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Musical Dreams

By   /   June 18, 2009  /   4 Comments

I’ve been having some pretty crazy dreams lately. Most likely, the causes of these are the fact that there’s a lot of change going on in my life right now – I’m finishing up my current job, I’m going to see my girlfriend for the first time in 3 months soon, and a load of other things. Anyway….I digress. I’ve been having some cool “music” dreams lately – I’m sure a lot of you can all relate.

One of my latest dreams that I can remember was being in a concert, and the orchestra was playing my music – in real-time as I composed it! In my dream, I understood the entire workings of the orchestra, and exactly how to compose great orchestral music. It was like a revelation – a light bulb went on somewhere, and I suddenly understood it all. Then I woke up…

I’m curious to see what kind of dreams you guys have – I’ve had everything from playing the most amazing music on a church organ, to going shopping for guitars, and trying to drag a Gibson SG out of my dream with my as I woke up. So share your experiences! Let us know what kind of crazy musical dreams you’ve had!

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About the author

Emmett Cooke is a professional 'honours ba mus' composer and technologist. His projects have spanned the realms of video games, film, television, library music, and trailers. Emmett hails from Waterford, Ireland and writes music from his personal studio there.

  • Jim Well

    Yeah, I have musical dreams as well. There are two variations:

    (1) The first (and more pleasant) dream theme is that I'm playing some sort of concert. Now, to appreciate this theme, you must know that during waking hours, I don't play keyboard at a level that would make me comfortable being a performer, as opposed to a composer. But in the dream, I'm playing a keyboard, and I just start improvising. The cool thing is, I'm trusting myself in this improv. My hands and my heart just start playing something, and I go with it. My sense is that I'm just following … but I go with it, and beautiful stuff comes out. This dream has recurred a number of times, and I've paid attention to what I think it might be telling me.

    (2) The second recurring theme is that, once again, I have to give a concert, but I'm not prepared. Sooner or later the dream evolves (or devolves?) to the "I'm naked in front of a crowd" theme — literally. And the music that comes out ain't so hot. I pay attention to this dream, too. I remember to check frequently to ensure I'm fully clothed … and try to be better prepared, musically.

    Obviously, these two themes are somewhat at odds with one another.

  • Jim Well

    Yeah, I have musical dreams as well. There are two variations:(1) The first (and more pleasant) dream theme is that I'm playing some sort of concert. Now, to appreciate this theme, you must know that during waking hours, I don't play keyboard at a level that would make me comfortable being a performer, as opposed to a composer. But in the dream, I'm playing a keyboard, and I just start improvising. The cool thing is, I'm trusting myself in this improv. My hands and my heart just start playing something, and I go with it. My sense is that I'm just following … but I go with it, and beautiful stuff comes out. This dream has recurred a number of times, and I've paid attention to what I think it might be telling me.(2) The second recurring theme is that, once again, I have to give a concert, but I'm not prepared. Sooner or later the dream evolves (or devolves?) to the "I'm naked in front of a crowd" theme — literally. And the music that comes out ain't so hot. I pay attention to this dream, too. I remember to check frequently to ensure I'm fully clothed … and try to be better prepared, musically.Obviously, these two themes are somewhat at odds with one another.

  • Lee Sanders

    Hey, Emmett—I've had those music dreams before. I've even had them recently. At first they were frustrating… ending with me scrambling for some score paper to try to write down everything that sounded *so cool* just a few seconds ago.

    Of course, it all slipped out of my brain before I could get down even a fraction of what I'd just been hearing. Now I just try to enjoy the ride when this happens. For me it's always right on the edge of sleeping and waking, right when my brain is in that relaxed twilight sort of place. I've heard this from *lots* of other composers as well.

  • Lee Sanders

    Hey, Emmett—I've had those music dreams before. I've even had them recently. At first they were frustrating… ending with me scrambling for some score paper to try to write down everything that sounded *so cool* just a few seconds ago.Of course, it all slipped out of my brain before I could get down even a fraction of what I'd just been hearing. Now I just try to enjoy the ride when this happens. For me it's always right on the edge of sleeping and waking, right when my brain is in that relaxed twilight sort of place. I've heard this from *lots* of other composers as well.

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