WHO IS THE CHART DOCTOR? I was approached by Film Music Magazine publisher Mark Northam to write a weekly column with the mandate of informing and educating professionals in the recording industry on all facets of the scoring process, from the first sketch to the final mix. I cover strategies and practical wisdom from the trenches of orchestration, arranging, conducting, music notation, software, and session management/production, as well as discussions of industry-wide trends and realities and how to effectively cope with them. Over 65 articles have gone out since, all on deadline. As some are directly on point in helping make the case for how I serve my clients, some excerpts are sprinkled throughout this website so that you may better evaluate my capabilities to help you. Each issue can be found by going to Film Music Magazine (see my Links page,) with my most recent articles found under the link, “Chart Doctor.” Due to reader demand, a compilation of my first 50 is in the process of being edited for production as a standalone book. Please watch this site for news of this development. WHAT READERS ARE SAYING... Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy both the tone and content of your articles. Bravo! -Peter Alexander (Los Angeles, California) As usual, an excellent job of articulating important points concerning music prep. I hope young composers are reading it! -LIz Finch (Los Angeles, California) I must admit that I am, and have been getting education from your highly qualified and well elaborated articles. You have the natural spirit & pedagogy that some of us only grow from. Where do we sign to get you started on writing a book that will contain all of this great knowledge?! Servitore umilissimo! -Amanuel Zarzowski (United States) Ron, your comment about being a trombonist is absolutely spot on. I learned more about orchestration being a clarinetist playing in pit bands and orchestras than I ever did by looking at range charts and isolated score samples. -Vince Ron, I have been reading your articles for a while now, and I’ve always found them to be really practical and helpful. This article, however, really hit home for me and comes at the best time. As a relatively new orchestral composer, I struggle every day with finding my own voice versus trying to sound like everyone else, and your eloquent reminder to follow and absorb the music that really moves me is sage advice. -John King (Fort Wayne, Indiana) When are you coming out with a book that contains all of your great notes?!?! ?!?! We are waiting for the Composer Bible!! Thanks again for writing such great Articles!! -Tomasz Zarzosa More praise from the choir! I really enjoy your column in general. This one hit the nail on the head, so to speak, as I struggle with my time management as of late. -Eric Nielsen A wise and inspiring essay. By responding, I am falling into the very trap that you warn against. However, your words resonated with me. Thanks. -Keith Scripps An interesting look into the mind of an orchestrator. Useful techniques for an arranger working against the clock. -Paul Witt (Culver City, California) I wanted to write again and tell you how I enjoy your column. It is definitely my main reason for reading FMM. -Daniel Alcheh (Los Angeles, California) Thanks for your useful ideas and excellent writing on your recent subject of midi transcription. I'm now thoroughly convinced that you know what you're talking about. -Eddie Horst (Atlanta, Georgia) I first want to thank you for the tips you provide in your articles in FMM. Besides being practical and useful, I especially enjoy the way you back your ideas, focusing on the purpose and putting everything in the right context. -Nicky Carligeanu (Quebec, Canada) I have read your note at FMM. It's great when great professionals share his own secrets. Thank you! -Dmitriy Efimov, Russian Federation I've read your column for a while now and I just wanted to say 'amen' to your recent column about how computers and sequencing have affected compositional output. I'm just beginning to explore my life as a professional composer (i.e. to make a living!) in the UK (just finished my first indie feature film in fact) and this column with all the others are really relevant and interesting to me. So many thanks for writing and I look forward to the many more which lie in store! -Chris (United Kingdom) I just wanted to drop you a line and tell you how pleased my wife and I have been with your column in Film Music Weekly. Your column is filling a necessary void in the music preparation world where a large volume of information is disappearing because the old knowledge is not being passed on. Newcomers to the craft (both copyists and arranger/orchestrators) are relying on their software tools to teach them the basics. P.S. We've also worked in the game industry in recent years, and your recent column about game orchestration was spot on! I thought we were the only ones telling the emperor he had no clothes. -D.N. & J.P. (Burbank, California) I have been reading and enjoying your articles in FMM for some time now, but your latest one, When Great Is the Enemy of Good, has inspired me to write and say so. ... Thank you again for sharing your insight into both the technical and mental aspects of this career. It is appreciated. -Douglas Romayne (Los Angeles, California) I want to say this almost anonymously and off the record, but I really loved your article, 'Keeping The "Orchestra" in Orchestration". ... Composers are generally 'good people' but this problem is so rampant. I'm sure this is hard to stop, but at least this is the first time I've seen anyone do anything about it. -Colin Bravo for your outspoken article in the Film Music Weekly (Issue 48: January 29, 2008) “Keeping the Orchestra in Orchestration. “ Coming from the concert world, I add that the problem does not just regard sampled music, but music created for the live orchestra as well. Forgive me if I have rambled. But, know that I appreciate your keen commentary. Michelle Ekizian (Mamaroneck, New York) I found your 'Anatomy of an arrangement part 2' article very enlightening and interesting. As an indie pianist/composer that now wants to target composing for media, movies and tv, I love to find articles that provide a good read and lots of info. Thanks so much. -Christian Calcatelli (Rome, Italy) I´ve just read your Anatomy Of An Arrangement part 5 and I´m really impressed...unfortunately I didn’t have the opportunity to read the other ones because I was away from my studio and didn’t check my personal email on time...but for sure I´m going to ask Film Music Magazine if they can send the other four ones to me!!! Leandro Gardini (Sao Paolo, Brazil) Firstly let me say I'm a big fan of your articles and of film music mag in general, it’s a great read with loads of great info... -Richey Rynkowski (United Kingdom) I read your recent article on orchestration from Film Music. I just wanted to thank you for your honest writing...please keep it up. -Ric Flauding (Maricopa County, AZ)
           
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