quote: Original post by Marcuz
Science fiction?
All i say is that creativity comes from the right half of your brain, and logic from the left. And the best composers have more activity in their right half of the brain while composing then in the left. Thats not science fiction. It''s simple science.

That''s not what I was refering to as science fiction, I was refering to you talking about frankenstein (but I was actually kidding about that, I know you weren''t using it as "evidence")

quote: Original post by Marcuz
We don''t agree very well. probably because im a composer and youre a programmer. we should stick to what we are good at and not try learning eachother about eachothers bussines ;-)

I said I was a programmer, I didn''t say that I''m not a composer. They''re not mutually exclusive (contrary to common belief). I do both, but I feel that one of the main reasons I compose well is closely related to my ability to program, and one of the main reasons I program well is closely related to my ability to compose. I focus on elegance in my code more than most programmers and I focus more or logic in my music than most composers. That may be just the way I am, but I feel that a lot of it is because the two are so intertwined with each other -- logic and creativity.

For example, lately, I''ve been composing exclusively in piano roll form (if I''m composing on the computer, that is) and I pay atention to the patterns that the notes make. It allows you to see the ratios of note durations better and makes it much easier to visualize the music you are creating as you create it. Ever since I''ve done so it''s improved my compositions unbelievably. Music is all about math and patterns and many other logical concepts. To be a composer you have to be able to create these patterns that make music "music." Without some form of logic, you don''t recognize the structure of these patterns and you can''t create. Logic is a basis for creativity in music and Being able to apply logic on a low-level to your compositions can allow you to better understand your own style and more easily compose better pieces. Maybe it''s just me, but the more I work at bringing logic and creativity together, the better I work in both composition and in programming.

I tried taking Music Theory lessons when i was in high school, i'm now 10 years past. I couldn't pick up on it to save my life. The other students around me were dropping like flies also. Maybe we were all bored. Who knows. Yet I could always write these tunes on piano, sequencers and guitar that i enjoyed thoroughly...
Perhaps music theory is being taught incorrectly. Maybe it should be taught more with the individual in mind. How so? I don't know for sure but maybe it starts with the student's main interest in music as far as what style you enjoy, other artists of interest, etc. maybe, i dont know, but i failed at theory but am thriving in writing my own music. yet there are moments where i am stuck and think, how would i approach this next part of the song and that's where i think theory comes in to help. am i wrong? i dont know, again, i failed theory.
I continue to write with my senses and follow instinct.
I take inspiration from Nobuo Uematsu, composer for the Final Fantasy games who never took a lesson in music (unless you count his stint in a pop band as keyboard player), even in college he didn't bother to major in music. He mentions his main influence as Irish and Scottish folk music. heh, take yourself from wherever you can i guess and roll with it...

[edited by - comet222 on October 18, 2002 11:57:05 AM]

I think that more stems from the fact that music theory != composition. While at some level everyone uses music theory to compose, they are still entirely different.
I don't think that music theory is being taught incorrectly (though I haven't exactly seen your teacher), but that music theory isn't what everyone thinks it is.
In the class I took we went over different intervals, identifying intervals played melodicly and harmonicly, sight singing, training the ear for relative pitch, scales, chord structure and variation, cadences, chord progressions, analyzation of scores, etc. The only thing I wish they went into more was progressive time changes which would have been pretty cool. Everything taught was very useful, and in my opinion was taught very well. The reason you don't learn music theory in your own style is because music theory is "style independent" (unless you're talking atonal music). The concept is that it provides a very general look at what music is. In my opinion, the way I was taught was not just the best way, but probably the only way while still keeping generality a priority.
Music theory may help you out, but it always just goes back to "does this sound good," or more likely "does this sound better." It's really not something to worry about if you failed music theory. If I were you I'd research more about music theory on the net, just because it's good to know. I don't think it will affect your composition too much, but it might help you squeeze past small difficulties you might have in your compositions (mainly just thing like why does this sound awkward and how should I fix it).

Nobuo Uematsu owns. I love his music and much of my style is similar to his. A while back I posted a rag of mine here which quite honestly was largely inspired by my love for his Spinach Rag from the auction house in Final Fantasy III (VI). I also love his boss battle and atma music... as well as celes and locke's music, ah who am I kidding, it's all great

EDIT: Sorry about exceeding your geocities bandwith, I was downloading your mp3s. I like them. Also, I noticed you're a member of the IGDA. I just became a member about a week ago. I'm a student at DigiPen which is where the Seattle-Sputnik chapter is (though oddly, it's in Redmond ).

[edited by - Matt Calabrese on October 18, 2002 5:48:25 PM]