A Tale of Two Arts
Is good design becoming more essential or less? Let’s compare graphic design and music notation.
Composition
Common First Time Notation Mistakes
When I’m teaching a young arranger or composer, these are some of the most likely mistakes they’re likely to make.
Why I Stopped Composing Sight Reading
2024 was my last year composing sight reading exercises for MSVMA.
Three Kinds of Music to Write
All the music I write falls into one of these three categories.
Foreground
Not every piece has the same musical element in the foreground.
What They End Up Singing
Maybe what they’re singing is more right than what’s written.
Longer, Shorter
So many of the composers I admire are exploring longer works.
Reasons for a Commission
When you commission, sometimes it’s good to have a reason that you can publicize.
Having A Name For What You Write
Early music theory study focuses on having names for things. But that’s not the end goal.
Composing and Notating
Don’t mix up the two. Composing and notating are different skills.