Ben Tibbetts Studio Home Services Archive Students About Contact Now Store Subscribe
Interview with Jeff Heim
April 19, 2011
Jeff Heim is a film and video game composer. For information about his work, visit www.jeffheim.net.
Tibbetts: How long have you composed, and what made you decide to become a composer?
Heim: I began composing piano music as a hobby during middle school, but I became passionate about music composition after I first got my hands on music notation software about ten years ago. I loved the instant satisfaction of being able to listen to what I wrote. I would devote hours at a time on the computer experimenting with various instrument samples and fine-tuning my own orchestral pallet, while sharpening my compositional skills at the same time. Some of my earliest influences included video game composers Martin O'Donnell (Halo series), Rupert Gregson-Williams (Battlefield 2: Modern Combat), Michael Giacchino and Christopher Lennertz (Medal of Honor series); and film composers Hans Zimmer, Klaus Badelt, Steve Jablonsky, James Horner, Howard Shore, Danny Elfman, James Newton Howard, and Harry Gregson-Williams.
Tibbetts: What inspires you?
Heim: Almost anything. I have found musical inspiration from so many random and spontaneous moments of my life...I don't know where to start! To name a few, I find inspiration primarily from places I've visited (memorable experiences), from music I've heard or performed, from conversations with friends and loved ones, and sometimes from my dreams.
Tibbetts: Can you describe your compositional process?
Heim: My method for composing music is not defined by a strict routine. Instead, my compositional process seems to change from one day to the next depending on the inspiration. Most often, I will begin by simply relaxing and letting my mind wander. I find meditation very important because stress is a huge obstacle which often inhibits the creative process. Next, I might improvise on the piano, experimenting with rhythmic or melodic motifs and melodies. From there I may elaborate on these short themes by trying out different harmonies or rhythms. As soon as I get "in the zone" the whole process becomes a blur, and I write for hours on end until I literally MUST eat food or go to sleep. I find it easiest to write music during the morning or later at night because these are the times I'm most relaxed.
Tibbetts: What do you consider your best work?
Heim: This is an easy question for me to answer, although others may disagree. My best work, titled Montagna dei Fiori (Italian for 'Mountain of Flowers'), was composed in 2010 after my three month study abroad in Italy. I found the inspiration for this piece through my experiences hiking Monte Girella (part of Montagna dei Fiori), near Ascoli Piceno. The whole piece took me about a month and a half to write, and is over eight minutes long (scored for full orchestra).
Tibbetts: What is your 'typical day' like?
Heim: This depends on where I am. While studying at the University of New Hampshire, my typical day begins with my favorite meal -- breakfast, which includes a blueberry muffin, Honey Bunches of Oats cereal, a glass of orange juice, and a banana (the secret to success!). Depending on what day it is, I play trombone in either the orchestra or wind symphony from 11:00 - 12:30, and anyone playing in either of these ensembles will agree with me when I say it's the greatest hour and a half of the day (except the last five minutes when everyone wants leave early and eat lunch). After that, I just run around with my head chopped off.
Tibbetts: Do you have any words of wisdom for aspiring composers and musicians?
Heim: If there is one thing I've learned from my short career as a composer, it's that life comes first. If you find a way to stay positive, focused, and healthy over a long period of time, your goals will become much more attainable.
Ben Tibbetts Studio Home Services Archive Students About Contact Now Store Subscribe
   |
Copyright © 2006-2023 Ben Tibbetts
change log