March 2017 - Composer's Toolbox

Steven Maheu’s Elements of Creative Force – Part 3

DanLisMusic Posted on March 25, 2017

This next post will finish explaining the basic notational elements in Steven Maheu’s Elements of Creative Force. We will then get into exercises to practice the application of these tools. By the way, if you are interested in the visual elements driving this vein of notation, check out Steven’s visual art on Facebook. We already […]

Analysis Engraving Form Harmony Notation/Engraving Professional Development Reviews Rhythm Theory Tools for Composers

Aaron Mencher -“Uncertainly Yours”

DanLisMusic Posted on March 18, 2017

Composer Aaron Mencher‘s work “Uncertainly Yours” is a very cohesive work that relies on intervallic tightness, but is extremely fluid and athematic. Please download his score to follow along with this analysis. Here is the audio: The piece begins with the unifying interval that holds this piece tightly together, despite its arhythmicism and themelessness. The […]

Analysis Opinion Reviews

Piano Wire – Dream Underground Review

DanLisMusic Posted on March 11, 2017

Hi All, I am still traveling and unable to post full-fledged articles, but I wanted to share the link to my latest review on ContactMusic.com, of Piano Wire’s album Dream Underground: http://www.contactmusic.com/music/piano-wire-dream-underground-album-review I hope you check out their music! Dan

Announcements Professional Development

Concert Tonight – Livestream link!

DanLisMusic Posted on March 10, 2017

Hi All, I am currently at the University of Nebraska at Kearney New Music Festival, along with composers such as Matthew Kennedy, and my piece “Bleak Friday” for marimba and fixed media is going to be performed at 7:30pm CST (8:30pm EST) tonight. Here is the live stream link, if you want to view the […]

Analysis Notation/Engraving Psychology of Music Theory Tools for Composers

Steven Maheu’s Elements of Creative Force – Part 2

DanLisMusic Posted on March 5, 2017

This next post features the overarching framework and processes involved in Steven Maheu’s conceptualization of music and the process of composition. Future posts will include exercises in this method, to “feed off” this large concept. To begin, please review this image: To begin, we see 3 primary dimensions: Mechanics (mechanical progressions) are the “matter/physics” in […]