Rachel Currea, pianist and
composer, began composing consistently when she was 19 years old as
a way to relax from the rigors of classical music training and the
demands of college and work. More info
below.
Edward: How Did You Get Started
Playing New Age Piano?
Rachel: I started composing at age
19 in this style before I even knew what New Age Piano was or even
that it existed. My world was very intensely classical and I
just began composing to play something melodic and relaxing.
Edward: What Inspires You and Informs Your
Music?
Rachel: Lately the films featuring the music of Philip Glass
inspire me. His music never fails to jumpstart my creative
juices. However, generally my meditation practice helps with
the creative process.
Edward: What Is Your Method for
Composing a Piano Piece?
Rachel: Catch the slipstream. By that I mean to just relax into
a very open place. It's hard to explain but so very peaceful
and "right" when I catch it. I can do that becuase I have a
solid classical background. It's the combination of having a
certain skill set and letting go that makes this work well for
me.
Hopefully I have my dictophone on and
have recorded the experience. If I am lucky to have recorded
the creative outpouring or remembered it, then I write out what I
like and start to look at what I've got to work with.
Give it shape. Sometimes it
is simply done as is. Other times I impose a form such as
sonata-form, rondo, ABA, etc... Occasionally, the piece may
take on a life of its own and I have no idea what form to follow or
to create. It just morphs as time goes along. An example
of this is, "Desert Night" from my CD, Inner Sound.
Edward: Do you Get Blocked
Creatively and if so, How do You Get Past It?
Rachel: I was
blocked for over 10 years after a severe auto
accident. Meditation on the Inner Light and Sound most
definitely unblocked me. Sometimes when I am blocked now I
listen to my old ideas or listen to different styles of
music. One of my favorite games it to write out lines of lyrics
from different songs that I like and create a song using all these
different lines. For me composing is a game and fun. If
the fun is not there or the ideas just are blank, then I just wait
and see what comes next. Every moment of creative experience is
a blessing and I don't try to demand it. I just wait and
play.
Rachel: What Advice Would You Give
to Aspiring New Age Pianists?
Peter: Don't spend too much money on your first
project! Myspace is a great place to meet other musicians and
learn from them - and make some great friends and
partnerships!
