John Zorn

How can music provide healing if it does not have the ability to heal its composer? How can music make a difference when money and politics are the only governing forces? How can music last for generations without the impacting ones feelings in some way or another? These are questions I have asked myself as a composer and songwriter. These are questions I have also asked of those who perform my music. During John Zorn’s lecturer, it was comforting in knowing that I am not the only composer who seeks to have others understand the emotional and intellectual side effects of music. Don’t get me wrong, while money and politics are very much needed for a work to be performed and to even establish a certain level or impact on the world, it is the feeling, energy, or vibe of the composer and performer that does most of the work in making a piece of music, a piece of music. Without energy, music means nothing. Because of this, in my opinion, while the composer may write a wonderful piece of music, it may not be accepted well by others if the performers lack the amount of energy the music requires. These are some of the points that Zorn covers while explaining the importance of the performer connecting with a piece of music. Now, while I believe that a performer should encompass as much energy or feeling he or she can in order to accurately convey the composer’s message, I also understand that it can be very tiring for a busy musician. And this is where I struggle. Music is such a heavy and monumental force that one can not always capture the composers energy. With that being said, feelings and emotions are necessary to create music that positively inspires and sends a message, however it is needed with skill. Skills that we study such as breathing, posture, etc. These are all essential tools from both sides of the spectrum that Zorn makes clear.

Another point I throughly enjoyed was Zorn’s statement of hard work. He stated several times a different points in his lecture that he worked hard to get to where he is now. He practiced, he disciplined himself, etc. He then noted, that he focuses on writing music that is necessary in the world but music that will also allow musicians to connect with what they are playing. While all musicians will not do that, he then finds musicians that will and this is the last, and not least, reason that I enjoyed Zorn. He is a composer that will not settle just to be known. He is a composer that will settle for nothing but the best; the best for his music. I believe that all composers should hold true to the above in creating a signature sound and once that sound is created, then we can inch into the politics and business side of music that makes our sound international. Finally, as Zorn conveyed, we must think of the magic that we attempt to create that will not only help others but also help ourselves.