From the category archives:

Music Commentary

Music Is Merely 12 Notes

by Gary Guttman on November 15, 2009 · 2 comments

Probably the single most important mantra for any composer – at any level – is that music is merely 12 notes. If you look at the piano, there are only 12 notes between any octave. After those 12 notes, the octave simply repeats all over again.
Why is it so important to keep reminding yourself of [...]

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I was just reading a humorous debate on a music forum regarding the topic of “art music” versus “entertainment music.” I say it was “humorous” because I’m always amused by the certainty that some people have in their opinions about what the function of music should be and how it should sound.
Several of their arguments [...]

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For a composer, is learning how to create diverse musical moods and emotions a basic requirement of the art? I say the answer is “yes”. I felt it important enough that I devoted a large portion of my Secret Composer software to the exploration and analysis of creating musical moods and emotions.
Some might ask if [...]

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Handling Criticism

by Gary Guttman on April 8, 2009 · 0 comments

Most composers, whether just beginners or highly experienced, don’t like to have their music criticized. And why would they? Their music is a deep personal expression of who they are. But this is true of virtually everyone. No one likes to be criticized.
There is a common saying: “opinions are like rear-­ends. Everybody [...]

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Young composers are always curious about what music I listen to. And I always respond that I try to listen to everything. But I think the purpose of their question is to find out what inspires me, so that it might inspire them as well.
To cut directly to the chase, I thought I would list [...]

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