Mid Career Teacher Picture

Equal Interval System

The Hollywood writer, Lyle "Spud" Murphy wrote several books on a complete professional musicans system for writing instrumental music for any occasion. The system is called the Equal Interval System of Horizontal Writing. I first heard about this from a guy a met online named David Blumberg. David is a Hollywood writer and wrote things for Motown and the Jackson 5 when they were with Motown.

The system can be used as an efficient tool for writing melodies and harmonies as you go along even if you are not particularly creative. It gives you a starting point from which to write an original tune and harmony. Most of us need a "trick" to get started when we are staring at a blank page. For word writers this is equivalent to writing "Once Upon A Time", or "It was a Cold and Stormy Night". Writers need things to help boost our "Muse".

Inspiration needs "Craft Skill" sometimes to get started sometimes.

Contemporary Thoughts on Gospel Music Harmony and Counterpoint

I have been trying to develop my playing concept a lot since I have had time to study and practice more. I have new thoughts on accompaniment procedures. I am beginning to approach this kind of music more from a counterpoint perspective than a harmony perspective. My playing has certainly gotten much better. I hope that my ear has gotten better as well. I still don't have absolute pitch, but my relative pitch identification is the best that it has ever been. I understand parts much better as well.


That's all for now.