"Multiple Channels" A composition question I think

[drsmoo]

Is this really rare? I was reading an article on a young composer Jay Greenberg and it said. 

"Multiple channels is what it’s been termed," says Jay. "That my brain is able to control two or three different musics at the same time –- along with the channel of everyday life."

I'm pretty sure I can do that, I know I can store and compose 3 melodies at once. And also I just wrote a song, which I thought would be harmonious with another song, so while I kept the song I wrote in my head, I brought up the other song and played the two songs in my head at the same time (but they were in different time signatures and stuff and didn't sound good) is this the same as "multiple channels"?

[pianistimo]

if you indeed have a talent for this - as i'm sure you do - make sure to take some conducting classes, too!  not everyone can keep track of so much going on at one time.  for me  - two lines is enough.  i've added middle voices, too.  but, oftentimes conductors also play the scores (or at least one half at a time) and can hear the individual lines.

keep doing your own composing - but start listening to symphonies and following several voices at once.  say the flutes and the whatever - and then three voices - and then four - and finally at the end - the entire thing. 

if i were you - i'd also start asking for a position to work with a jr symphony.  to me - this is one of the best ways to hear the dual idea of horizontal and vertical - in composition.  it certainly can't hurt - and will refresh you in terms of the exact instrumental ranges that are available and playable. 

we had a jr symphony last year that actually did REALLY well.  the students were mostly highschool students - and actually practiced quite a bit for the winter concert.

[drsmoo]

I can't read music though... I should probably learn that, usually though I'm more into rock music. Kinda indy stuff, but not normal indy, I have my own style I guess.

but since you can keep track of two melodies, i guess you have "multiple  channels" as well, I had a feeling that article was just making hype, unless it's describing something totally different.

Also I'm not sure if i'd be able to keep track of it when conducting, maybe just composing.

[liszt-essence]

That's cool.

I'm still waiting for someone to write a 8 voice fugue.

[pianistimo]

seems to me, i heard of one somewhere. 

[drsmoo]

That's cool.

I'm still waiting for someone to write a 8 voice fugue.

I don't think you need to be able to consciously focus on 8 voices in order to write 8 voices.

Don't know if it'd sound good either.