| So, you want to know how someone creates an | | | | For La Jolla Suite, it was quite easy! I simply wrote out |
| entire solo piano CD. It seems like a monumental task - | | | | the places and things I loved the most about this |
| and it is unless you break it down! Here's how I do it | | | | fantastic place and the outline appeared very quickly. |
| step by step. | | | | Another important aspect of the song identifying |
| Step One | | | | process is deciding on length. If your compositions tend |
| The first thing I do is find the concept. I also consider | | | | towards the long side (7 minutes or more for each |
| this the most important aspect to creating an entire | | | | one) then plan on having 7 or 8 pieces. On the short |
| "album" of songs or pieces. Why? Because this is | | | | side (3-5 minutes) plan on having many more. The goal |
| what gives you inspiration! For example, when I | | | | is to create enough material for a 50-60 minute (or |
| created my 2 CDs La Jolla Suite and Anza-Borrego | | | | more) CD. |
| Desert Suite, the first thing I did was find the concept | | | | Step Three |
| or title I would be using for the CD - in this case the 2 | | | | Now, once you have the concept and the song titles, |
| names you just read above. | | | | you're ready for the fun part. The song titles can |
| You see, having this to start with gives you | | | | actually suggest the mood of the piece! I remember |
| encouragement and inspiration to go on. This is | | | | when I was composing Sea Caves (a piece for La |
| because you can "see" the finished product. I | | | | Jolla Suite). I kept repeating the words Sea Caves to |
| remember quite well how excited I was when I first | | | | myself then just went to the piano and literally "felt" the |
| came up with the idea for "La Jolla Suite." La Jolla is a | | | | piece through. It came out to be a somewhat sad |
| section of San Diego (a very beautiful section) that | | | | mood but that's exactly what I felt so it worked out. |
| gave me all the artistic flow and energy I needed for | | | | This plan of action works well because you've already |
| completing it. | | | | flushed out the outline for the entire CD. Now, the fun |
| Step Two | | | | creative work can occupy your time. I think it took me |
| Come up with your song titles. After the concept is | | | | a few months to completely finish all the pieces for La |
| identified and you know what you'll be working on, it's a | | | | Jolla Suite. The rest of the time was spent in polishing |
| good idea to flush out the entire album. Does this | | | | them and getting them ready for performance. |
| process remind you of anything? Yes, it's like what an | | | | So there you have it - a workable plan for creating an |
| author may do when preparing a book outline. Very | | | | "album" or CD of your music! |
| similar indeed. | | | | |