March 2012 - Composer's Toolbox

Tool #29: Visualize Your Mix!

DanLisMusic Posted on March 31, 2012

The term “stereo” refers to “stereophonic sound”. From Wikipedia: The term stereophonic sound or, more commonly, stereo, refers to any method of sound reproduction in which an attempt is made to create an illusion of directionality and audible perspective. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereophonic_sound) Humans prefer to know where the sound is coming from, and all good mixes can […]

Tool #28: Collaboration Webpages

DanLisMusic Posted on March 27, 2012

I’d like to share a tool I’ve developed that’s useful for collaboration. If you have a website (and this would even work on a blog such as one hosted on WordPress), use that webspace to devote an entire page to a collaboration. What this entails: Create a webpage and send a link to it to […]

Issues Opinion

Don’t Push Kids to the Limit

DanLisMusic Posted on March 24, 2012

There is one thing that has been irking me as I observe music teachers at my job, and especially as a person who has anxiety issues: teachers and parents need to stop pushing kids to the limit. It’s good to push kids, to direct and shape their growth, but those in the teaching and parenting […]

Issues Opinion

What makes “good” music? Two basic criteria for judging.

DanLisMusic Posted on March 15, 2012

What makes “good” music? I see composer websites of people who write what I think is “not so good” music where they list multitudes of grants, fellowships, and studies at educational heavy-hitters. Does this make their music “good”? I don’t think so. I listen to music that is highly academicized to the point of being […]

Opinion

Writing for the voice is a different animal… it’s okay to fall at first!

DanLisMusic Posted on March 14, 2012

We’re taught massive amounts of harmonic, melodic, structural/formal, conceptual, historical, and orchestrational material in any type of compositional training, whether it’s in lessons or on the whole in the conservatory. Most of us play at least one instrument, and most of us understand music theory like it’s our native tongue. But, we’re not confronted with […]

Issues Opinion Tools for Composers

Tool #27: Finding a Good Workflow

DanLisMusic Posted on March 8, 2012

I recently started a project where I’m getting paid (roughly) by the hour for composing. I have therefore started keeping a log of my composing time, and it has really helped me scrutinize my composing workflow and habits. I have sharpened my view on how I compose–how I plan, sketch, write, revise, etc.–by doing this […]

Engraving Technology Tools for Composers

Tool #26: 10 Finale Keyboard Commands You Should Know

DanLisMusic Posted on March 4, 2012

I’d like to devote this post to a basic topic: 10 basic keyboard commands in Finale that I find essential. Whether it’s composing fast or making engraving your scores easier, these are some of the commands that are second nature to me because I constantly use most of them. I’m a big advocate for keyboard […]