How do musicians write music?
16 August 2014
This study is to investigate the working processes of people composing music using music software. It is designed to discover how you think about composing, what situation you compose in, and what methods you use to do it. You don't need to be a traditional "composer" - if you write any music yourself, whether that's rock, dance music, game soundtracks, whatever - I'd like to watch you do it.
In this study I will visit you a small number of times for one hour sessions in the location you normally compose in, and watch you writing music. I'd like to see what you do normally, so if you're already working on a piece of music at the moment, you can just carry on with what you were doing. I may also ask you some questions about your musical techniques and tools, whether you're trying to meet any particular aims with the piece of music, and the context you are composing in.
I will record what is happening on your computer screen, make an audio recording of our session, take photos of any paper or electronic notes you make, and make my own written notes. If you're happy to, it may also be helpful to provide any electronic files you are working on, or to video record what you're doing, but that's not essential.
