Work for Woodwinds and Percussion

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. 1

Suite For Woodwinds and Percussion No. 1

Anyone interested in performing/recording any of the works posted here please send me a message.

Joe

The man who sold the world. YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEaJAo9vVf60TYKOAhXahWnbkWi3RvvFs&si=NKf5MUNhsyGqH4Yp

I started my musical journey at the age of five, initially composing music with tablature taught by my father. Beginning with the penny whistle and violin, I played in our family band, busking on the streets of Bath.

Our travels across the country inspired compositions like "Road to Wareham." Music became my sanctuary, especially after being diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome. In college, under mentors such as Dr. Rick Birley, Dr. Richard Hall, and Dr. Julie Trevett, I honed my skills in composition, theory, and piano, transitioning to formal music notation using Sibelius.

Today, I compose for film, video games, and theatre. My music, influenced by my diverse experiences, aims to evoke emotion and tell stories.

Thank you to my followers and listeners for your support. I hope you continue to enjoy and share in my musical journey.

*Thank you all for your kind support*

Happy 2025

I am a composer and producer of instrumental music in several genres, including ambient soundscapes, electronica, orchestral and chamber music.  

Musical influences include John Coltrane, Igor Stravinsky, Gustav Holst, Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel, Tangerine Dream, Robert Prince, Frank Zappa, Brian Eno, Heinrich Ignaz, Franz von Biber.

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.

I teach in US higher education (in a STEM field) & am a hobbyist composer writing in a few different styles. I recommend headphones. All of my music is released under a Creative Commons Attribution/Noncommercial license.

My bandcamp page is getting out of date again, but some older albums there can be downloaded for free or for a name-your-own price donation.

If anyone wants to try performing any of this stuff on real instruments please send a message and I can provide scores. Not sure how playable some of it is for human musicians though.

Unsolicited messages asking me to listen to your latest song will lead to you being blocked unless if I know you well and we've interacted a lot.

Hope you enjoy and thanks for visiting!

Sais Steely Dan keyboardist Jim Beard… “Congratulations on a marvelous album JOrdon!”.

Albany’s WXET Dave Michaels sais “ JOrdon your Pixie Dust album is a masterpiece!”.

Hello magical entity... Thank you for visiting..

Three names I go by are JOrdon, Jae Ordon and Mascot’s Distance,(which I use everywhere such as Spotify, Apple, etc.).

I've written music for Taye Diggs, Ian Gillan of Deep Purple, Pete Yorn, the Gorillaz Dan the Automator, John Spencer Blues explosion’s Russel Simons and Bed Bath and Beyond.  In summer of 2022 my recording Life Whispers On was #7 on Canada’s Cashbox Radio.  Currently finishing up a musical called Humane.


I'm playing all the instruments on many tunes, ones I'm not are…Brian Allen of Lori McKenna, Christopher Cross and Robben Ford on Bass, Michael McDonald's horn section, in addition to Yutaka Uchida playing drums on some tunes and Laurent Medelgi on guitar, also Danny Zanker and Joe Bearclaw Burcaw playing bass.
Thank you for listening to my Vegan, Folk-Jazz-Rock recordings…

Foram is a Spain-based electronic music producer known for his experimental and minimalist approach to genres like techno, IDM, ambient, glitch.
His rhythms and melodic harmonies intertwine with abstract sound effects and textures to create evocative soundscapes.
Foram always strives to create an immersive experience, trying to transport his audience to an imaginary world of sounds and emotions.

https://open.spotify.com/artist/0oQ2cGBZBQ8oNyxFEBn9Dc?si=nn-pRR33QMuI677kIJT2JA

Je me nomme Mathieu Torres et je suis par ailleurs guitariste et compositeur dans différents projets artistiques
(La théorie des cordes / M'Z / Matziz / Zhorhann/ The Diogenes  ...)

Ici l'objectif est d'arpenter des terrains plus cosys, calmes et poétiques, jonglant entre old school et modernité, porté par un son de guitare rond, vivant, chaud, organique...

I would be genuinely happy if my music could evoke your profound feelings.  Please use headphones if possible. 

I sincerely appreciate your interest and time.

Suite For Woodwinds and Percussion No. 1

Jim Lynch