Desert music
Just back from Paris, where I was contemplating various ideas for Burning Man this year. The first was to run the Notorious and Despicable Song Shop, a kind of workshop on songwriting that I have run before and was really involving and cool and fun. The next, inspired by seeing some great street musicians in Paris, is to create a home for classical music in BRC. I've long been looking for a classical music festival with the spirit and atmosphere of a rock festival, and have yet to find one. I imagine a very casual and lively environment, with street performers and concerts of substance, but all with that anarchic vibe of something alive and uncontainable. I think BRC maybe a good place to try this out.
So anyway, I wondered if such a thing exists at BRC, and if not, whether people and players would be interested in supporting such an adventure. From opera with accordion, through string quartets, and beyond, I wonder what is possible. All ideas welcome, so do let me know if you have any thoughts or reactions.
Meanwhile, after a brilliant break in europe, and making new friends at the Paris American Academy this last week (a guest of travel writer Rolf Potts), I am starting back towards the States.
So anyway, I wondered if such a thing exists at BRC, and if not, whether people and players would be interested in supporting such an adventure. From opera with accordion, through string quartets, and beyond, I wonder what is possible. All ideas welcome, so do let me know if you have any thoughts or reactions.
Meanwhile, after a brilliant break in europe, and making new friends at the Paris American Academy this last week (a guest of travel writer Rolf Potts), I am starting back towards the States.
9 Comments:
Nice to see you on the stree seeking clasical music ala Elias at Mouffetard Marche. Not quite a festival but ...
hey who knows what a start can be.
AB
Dear Rolf:
After to saw Sideways and listening it soundtrack i have to confess that i can stop to remind in my head most beautiful creation that you made when you conpose song so amaizings like Miles and Amaya", it´s just so wonderful that i can describe with words only, it´s to magic. From La Serena, Chile, i´m still searching how to download the soundtrack from Sideways ( Entre Copas")):, cause i been talking with my friend from Italy, Argentina, Canada, Spain, and all we feel the same about the music from this movie: it´s make us dreaming during we listen it, so, i just want to thank you fot made this dream come true and all my best wishes for you, a big hug and lots of kisses to you, ERES GRANDE!!!!,
From La Serena, Chile,
Paz F. Carvajal López
Mail to: pazotablog@hotmail.com
NOTA: (( i put a link to your website and to your blog in my page)):
Dear Rolfe,
I love your film scores and I own the Sideways CD, which is perfect. I saw "Wedding Crashers" today and LOVED the incidental music throughout the film-shades of John Barry at times, brilliant. Of course, in typical Hollywood style, when I wen to research the soundtrack, none of your work is on there. Instead, it's filled with BS tunes and artists that weren't even in the movie-probably a stupid cross promotion. Are there plans for a release of your stuff? If not, how can I get it??
sorry, I'm Rob at rtraegler@chapinschool.org
There is a plan for the WEDDING CRASHERS score cd to be released when the DVD comes out - in about 5 months I suppose. So if you can hang on that long… meanwhile i guess i should put some downloadable mp3 up on the site- check it in a few days.
Rolfe,
I have considered becoming a composer, only in the last day or two. I have tried several times before to play music by ear, but I don't think I can compose music by ear that very well. How does one "compose" music? How does one go about the actual process of doing so? I am not very good on the piano, it was a very frustrating instrument for me to learn, I am more well suited to guitar and I've barely scratched the surface with that, about the hardest thing I have ever had to do is learn some complicated chord, I mean, to be honest, this is about trying to do something with my time.
I have a lot of time on my hands, in all honesty, too much. I have tried learning music theory by reading books instead of being formally taught and somehow it comes across as complicated. I wonder if there are any online composition classes out there that can teach you how to go about composing music. I am not very gifted in composing music, about the only way I can come up with something is if I try some random note on the keyboard and play it, it doesn't flow, it doesn't pour out, I have come up with at least one decent sounding piece of music that basically sounds too simple for its own good, the chords are all related but there's not a lot of moving up and down the scale, it's relatively conservative.
If it makes any difference, I wasn't born into a musical family. Basically I'm just sitting here wondering if it's even a good idea. About the only musical talent I had is behind me, I can barely carry a tune anymore. I'm a baritone and can still stay in tune but have very limited range. The bottom line is, I need something to do. I need purpose in my life, I need to find direction. I flunked out of college twice and I am a young adult. I enjoy music. Somehow if music were a part of my future, in some way, I would be happy. I'd be happy just playing an instrument in a band or something, and spending the rest of the time perfecting it. I guess I am here to say, with all my heart, I want music to be my life. Please email me at pacey1800@aol.com
Chris,
I wish I could tell you it was simple to learn, and requires little effort, but I can't. Being involved with music is a wonderful thing, but I must tell you it's very hard even for those with it in-the-blood.
First to understand your question; are you looking for a pastime, or something that you will get good at?
If you want to be good at composing then it takes endless commitment, long hours of sheer graft, and the ability to play and communicate your ideas. It also requires a strong musical imagination; a brain constantly generating musical things you ache to express, together with a great love of music. Most, if not all, composers were very involved with music from childhood, because it's that fascination with music and inability to let it go that leads people into their careers.
If you just want to pass the time with music then get GarageBand on a Mac computer and in no time you'll be creating pleasing, if generic, grooves and patterns. Or really commit yourself to learning guitar well, taking lessons and practising 1 hour (minimum) every day. After a month or two you should start feeling you can play.
Unfortunately there is no way to tell anyone how to compose music, just as there is no way to tell someone how to write a book. You just sit down and work at it until it becomes good. And it is a lot of work, and frequently very frustrating and generally with little chance of success. Only the truly dedicated make much headway.
There are also lots of careers associated with music, from band managers and concert-hall staff to agents and publishers and music journalists. All areas are highly competitive to get into because so many people love music.
Dear Rolfe
I just discovered your site... I don't know how I missed it previously. I have been a big fan of your music for years -- Theory of Flight and Nurse Betty are two of my favorite soundtracks. Anyway, I have always been frustrated that so much of your music is unreleased. I was THRILLED to find cues from Legally Blonde 1 and 2, as well as two newly recorded suites from Legally Blonde and Freaky Friday. Could you tell us something about the circumstances surrounding these suites? They are fantastic -- I just wish they were available on cd.
Also, I saw Wedding Crashers last night, and all through the film I was thinking that the music might have been composed by you -- and lo and behold, it was. I was pleased to find a cue on your website, and I'm even happier to hear that there will be a score release eventually. I especially liked some of the gorgeous Americana-scoring during the visit to the disfunctional family estate. The scoring of the sailing sequence was really nice. Would you consider posting some of this to hold us for now? It will be hard to wait another 5 or 6 months for the cd.
Anyway, thanks again for your generosity in making so much of your wonderful music available to your fans.
Jim Ganz
email: jimganz@adelphia.net
hello,
did your song play in "fight club" the scene where jack is going on about support group addiction? i really like it, and it's impossible to get anywhere :/ could you make it available for download if it yours? thank you.
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