Drawing on real life experience

Composing can be a very personal endeavour, drawing on emotions that one has or is experiencing. After having a rather difficult time these past coupple of months, I have developed a greater appreciation for this particular method of expression. I ended up using this first composition assignment as a way to deal with everything I have had on my mind since having to put life on hold for medical reasons.

Each of the three pieces will represent a different emotion that I have experienced quite recently. When my first piece was presented in class I was unsure how to describe it's overall character, but now I have been able to clarify it for myself as it being a depiction of frustration. The other two pieces, which at this time are not fully completed, will both be contrasting with the "first" character piece taking its place as the second of three.

As it is difficult to come up with titles for each of the three "movements" I have yet to determine what they will be. The piece as a whole on the other hand will be entitled "Bittersweet". I think that this is a perfect choice as it sums up the entire situation that I have endured this semester.

-Jill

Recovery coming to a close...back to the books!

I guess it's about time for me to get back into the swing of things!

On my last day of class before my leave of absence, I was able to present my frst character piece. I went to class knowing there was a lot of work left to do and particulars to figure out, such as tempos, dynamics, etc. but I had the framework completed and ready to go. Big thanks go out to Jon and Dylan for their marvelous attempt at sight reading, which I know was not an easy task by any means.

I appreciated the feedback from my fellow composers. It was brought to my attention that a couple measures in the piano, were quite difficult and near impossible at the tempo I was originally considering. I knew I was expecting a lot from a performer with the particular part so in revisions I went back and re-edited the part to make it fit better under the hands. There were also a few questions about notation, and a suggestion to change time signatures in order to make the music more pleasing to the eye. I believe that through my revisions these issues were resolved in the best manner possible.

The live performance of this piece was very useful in deciding where I was going with the music and made it clear to me what needed to change. One main aspect that I decided to remove was the "blowing air through the instrument" which occured both at the beginning and at the end. From my own experience playing Horn I always enjoyed this extended technique, but on the Tuba it was very different. I realized that the only way I could get the sound I was invisioning would be if I used Horn instead of Tuba. I opted to just drop the concept and maintain the instrumentation as it was.

I have since completed this piece and I am very happy with the way it turned out.

-Jill