Interview

Fred Hersch (1955 American pianist, composer)

Fred Hersch told me about his method of composing. It struck me as very interesting that he likes to create deadlines for himself, so he sets an alarm clock on an hour and 15 minutes, and has to finish the song in that time. Almost like a stream of consciousness. Many jazz composers agree that the first thing that comes to mind is often the best, and the more one stops to think or ponder, the less spontaneous and pure the tune becomes.

Then, after writing it, if anything bothers him, or “doesn’t feel right” he changes the thing thats doesn't feel right. That could mean keeping the shape of the melody, but changing the pitches, it can mean keeping the melody but changing the harmony, or sometimes changing the rhythm. Anything can be adjusted to make it work. 

My point in this thesis is to show that the more one really knows about voice leading, about possible ways to get from one place to another, using alternating chords, passing chords, substitutions etc. the more choices one has, and the more interesting  the the tune will become. Very often its in the movement of the inner voices that the nice stuff happens.

That’s why in his songbook (a collection of 70 of his compositions) most are written out in grand staff, to show all the voiceleading. (as opposed to most jazz songbooks, that are written out in a lead sheet fashion, melody with chord symbols and the necessary kicks for the rhythm section)
Though he say he acknowledges the risk of putting too much information in the sheet music. It’s important to leave space for interpretation, and not to dictate every aspect, and so to leave room for interpretation, and for someone to "make it their own".

The complete interview can bee seen here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2Trfu_ojos