Things that make my life as a musician easier. No 3.

Tool no3. Sibelius.

"Lets take what we feel and write it all down."

  Yellowcard. 

SIBELIUS WEBSITE!

I feel that since I got Sibelius and started creating sheet music - my understanding of myself and my writing process grew considerably.
It's one thing to listen to your own music, but it's completely another thing - to see it coming alive on the screen in front of you, and then on paper.
It's a been a little longer than a year since I started using Sibelius and now it's irreplaceable.

It's completely intuitive, very convenient in every way and it helps me to constantly develop my writing.

I usually record all my new compositions in midi, then I open this midi in Sibelius and edit it untill it looks like something you can play. :)

So far I've created 2 music books and numerous single compositions sheets.
But I'm looking forward to doing more.


I'm telling you, there's nothing like holding your own book in your hands. :)







And this is all possible thanks to Sibelius.

There's a concept called Dreyfus model of skille acquisition (click here to find out more).
And, in my opinion, when you write music intuitively - you are on a "Proficient" level.
But notating your music helps you rise to an "Expert" level.
You suddenly realise your patterns, your style, your favourite chords etc.
Listening to it and seeing it - are completely different things.

Since I started notating my music - I became much more in control of my writing and I can always rely on the inspiration to come when I need it, as opposed to being a "slave of the inspiration".

http://www.sibelius.com/home/index_flash.html

Things that make my life as a musician easier. No 2.

Tool no2. Midi. 

“Better to be a geek than an idiot.”
  Anonymous.

STEINBERG WEBSITE. CUBASE 6.

I don't know if I could really be a composer before the invention of midi.

Imagining Mozart composing in his head and then recording 70 orchestra parts on paper by hand with the candlelight - it's just scary.

Since I'm a pianist first and composer second - I write all of my music in improvisational way.

I usually get into "the right state of mind" and then I just play it all the way through.

And then I don't remember a thing about it!

So, I can't be any happier about the possibility to record all the music that comes to me - straight to midi.

In a strange way - sometimes that 1st take is the best one - and some of those first takes end up on a record.

I use Cubase for my recording, but people keep pressuring me to turn to Logic. 

But the thought of learning a new program is too much. :)

So I'm sticking with my "old friend" for now. :)

One of the biggest break-troughs in my composition - was an advice that I record absolutely everything that comes into my head into Cubase.  (It was quite a few years back).

Then I would listen to everything that came to me - and pick out the "worthy parts".

Eventually I trained myself (with the help of some psychological techniques) to figure out exactly when the good composition is "coming", so I switch my midi and my keyboard on - and I'm 100% sure that I'm gonna just write something "complete" (usually, no afterthought or editing necessary).

I call it "Improvisational Composition".

 http://www.steinberg.net/en/products/cubase/cubase6_start.html

Things that make my life as a musician easier. No 1.

This post opens up a series of tiny accounts of the things I use in every day life that help me to be a composer and a performer.
It's gonna be about tools and gadgets mainly.  Some of them are pretty basic, but I'm gonna mention them anyway.

 Tool no1. Digital keyboard. 

“Pianos are such noble instruments – they’re either upright or grand.” 

Author Unknown 

YAMAHA. P-SERIES KEYBOARDS.

Well, my piano is neither upright, nor grand, yet, I would still call it "noble". :)
There's only one digital piano I've owned in my life - it's Yamaha P-90.
I bought it in 2004 - and since then it's travelled with me through many cities and countries and it's never let me down.
I know Yamaha doesn't produce it anymore and probably they moved on to something more advanced, but I still can't part with my P-90.
My entire debut album  - "THE GIRL WITH THE FLAXEN HAIR, CONTINUED..."  was written and recorded on my Yamaha P-90.
I liked its sound better than any sampled pianos I've ever encountered.

It's great for practicing - you can turn the volume up and down or use your headphones and you don't bug your neighbours. Also, you obviously can use it as a midi keyboard.
And the touch is almost like a real piano, so it's great for practicing your recitals.

Of course, ideally I'd like to own a Yamaha grand, but I'm still waiting for an offer. :)
I really like Yamaha. It's pure quality.

http://usa.yamaha.com/products/musical-instruments/keyboards/digitalpianos/p_series/?mode=series