How do jazz and fusion musicians compose instrumental music?
There are several ways to approach writing jazz/fusion instrumentals. Due to the ‘overachiever’ status of many fusion players, it is more of an exercise in musical virtuosity and improv. skills, that will be loosely based on a theme (like a hook, or chorus, in a more commercial style of tune) that is expanded on, and allowed to morph into an assault on most listener’s minds. Garnish with solos, irregular or syncopated drumming, etc. to keep it totally challenging. It is definitely accepted as a ‘musician’s music’, as it’s complex nature just doesn’t have the natural appeal to the average listener as an easy-to-sing-along-with radio hit. Most popular in advanced music college circles……..for it’s cerebral nature. I believe the final COMPOSE mode is not complete until the piece is performed and/or recorded (and possibly written out) and therefore the idea is somewhat ‘locked in’, but, keep in mind the following: Find an old live recording of John McGlaughlin with the Mahavishnu Orches
