Very Cool song--orchestration is beautiful--

Warm storytelling singing, makes me think of the show Over the Garden Wall. If you haven’t seen I recommend it!

Her voice is mysterious, like an opera singer. The scene changes are brilliant and wonderful! I want to try to imitate her breathing.

Petrichor

the mirror is broken
some say that's a token
now bad things will happen

can't you see that it grows?
don't you think that it's gross?
do something about it

I would be embarrassed
and I would do my best
to hide myself well

well, the mirror is ...

the mirror is broken
and some say that's a token
now bad things will happen

you once were so pretty
this is such a pity
it's pretty disgusting

it's right there on your nose
it resembles my toe
that's the one with the fungus

...

and god only knows
it won't be just gross
maybe an explosion

I think you should leave us
I'll pay you for the bus
you know that we love you

The Mirror Is Broken

My Method of Composing and Producing

I'm sharing my method of composing and producing music recordings in case other composer-producers like me might find ideas worth exploring in their own work. I use this method for Classical, Avant-Pop or Neo-Folk Instrumental genres, not for Ambient and Soundscape pieces. Non-composers might find this explanation interesting, but having a bit of music theory background will definitely help. I consider myself a humble learner when it comes to music theory. 

I owe a debt of gratitude to British musician and educator Gareth Green, whose Music Matters online courses and free YouTube lessons have taught me so much over the past few years. Thanks to his instruction, I’ve moved from struggling to compose music by trial and error to something more enjoyable and productive. The knowledge I've gained has taken my work in new and expanding directions. As the saying goes, “Theory is not a cage — it’s a map. It doesn’t make the journey for you, but it keeps you from getting lost.” 

When I start a new piece, I begin by choosing a key, and picking a scale drawn from one of these sources:
 
1) Western Tonal / Functional Harmony - major or minor chords I II III IV V VI VII
2) Modal Harmony - Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, etc.
3) Slonimsky's "Thesaurus of Scales and Melodic Patterns" 
4) Messiaen’s "Seven Modes of Limited Transposition" 

For many pieces, I also decide on a progression, one as a simple as I IV V, or something more elaborate.  

Next I create a "scales and progressions" piano track in my DAW (digital audio workstation software) and enter the chords I to VII in my chosen key. These harmonized scales serve as a basis for writing multipart harmonies and finding pivot chords for key modulations. 

At the start, I know what instruments I want to use, making adjustments along the way. I tend to write chord parts first, then melodies created through a mix of improvisation and direct input in the DAW. Sometimes I start with a melody.

I develop melodies and variations of a phrase by some combination of: a) passing it from one instrument to another, transposing it by an interval that sounds pleasing, b) reversing it, c) inverting it around the tonic (first) note of the scale. These are well-known methods. 

After completing a section, I choose another scale and maybe a new key and repeat the process until I have a draft of the entire piece. Then I export a recording and listen to it “offline”, take notes of errors and new ideas, and incorporate them back into the piece. Often this “compose / listen / compose” cycle is repeated many times. These iterative cycles include adding new ideas, polishing transitions between sections, changing the arrangement, and incorporating expressive details like accents, and articulations (staccato, sustain, portato etc.). I’m often working several different pieces at once. 

Last is mixing and mastering: balancing the loudness between instruments and adjusting elements like reverb, compression, and equalization. I tend to mix as I compose, even though many producers frown on that approach. I find mixing as I go helps me envision the completed piece and make adjustments to the choice of instruments; it self-inspires me when the piece is starting to sound good.  At the end I do a final mix, but as the saying goes, “A mix is never finished — it’s surrendered.”

In the end, this method gives me a basis for exploration and creativity and helps me stay focused. The goal is always to make a piece of music that feels expressive, cohesive, and emotionally resonant.

Suite for Woodwinds and Percussion No. 2

Remembering Jill.

'suck on it' with Falsestart

Falsestart: beat, mumble track, bass, rhythm guitar
Scotty: acoustic drum kit, lead guitar, lyrics, vocals

Well, today I can't rise out of bed.
Invasive thoughts stuck in my head.
Who gives a fuck if I am dead?
Nobody but me, now, it seems.
So many loves and friendships deceased.

Now, I'll rise up and live again.
For, I've forgotten former friends
and ex-loves that were pretend.
I can, now, let it be.
There's no such thing as defeat unless you retreat.

Let's pick up our bones,
go for a stroll.
Burn through a few cones,
relent control.
Relax and let it happen, baby.
Some pushin' too hard to force this life.
Let the universe show you paradise.
It's magic. Yet, tragic
that so few care about no one but themselves.

I could care less if you are dead.
You already are, inside my head.
Your reasoning, already fled.
You think you're justified
by convincing yourself of 'truths' within lies.

Keep spiraling down those rabbit holes
of YouTube and podcasts to regain control.
It's helping nothing but you alienating 
yourself from a life, organically,
but you're too fuckin' far gone blind to see
that you're trapped in a now blackened world.

What happened to you man?
To you girl?
To you world?
We're so different.

And now I'm trapped within my head.
And all of you out there are dead.

Buy the shit.
Eat the shit.
Every bit.
Feel like shit.
Suck on it, baby.

suck on it 'demo' (with Falsestart)

The Million Star Hotel  (Rehearsal)

good morning, honey

E-Brainstorm

All instruments by Peter Hofland
Artwork: unknown

Wind

Image created by me.
https://www.deviantart.com/leehon/art/Meaningless-Sigil-886086801

The Mirror Is Broken

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