Upcoming workshop:

Compose Yourself!

WORKSHOP: Compose for Piano

Sunday 22nd September 2019 

10:00 - 17:00

A one-day composing workshop for adults with little or no experience* 18+

This workshop will utilise a creative approach to composing which mimics Jenny's own working practice, using pencil line-drawing exercises to free up creativity and to discover potential shapes, gestures and textures which can easily be translated into sound. There will be an introduction to graphic score notation as a method of writing down the newly composed pieces (although other methods may also be used) with an emphasis on creating dramatic and evocative soundworlds rather than technical works with lots of detail and complex notation.

The first part of the day will be spent finding out what the instrument is capable of doing, which will involve some improvising and experimenting at the piano, as a group, and also listening to some examples of contemporary solo piano music.

There will be plenty of individual writing time and one-to-one support from Jenny, and opportunities to hear outcomes and make revisions as the pieces progress. The day will finish with an informal performance and recording of all completed pieces.

The workshop will take place at Jenny's home in Sheffield S11 (the address will be provided on completion of the Booking Form or on request). Spaces are limited: book early to avoid disappointment.

* Please note: this workshop requires no prior composing experience or ability to draw or play the piano.

If you are interested in participating in the workshop but are unsure about your suitability, please email Jenny to discuss your queries.

I am available as a workshop leader for groups of 4-12 adults.  I can also offer one-to-one tuition, if preferred. 

In my own compositional practice, I often use drawing as a starting point for getting ideas down quickly, and this lends itself well to encouraging children and adults with no previous composing experience to have a go at composing their own pieces. Drawing exercises free up creativity and can also, accidentally, offer up strong gestures which can be translated into sound. Graphic scoring can sometimes be the most appropriate notation for recording a composition, but all types of notation can be examined and developed.  Experimentation with instruments and voices, supported by relevant listening and score-reading, combine to equip students with the skills and knowledge required to make their own voices heard.