Avatar: The Last Airbender by J. Zuckerman and S. Kim
Kristen C.
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I play a "social" instrument. While solos sound splendid, there’s nothing more thrilling than playing the violin with a “team” of other instruments. Whether it be in an orchestra, a chamber group, or even a duet, performing together always sounds better. But what if collaborating with other musicians isn’t possible? When the pandemic hit, I was no longer able to participate in an orchestra, and I missed hearing harmonies as I practiced on my own. As I listened to my favorite soundtrack from Avatar: The Last Airbender (ATLA), I wished I could play alongside the violins and cellos from the recording. What if I could be a one-person orchestra? I had the instruments for the music and recording devices to layer my sound!
But I ran into another challenge; I didn’t have the orchestral score necessary to play the soundtrack. However, I had the software to transcribe the piece for myself using a website called flat.io. After listening to the piece over and over again, I managed to arrange the theme from ATLA for 5 violins, 3 cellos, and percussion (I don’t know how to play cello or percussion, so I kept the arrangement simple!). Using a metronome to keep tempo, I recorded each part, layer by layer, until I completed my cover. This performance is a result of using creativity to play with other instruments during lockdown and design my own score!
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Not only does creativity challenge me to think beyond my classical music education and explore pop, improv, or jazz, but it allows me to perform my favorite soundtracks when having a score or orchestra is not possible. Being creative with music ensures that every experience is new and exciting!
