Composing Music....?

Question

For my band class we have to write a piece for a small group of instruments and perform it in front of the class.Well I spent all saturday working on my solo part and now I'm stuck. How do you get your creative jucies flowing again, because this is extremly aggravating.?

Answer 1

I feel your pain. As a professional composer, I get writer's block very frequently - and sometimes you just can't afford the luxury of time where u can throw the piece aside and get back to it later. Try strong emotional stimuli - a scenic walk, a romantic novel, movie or date. I created one of my best works in the weeks following my breakup with my first girlfriend.

If you're the logical type, you could try tinkering with the piece in order to expand it. In most 'classical' music there's this thing called 'thematic development' - in which the melodies are repeated in different versions to etch them more clearly into the listener's head. Choose your one or two most prominent melodies, and repeat them, in different instruments or variations. Keep it different.

If you're really, really stuck, try a brain dump - just keep writing and writing and writing without stopping. In spite of no creative juices. I relied on this technique to complete a piece for a competition - aptly titled 'Elegie - In memory of a composer's sanity' - which won 2nd prize.

Answer 2

You've got your solo part - do you have the harmony to go along with it? Play out your part, maybe you can think of something that will fit with it. Maybe, after playing it, you'll think of some variation you can add that can give you a new section. Listening is good, but listen to what you want to write: if it's a band composition, then listen to some band ensemble music. Just don't give up. The best way to get the juices flowing is to keep working them in your head; taking a break is good, but don't break for too long, your juices will run dry.

Answer 3

Is it possible that you could answer a couple questions for me?

1. What exactly are the instruments that you are writing for and have you assigned the solo part to a specific instrument?

2. How much music theory do you have under your belt?

With these questions answered, I could give you some specific ideas on how to proceed.

Answer 4

Take the music you've already written and improvise with it. Just play anything that comes to mind. If you can record yourself doing this you'll be able to latch on to some ideas to play with.

Answer 5

Listen plain and simple. Step away from what you were doing and then listen to something new; music or otherwise. Listen to the rhythm of the wind or cars driving by, birds, the way your family or friends talk. Listen to your thoughts about things that make you happy, sad, excited and try and sing it in your head or out loud.