Process

Though I have no particular starting point in the composition process, I would often begin by contriving a new approach or way of redesigning an established form. I like to draw from the avant-garde styles such as serialism and minimalism as well the traditional approach using motivic and thematic development in the context of romantic and jazz harmony. Working with film is a particular delight since the visuals dictate the parameters in which to work, this can catalyse creativity since the music doesn’t have to be tied to form, it can breathe its own life.

(Please see examples of the composition process of some of my works in the blog)

The guitar for me is the vehicle for composition, the place where most often the ideas begin life, after the initial ideas, the score is where I do most of the work, it is incredibly liberating since one is not limited to the physics of the guitar. Though I will often play solo parts such as piano and woodwind on midi guitar to maintain human feel. Using the award winning East West virtual instruments library gives me an excellent and vast palette from which to work.