There are a few tools I use to start composing a piece. I might use a process that the music will go through and add notes to it, I might be inspired by an object and create a score around that or I might work around a certain musical motif. But one of my favourite ways to start a piece of music is by improvising at the piano.

A couple of weeks ago I improvised this:

Yes, its working title is ‘Bird?’. I am terrible at titles. Somebody help.

Obviously, this is not a completely finished piece. There are things in there that I’m not happy with, but I think the overall structure is there. Honestly, it’s a bit scary letting people hear it at this stage. In the past the only people who have heard a piece at this point are my partner and my supervisor at university. But it’s there, it’s done, and you can see it evolve into a finished composition over the next few weeks, months or maybe even years…

A quick reminder that three new violin pieces (called Three pieces in a folk music style for solo violin…I told you I’m bad at titles) should be out on Sunday, rain permitting. So watch this space!

If you’re enjoying my content here and want to support me you can give me a one-off tip via Ko-Fi.