Aesthetics

Music is something that conveys ideas

What kind of idea? A story? Social commentary? A feeling? A gesture? A game of numbers? Contrasts? Colors? etc.

Is this idea best suited for a piece of music? Or words? Or math equations?

Do ideas come before the piece? Or the other way around?

Do I care if my ideas come across to my listeners? Or do I need audience?

music vs. noise, what is music?

Rock n� roll vs. Stockhausen, why am I in school?

Randomness or carelessness

How much responsibility are you laying on the performers, the audience?

Is it better to be more complex?

How do I take criticism?

Musicality

Musicianship

Theory, aural skills, form and analysis, keyboard skills, orchestration, perfect pitch, perfect rhythm, performance

Are you writing what you hear, or do you really hear?

Inner hearing, how to train your ears � listen to, not listen for; study scores; play an instrument

Get to know master composers and learn from them

We are learning from their experience

Confucius said �If there are three people walking on the street, I can at least learn from one of them.� � learn the positive and negative sides

Know the rules so you know how to break them properly

Uniqueness

Am I writing something that someone else has done?

Do I conform to formality?

What can I contribute to the world?

Ex: Chinese vs. female vs. 21st century vs. computer music

Catalog of extended techniques? Imitation of established styles??

Performance art � do I know performance? do I know art?

I believe everyone is unique. So we all have potential to write unique music.

The point is to identify your uniqueness.

Presentation

As a professional, presentation is equally important as content.

Score preparation � notation for whom? typed or hand-written?

Resume writing skills � not bragging, not too modest, show your strength

Education

Experience

Musical uniqueness

Honors, etc.

Recording quality � get a professional recording

Website

People skills

Rehearsal efficiency, get good performers, conductor

Don�t let your problem become someone else�s sorrow. Be early!

Do I pay someone to play my music?

When do I start getting paid for composing? Or do I? ASCAP & BMI

Be a good fellow composer

Serve in school and organizations

Be a part of the community

What if I am a loner?

Festival/ Conference opportunities

Society of Composers: http://www.societyofcomposers.org/

American Composers Forum: http://www.composersforum.org/

Commissions, competitions, awards

Be kind to others. We are all in the same boat

Don�t be stingy with your praises, but don�t give false ones either

Money matters.

Commissions

Teaching

Grants; awards

Performing; gigging

Service for others: Copying; Arranging; Commercial composing

A composer is someone who composes. Woody Allen said: 70% of life is about showing up. Do you show up? Do you give composition the time of your day? Submit to competitions, show your music, get feedback, get connections, and have fun with it!