MJ's Blog

Composing Music.. the Marvel Way

Mark Johnston — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 18:49:00 GMT

Hello again. Long time, no see! Hope everyone is well. Unfortunately I haven't made the time to update the site in a while. Family, summer, work, all those things have pushed Motif City down the list of priorities. Hopefully that is changing now as the kids head back to school (whew!)

I haven't written any music in quite some time. During my hiatus, I have been thinking about streamlining the song composition process. As a cartoonist and sketch artist, I often read books on drawing, anatomy, etc. I have read several over the summer. One that has really resonated is from the Marvel Comics team. Not only are they great cartoonists, they are great educators on the craft of cartooning. I own their DVD (Drawing Comics the Marvel Way), as well as several books.

I have found quite a lot of synergy between the process of drawing cartoons and composing music, and I thought I would share a system I am going to begin employing when this inferno-like weather subsides, and I have a bit more inspiration to compose.

Marvel Comics recommends the following process be used for drawing (summarized)..

Create basic shapes for the objects (there are only several-- such as squares, ellipses, etc)
Sketch lines and connect shapes
Ink
Color
Add effects

What if we were to apply this to the songwriting process as follows.. with MEASURABLE progress written out on paper in a step by step fashion..

(Basic shapes)Choose a few instruments that will provide the familiar timbres for your given genre
(Sketch lines) Record your basic melody and basic chords
(Ink) Embellish your chords and add substitutions and arrange
(Color) Add processing like compression, panning, velocity, etc
(Add effects) Add effects for coloring the sound further to make it sparkle

Doable?

I'm going to find out and I'll report back with my result.

mj

Mental Barriers & Maslow

Mark Johnston — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 03:38:00 GMT

Been a while since my last post. Apologize for the delay. Thought I would attempt to find some correlation between songwriting obstacles and Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs model as it applies to what he called "self actualization."

Little background is in order. Abraham Maslow was an incredibly brilliant American psychologist (1908 to 1970). He is famous for his major contribution to psychology called "The Hierarchy of Human Needs" model. Here are some words from wikepdia.com about the model (at the end I have added a few thoughts as they apply to songwriting):

"Maslow's primary contribution to psychology is his Hierarchy of Human Needs, which he often presented as a pyramid. Maslow contended that humans have a number of needs that are instinctoid, that is, innate. These needs are classified as "conative needs", "cognitive needs", and "aesthetic needs". "Neurotic needs" are included in Maslow's theory but do not exist within the hierarchy.

Maslow assumed our needs are arranged in a hierarchy in terms of their potency. Although all needs are instinctive, some are more powerful than others. The lower the need is in the pyramid, the more powerful it is. The higher the need is in the pyramid, the weaker and more distinctly human it is. The lower, or basic, needs on the pyramid are similar to those possessed by non-human animals, but only humans possess the higher needs.

The first four layers of the pyramid are what Maslow called "deficiency needs" or "D-needs": the individual does not feel anything if they are met, but feels anxious if they are not met. Needs beyond the D-needs are "growth needs", "being values", or "B-needs". When fulfilled, they do not go away; rather, they motivate further.

The base of the pyramid is formed by the physiological needs, including the biological requirements for food, water, air, and sleep.

Once the physiological needs are met, an individual can concentrate on the second level, the need for safety and security. Included here are the needs for structure, order, security, and predictability.

The third level is the need for love and belonging. Included here are the needs for friends and companions, a supportive family, identification with a group, and an intimate relationship.

The fourth level is the esteem needs. This group of needs requires both recognition from other people that results in feelings of prestige, acceptance, and status, and self-esteem that results in feelings of adequacy, competence, and confidence. Lack of satisfaction of the esteem needs results in discouragement and feelings of inferiority.

Finally, self-actualization sits at the apex of the original pyramid."

End.

So how does this apply to songwriting? I'm not sure there is a black and white relationship, but I think the model is relevant in that, if you read between the lines, it kind of points out what needs one should satisfy in order to move up another level in the pyramid towards self actualization; that is, it can kind of serve as a road map of sorts to help one navigate life, art, and beyond.

Of course self-actualization is the goal, but before one gets there, one has to satisfy all the other needs first. So back to music: say you are, e.g., trying to write a happy love song, but at the same time you are struggling in a relationship and your life is generally downbeat at that time... that would probably be a good time to write a sad song, not a happy one. Just one small example, but it kind of demonstrates: if you haven't secured the "self esteem" need on the ladder, it's probably going to be difficult to craft a song that has an upbeat, credible message about the power of love, since you, yourself, are not experiencing it at the time.

What's the overall message here? First, to be aware of these needs in your life and know where on the pyramid you are. I have found this awareness helps keep me aimed in the right direction, focused on progressing up the pyramid towards self-realization, which is the point where one reaches maximum objectivity and hopefully peace of mind--which is a crucial element in the craft of songwriting. I think songwriting is very much a discipline--whether you're doing rap, country, rock, etc. Discipline requires peace of mind and patience and fortitude.. all those things you can;t have if you'be got all kinds of drama in your life.
Second, use the pyramid to gauge where you are situated, and what challenges you face, and think about how you intend to overcome them. Just think. You don't need to take notes or trip out on some long process. Just find some solitude and take some time to think. Your sub conscious brain will take it from there and your conscious will start reaping the rewards and start to assist you in making sound decisions.. about your lyrics.. your melodies.. your beats.. your life. At least I'd like to think so.

Ideally,

Mark

:)

Gear Mania and How to End It?

Mark Johnston — Mon, 24 Apr 2006 21:39:00 GMT

Don't be a victim of Gear Mania! Make the most of the gear you have and put your money and resources into becoming a better musician, not more gear....(read more)

Back on 'Track'

Mark Johnston — Mon, 27 Mar 2006 02:58:00 GMT

After a lengthy hiatus, I'm preparing to dive back into songwriting and hopefully get some things completed. Not sure whether I will work from my library of incomplete songs (which number of 400 at this point) or start from scratch.

In any event, I'm looking forward to the journey and will be posting some Motif-only sound bytes up here soon for critique.

mj