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A student composer I’ve worked with in the past reached out to me a few weeks ago asking how I go about dealing with “composer’s block”.
Initially I was going to fire off a few quick tips, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized how layered the issue really is.
So I’m going to try something different.
We’re going to do a multi-part examination...
A few weeks back, an old friend and colleague of mine reached out in response to my newsletter to ask about a career pivot he’s been considering.
(He’s probably reading this one, too—hope you don’t mind me sharing!)
From my understanding, he composes mostly for pleasure at the moment, but has thought about giving it a go full-time.
When reaching out, he asked me for my...
To reframe anxiety related to your art or career, think about it like a rollercoaster.
On the way up, you feel nervous, anticipating the steep drop ahead.
“How much higher? What will the drop feel like? What if it goes too fast?”
That anticipation and nervousness peaks at the very top of the rollercoaster, until…
…the drop.
Suddenly, the once-quiet crowd erupts...
I watched an incredible interview with chef, entrepreneur, and TV celebrity Gordon Ramsay last month.
The interview is packed with little gems from a man who’s spent his entire life climbing uphill, but one of his lessons really stood out to me.
Check out 38:30 to hear Gordon’s thoughts on risk.
When asked about how he handled the insecurities and doubts surrounding risk, he...
Venus Theory released a video I think every artist should watch.
So many of us hold ourselves back from our artistic potential simply because we don’t think we’re “allowed” to make certain kinds of art.
We think our work is “too derivative”, “too simple”, “too generic”…
… but what you’re REALLY afraid of is that...
This is a subject I’ve thought about for years.
Throughout history, we’ve idolized the tortured artist.
When we hear stories of music born out of sleepless nights, tortuous revisions, or personal tragedy, we’re primed to appreciate their work all the more.
We celebrate success born of blood, sweat, and tears.
But what we don’t consider is the effect of these sacrifices...
When I started my media composing journey, I was 14 years old.
I’m 30 now.
But recently I’ve found myself listening to the music I grew up with.
Some of the scores that made me want to compose for a living were John Williams’ Star Wars (specifically Episode VI), Hans Zimmer’s Gladiator, James Newton Howard’s Unbreakable, and John Powell’s The Bourne...
When I ask students, they’ll often tell me “I write music because I love it.” And I hear that.
But often as those composers try to turn their passion into a profession, they run into situations where they’re not writing music—at least not at the start. They may be doing copyist work, orchestration, or even non-musical work like administrative tasks.
So how can they...
One of the most difficult parts about an artistic career is the the lack of a straightforward path.
Because the truth is:
There is no "magic bullet" for mastering composition, finding work, or building an audience.
And I remember feeling that frustration, too.
When I was in college, I attended an orchestral rehearsal for a composer whose wife was my composition teacher. Eager to take advantage...
The irony of full-time creative work is that many people pursue them to escape a 9-5 and do what they love…
…only to work twice as long, through weekends, and with an endless sense of unyielding urgency.
Rushing to “make it” as a professional composer is a quick and inevitable path to burnout. If you’re feel that urgency, it might be time to pause...