Methodology and Process
Normally, what best defines a musical composition are the methodologies and processes used to make it. This means that, if we want a certain originality, it is necessary to address this aspect, in each project, in an open way.
However, in the process of composition for performing or audiovisual arts, there are some constants that will have to be addressed.
DOCUMENTATION
It is always good to do some research on the topic that the project is going to address. It is interesting that this can help understand the work better. But it is also necessary to know how to see the elements that have been learned in the documentation process that should not influence musical production.
COMMITMENT, ABSORB THE WORK
Like a sponge. Becoming an accomplice of the director. Go to readings, visit rehearsals or filming sessions, see, if they exist, the editing in different ways. Let yourself be soaked in the essentials and soak in it until you can hear each part of the work. Then put yourself in the shoes of the viewer to be able to visualize the music that will help the most for each scene.
MUSICAL SCRIPT
Where we want music and why. There are directors who already have a musical script prepared before the first reading. Some prefer that you do it. And there is also the option to do it together.
You have to be prepared to go through any case, a well-made musical script is 50% of the game.
MUSICAL IDEAS
The development of the musical script will put us in a position to face narrative issues. This will open the door for us to specify the relationship between music and action, characters or image. And, likewise, to specify melodic motifs, rhythms, colors and textures, and their order in the puzzle of the hierarchies of musical ideas.
MUSICAL DIMENSION
It is necessary to choose the global dimension of the music of a work, but also the dimension of each musical block. It is important to approach it without aesthetic prejudices and do so from these aspects:
- Arrangements. Which and how many instruments are involved. From a solo, through the duo, quartet, to the orchestration. Textures. The scope of the ranges and registers of the sum of the instruments is translated into specific dimensions.
- Musical production. The concreteness of the arrangement and textures, hierarchy of musical phrases and instruments.
- Sound Space. Decide with what volume, what equalization, through which speaker the music plays, what auditory concretion, in short, what dimension we give to each part. Stage format works allow a greater margin in this aspect, which, on the other hand, shares a very fine border with musical production.
COMPLICITY
All projects are collective works. It is necessary to take responsibility for the music of a work, but this does not mean working alone.
It is difficult to understand these processes without working in tune with the management team, and on the other hand, it is also necessary to collaborate with musicians, producers, technicians and in some more complex projects with music producers or sound space managers.