Interview with Jeff
Bjorck by
Edward Weiss
As a clinical psychologist, researcher,
and professor at Fuller Theological Seminary's Graduate School of
Psychology, Dr. Bjorck's multifaceted vocation typifies his love for
a Renaissance man's approach to life. His approach has also included
a lifelong love of creative expression, and piano composition has
been a major means to this end. More info below.
Edward: How Did
You Get Started Playing New Age Piano?
Jeff: I took piano
lessons informally from my mother from the age of 9 to about 13. At
this 13, however, I discovered that I could sound out my own
melodies, make arrangements of songs on the radio, and create my own
music. Since my mother had taught me all she
knew, I stopped using music at this point and started playing from
my heart. Whereas my basic knowledge of formal
music instruction was a very helpful foundation, I truly receive the
most joy by playing spontaneously, oftentimes feeling more like a
third-party.
Edward: What Inspires and
Informs Your Music?
Jeff: I am inspired by
all forms of music from various classical and romantic styles
to rock, jazz, and even hip-hop! I am also
inspired by the Creator’s work, particularly the beauty of nature
and wildlife. Many of my musical pieces have been
inspired by places I have been, such as hiking deep in cedar
forest in the Catskills or wandering through Appalachian
woodlands or soaring on my hang glider thousands of feet above
majestic mountains.
My music has been
informed, in all likelihood, by every piece of music I have ever
heard. When I listen to my music I can hear piano
influences as diverse as David Lanz, Billy Joel, George Winston,
Elton John, and Carol King. Beyond that, I have also been influenced
by orchestral works by Debussy, Satie, and Beethoven. Add a good
dose of big band jazz, classical rock (e.g., the band Yes),
and more current popular music, and you begin to have a pretty good
picture!
Edward: What Is
Your Method for Composing a Piano Piece?
Jeff: I can answer this
with liner notes text from my first CD, because the method remains
essentially unchanged: “Jeff's nontraditional method of
composition has remained basically the same during the past thirty
years. He sits at the piano, plays spontaneously from the heart, and
stops to develop any musical themes that surprise him. He confesses,
‘Sometimes I feel like a third party, listening to the whole process
as an interested observer!’”
I
would add that I typically have a digital recorder going so I can
catch those musical themes as they surprise me! Often times, my new
compositions begin while I am playing spontaneously, and I say, “Oh
wow! What was that?” Then I hit rewind, listen to the phrase that
inspired me, and began my formal compositional process.
Even when I have completed a piece, however, I never play it
100% exactly the same each
time.
Edward: Do You
Get Blocked Creatively, and If So, How Do You Get Past
It?
Jeff: That's a great
question! If I worked at my music full time, my
answer might be different. Because I only able to
music part-time, my first solution when feeling blocked is to simply
quit and go do something else! Particularly if
that “something else” is a creative activity in another genre (e.g.,
photography, poetry, gardening),
I find this
“taking a break” can get the creative juices flowing
again. Another technique I use is to walk away
from the piano but continue to mull over the melody in my head
and/or whistle it or hum it to myself. A third technique is to
remain at the piano but to play other pieces that I
enjoy. A fourth technique is to spend time
listening to other artists. All of these methods
are helpful in renewing my ability to think outside any box in which
I might be stuck!.
Edward: What
Advice Would You Give To Aspiring New Age
Pianists?
Jeff: Practice every day! Practice the hard things first and
the easy things last. Get some type of tape
recorder or digital recorder and just leave it running while you
freely explore the keyboard. Like me, you may
surprise yourself with some really good "what was that?" moments. I
would also advise you to listen to other artists, and do not limit
yourself to pianists. Finally, I would encourage
you to avoid relying on "special effects" so readily available on
most electric keyboards.
The sound of falling rain or crickets is
never a substitute for good composition. On the
other hand, adding such effects later on can sometimes be a nice
touch. Also, be open to feedback and constructive
criticism. Compliments from friends can feel good,
but they will never help to improve your music like good
constructive criticism can. Finally, when composing your music, work
at anchoring your playing in emotion. Without
emotional sensitivity, a highly technical piece may suggest a
skillful player, but it can also sound more like a polka and then
like New Age music.
As a clinical psychologist,
researcher, and professor at Fuller Theological Seminary's Graduate
School of Psychology, Dr. Bjorck's multifaceted vocation typifies
his love for a Renaissance man's approach to life. His approach has
also included a lifelong love of creative expression, and piano
composition has been a major means to this end. Learn more about
Jeff and his music at http://www.purepiano.com |