I can agree with that.
Unfortunately for most of us in the begining. Composition is not something we can just do when ever we want. Without the relevant understanding and experience as a composer, putting your thoughts onto paper and onto the bandstand can be a struggle.
I was speaking to a freind, who is now a well respected musician and composer in melbourne, a while ago about this. His opinion was that, and ill quote, ‘ you need to know 100 great tunes before you can write 1 good one ‘
So with that, I’m not saying we should forget about composition untill these requirements are fulfilled. It does make a good point though. We need to have alot of music embedded within us before that instinct to combine musical ideas can really flourish.
Once you have tens or hundreds of other composers ideas allready in your mind. Once you think of one on your own, you will have all this other music to draw on and use as a refference. ” hey, the first bars to this melody resembes this tune… and the next 4 bars remind me of this in a way… what chord’s did they use to harmonize it? hmmm it doesn’t quite sound the way I want but were making progress. “
Also, there is the whole theoretical world to consider. Many years of study are required to even touch the surface of what is truly possible in music. Personally I would barely consider myself half way there. Then once you have learn’t all the things the professors and the Jazz cats down at the improv have to teach you.
The journy begins.
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