Jay C. Batzner is currently an Assistant Professor at the University of Central Florida where he teaches theory, composition, and technology courses as well as coordinates the composition program. He holds degrees in composition and/or theory from the University of Missouri – Kansas City, the University of Louisville, and the University of Kansas.
Jay's music is primarily focused around instrumental chamber works as well as electroacoustic composition. His music has been recorded on the Capstone, Vox Novus, and Beauport Classical labels and is published by Unsafe Bull Music.
Jay is a sci-fi geek, an amateur banjoist, a home brewer, and juggler.
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8/27/2008
Go
I have joined a Go playing group. I'm a real novice player in that I have hardly played a full game. The game has become fascinating to me recently, though. I think that its mindset is compatible with my own. I understand the basic mechanics of the game but I lack any tactical or strategic knowledge. My experience as a composer, though, offers many parallels.
One of the best, and worst, things about the game is the tremendous potential at the beginning. You have a huge board and you can put your stone anywhere. Anywhere! As the game evolves, situations demand specific placements and your options decrease. I feel the same thing about my music. At first, I can do anything. Then, as the piece progresses, my choices are restricted and, if all goes well, inexorable.
The head of the group told me something that professional Go players say: "When you are beginning to play, lose your first 100 games as quickly as possible. " I have had a similar approach to composing. Write a lot, write quickly, get it out and move on. Now I'm more selective on what I write and have a better idea of what I'm doing. I don't know if I'm winning, but it certainly takes the pressure off when I'm playing (or composing).
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posted by Jay C. Batzner
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