Jazz Composition with Mary Halvorson

Don't overthink it, don't second guess yourself, just start writing. Mary Halvorson provides insight into how to start composing music, how to improve upon your work, and how to avoid pitfalls of self-doubt.
Learn more at academy.jalc.org
Mary Halvorson - Guitar
Eric Suquet - Director
Bill Thomas - Director of Photography
Aaron Chandler - Sound Engineer
Rich Emery - Production Assistant
Seton Hawkins - Producer
Recorded March 6, 2014

[@TimClarkeJazzTrumpet]

My favorite composer at the moment...

[@idrisssarmouk8044]

you make me smile finally someone who thinks like me

[@timwilson9078]

Thank you Mary for the excellent advice.

[@viciado7710]

I was seriously waiting the whole video for her to play some guitar notes

[@dsw67]

Excellent advice. Thanks for posting this.

[@coulton-davisjazz2872]

Thanks so much for doing these.

[@konoharf]

The way she talks reminds me of guthrie govan haha, nice lesson!

[@MichelMoraes]

Very usefull advices. Thanks

[@antoniarst5553]

thanks

[@brendaboykin3281]

Thanx,Mary.

[@brendaboykin3281]

Thanx, Maestro.

[@CoaxLover]

That guitar looks gigantic in front of her.

[@gavinreid8351]

Max Hattenback big guitar to fit all those big ideas

[@gil-evens]

What do you mean ? It's obviously a cello

[@robertrubino4275]

Tks Mary---I AGREE --My Problem is--I dont know how to compose-lol but i can make a Melody--I just dont know how to write notes and Measures lol any ideas for me TKS(JAZZ PIANIST)

[@kilgoretrout321]

Practice writing notes and measures? That way you will get better at them

[@florianff8673]

Maybe playing around with a notation software would help. That's how I'm teaching myself notation. Musescore is free and fairly simple to use. You can put a keyboard on display as an orientation tool or use the piano roll function if this works better you. The software has a playback option. So if you want to make an arrangement for let's say piano, bass, drums and a horn section you can put that in the project and have it played for you (admittedly the playback sounds very digitally and very little like real instruments, but if you know the instruments you get an idea). Hope this helps and happy writing!

[@colerobinson2647]

Practicing reading will help your writing.