first time composer

[Matthijs]

Tonight I'm going to present my band with my first complete composition. I'm quite nervous about it.

I've been playing bass for 30 years now (double bass for the last 10 years) and almost never had any formal music schooling. For the last year my drummer and me found the arrangements for our world music big band were lacking a bit in the rhythm department, so we took the step to start writing our own material. We took some lessons to brush up on music theory and coach us in writing our own material. She has almost finished her complicated odd time jazz piece and I've now got an multi layered ska piece ready.

This is so much fun! Writing my piece has totally absorbed me for the last weeks. I've tried out several bits and pieces on the band to find out if they work, but tonight I'll hand out the whole score for the first time. I don't know how much time we're going to have to try it out, because we are also being auditioned tonight for a gig (for the Amsterdam Concertgebouw mind you). It's nerve wrecking enough as it is.

[TroyK]

Relax, it's like raising a child and sending them out into the world. You've done your part, enjoy, rinse and repeat...(sorry for the mixed metaphor, 1st cup of coffee of the day)

...and let us know how it goes!

[Matthijs]

Thanks.

Somehow I don't think of relaxation in combination with raising children. Mine are easing their way into puberty.

Makes me feel better about tonight though: can't be much worse.

[Matthijs]

That went down pretty good. It's a real kick to suddenly hear that music that is in your head being played by a whole band. They liked the piece, and it did sound pretty close to what I wanted it to be. It is pretty hard to be in the role of the director and play bass at the same time.

I do have to make some changes though. Some parts are a bit to high and some have a rhytm that's a bit too complicated (that's what you get when the bassplayer writes). On the other hand there's some room to step it up in the harmonies. So I'm doing a rewrite now.

Having a 12 piece band at my disposal and being able to just try stuff out and adapt is a enourmous oppportunity to learn.

[TroyK]

Glad to hear that it went well. It is a kick.

[buddyro57]

I have been a composer for 30 years or so and have definitely sent many "children" out into the world. Some survived, some even prospered, others came home and are now living in the basement.

It is an intoxicating experience to hear one's work performed, Its worth all of the effort (and sometimes heartache). Practice makes perfect, so stay after it and try to have faith.
All best to you and other budding composers (which I still very much consider myself to be).
JS

a couple of my pieces:

Jonathan Schwabe