Comments on: Creative license

By: James

James — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 02:33:17 +0000

Excellent point, Jason. Why limit yourself to sounding just right? Go a step further, and sound good!

By: Jason Cross

Jason Cross — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 01:05:34 +0000

I had a music professor a few years ago tell me that music is supposed to sound good, not “right”. I think he was on to something with that one.

By: James

James — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 03:52:30 +0000

Yes, Greg. Even Bach.

Great article you provided here:
http://greghowlett.com/blog/free-lessons/030210.aspx

By: Laurie Iskat

Laurie Iskat — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 04:43:31 +0000

Most people listening won’t even know if you are playing the piece as written. My teacher used to say that the likelihood of the arranger hearing you play their arrangement was slim to none anyway. I like to use the arrangement as a foundation and add elements to fit my style.

Great article!

By: Greg Howlett

Greg Howlett — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:01:46 +0000

But does this apply to Bach too? Would you dare to change Bach?

Since we have Bach manuscripts that demonstrate he changed his own pieces, it seems highly likely that he would agree with you James, and probably would not get offended if others changed his pieces either. It is interesting how we have arrived at the point where some composer’s work is granted almost an “inspired” status.

I know plenty of musicians who would immediately accuse you of arrogance if you dared to change Bach. But in my opinion, this attitude is a slippery slope that works against development in musicians and progress in music.

By: James

James — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 22:12:17 +0000

Gina, you provide an excellent example. That’s one of the reasons I have a tendency to hastily finish up projects; if I sit on it too long, I begin making changes to everything!

By: James

James — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 22:10:21 +0000

Good points, Leah. Some arrangers have very unique writing styles, and it’s difficult to get accustomed to them. Why not change it up to your liking!

By: Gina Sprunger

Gina Sprunger — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 20:00:24 +0000

I was actually recording a new book today, and found it frustrating to play it EXACTLY as I wrote it! Yet when I play for church, I am much more at ease knowing that I have more freedom to communicate the piece rather than play note perfect. I often “tweak” other arrangements to fit my hand better.

By: Leah Gore

Leah Gore — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:12:31 +0000

Ok I had to comment on this. Some music is arranged in such a way that only the person arranging it can play it. I am a relatively accomplished pianist, but my hands barely reach an octave, so for some of the octave runs or other such things, I have to change it up a bit. I also do enjoy letting things “speak” to me and using that touch and emotion in my playing. Is it not true that different songs speak differently to different people? (excuse the extreme overuse of the word ‘different’ ) Some songs just sound better played like they are written but I don’t think I ever feel the compulsion to play everything exactly as the score dictates. Call it my rebellious streak.