Project 12: The Most Challenging Thing…
The first piece of Project 12 officially starts today!
Today marks the start of the writing period for the first piece in Project 12. Week 1 is a work for guitar and piano. The twist? The pianist is about to turn 5!
I have always believed that one of the greatest challenges a composer can undertake (other than getting started!) is writing well-crafted music for non-professional players—yet there are so many wonderful non-professional musicians that need and deserve great music to play.
For the first piece in Project 12, I’m working with Walter (a self-described “intermediate guitarist”) to compose a piece for him and his granddaughter, Layla—a budding pianist who will be turning FIVE next month! When Walter approached me about taking on this commission for his granddaughter’s birthday, I was excited by both the sweetness of the project (absolutely precious!) and the challenges it would present for me as a composer. In addition to the challenge of writing something a newly 5-year-old could perform, I have little-to-no experience writing for guitar...
For whatever reason, traditional US composition programs rarely if ever include so much as a class period discussing how to write for guitar—despite the fact it is one of the most popular and prevalent instruments in Western music. Given its prominence, extending from Latin American and Spanish concert halls and folk ensembles, Broadway pit orchestras, and jazz band rhythm sections to coffee shops, farmers markets, and a majority of popular music genres across the world—it seems bonkers that US conservatories and music schools ignore the instrument almost entirely when it comes to composition.
It’s not entirely the fault of music schools I never learned how to write for guitar, however. Each composer has to decide for themselves how to fill out the gaps in their education. In recent years, I’ve focused on interdisciplinary collaborations and how to use music outside the concert hall. Some composers taught themselves how to write for guitar, or for organ, or learned recording techniques, or acquired grant-writing skills. There are so many things to know as a composer, and I didn’t prioritize writing for guitar—but now I can!
In addition to the instrumentation, Walter asked that each part work on its own and together—that way they could each enjoy the piece on their own, and when they’re together. Talking with him and Layla’s mother about the piece, their playing, and what kinds of things they enjoy (Walter likes everything from Mozart to rock; Layla likes the Beatles, tigers, and swinging), I am already so excited to tackle their piece!
This week, this project presents several challenges to me, personally:
Writing for guitar
Writing for beginner piano
Writing a piece in which each instrument part can be performed on its own
Completing the project within 1 week
Late last week, I sent a few sketches to Walter (I needed the head start!), and most of my guitar writing was disastrous! With his feedback—and a lot of help from Google—I feel ready to tackle this project. I’ll check back in later this week to let you know how things go!
What challenges are you tackling this week?
