On Mar 30, 2006, at 9:35 AM, Christopher Smith wrote:
Having worked this way with composers before, I can relate. Sometimes there actually ARE more sophisticated harmonies implied in the melody, but the composer is unable to realise them properly. Who is the composer really, in that case? I have stopped doing this kind of work now.
I think one's attitude toward such a relationship depends on the individuals involved. I once collaborated with a songwriter who did as you describe: He wrote beautiful melodies which were very expressive of his texts, with sophisticated harmonies implied in the melody. His basic musical ideas were excellent, but the accompaniments he wrote were clumsy and awkward. He knew that they were, and that's why he hired me to root out and realize what was implied.
It was a delightful working relationship. The composer was a joy to work with, always very gracious, aware of what I had to offer and eager to learn from me. And he paid me well, too.
I have no bitter feelings about my "subordinate" role at all. The truth is, my compositional skills are more that of a craftsman. I'm pretty good at taking someone else's work and fixing it up, but I'm not so good at coming up with original material of my own. It's good to have a collaboration where the parties' talents are complementary.
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