Why Every Musician Should Write

As an improviser, writing music is one of the most helpful ways to understand the value of an idea.

An idea can be simple or multifaceted. Yet, no matter how complex the idea is, it can be broken down into simple motifs.

Writing on a regular basis gives you the possibility to explore different ways of develop a little 1-2 bar motif into a completed song, through using different compositional techniques.

For Example:

REPETITION.

Repeating the same motif more than once gives you the opportunity to establish it.

In Stella By Starlight (Victor Young), the first 2 bars rhythmic motive repeats in bars 5-6, 17-18, 25-26 (using the same notes).

Through the act of composing regularly, you will start connecting ideas that are solely musical in nature to your feelings and thoughts , making life experience and music part of the same reality.

Writing also helps to meditate about what the music needs and what you want to do about it, Do you want to follow your ego or do you want to do what's the best for the music?

I carry this very thought on the bandstand when it's time to create, improvise and develop at the same time…

Special thanks to Daniele Germani for giving me inspiration for this little post and to Adam Arruda for proofreading my post.

Never stop nurturing ideas . Let them blossom into something meaningful.