A Brief History of Pop Music: “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” Piano Variations

May 23rd, 2013 • Composing Tips


Pianist Scott Bradlee has done some music history homework. In this video, he transforms "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" through 11 decades of pop genres. Continue reading...

Buddha on the Road

May 21st, 2013 • Music


I wrote this original piano piece for the first New Age Salon performance hosted by The Schubert Club. This group of musicians, painters, poets, dancers, and composers was organized by Fidelis Odozi and inspired by the salons of centuries past. We tried to capture that same feeling of artists collaborating and sharing their ideas in a relaxed setting. Continue reading...

Season One Finale: Dmitri Tymoczko on Music Composition

May 15th, 2013 • Composer Quest


Composer and Princeton professor Dmitri Tymoczko shares some excellent composing advice in this season finale episode of Composer Quest. Dmitri says that working on music theory as a composer is like lifting weights as a football player - it helps improve your intuitive composing. We also ponder the morality of exposing babies to only atonal music for experimental reasons. Continue reading...

Quest #2: Conversation

May 14th, 2013 • Composer Quest, News


Your composing quest, should you choose to accept it: co-write and co-record an original piece of music with a random Composer Quest listener, based on the theme "Conversation." Your finished track will be part of the first ever Composer Quest album, a free-to-download online release. The Boffo Yux Dudes, a music comedy duo who work together exclusively over the internet, share some collaboration advice in this special Quest #2 announcement episode. Continue reading...

Torley on Creativity, Asperger’s, and Music Production

May 8th, 2013 • Composer Quest


A truly unique figure in the electronic music world, Torley describes himself as a "time-traveling, universe-crossing, autistic, cyberpunk monk." I was drawn in by the (over 800!) videos on Torley's YouTube page, many of which are thoughtful talks by Torley on music composition, creativity, and his life experiences. In Composer Quest episode 38, Torley talks with me about Asperger's syndrome, his job in the online world Second Life, and of course, his advice on making otherworldly sounds. Continue reading...

Follow Your Dreams! With Candy Bilyk

May 4th, 2013 • Composer Quest


Theater, film, and video game composer Candy Bilyk shares the best piece of advice she ever heard from Katy Perry: "Follow your dreams!" Candy was happy to share her own (actually practical) advice on composing and the music business. In Composer Quest Episode 37, we talk about everything from "synthestration" to grant writing to her opera about a fairy-eating carp. Continue reading...

Choosing Music Through Brainwave Headphones

May 3rd, 2013 • Sound Science


I've always been amazed by technology that can turn our brainwaves into something tangible. I remember learning about a special brainwave-sensing headband that lets you control a computer mouse by thinking thoughts like "taco" or "hamburger" for the different mouse movements. There are also some brainwave dueling games, like Mindflex, where you have to out-concentrate your oppenent. I just found out about these special headphones that choose music for you based on your brainwaves. Continue reading...

« Older Entries