For Orchestra

When you study in school, you grow at a rate that is alarming. You become so good at your craft that its easy to want to use your abilities. But even though Allen Iverson can do a 360 slam dunk on a breakaway, it’s still the same two points if he does a simple layup. And even worse is if he misses that shot during a showoff 360 slam dunk. Sometimes when I arrange music I do the equivalent of the 360 slam dunk, and yes, as a result sometimes I totally miss the shot.

My arrangements don’t need to be so complex. A lot of times the easiest way is the best way.

I remember my classmate Nora Stepanitis said once during my Professor Clearfield‘s class “When I write music I like think of it as trimming the fat. Only writing what is needed.” There was beauty in that analogy, and that’s exactly what’s it’s like.

Every timpani hit, every tenuto, crescendo, and flute trill. Everything in an orchestra arrangement should have its place.

It reminds me of Joe Satriani’s drummer Jeff Campitelli. Here is a guy who can play anything, and performs with one of the best guitarists in the world, yet every song has a dead simple drum groove. He’s performing for his audience, and his expertise tells him to play only what needs to be played. Nothing more.

The Ramones wrote simple music. Apple says ‘no to good ideas every day.’ Twitter’s simplicity is it’s strong point. Netflix has a strong and simple business model.

I’m even simplifying everything about my life – but more on that in a different post, because it begs for me to write it so I can pass my thoughts to others.

It’s about K.I.S.S., or “keep it simple stupid.” And things work better when they’re simple. But make no mistake about it – simplifying things is perhaps the most difficult thing to do in life. It’s in our blood to do the 360 slam dunk, or add tons of website features, or build big complex things. I’m still trying to simplify my orchestrations. I’ve come to learn that expertise isn’t in the ability to do the 360 slam dunk. The expertise is using it only if absolutely needed.

So when writing music, or creating anything, just simply ask yourself – does it need to be there?

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