Episode 02: Inner Place
“Never be afraid to set your goals high. Even if they seem unachievable. It doesn’t matter whether you’ll fulfil them, the act of creating them is in itself incredibly important. Their constant presence doesn’t let you go astray. They’re there to show you the way. Without goals and ambitions, people wander aimlessly and get lost. Not to mention that if you get lucky enough to achieve some of them, it is the best thing in the world. And the best motivation to set new ones.”
Several compositional approaches intertwine in my pieces for the trio. It is tempting to categorize them as jazz due to its characteristic instrumentation, and a space for improvisation. However, there is another aspect, arguably the aspect, that holds the whole album together. A detailed search for every single harmonic connection, attention to every tone, to every rhythmic pattern, suitable key, ideal colour... search for a precise feeling, that is.
Back in the first episode, I spoke of finding peace, of slowing down. Mind in a hurry won't bring anything worth creating, no matter what field you're in. Anyone can listen to music while letting his mind wander off, but very few people can truly hear it.
Let's try something, you and me.
Play one tone and listen to it, from the beginning to the end. Now, try to calm down and alert your senses so much that the string's tremble seems tangible. Can you touch a sound? With your mind, you can. Experience the tone from its onset until it disappears completely.
Then do the same with two tones. This creates an interval. And listen carefully to how it sounds when you combine c and d, c and e, c and f, c and f sharp…
What happens when you play them together? How does it sound when each of them comes in separately?
Later, add a third tone. Congratulations, you have a chord! Play it while looking closely at your hand.
Is it relaxed? Is the fingering comfortable? Then play the same thing with your eyes closed.
Only then, if you enjoy what you hear enough, write those three notes down. They'll be waiting for you there, safe and sound.
And now… what happens if I add this chord to it?
Nah, I don't like that at all... but what if I play this one right after it... Well, that's better, but I keep on going, keep on trying, keep on amusing myself until... Wooow, this connection sounds really beautiful! I like it! It goes right on paper. Wait a minute, you have just found your favourite connection. And since you wrote it down, you can play it tomorrow. And in a week. And you'll know from now on that if you play these two chords in a row, it will sound and feel fantastic... Only until it doesn't. It's common to fall out of love with your precious darlings. But hey, at least you enjoyed it the day you discovered it.
This is the way to train your hearing, It might feel slow and tedious at times, but honest research always is. Now you know you really listen to what you're playing. Even if it is just two tones.
My debut album "Inner Place" was released three years after the idea of a jazz trio appealed to me for the first time. Honestly, finding perfect teammates and publisher didn't feel far from a miracle. Yet, it happened. Bottom line is, never be afraid to set your goals high. Even if they seem unachievable. It doesn't matter whether you'll fulfil them, the act of creating them is in itself incredibly important. Their constant presence doesn't let you go astray. They're there to show you the way. Without goals and ambitions, people wander aimlessly and get lost. Not to mention that if you get lucky enough to achieve some of them, it is the best thing in the world. And the best motivation to set new ones.