Creating Within Limits
When I first started playing the piano I wanted to learn how to compose. The idea that I could create something tangible really appealed to me.
So much so that I read everything I could get my hands on to learn the great art of musical composition. The problem was that these books assumed that you knew certain things like form, structure, harmony, and counterpoint. What a disappointment! It was hard trying to take the feelings I had on the inside and put them down on paper.
The real problem was that I had it backwards. Instead of trying to learn composition first, I needed to learn how to improvise - how to free the inner voice from criticism and judgement so I could be free to create the music that was inside of me.
And so I began to read about how to improvise, Again, I was disappointed. I couldn't find good books on the subject, or books that would show me how to play in the New Age style - the style I loved. Eventually, I stumbled on a simple book that showed how to play using chord changes with 8-bar phrases. Now, here was something I could do! All I had to do now was learn chords. Once I knew how to play a few chords I began to see that in order to really be creative there had to be a set of limitations. An irony, yet one that works!
By playing chord changes within a set framework, I was learning how to create within limits. Even so called "free improvisation" has certain rules. For example, you may decide that you'll improvise using the chords and scale of D Major. That's creating within limits. It's not necessary to use limits to create music, but it definitely helps one to focus in on expressing yourself. Instead of thinking about what to play, you've already made that decision and are now free to create.
Edward Weiss is a pianist/composer and webmaster of Quiescence Music's online piano lessons. He has been helping students learn how to play piano in the New Age style for over 14 years and works with students in private, in groups, and now over the internet. Stop by now at http://www.quiescencemusic.com/piano_lessons.html for a FREE piano lesson!
Latest News
![]() ABC News | Getting to Carnegie via YouTube New York Times, United States - That second option is the main feature of a new marketing project by Google to bolster the organized presence of classical music on YouTube and promote the ... Classical musicians get shot at fame on YouTube YouTube Symphony Orchestra: Google sees a future in fancy music of ... Thomas signs on for YouTube symphony project |
eJamming Inc. Inks Licensing Deal with MTV Networks Music Group MarketWatch - Jeff Yapp, executive vice president of program enterprises for MTV Networks Music and Logo Group, said, "The combination of interactivity and music speaks ... eJamming inks licensing deal with MTV Networks |
Omstream.com Announces Signing of NuTone Music and Their Catalog ... MarketWatch - "Omstream was created out of a need to locate and purchase music that elevates consciousness amid the clutter of millions of songs available on iTunes and ... |
WHDH-TV | BSO launches its own music download service Boston Globe, United States - Four albums of music created under the baton of BSO music director James Levine will be available in February. (Michael J. Lutch) By Geoff Edgers After ... BSO offers music downloads at its Web site Marketing style leaves maestro miffed |
How Does This Sound? Motorola Introduces MOTOROKR EM35, Delivering ... MarketWatch - A device designed for supreme audio performance both as a mobile device and music player, EM35 delivers an exceptional audio experience for both music and ... |
![]() New Zealand Herald | Chris Brown, Britney Spears, Coldplay, Leona Lewis And Alicia Keys ... MTV.com - They include mild-mannered Chris Brown — whose videos and interviews were reportedly seen 43 million times on the on-demand Music Choice TV service. ... Coldplay & Leona Lewis Top iTunes Sellers Top iTunes sellers released Coldplay, Leona Lewis Are Tops on iTunes |
New York Times | Music Review | Lost Dog New Music Ensemble New York Times, United States - The Lost Dog New Music Ensemble, from left, Miranda Cuckson, on violin; Laura Barger, on piano; and Emily Brausa, on cello. By STEVE SMITH Community is a ... |
Harman International Technologies Featured in New GRAMMY Museum MarketWatch - "Our long legacy of technologies for the music business is a natural fit with the museum's goals," said Dinesh Paliwal, Harman's Chairman and Chief ... GRAMMY Museum All About the Music The GRAMMY Museum(SM) Officially Opens Its Doors to the Public on ... Multimedia Artist Phil Hansen Creates Official Artwork for 51st ... |
![]() Ars Technica | Online seen claiming 41 pct share of US music market Reuters - LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Digital music sales account for 18 percent of the US music market and that figure will grow to 41 percent in five years, ... Report: online to be larger piece of shrinking music pie Music Industry Decline Accelerates Online Music Sales Report by DVD Replication Company |
Music Review: Scott Weiland is 'Happy in Galoshes' San Francisco Chronicle, USA - By JOHN KOSIK, AP Writer Fresh of his five-year stint with Velvet Revolver and a brief reunion tour with Stone Temple Pilots, enigmatic frontman Scott ... |
Resources
-
Unlimited Music & Movie Downloads
Movie traffic, great seller, great conversion, you get an easy $45 per sale.
-
MP3 Music Downloads
Best Conversion Ratio, Highest Earnings Guaranteed!
-
Unlimited Music & Movie Downloads
Download Free Music Now. Search & Find MP3
-
The Bandit A&R Newsletter for ambitious acts and songwriters
Bandit publishes details of Music companies world-wide which are in the market for new acts songwriters and masters Secure on-line card clearance system
-
My Music Inc. - Unlimited Free Music and Movie Downloads.
Top Conversion Ratio, Highest Earnings Per Sale Guaranteed ! - Updated 01/03/2006.
-
Rated "Best iPod 'accessory' Ever" Download Movies, TV shows, Music Videos and Songs for i
Capatalize on the Popular iPod Brand! Earn 75% - $35+ per Sale! Best Converting Website of 2006! #1 Product for All iPod Fans
-
Learn To Read Piano Music With Fun Piano Software for Children, Adult Beginners And Piano Teachers
"
-
Front & Back Music Software & Royalty Free Music Clips
Royalty Free Music
-
DVDxRipper.com - Copy Any DVD to CD
Brand new site, Big money maker. Incredible 75% revshare.
-
MoviesDirectPro
Incredibly high converting Unlimited Downloads site. Unlimited Moves, Tv Shows, Documentaries, Music Albums, Software & Games.


