I’m not sure if you all are aware of the 7 days of the Video Game Music challenge or not. VGM academy hosts a 7-day challenge based on a theme (this time it is western) every month. This stemmed from the 21days of the video game music challenge. I’m participating again and it’s been nice to sit and compose pieces I wouldn’t normally do. For the last few challenges, I’ve dipped my toes into genres I struggle with(western, romance, kids) Doing so made me expand my repertoire and learn a lot about my workflow. We often hear that we should stick with what we know. I agree to a point - we should lean into our passions and skillset- but we also should challenge ourselves much more than we do. Thinking outside the box will help strengthen ourselves as composers and designers. Taking on smaller projects that aren't necessarily in our immediate wheelhouse can give us unique experiences and perspectives.
Don't be afraid to feel vulnerable both personally and professionally. Get a bit uncomfortable.
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i totally agree about being uncomfortable but I take it even further - why not look at genres that are not always considered for film scores - perhaps just for the fun of it. I have written a tango, a minuet, and a rag, or even or my favorite stretch a polka written for a big band https://soundcloud.com/joelirwin/coney-island-polka - to name a few. Then try writing a bebop style tune. We often feel real comfortable at slow tempo. Try something like this at 190 and then get someone to try it live https://soundcloud.com/joelirwin/minimoo-hcc-wed-night-jazz-11-13-19.
And another way to get uncomfortable is to try 'concert keys' that you don't normally use (we often use C, F, G, and Amin). It doesn't have to be B or Db. Simply write in Bb or Eb. Or try getting uncomfortable writing a piece that keeps modulating in a 'smart way' so that you eventually forget what key you started in but of course at some point, you end up back at the starting key.
And of course we can get uncomfortable by not writing in 2/4, 3/4 or 4/4. But don't get too crazy or the musicians could have a hard time. Write a pop or jazz waltz in 6/8 or 12/8. Have you ever written a piece is 5/4 or 7/4 (in groups of 3 and 4).
Yes - stop writing what you know and try getting out of your comfort zone! :)
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100% agree with this Shanika. I always try and do something that makes me feel uncomfortable on every score, even if it's just something small in the grand scheme of things- it's always good to challenge ourselves otherwise we never learn anything new, even if as Joel suggests it's just how to write in an unusual key or tempo.
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Love, love, LOVE this, Shanika Freeman! I love that it's a challenge and not a project or an assignment. I love that you get to stretch into genres you wouldn't normally try (and you may find you like or have aptitude in it!). And I love that it's flexing a kind of creative muscle that can only be used when asked to do something outside your wheelhouse - and because you're choosing to do it on the regular without payment, it makes you better prepared for when you book the gig!
Thanks for sharing your links, Joel. You mentioned stepping away from the standard 3/4, 4/4 - this was something I struggled with a lot too. Then, I started listening to more music particularly math rock and jazz. Now, I try to incorporate different rhythms and times into it music. I have a lot more fun and am allowed to be more creative than with the standard 3/4 or 4/4.
Shanika - listen to the music of David Brubeck. Brubeck experimented with time signatures throughout his career, recording the well known and played Jazz standard, "Take Five" in 5/4. He is also known for "Unsquare Dance" in 7/4, "World's Fair" in 13/8, and "Blue Rondo à la Turk" in 9/8.
Often times especially if you are a musician playing these unusual meters, you break the meter/rhythm into two parts. Listen to Blue Rondo - I count it as 4 and 5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKNZqM0d-xo
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Shanika Freeman This is great. Didn't know you participated in the VGM. I did it (and completed all 21 days) last year. I knew about them shortening the challenge time span for some time. Maybe I'll do it again before the year is out.