If My Cat Can Compose, What’s Your Excuse?
By Irene Light
Well, I have this black cat named Al (short for Algernon Benjamin Cat – alias ABC )
who likes to sing. Of course, he doesn’t create lyrics. That would be silly!
Al’s creative composing occurs when he hears classical music.
He starts to “caterwaul” a countermelody or, if the music is very rhythmic,
he sings on or off the beat until the music stops.
Listening to my students’ piano lessons provides his daily ins”purr”ation. (Sorry about that!)
I have written down a few of his melodies and they are quite good, but not very long.
I don’t believe that cats can copyright their music so I shall “assist” Al by developing
and publishing his pieces. (Shhhh! Don’t tell anyone!)
Now, I know from personal experience that the thought of creating a musical
composition can overwhelm a “purr”son. (Oops!) In the past, I have tried too hard
and nothing musical ever developed. So, since Al is a relaxed and laid-back composer,
I will follow his example and listen for musical ideas in the world around me.
Now after this mornings shower, I heard the annoying but rhythmic beat from my
leaking bathroom faucet. In the kitchen, the whirring and pulsing sounds of the food
blender were jazzy and invigorating. When turning on the TV, the first few notes that
I heard became the beginning of a song. Fire engines and ambulance provided ALARMING possibilities.
At last I was composing!!
There are many things that you can do in your quest to becoming the next Mozart.
Try playing things around the house such as a table, a comb or a hairbrush.
Doodling on an instrument or a keyboard works. There’s always your computer!
Who said that it has to be a piano or an organ! Now play these letters on your keyboard:
nnn nnn nyvbn
I think that it sounds like “Jingle Bells”*. (Tomorrow I will start a concerto!)
So are you inspired? Well, I am getting very excited but I need more inspiration.
Please excuse me. I have to go and listen to my hamster
*Composed by James Pierpoint in1857 for a Sunday school Thanksgiving program. Bet you didn’t know that!
© 2006 Irene Light
Al, getting inspired