Skyward Journey

Skyward Journey

In spite of my studio renovation this past summer, I managed to write most of Skyward Journey using a cobbled-together set up. Most of my gear sat in boxes stuffed under my piano in the soon-to-be family room that also contained most of my studio, so writing music felt impossible. One day, though, I took advantage of not being needed for reno work, hauled out a monitor and my Novation Launchkey Mini and wrote something. While I didn’t get it completely done that day, I laid down enough material that it didn’t take me long to finish it once I had my studio up and running.

Skyward Journey ended up as part of the set of five world fusion instrumentals. Like several of the others, I focused on Asian instrumentation. I wrote the Taiko drum beat myself, in fact. Related: I discovered that I do better at “keyboard drumming” on the Novation than I do on my keyboard. Normally, I tend to chop up and mash together loops and samples to create my rhythm sections. Like Summit Whispers, this piece has a meditative quality to it. It makes sense. The studio reno, like all good home renovation projects, caused plenty of stress and sleepless nights. Whether I meant to or not, I created some much needed peace for my head while writing Skyward.

Head over to YouTube to check it out:

Check out my other arrangements and compositions. My library grows every month and now has a variety of styles. Besides world fusion instrumentals, it features electronic music, pop, and a few arrangements of old hymns and carols.