Well, let me get right to the point. The biggest problem for me to overcome as a composer is inertia, “a tendency to do nothing or remain unchanged,” as defined by my laptop’s dictionary. In all the ebb and flow of daily life, the hardest thing is to get myself focused on composing, to put other things aside and create that calm space in which you pick up that musical thread that has been perhaps running through your mind all along. Then to commit those thoughts, that thread, to paper and let further musical operations and ideas flow into the mix.

Look, everyone has basic things he/she has to do in life: sleep, eat, bathe, dress, exercise, love, care for, be cared for, relate to others, etc. “Music composition” doesn’t fall into as basic a category as these. And I didn’t even include: make a living, pay rent, insurance and taxes, buy and maintain a car… and all the other trappings of modern living.

I find it’s all these basic things that get in the way of composing music, that deflect me from my task and journey, and make me wonder how seriously and/or passionately I’m actually pursuing it. Doubts? Oh, yes. Many. Motivational doubts, clouded by the multi-channel, multi-tasking lifestyle of an active professional performer and teacher.

You see, music is a HUGE part of my life – not just composing it. I play bass, and as such have many opportunities to play gigs (approx. 4 – 5 per week). I am also a teacher, teaching 4 days a week in an arts magnet high school, one night a week at a neighborhood music school and 1 – 2 afternoons/week privately at my home.

In order to survive and earn a living as a musical professional in the region of the country where I choose to live (the Northeast United States) it is necessary to be involved in all these activities. All of my professional colleagues must do the same, or they will not remain professional for very long. It costs a lot to live up here in Connecticut, and I estimate that an average workweek for me is about 50+ hours. May not sound like a lot, but it is a strenuous workweek.

Teaching dominates the early part of the week (Mon.-Thurs.) and gigging takes over from there (Thurs.-Sunday). Teaching is the early part of the day, and gigging usually is at night. Driving to and from gigs takes up a lot of time (and $$), and in between these activities comes: food, bookkeeping, catching up on contacts’ phone calls, e-mails, etc. Planning and scheduling for the future in order to keep doing what I’ve been doing.

Exercise and dieting, and… whoa! What about having some fun? Reading a book, going to the movies? Well, you get the picture, at least in my case, precious little time is left for COMPOSING.