It took me a long time to accept the idea that the guitar can take the place of a singer.
But it's always really difficult to find someone that has the qualities to be a great accompanist.
Children find themselves adrift not because the informational signposts are illegible, but because there is no one around to guide and accompany them.
I finally wasn't interested in writing music that played while actors talked.
Up come a flat top, he was movin' up with me.
I think I put a lot of special attention towards creating interesting textures and unique sounds. Music essentially boils down to two main elements: rhythm and melody. I feel tones and textures often get overlooked, so I like to take my time finding the right sounds.
When you think about choir music, that's a cappella. You have church choir that you would sing without any instrument. I think the popular form that we have now is barbershop in the 20th century, and the collegiate movement.
Music has to deal with silence. Music has to deal with time.
The core of all the music I love is a good bass line and a good rhythm.
I will not let you go into the unknown alone.
Music is about textures as well as melody.
I like harmonizing with other people, but a lot of times, I do harmonize with myself.
The bass player's function, along with the drums, is to be the engine that drives the car... everything else is merely colours.
Most of the people who will walk after me will be children, so make the beat keep time with short steps.
I needed to create something I could take with me wherever I went.
I have a chaperone everywhere I go - my mom.
You can work on the saxophone alone, but ultimately you must perform with others.
It's very hard to find a pianist that's willing to play the so-called accompanist role on part of the program and yet be capable of being a great solo pianist that you would want for the big sonatas.
I'm playing with Bonnie Raitt. I don't have to sing it. I just have to play it. That's cool.
Film music should have the same relationship to the film drama that somebody's piano playing in my living room has on the book I am reading.
Playing piano well is one thing, but attempting to play at concert level accompanying Meryl Streep while Stephen Frears is filming you in front of hundreds of people is - well - psychotic.
Unless you're singing something that's kind of in rhythm with the bass, the melodies, it's just difficult.
I want the score to have a really big voice.
So I concentrated on the rhythmic side of things, and therefore left a lot of holes. I didn't want to use big pad chords everywhere. All of the songs are built up of small melodies and counter melodies all played very rhythmically.
I really consider myself more of a rhythm guitarist than a soloist.
