Riffology: Writing to Music

Piano

WHAT IS RIFFOLOGY™?

JD Definition: Part Beat Generation joining of text and tunes mixed with a 21st Century drive to mash-up, blend and share. Riff off it!

In non-boppity but no less scribolicious terms, let me say it to you straight, no chaser:

The music is improvised, unedited, created based on mood alone. You download (fo’ free! What could be mo’ better?) the tunes, and follow the writing prompts wherever they take you. Breakthroughs (in my experience, as a writer and a writing coach) are likely, but not expected. The key is to stay loose, and to remain in the moment. When the song is over, play it again, Sam, or sign off and scram. But do report back if you would be so kind, as I’d love to know how it goes. Drop me a line at Jill@JillDearman.com

Piano
Jill the first night she was struck by musicophilia
Piano
Ed, the man behind the curtain; he knows of joy and hurtin’.

WHY RIFFOLOGIZE?
As my friend Joe Moran reported after daring to riffologize, “You know, I haven’t listened to music during the creative process since Ms. Koket’s 5th grade art class. She’d always blast classical music and it was actually really awesome.”

It’s true, isn’t it, that children (and house pets!) are able to be creative in most everything they do in a most uninhibited way. When does that impulse to express transform into a desire to impress? Who cares anyway? We are here now, and alive, and there is no need to apologize. Instead, sit the down and bang the keys …Riffologize!

Jill and Ed

THE WRITING EXERCISES
To begin with I am offering up six tunes for you to do some writing to.

These were all improvised live either solo by moi or in duet with Ed Pastorini my teacher, my friend, my Dr. Frankensteinorini – on March 5, 2010. (Ed is a master of improv, who has been playing music on numerous planets, in all five dimensions, since the Big Bang. He is a member of the bands “101 Crustaceans” and “Elysian Fields”. For more on Edzo: www.101crustaceans.com and/or check him out in the “Bang the Keys” book trailer on my “Video” page).

If you hear the occasional sound of Brooklyn traffic, a cat’s collar bell jingling, a doorbell ringing, etc. don’t be afraid. It was all just a part of the Mise En Scene.

I titled the tunes after listening to the recordings.

Six Songs to Start You Off …
To download song files, right click the link and click "Save Link As"

Tune# 1 “Rainy Atmosphere” (3:55) (JD Solo)

Tune# 2 “One Drink for Courage”(4:29) (Duet. JD on Bass Side, ED on Melody Side)

Tune# 3 “Carousel: Circus & Airport” (3:54) (Duet. ED on Bass Side, JD on Melody Side)

Tune# 4 “Heart in Mouth” (2:47) (JD Solo)

Tune# 5 “Can’t Find the Words” (4:37) (Duet. JD on Bass Side, ED on Melody Side)

Tune# 6 “Circus is Gone” (4:39) (Duet. ED on Bass Side, JD on Melody Side)

Piano
My wife, Anne, the REAL talent, at the piano
with back-up singers Wendy and Joe.

 

Piano
Cousin Dick stoppin’ by to tickle the ivories.

 

Piano
With Stanley, snowed in but the band played on.

 

Piano
Plinky, my piano. Currently residing at Uncle Burt’s.

 

Bango
Bango marches across Anne’s childhood Steinway, upon which we play.

Writing Prompts

If you are already working on a piece, use these exercises to add texture, to deepen your characters, and add an element of spontaneity to your narrative. If you want to use these to try and tap into a new work, go for it. Dealer’s choice.) Play the tune once, twice or however many times you wish. Whatever works.

Exercise #1 / Accompanies Tune #1 “Rainy Atmosphere”

Place us in a vividly imagined setting. Really focus on atmosphere and mood and so that we (your readers or audience) can feel the vibe of the place. When it feels right, let one of your characters enter. Follow him or her around, as if you were spying with a camera. Note the details, and wait for your character to take some sort of action.

Exercise #2 / Accompanies Tune #2 “One Drink for Courage”

Have two of your characters run into each other either after a long separation, or for the first time since an awkward turn in their relationship. Let them peacefully try and communicate. But it is as if they are talking two different languages; they don’t understand each other.

Exercise #3 / Accompanies Tune #3 “Carousel: Circus & Airport”

One of your characters has just arrived in a new and alluring place. How does he acclimate himself? What memories of past travels are conjured up in his mind? Let us experience the newness of the place, and the old feelings from the past along with him.

Exercise #4/ Accompanies Tune #4 “Heart in Mouth”

Write a scene of a character in the midst of a break-up. Then write a scene showing this character newly in love.

Exercise #5/Accompanies Tune #5 “Can’t Find the Words”

Show a scene in which your character is restless and jumps from activity to activity, unable to satisfy something she can’t find the words for. Infuse memories of this character’s past into the mix so that we may connect more deeply to her.

Exercise #6/ Accompanies Tune #6 “Circus is Gone”

Write a scene that comes towards the end of your whole story. Something has changed. Someone is gone, or there is some sense of the circus packing up and going home (metaphorically); your character has to find a way to move between what is ending and something new that is about to begin.

THE IMPROV CHALLENGE

Record a little improv yourself, on a musical instrument of your choice (or collab with a pal on a duet). Email me the recording so that I may come up with a writing exercise to fit the tune, put it up on the site, credit you with its creation, and share it with our community of writers. Jill@JillDearman.com.


 

Bang the Keys: Four Steps to a Lifelong Writing Practice. Order now!