Where to start

[saxymanzach]

I have asked many arrangers that I have encountered the same question: When you start writing, where do you ? Many people tell me that they write down random sections and piece them together, others have said that they write down some of their ideas and base the rest around that. I have tried all of these, but I usually just start writing from the beginning of the chart. However, that doesn't really work, and I blame that for the fact that I haven't finished a chart in over a year. I was just wondering if anybody has a cirtain method to this that they subscribe to.

Thanks!

[BlueNote]

You are not going to find a universal approach to writing music. Whatever works best for you is what matters.

When I write a tune -- actually, before I do any writing -- I play the melody by ear over and over on my horn, until I have it memorized. However, it is kind of like a "rough" sketch of the melody sometimes, because once I apply the chords and hear how it sounds, it sometimes sounds different than what I had imagined, so I sometimes end up altering it. In most cases, I have always started with the melody, because the primary basis for a tune is its melody. I try and go for something catchy when playing a melody, or as original as possible.

Once I have the melody in my head -- at least the jist of it -- I think of a form to put it over. AABA? Modal? Blues? 16 bar? etc. Once I have the form decided on, I try my best to incorporate the melody over the form as best as I can with remembering my original intentions. After the melody is written out and the form is complete, I go to my computer and open up BandInABox (BIAB), and begin inputting chords that I think might fit. For me, it's a trial-and-error process. I play along with it. I might input a ii-V7-I progression, or make up my own and get some help in making them more defined.

I've written 4 tunes since I began writing several months ago. My best advice I can give to you is, just keep at it. The more you write, the more comfortable you will become with the writing process, and thus it should make your tunes sound better gradually.

Also, do not be afraid to steal changes from other tunes. Many a great composers did that. Look at how many tunes use rhythm changes, aka the chord changes to the Gershwin tune "I Got Rhythm". If you're playing through a tune like "Body & Soul" or some other jazz standard, don't feel guilty for using its chord changes for your own composition.