Lullaby for My Wife, No. 4
It has become a tradition for me to write a lullaby for my wife for Christmas. I keep hoping that one of these years, I’ll write something that comes close to conveying how important she is to me, but I always fail miserably. This year is no exception, but I do like the way this piece turned out. It also happens to be a lot of fun to play, with the way the middle voice rolls off the fingers passing back and forth from hand to hand. Here are some files for downloading, and a video of me playing it on my trusty Yamaha.
12. June 2009 at 17:39
Loves it!!!
I am interested on how you write the music?
do you prepare the sheet first then play along or the other way around?
I’m a self learner, a bit regret not to study well back then when I was young.
13. June 2009 at 09:08
Thanks, edwin — glad you like it!
For writing, it depends on the style of music. For a piece like this, I tend to play a bit, just improvising and trying to find sounds and ideas I like — but just short ones. Then when I find things I like, I write them down, and then try to find ideas which connect with the first ideas — and write them down. Once I have what I feel is a whole piece, I tend to play it from the music and/or record it, listening carefully for things I would change. Akin to the editing phase after you’ve written your rough draft. I also never really feel done — I just find a point where I stop working on it :)
It’s similar for funk/blues things — but much more of the tune is written by just playing/improvising. Sometimes, I just record for a while, and then try and go back and write down what Iplayed.
Hope this helps…
3. October 2009 at 22:07
Hey puppy, this is a beautiful piece! I love the way you can use either hand to highlight your melody or roll out the support system. Sweet!
Jonathan, this composition must make your wife melt, seriously. It plays out smooth as chocolate. What an amazing Christmas gift to give, it’s completely YOU, from the heart, and abso amazing (again)
Yamahas are the best, too, right? I only like the Berz better, lol bc I’m German. mikeiscoool@hotmail.com
3. October 2009 at 23:23
Couldn’t download the PDF, but I liked the Amin add9 d and f#(sus-ish) goin’ on in 16. Kept expecting it to come back, lol. And was waiting for the end, the last to res. to a G2 Gmin2-ish. Unexpected, and It settled well, actually. Haha, later I’ll read this and roll my eyes at me-self.
20. February 2010 at 01:17
Your trusty Yamaha … exactly what model is this ? Do you like it ? Do you think of something else?
21. February 2010 at 16:53
Hmmm – it’s actually a little tough. My tuner’s notes indicate that is is simply Model#: “Console”. From what I can tell by the serial number, it was made somewhere in the 1970’s. It’s the piano my mom played while I was growing up, and the one I learned on. It came to me when my mom upgraded to a newer piano, and it still plays great. Eventually, it’s going to need a little action work, but it’s pretty nice to have real wood, felt and strings.
21. February 2010 at 16:58
@mikeiscoool Good ears, Mike :) and I like those Berz too — extra keys!
21. March 2010 at 23:16
Very very beautiful and original. I cant tell you what this does to my soul when I listen to it. I am a pianist myself and a writer. Thank you for the inspiration. —Wow! Just Awesome!
22. March 2010 at 06:08
Hi @ericjclay — I’m so glad you liked it. Thanks for your kind words.
2. August 2010 at 19:39
That was truly beautiful. You are so talented. That sounds like a love story montage from a movie. WOW!
16. August 2010 at 16:22
I really hope yo write a new lullaby for your wife this year also. After hearing this beautiful melody, I’m sure she understand your feelings for her :-)
- Jarle -
18. August 2010 at 21:07
I write one nearly every year (there are five so far)… I just haven’t recorded the others yet.