"If you think too long, you're wrong."

On again, Eric Whitacre has sent a singing arrow of truth right to my heart. I'm going to take the luxury to quote his whole post on my blog, you can check out the BCM International website and discussion for more gems.

Refreshing.

~m



Hmm...

To quote an old friend of mine, "If you think too long, you're wrong."

I think that if you want to compose, you should start today. Just try it. Write what you know, even if it means writing a one minute piece for solo tuba.

I think it's not at all productive (or reasonable) to think that you need to have training to be a composer. Take a small idea, work and work and work on it, perform it in front of real people, and boom... you're a composer.

Of course you'll make mistakes, and sometimes fall on your face, but THAT IS THE POINT. You will learn so much about composing by just trying to compose.

Once you're in school, you'll learn all kinds of things that will broaden your mind as a composer, and all kinds of things that will just mess you up in the head. School will be good for you, and you should go, even as a comp major if you can get in. But it won't turn you into a composer. It will just give you some ideas to try out.

Remember, it's YOUR LIFE. If you are one of the lucky ones who has found something that you love then it's your sacred duty to pursue it until you don't love it anymore.

And by the way, you talked about "not knowing where to start." THAT is composition. I feel that way every time I write something. Just put something down on paper and start working, and working, and working. Read books, look at other scores, talk to composers, drink coffee, whatever it takes to make something that you like. But don't worry, the worst thing that can happen is that you'll make something that SUCKS, and if that happens, well... welcome to the club! Just keep working on it until it doesn't suck, and then try it again. And again. It's a life of joy and reward, I tell ya .

GOOD LUCK!

e