At the mercy

This is a quote from Eric Whitacre from the BCM International Discussion Board on the topic of compositional process:

Eric: The truth is that it is profoundly different with every piece. Sometimes I memorize the text; sometimes I don't. Sometimes I start with a musical idea; sometimes with the text. Sometimes I randomly orchestrate ideas, throw them away, and start sketching structure; sometimes not. When I say its not 'efficient', it's because it takes a long time for me to become a COMPOSER again, every single time I do it. I really feel, every time, that I have no idea what I am doing.

I don't know if anyone else has this experience, but I sure know that whatever I am doing doesn't FEEL like a process. That's why my advice is always to just write, and keep writing, until you figure it out. Then do it again.


Later in the thread, he mentioned a snippet of an interview that deals with this topic. If you want to hear it in his voice (a great voice, I might add) check it out here. One of my favorite parts is when he says, "I feel at the mercy of what it is I'm trying to make."

I'm definitely "at the mercy" right now...

Cheers all!
Megan