Thought I'd share some books that I've gotten so far - and read - that are worth the bang from your hard-earned dollars! Won't bother to review all here, but you've gotta trust me - they're worth it if you're serious about the biz.
The Reel World: Scoring for Pictures by Jeff Rona (link and image not working....it is on amazon.com)
Inside Film Music: Composers Speak by Christian Jardins
Complete Guide to Film Scoring by Richard Davis
Idiot's Guide to Music Composition
Monday, July 26, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Some good advice : )
Hello again :)
Some good advice from a recent link on ASCAP ~ http://wecreatemusic.ascap.com/expo/
Ron Jones has some very timely, great tips on the composing process and being a success or "success" if you like ;) I'd like to be a member of ASCAP and start networking a bit here in the midwest.
Some progress on researching computers, gear, and IDEAS. Remember, if you don't have the gear yet, WRITE your ideas down. Have a vision and practice your craft.
On that note, I'm writing my transcriptions, and am also going to devote part of each day - 2 hrs or more - to composing or arranging. This will have to do with harmonic ideas and percussive effects....fresh ideas should invigorate the mind.
No luck with the accompanying job prospects so far - if I don't hear from Bonner Springs h.s. I'm going to assume the worst. Meanwhile, going to increase my availability at Meyer Music and use the rest of my time wisely.
Stay tuned. Don't touch that computer dial :)
Some good advice from a recent link on ASCAP ~ http://wecreatemusic.ascap.com/expo/
Ron Jones has some very timely, great tips on the composing process and being a success or "success" if you like ;) I'd like to be a member of ASCAP and start networking a bit here in the midwest.
Some progress on researching computers, gear, and IDEAS. Remember, if you don't have the gear yet, WRITE your ideas down. Have a vision and practice your craft.
On that note, I'm writing my transcriptions, and am also going to devote part of each day - 2 hrs or more - to composing or arranging. This will have to do with harmonic ideas and percussive effects....fresh ideas should invigorate the mind.
No luck with the accompanying job prospects so far - if I don't hear from Bonner Springs h.s. I'm going to assume the worst. Meanwhile, going to increase my availability at Meyer Music and use the rest of my time wisely.
Stay tuned. Don't touch that computer dial :)
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Somewhere at the beginning.....
So I'll try to update this thing when I can....right now I have a lot of free time, but don't want to spend hours blogging, you know? But maybe you find yourself in my shoes, wanting to pursue your pipe dream and finally having the courage....and to some extent, money....to do it!
First, some history. I'm a pianist by day (got my master's in it), but an aspiring film composer by night. I've always wanted to pursue this, and have gotten/read a few reliable books on it (can list those if you like). Watched the Richard Davis YouTube series, and feel like I at least know something of the process of filmmaking. I find my music CDs consist of 90% film soundtracks, and transcribing film scores to piano has been a hobby of mine since the 4th grade. Don't get me wrong, I have a varied taste in music. There are some 60 songs I've transcribed (some with, you know, 8 bars), but all but a few are hand-written. Worked with Finale in college and have a version right now :)
So -- I'm now beginning to really wade thru the jungle of software and equipment. Should I buy/save for this, is something worth it or no. There are so many CHOICES - esp within each software program - that it's bordering ridiculous for those who are starting out like me....
Some programs I think would be reliable:
Logic Express
Ableton
Garage Band (actually have worked with this and like it)
Avid
Pro Tools
If you have any other suggestions, chime in :)
Half the battle of the modern film composer is getting and learning the gear. I'm trying to decide what software program(s) to use and just get started with that. I have a Powermac G4 with Panther (yeah it's old but the processor can't handle more than 10.4) flat screen, M-Audio keyboard and used to have Garage Band but that's another long and sad story.
That's it for now. Stay tuned - don't touch that computer dial ;)
First, some history. I'm a pianist by day (got my master's in it), but an aspiring film composer by night. I've always wanted to pursue this, and have gotten/read a few reliable books on it (can list those if you like). Watched the Richard Davis YouTube series, and feel like I at least know something of the process of filmmaking. I find my music CDs consist of 90% film soundtracks, and transcribing film scores to piano has been a hobby of mine since the 4th grade. Don't get me wrong, I have a varied taste in music. There are some 60 songs I've transcribed (some with, you know, 8 bars), but all but a few are hand-written. Worked with Finale in college and have a version right now :)
So -- I'm now beginning to really wade thru the jungle of software and equipment. Should I buy/save for this, is something worth it or no. There are so many CHOICES - esp within each software program - that it's bordering ridiculous for those who are starting out like me....
Some programs I think would be reliable:
Logic Express
Ableton
Garage Band (actually have worked with this and like it)
Avid
Pro Tools
If you have any other suggestions, chime in :)
Half the battle of the modern film composer is getting and learning the gear. I'm trying to decide what software program(s) to use and just get started with that. I have a Powermac G4 with Panther (yeah it's old but the processor can't handle more than 10.4) flat screen, M-Audio keyboard and used to have Garage Band but that's another long and sad story.
That's it for now. Stay tuned - don't touch that computer dial ;)
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