Ozark Soundscape (and my other musical projects)

JS19 wrote: My biggest piece of advice would be to try and write a few conventional songs first. They give you the basis of how a song works and the musical theory. From there you can take these ideas and warp and twist them until you have avant music created from the basis of musical theory, rather than straight from nothing. It will make your songs hold up on so many levels. Can I just say it is really inspiring that you start so young on trying new things and making your own music? I wish I'd had the same exposure to more outward reaching music at your age. I was lucky enough to be proficient at musical theory and an instrument, and it's taken me 7 years to become a better classical compsoer. God knows how good you're going to be in that time!

Dayvenkirq wrote: The first questions that come to making music (I think) are these:  1) Do you care about what the audience thinks? 2) Do you really like what you make?

^ Your daughter? Can I hear it? (No kidding here.)

Dean wrote: Dayvenkirq wrote: The first questions that come to making music (I think) are these:  1) Do you care about what the audience thinks? 2) Do you really like what you make? Two very good questions. With my own music I made it for myself and made music that I wanted to listen to. Just looking at my LastFM scrobbled chart will show that I play my own music a lot and I don't care whether other people like it or not - sure it's nice when they do, and I joke about it when they don't - and at the end of the day, that's all we can do.

I don't tend to think much of the opinions of the masses.  I don't want to look down on everyone's musical tastes, but when so many people have been fed mass-produced music for years, it's hard to adjust to listening to something more meaty.  My goal in making music is to glorify God and to create something that will have an effect on people beyond mere entertainment.  What I don't want to do, though, is ignore legitimate criticism, whomever it may come from.  You can't look down on someone's criticism just because you disagree with their tastes; you have to evaluate every criticism on it's own merits.

I do care what the audience thinks, insofar as I want them to like my music.  But if someone doesn't like it, it's not going to change what I do unless they have a legitimate criticism.  For example, "I think the cluttered nature of the piece buries the melody and reduces the expression" rather than, "it's too weird, I don't like it."

thanks, Alan

This was my first record :

Dear readers,
Your favorite band OZARK SOUNDSCAPE would like to announce the new OZARK SOUNDSCAPE album; “geosynchronous satellites”, which is to be released sometime in January 2013, at ozarksoundscape.bandcamp.com, and for you special few (you know who you are), on a homemade CD, pressed at OZARK SOUNDSCAPE headquarters.

“geosynchronous satellites” will feature seven new songs, including “A Song Fueled by Angst”, “It’s the 80s”, “Washed Away”, and more.

Thank you for investing you time into OZARK SOUNDSCAPE’S music, and happy holidays!

-         Andrew

Edited by smartpatrol - January 04 2013 at 16:28

BTW, my debut is on Rate Your Music if you feel like rating it

I actually liked "Symphony No. 1, Mvmt 4." I made my first demo "album" when I was your age, and while it was a lot more accessible, it wasn't near as interesting as what you've got here. A couple things I will tell you:

The "rules" of music theory are there to create a desired aesthetic product, not necessarily a basis on which all music is or should be based. I do very much agree, though, that you should learn basic music theory and try writing more conventional stuff to form a musical awareness of sorts, an awareness of what you are doing artistically with every detail in the music, the purpose for which they function, and how they affect your audience, how the piece as a whole affects your audience. This is very important in all music, especially music that defies peoples expectations. The best composers from Bach to Cage did this. This is not to say stop doing what you are doing. Keep experimenting and keep doing this stuff. But also experiment with conventional stuff. Also, try and transcribe songs and pieces you enjoy. With more complex pieces, research how their written. Try your hand at different compositional methods. Last thing, take your time creating. It can be a long process. Scott Walker had three albums that were over 10 years apart. I'm not saying it will take this long, but don't expect everything to be finished in five hours.

Anyways, don't be discouraged if people don't like your music. It takes a little bit to figure out what your doing, and what you want to do.

The new album is out!
Follow the link in my signature to listen!