a while and take short breaks. They allow me to work out ideas and then come back with a fresh perspective. When I come back, I'll ususaly make changes to what I've just done and move on from there.
I only have one theme, but in one of these breaks, I've worked out the form of this new piece. I think it will be a rondo (one of my favorite forms) with this theme alternating with a call-and-response section and a C Theme that consists entirely of drumming and pizzicato.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Started a new piece
I hope your Memorial Day was a good one. I slept in, did some gardening, watched a classic old movie ("Forbidden Planet" with a pre-ironic Leslie Nielsen) and started a new piece of music.
It's unusual for me, but I started with the title this time - "Nairobi" (evocative, no? It might change.). Young musicians, especially the basses and 'cellos, love to drum on their instruments, so I thought I'd give them a chance to incorporate that into a new piece of music. This is an "advanced" piece, so the rhythms are a little more complex. The chin-fiddles will have a chance to do some drumming too, but the piece starts with the floor-fiddles.
For inspiration, I got out my old record player (ask your parents, kids) and put on one of my favorite recordings - "Zungo!" by Olatunji Babatunde, a West African singer/drummer. I soaked in the flavors of the album to give me a direction for the rhythm and the melodies and went to work. The first 16 measures sound pretty good and I think I'll have to include some call-and-response later in the piece. I'll keep you informed as progress is made!
It's unusual for me, but I started with the title this time - "Nairobi" (evocative, no? It might change.). Young musicians, especially the basses and 'cellos, love to drum on their instruments, so I thought I'd give them a chance to incorporate that into a new piece of music. This is an "advanced" piece, so the rhythms are a little more complex. The chin-fiddles will have a chance to do some drumming too, but the piece starts with the floor-fiddles.
For inspiration, I got out my old record player (ask your parents, kids) and put on one of my favorite recordings - "Zungo!" by Olatunji Babatunde, a West African singer/drummer. I soaked in the flavors of the album to give me a direction for the rhythm and the melodies and went to work. The first 16 measures sound pretty good and I think I'll have to include some call-and-response later in the piece. I'll keep you informed as progress is made!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Got My New Music!
There are three very exciting parts of the publication process: receiving word from my editor about which pieces they decided to take for next year, hearing the recordings by the Alfred Studio Orchestra for the first time, and receiving complimentary copies of the finished music.
Yesterday, I received my music! This year's two new pieces are A Breeze In the Keys and Sleigh Ride to New Haven. Alfred used to send me two copies of each new piece, but they recently upped it to three. I've seen the music before, when they sent me proofs last autumn, but the copies I got yesterday are on the good paper with the cardstock binder. Before, it was hypothetical, now it's official.
It's been ten years since my first publication, but I still get excited over these little things and I'm always grateful and surprised when they decide to publish even more of the stuff I write. I sent a packet of new music to California two weeks ago, thus beginning the annual cycle of nail-biting anxiety and it won't end until July or August. Getting the shipment yesterday provided a nice break.
Getting the finished music means that music stores have started receiving the finished music too, so check your local retailer or online supplier. Also, it won't be long before the recordings are made available on alfred-music.com. Both are really good this year, but I'm especially happy with the recording of A Breeze In the Keys.
Yesterday, I received my music! This year's two new pieces are A Breeze In the Keys and Sleigh Ride to New Haven. Alfred used to send me two copies of each new piece, but they recently upped it to three. I've seen the music before, when they sent me proofs last autumn, but the copies I got yesterday are on the good paper with the cardstock binder. Before, it was hypothetical, now it's official.
It's been ten years since my first publication, but I still get excited over these little things and I'm always grateful and surprised when they decide to publish even more of the stuff I write. I sent a packet of new music to California two weeks ago, thus beginning the annual cycle of nail-biting anxiety and it won't end until July or August. Getting the shipment yesterday provided a nice break.
Getting the finished music means that music stores have started receiving the finished music too, so check your local retailer or online supplier. Also, it won't be long before the recordings are made available on alfred-music.com. Both are really good this year, but I'm especially happy with the recording of A Breeze In the Keys.
Monday, May 19, 2008
My New Website
This weekend I successfully updated my website! Check it out at home.cinci.rr.com/dougspata
I noticed that it needs a litle tweaking, but everything is there - new graphics (including a cool navigation bar), links to recordings, published music, and YouTube videos, better organization, and a more streamlined, professional look. Even a few photos of me.
So, check it out and drop me a line - I always respond to e-mails.
I noticed that it needs a litle tweaking, but everything is there - new graphics (including a cool navigation bar), links to recordings, published music, and YouTube videos, better organization, and a more streamlined, professional look. Even a few photos of me.
So, check it out and drop me a line - I always respond to e-mails.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Indian Hill Concert
I had a great time last night at the Indian Hill Middle School Orchestra Spring Concert!
My friend Candace Putz is the director and she mentioned a few weeks ago that her 8th graders would be playing Westward Motion. She invited me to say a few words before the performance, so I cleared my calendar and set my VCR to tape Lost. I got there a little late (unusual for me) but slipped backstage after the 6th graders finished to let her know that I'd arrived and was ready to speak.
"Oh, great!" she said, "Look, the kids want you to conduct the piece."
I was a little stunned at first, but said "Okay, let's do it!" Thank goodness I thought to wear a tie and nice shoes.
So I went back to the band room, quickly introduced myself, got everyone in places, and ran through the piece. I had no score and conducted with a xylophone mallet, but it worked out fine. The orchestra sounded good and several students commented that Westward Motion was their favorite piece. After the run-through, I answered a few questions and we went outside to wait for the 7th graders to finish.
The 8th graders took the stage and the performance was great. Mrs. Putz lent me her baton and there was a score waiting for me at the podium. The kids generally weren't happy with the rest of their performance, but Westward Motion sounded good. After the show everyone convened in the auditorium lobby for a reception, where I talked with several parents, who were very excited and appreciative. They seemed to like the piece.
So it was a great night and I had a great time! Mrs. Putz always does an excellent job and it's wonderful to see the progress her students make over the years.
My friend Candace Putz is the director and she mentioned a few weeks ago that her 8th graders would be playing Westward Motion. She invited me to say a few words before the performance, so I cleared my calendar and set my VCR to tape Lost. I got there a little late (unusual for me) but slipped backstage after the 6th graders finished to let her know that I'd arrived and was ready to speak.
"Oh, great!" she said, "Look, the kids want you to conduct the piece."
I was a little stunned at first, but said "Okay, let's do it!" Thank goodness I thought to wear a tie and nice shoes.
So I went back to the band room, quickly introduced myself, got everyone in places, and ran through the piece. I had no score and conducted with a xylophone mallet, but it worked out fine. The orchestra sounded good and several students commented that Westward Motion was their favorite piece. After the run-through, I answered a few questions and we went outside to wait for the 7th graders to finish.
The 8th graders took the stage and the performance was great. Mrs. Putz lent me her baton and there was a score waiting for me at the podium. The kids generally weren't happy with the rest of their performance, but Westward Motion sounded good. After the show everyone convened in the auditorium lobby for a reception, where I talked with several parents, who were very excited and appreciative. They seemed to like the piece.
So it was a great night and I had a great time! Mrs. Putz always does an excellent job and it's wonderful to see the progress her students make over the years.
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