Andrew Lloyd Webber composing tips?

[SorimBela]

Posted: 7/14/21 at 2:20pm

Are there any articles, videos, interviews, etc where ALW has given composing tips? Or where he's explained some of the technical aspects of his work? He's one of the most influential composers to me, and I would love to see if he's ever given any advice. I've tried looking online myself but I can Appvalley 't seem to find anything.Tweakbox

Updated On: 7/16/21 at 02:20 PM

[Scarlet Leigh]

Posted: 7/14/21 at 2:38pm

I imagine it's something along the lines of....

Step 1. Create one really catchy melody line per show.
Step 2. Write 12 songs around that one melody.
Step 3. Write 1-2 actually good songs.
Step 4. Fill in the rest with reprises.
Step 6. Get an okay at best person to write the lyrics for the songs.
Step 7. 1980's electric guitar riffs ALL over the place.
Step 8. Profit.

 

[phantom8019]

Posted: 7/14/21 at 3:54pm

Someone posted a genuine question and is looking for some guidance. The question is valid, appropriate, and on topic for this section of the board. The first response is snarky. 

Typical BWW.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 7/14/21 at 4:25pm

Not wrong though. And I say that with love.

Updated On: 7/14/21 at 04:25 PM

[JSquared2]

Posted: 7/14/21 at 5:45pm

phantom8019 said: "Someone posted a genuine question and is looking for some guidance. The question isvalid, appropriate, and on topic for this section of the board. The first response is snarky.

Typical BWW."

Oh relax, Dorothy!

[Broadway61004]

Posted: 7/14/21 at 6:59pm

phantom8019 said: "Someone posted a genuine question and is looking for some guidance. The question isvalid, appropriate, and on topic for this section of the board. The first response is snarky.

Typical BWW."

That first response is a 100% perfect account of how Lloyd Webber musicals are created. There's nothing snarky about that.

[KFC1991]

Posted: 7/14/21 at 7:23pm

phantom8019 said: "Someone posted a genuine question and is looking for some guidance. The question isvalid, appropriate, and on topic for this section of the board. The first response is snarky.

Typical BWW."

Too true. 

I all seriousness, I think the answer to the OPs question would involve a lot of technical jargon that would be hard to understand to anyone not in university to study music. 

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 7/14/21 at 9:17pm

This thread is the perfect example of why it is hilarious to see BWW members criticize Seth Rudetsky in the Seth/Stars in the House threads for being obnoxious and extra and then everybody rushes to defend somebody on this thread being obnoxious and extra.  But that's what this board is and darn it that's what Seth is and I'll take them both for what it's worth!  Now will I be ready for the condescension and snark coming my way?  Have at it BWW! 

[A Director]

Posted: 7/15/21 at 4:03am

phantom8019 said: "Someone posted a genuine question and is looking for some guidance. The question isvalid, appropriate, and on topic for this section of the board. The first response is snarky.

Typical BWW."

Scarlet Leigh's post is true. I listened to "Waltz for a Ball" from the R&H Cinderella and it flowed like silk. I listened to ALW's "The Cinderella Waltz" which didn't.  It was a slog through mud.

 

[A Director]

Posted: 7/15/21 at 4:06am

Phantom4ever said: "This thread is the perfect example of why it is hilarious to see BWW members criticize Seth Rudetsky in the Seth/Stars in the House threads for being obnoxious and extra and then everybody rushes to defend somebody on this thread being obnoxious and extra. But that's what this board is and darn it that's what Seth is and I'll take them both for what it's worth! Now will I be ready for the condescension and snark coming my way? Have at it BWW!"

ALW's Cinderella is another turkey!

 

[Lot666]

Posted: 7/15/21 at 7:53am

phantom8019 said: "Someone posted a genuine question and is looking for some guidance. The question is valid, appropriate, and on topic for this section of the board. The first response is snarky.

Typical BWW."

Yep.

[phantom8019]

Posted: 7/15/21 at 8:43am

It is a shame because it appears that the original poster created an account yesterday just for the purpose of asking that question and reading some informative responses about a composer whom they admire.
And the original poster clarifies, "He's one of the most influential composers to me..."
"to me".... not "on the planet" or "the greatest composer ever"
I suppose if someone posts a benign, subjective personal opinion and then asks for some info, we can have 15 subsequent posts critiquing and mocking that viewpoint and maybe 1 post that offers a relevant response... sure... sounds like a fun, informative, functional, and logical online environment.
 

Updated On: 7/15/21 at 08:43 AM

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 7/15/21 at 9:01am

On this board, we are allowed to be fans of Sondheim and perhaps Tesori but that's about it. 

[Broadway61004]

Posted: 7/15/21 at 9:23am

Phantom4ever said: "On this board, we are allowed to be fans of Sondheim and perhaps Tesori but that's about it."

Not at all true.  You are 100% allowed to be a fan of Andrew Lloyd Webber or whoever else and if you love their music, that's great.  But we're also allowed to think he's a hack who writes one melody, stretches it into 2.5 godawful hours and supplements it with synthesizers and electric guitar to try to make it sound more exciting, when really it just makes it sound worse.  Which is why I agree with the original responder's explanation of how he composes music.  But that doesn't mean you can't disagree.

[OhBoy17]

Posted: 7/15/21 at 10:19am

I misread the title of this thread as "Andrew Lloyd Webber composting tips" and was a little surprised by how quick I was to click on it with genuine interest.

[Highland Guy]

Posted: 7/15/21 at 10:33am

Lot666 said: "phantom8019 said: "Someone posted a genuine question and is looking for some guidance. The question is valid, appropriate, and on topic for this section of the board. The first response is snarky.

Typical BWW."

Yep."

 

And that's a "Yep" from me, as well.

 

[temms]

Posted: 7/15/21 at 10:48am

I've run hot and cold on ole' Andy over the years - I think he's a super smart and amazingly talented guy who has often been very lazy and pedestrian and bears all the hallmarks of a spoiled rich brat, especially in his dotage.

But to answer the original question, the two things I’m aware of are a documentary I saw on A&E in the ‘80s that covers his career up to “Phantom” and he sits at the piano and talks a bit about his stuff. It’s pretty great: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQs3xyHnwdo

Also the book “Andrew Lloyd Webber - His Life And Works” by Michael Walsh does delve into some musical analysis of the scores and their influences but its focus isn’t really on the music. The copy I have stops at "Aspects Of Love" but it's been updated. It seems to be out of print but there are cheap used copies: https://www.amazon.com/ANDREW-LLOYD-WEBBER-Life-Works/dp/0670830410

There’s probably newer stuff but I kind of stopped paying attention around “Whistle Down The Wind”. I think “Superstar” and “Evita” are brilliant, and “Cats” and “Phantom” are extremely well-executed for what they are. And there’s a lot of junk on the pile as well.

[jv92]

Posted: 7/15/21 at 12:18pm

I’ve never really heard him talk about the craft of songwriting or composing— and, of course, writing music is a bit harder to describe without A) Getting too technical for the layman or B) Getting too airy fairy and pretentiously fancy. Those books might help. 
 

I do think when he works in a more contemporary vernacular and writes songs (eg. JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR) he’s much better. I think he’s been heading back in that direction with these couple of new shows. I have not heard the CINDERELLA album, but it sounds more intriguing than any show of his has in a long time— for me at least.