Developing Inspiration

[Acciacatura]

Hi all.

I was recently looking over the methods I use to derive things (musically speaking, of course - I'm not that far into the mathematics angle of things) and I was wondering from what extra-musical sources people get their ideas. Allow me to clarify.

Robert Schumann often slipped his beloved wife Clara's name into his compositions, by taking letters from its italian spelling (Chiarina) to get the infamous CHAA (H being B-natural in English note-naming) theme which opens his piano concerto and can be found in a whole lot of other works.
Johann Sebastian Bach made use of several similar ideas - and the BACH motif has been used by dozens of composers since - including mathematical equations, a motif representing the cross, and of course his own name.

I was wondering what other people use.

[stevel]

Originally Posted by Acciacatura

I was wondering what other people use.

I'm not trying to be condescending, but, composers use everything!

Some use everything.
Some focus on mathematical equations.
Some focus on poetry, or narrative stories.
Some focus on direct natural phenomenon - bird calls, thunderstorms, etc.
Some focus on indirect natural phenomenon - we don't know what "morning" sounds like, but Grieg did a fine job in his depiction!

Some have argued that music should not do this, and inspiration should come form the music itself - it should be music for music's sake - non-referential to anything else (called Absloute music, see the debate between Absolute and Program music with respect to Brahms and Wagner).
Some have felt the inspiration comes from God (or Jehovah, or whomever) directly.

I think, as a composer, you take inspiration where you can get it! If something inspires you to write, then write! I don't know if one should "go looking for inspiration" necessarily. But, having said that, I do think it's important to realize that inspiration can come in many forms, and not simply from a person's name. And even then, the inspiration doesn't have to be apparent in the piece itself - it can be, but doesn't have to be.

Does anyone know what inspired Ravel's "Bolero"?

Best,
Steve

[reith]

I can only echo that - everything!. But on the occasions I've had a deadline I've pondered on the subject for which the music is to be used. Even so I don't always get it right (as I found out recently with a film backing).

I'm generally inspired by moods of nature; characters or scenes portrayed in books. I can be sitting there immersed and something musical comes to mind. Then there's the process of trying to write it. That's when problems start!
Sometimes it's easy. I remember a business trip to one of the Caribbean islands - right caught me out. No music facilities available and I had to draw out some music paper! Still, if you feel compelled...!

[Classicala]

I thought that inspiration just happened. That's the trouble, it can strike when least expected. I wish it was easier to tame... or tell me how to write out what it's trying to say!