Composing! That's what I'm up to these days. I still use pen and paper. It can begin anywhere, often at the piano, but not always. Sometimes at a guitar. Sometimes when I least expect it and I'm not near any instrument. Whenever and wherever it begins, I write it down. Then I edit. Then I mull it over, also known as obsessing over it. I play it. A lot. I decide to push a little harder at getting the melody just right. I change one note. I practice playing it. I begin thinking about an arrangement, an orchestration. I write that down, too. I have a lot of rough sketches. Once they get so rough I can't read them anymore, I rewrite by hand. Then, maybe, I'll put it in Finale if I need clear parts.
Then I record.
Recording has become a given for composers. "I'm not an engineer," I used to say. Now I record. I have a studio. I upgrade my gear. Did I really just write that? Yes, and I'm having the time of my life doing it.
But I always write it down first. That doesn't change.
Then what becomes of the music (to paraphrase an earlier song title of mine)? It goes on to spend its days serving various purposes for people. It becomes an unseen character in an onscreen ensemble. It predicts an emotion, or it responds to an emotion. It adds elegance or humor to a visual story. Or it is something that you drive or walk around with as you go about your day.
As long as I tune into my mind's ear and write down a snippet or two every day or every couple of hours, I'll keep 'em coming for you.
Hey, everyone, the new CD "Boats" is now available to download from our friends at CDBaby! Here's the link:
https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/janemiller4
Go to your nearest rooftop and help me shout it! If you already ordered a download card, that will come in the mail in another week or two. CDs will be available on April 5.
Happy Boats download day!
"Gamsahamnida" free audio preview from "Boats"
Hi Friends,
I'm excited about new mixes for our "Boats" recording. Working with Tom Eaton has been amazing and rewarding. Here is a link to a mix we finished on Thursday. Please feel free to share! https://soundcloud.com/janemiller-2/gamsahamnida
Thanks so much for the support. Photos and videos coming soon to document the making of "Boats." We are still on track to get packages sent to you in early April if you've pre-ordered CDs or Downloads.
We hope…
Hi Friends!
My new recording, called "Boats," will be released in February, 2018. It has been a fulfilling time putting this one together. Recording began on August 31, 2017, and mixing is continuing now through January 20, or thereabouts.
I played electric and acoustic guitars, Tim Ray played piano, Lincoln Goines played bass and Mark Walker played drums and percussion. Our guests have been Eugene Friesen-cello, Sarah Bauhan-flute and whistle, and Sonia Rutstein, Kim Harris, Reggie Harris, Janie Barnett…
Read moreI've finished 14 demos of some new and old compositions. I've begun the task of writing the charts in Finale notation. The band that I have in place for a studio recording is a dream team; I'm afraid to talk about it too much in case it's not real. But I am very excited to record again in late August 2017. The core group is a quartet: guitar, piano, bass, drums. There will be three guest vocalists, a cellist, and a traditional Celtic flutist.
The recording is called "Boats." The oldest composition of…
Read moreWell, it all started when Eric Skye and I said we should do some playing together because it's fun. It turns out, we both meant it enough to make it happen! Eric and his family are opening their house to me (and you, if you want to go!) for a house concert on August 27, 2016. I'll do some solo tunes, we'll play together, and I'll bet i can get Eric to play solo a bit, too. I'm so grateful to the Skye family and Eric for this wonderful and generous opportunity.
I figured, while I was in the area, I'd like…
Read moreThanks to so many of you for buying my book "Introduction To Jazz Guitar." I keeping hearing from people who have found it useful and that makes me feel good! Here's a link to add a comment at Amazon if you feel so inclined. Janis Ian did, and that makes me feel good, too!
http://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Jazz-Guitar/dp/0876391552/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
We'd love to get your comments on Amazon if you've read Introduction To Jazz Guitar and have been using it in your practice or teaching. Here's a link to add your thoughts if you'd be so kind: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0876391552/sr=1-1/qid=1430691581/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1430691581&sr=1-1
If you've been curious to check out my new book, Introduction to Jazz Guitar,
(http://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Jazz-Guitar/dp/0876391552/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1436546945&sr=1-1&keywords=jane+miller),
there's an excellent chance to do that with me in the form of a Master Class on Sunday July 26, 1-3pm at Act III in Littleton, MA. Mike Kelly will be joining me to help demonstrate some of the ideas in a chapter or two. It'll be an informal setting, and there will be plenty of time for your…
Read moreHere's a link to a fun interview I did with Jonathan Feist, Editor-in-Chief at Berklee Press. Enjoy!
http://blogs.online.berklee.edu/jonathanfeist/2015/06/22/start-playing-jazz-guitar-an-interview-with-jane-miller/
I've posted a few new things to Sound Cloud lately. Here's something some of you might enjoy. I strung together short clips of selections from my group's CDs. https://soundcloud.com/janemiller-2/demo-clips-reel
Feel free to add comments on the page, or email me here.
Speaking of comments, if any of you feel like writing a review of my book on Amazon, please go ahead and do that.
Thanks!