Shows
The Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast92a. RPG Session Two - Dungeon World Part 1Crazy cows, omens, and magical trails. Ananda, Charlie, and Trevor attempt a side quest.
2025-08-0356 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast91. Dungeons & DragonsHow often should players level up? Should you split the party? Trevor, Ananda, and Charlie roll for initiative in Dungeons and Dragons
2025-07-3027 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast91c. RPG Session One - D&D Part 2Berries of straw, free wine, and priceless vases. Trevor, Charlie, and Ananda meet the villain.
2025-07-281h 12The Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast91b. RPG Session One - D&D Part 1New adventures, squishy rocks, and magical flowers. Trevor, Charlie, and Ananda start a new game.
2025-07-271h 10The Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast91a. RPG Session Zero - In This World Story CreationA world, a villain, and three heroes. In this (true) bonus episode, Ananda, Charlie, and Trevor create an RPG setting from scratch using In This World.
2025-07-261h 31The Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast90. Drafting GamesWhat are the advantages of dwindling options? What information should players have? Charlie, Trevor, and Ananda discuss drafting games.
2025-07-2334 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast89. The BanishingDo drafts always need to be competitive? What should and shouldn't have a name in your game? Ananda, Charlie, and Trevor banish the undead in The Banishing.
2025-07-1618 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast88. BibliosHow do you give players an outlet for resources they don't want? How much hidden information is too much? Charlie, Trevor, and Ananda hoard books in Biblios.
2025-07-0919 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast87. Drafting GamesHow do you scale gameplay across very different player counts? What is the purpose of the wonders? Trevor, Ananda, and Charlie build pyramids out of science cards in 7 Wonders.
2025-07-0217 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast86. Memory GamesWhich mechanics work well with memory? What is the difference between memory and learning? Ananda, Charlie, and Trevor discuss memory games.
2025-06-2530 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast85. Dream On!How much should you trust your players' abilities? What does creativity look like in memory games? Trevor, Ananda, and Charlie string scenes together in Dream On!
2025-06-1818 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast84. Mamma Mia!What makes the failure of plans fun? How can you let players compensate for their own forgetfulness? Ananda, Charlie, and Trevor bake pizzas in Mamma Mia!
2025-06-1116 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast83. TrioHow can players ask questions without revealing too much information about their motivations? What happens when players forget? Charlie, Trevor, and Ananda fish for sets in Trio.
2025-06-0420 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast82. Listener Q&ATrevor, Ananda, and Charlie answer questions from the listeners.
2025-05-2853 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast81. Meet Ananda GuneratneTrevor and Charlie join forces to interview Ananda in this third special episode about your co-hosts.
2025-05-2134 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast80. Meet Charlie McCarronTrevor interviews Charlie in this second special episode introducing your co-hosts.
2025-05-1428 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast79. Meet Trevor Muller-HegelCharlie interviews Trevor in this special episode, the first of three introducing your co-hosts.
2025-05-0732 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast78. Programming GamesWhat influence do default options have on player choices? How can you provide quick feedback on actions that are delayed? Ananda, Charlie, and Trevor talk about programming games.
2025-04-3032 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast77. Mechs vs. MinionsHow much do players need to be able to change their programs? What are the benefits of sharing experience? Charlie, Trevor, and Ananda smash, burn, and trample their way through Mechs vs Minions.
2025-04-2322 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast76. Roll for the GalaxyWhat is player interaction, really? Do players need the option to reroll their dice? Trevor, Ananda, and Charlie roll for the Galaxy.
2025-04-1614 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast75. Food Chain MagnateHow do you make the beginning of a game as interesting as the end? Do games always need catch-up mechanics? Ananda, Charlie, and Trevor sell $20 lemonades in Food Chain Magnate.
2025-04-0927 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast74. CandylandWhat advantages do colors have over rolling dice for randomization? How is randomness a catch-up mechanic? Ananda, Charlie, and Trevor rescue the kingdom from the wicked Lord Licorice in Candy Land.
2025-04-0121 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast73. Numerical Coordination GamesHow far can players stretch communication limitations? What sort of an arc does strict numerical progression create? Ananda, Charlie, and Trevor talk about numerical coordination games.
2025-03-2625 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast72. HanabiCan you infer anything from other players not communicating with you? What is the difference between knowledge and common knowledge? Charlie, Trevor, and Ananda play with fireworks in Hanabi.
2025-03-1921 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast71. The GameCan you create memorable moments at random? What do shared actions add to coop real-time games? Ananda, Charlie, and Trevor sync brainwaves in The Mind.
2025-03-1218 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast70. The GameWhat information should you hide? How do you make things go better than right? Trevor, Ananda, and Charlie count to and from one hundred in The Game.
2025-03-0524 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast69. Real-Time GamesWhat determines how complex a real-time game can be? How long should a real-time game take? Ananda, Charlie, and Trevor discuss real-time games.
2025-02-2627 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast68. SkyrocketsAre turns compatible with real-time mechanics? What encourages players to flip timers early? Charlie, Trevor, and Ananda juggle live fireworks in Skyrockets.
2025-02-1924 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast67. Magic MazeHow can you make a player necessary to the team's success? Are players willing to spend valuable resources to talk to each other? Trevor, Ananda, and Charlie rob a mall in Magic Maze.
2025-02-1220 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast66. Dutch BlitzIs it better to compete in one race or many? How do you verify that players are not accidentally cheating? Ananda, Charlie, and Trevor blitz their opponents in Dutch Blitz.
2025-02-0525 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast65. Word Association GamesTrevor, Ananda, and Charlie talk about Word Association games.
2025-01-2926 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast64. So CloverWhat encourages people to share their thought processes? How do you prevent players from getting stuck? Charlie, Trevor, and Ananda link words in So Clover.
2025-01-2219 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast63. Just OneShould you penalize players for guessing wrong? How can you force players to rely on each other? Ananda, Charlie, and Trevor think of unique clues in Just One.
2025-01-1521 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast62. CodenamesHow do you choose a good word list? Why should games have multiple end conditions? Trevor, Ananda, and Charlie avoid the assassin in Codenames.
2025-01-0825 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast61. Racing GamesWhat mechanics go well with racing games? How can roll-and-move be made strategic? Trevor, Ananda, and Charlie discuss racing games.
2025-01-0127 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast60. Thunder Road: VendettaWhy must Bumpo always bump? How can instant death mechanics mitigate feel-bad moments? Charlie, Trevor, and Ananda jockey for position in Thunder Road: Vendetta.
2024-12-2526 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast59. Robo Rally TransformersHow do you make losing fun? What makes a satisfying arc in a racing game? Ananda, Charlie, and Trevor visit Velocitron in Robo Rally Transformers.
2024-12-1819 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast58. Heat: Pedal to the MetalWhy should you pay off player debts automatically? What is the benefit of running two laps versus one? Trevor, Ananda, and Charlie put the pedal to the metal in Heat.
2024-12-1124 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast57. Asymmetric GamesWhy are two-player asymmetric games easier to design? How do you come up with variants on a core ruleset? Trevor, Ananda, and Charlie discuss asymmetric games.
2024-12-0434 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast56. The Great ZimbabweHow do you make turn order feel important? Why should you limit your players' ability to adjust their own prices? Ananda, Charlie, and Trevor honor the gods in The Great Zimbabwe.
2024-11-2724 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast55. Android: NetrunnerWhat makes creating a server so satisfying? Should you include both passive and active playstyles? Charlie, Trevor, and Ananda fight the system in Android: Netrunner.
2024-11-2024 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast54. RootHow can you get players to understand what other players are doing when their factions are different? How can common resources be made to feel different to different factions? Trevor, Ananda, and Charlie liberate the woodland in Root.
2024-11-1331 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast53. Semi-Cooperative GamesAnanda, Charlie, and Trevor talk about Semi-Cooperative games.
2024-11-0632 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast52. NemesisDo enemies need a clearly defined health stat? What should happen to a player who is eliminated early? Charlie, Trevor, and Ananda chart a course for Earth in Nemesis.
2024-10-3032 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast51. HellapagosWhat sorts of resources encourage players to betray their allies? When should you use spherical components? Trevor, Ananda, and Charlie build a raft in Hellapagos.
2024-10-2316 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast50. Cosmic EncounterHow can you make attacking other players feel less hostile? What advantage do board games have over digital games? Ananda, Charlie, and Trever encounter the cosmos in Cosmic Encounter.
2024-10-1638 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast49. Live at 2D ConCharlie, Trevor, and Ananda hold a live episode at 2DCon, the same convention where the podcast originated! They discuss lessons board game and video game designers can learn from each other.
2024-10-0951 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast48. PlateUp!How can you frame new challenges to make players excited about them? Why do people enjoy performing mundane tasks in video games? Trevor, Ananda, and Charlie run a restaurant in Plate Up.
2024-10-0221 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast47. Unrailed!Why are breaks important in a real-time game? Do players need an inventory? Ananda, Charlie, and Trevor go off the rails in Unrailed!
2024-09-2523 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast46. Ultimate Chicken HorseCan players distinguish themselves when all are adding to the same challenge? How do you incentivize players to make a challenge the right difficulty? Charlie, Trevor, and Ananda build an obstacle course in Ultimate Chicken Horse.
2024-09-1820 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast45. Roll and Write GamesWhat are the strengths and weaknesses of roll-and-writes for designers and publishers? How do you ensure dice rolls are exciting? Ananda, Charlie, and Trevor discuss Roll-and-Write games.
2024-09-1131 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast44. Cartographers HeroesWhat are the advantages of scoring an objective twice over the course of a game? How can you represent combat in a roll and write? Charlie, Trevor, and Ananda map the territories of Cartographers Heroes.
2024-09-0421 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast43. Three SistersHow can you create tension between waiting for bonuses and actively pursuing them? What are the benefits and drawbacks of action bonuses? Trevor, Ananda, and Charlie reap their rewards in Three Sisters.
2024-08-2822 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast42. That's Pretty CleverCan you incorporate player interaction into a roll-and-write? How do you encourage players to engage with all scoring categories? Ananda, Charlie, and Trevor serve up some insights in That's Pretty Clever.
2024-08-2126 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast41. Probability Farming GamesWhy should the active player gain a special bonus? What sorts of choices can you give players after rolling dice? Ananda, Charlie, and Trevor talk about Probability Farming games.
2024-08-1424 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast40. Space BaseWhat are some ways to manipulate probability space? How can players benefit from complicated triggered effects during other players' turns? Trevor, Ananda, and Charlie deploy their thoughts about Space Base.
2024-08-0717 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast39. Machi KoroHow can take-that mechanics benefit from randomness? What other dimensions can you add to a simple number line? Charlie, Trevor, and Ananda roll dice and take coins in Machi Koro.
2024-07-3119 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast38. CATAN: Cities and KnightsWhat makes progress cards feel better than development cards? How do you get opponents to work together for the good of all? Ananda, Charlie, and Trevor settle the score in Catan: Cities and Knights.
2024-07-2426 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast37. Captain SonarWhat should happen when a hider is found? Should hiders have a goal besides avoiding capture? Trevor, Ananda, and Charlie talk about Hidden Movement.
2024-07-1723 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast36. Captain SonarHow can you use attacks to reveal information? Do players need complex roles on a team? Charlie, Trevor, and Ananda listen for the enemy in Captain Sonar.
2024-07-1027 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast35. The Stifling DarkWhat does hidden movement look like when the hider is also the seeker? How can light be used as terrain? Trevor, Ananda, and Charlie shine a light on The Stifling Dark.
2024-07-0320 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast34. Scotland YardHow much information do players need to find a player that is hiding? What should you reveal? Ananda, Charlie, and Trevor search for Mister X in Scotland Yard.
2024-06-2621 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast33. Live at Protospiel Twin CitiesAnanda, Charlie, and Trevor hold their first-ever live episode as a panel at Protospiel Twin Cities, discussing three prototypes.
2024-06-1954 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast32. StorytellingWhat makes storytelling games different from role-playing games? Why are stories so memorable? Charlie, Trevor, and Ananda talk about Storytelling games.
2024-06-1222 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast31. In This WorldCan games be creative tools? Do games always need a winner? Trevor, Ananda, and Charlie craft realities that never were in "In This World".
2024-06-0521 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast30. Wing ItDo goals need to be unambiguous? How do card combinations encourage creativity? Ananda, Charlie, and Trevor ad-lib silly solutions to ridiculous problems in Wing It.
2024-05-2913 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast29. Once Upon a TimeHow do interrupts keep players engaged? What do goals look like in a game about telling a story? Charlie, Trevor, and Ananda struggle to control the narrative in Once Upon a Time.
2024-05-2220 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast28. Pattern RecognitionWhat skills are transferable across pattern recognition games? What makes a competitive puzzle different than a solo puzzle? Ananda, Charlie, and Trevor review pattern recognition games in this bonus episode.
2024-05-1519 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast27. Factory FunnerDo hex-based tile placement games actually need hexagonal tiles? Should players be penalized for recognizing patterns the fastest? How do you make players care about other players' boards? Ananda, Charlie, and Trevor talk about Factory Funner.
2024-05-0816 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast26. Ricochet RobotsHow much room is there for special rules cases in real-time games? How do you create complex interactions from simple rules? Join Charlie, Trevor, and Ananda for Ricochet Robots.
2024-05-0113 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast25. SetWhat sorts of puzzles work well for pattern recognition games? How do you introduce perception-based catchup mechanics? Do skill-based games need progression? Trevor, Ananda, and Charlie draw lessons from Set.
2024-04-2419 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast24. Deckbuilding GamesDo deckbuilders need any choices besides which cards to add? What are the differences between drawing from a deck and drawing from a bag? In this bonus episode, Trevor, Ananda, and Charlie talk about deckbuilding games.
2024-04-1725 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast23. PaperbackDo victory point cards need to be useless? How can you reward players for helping each other to spell words? Ananda, Charlie, and Trevor take a look at Paperback.
2024-04-1021 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast22. Clank!What are the benefits of having a card market? How does forcing players to play all their cards change the dynamics of a deckbuilding game? Trevor, Ananda, and Charlie discuss Clank!
2024-04-0321 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast21. DominionWhat are the advantages and disadvantages of untargeted attacks? How do you teach new players lessons that might be counterintuitive? Is it more fun to gain something good or eliminate something bad? Charlie, Trevor, and Ananda talk about Dominion.
2024-03-2724 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast20. Social DeductionWhat can you do to make games less stressful for the evil team? How do you structure interesting puzzles when information is not trustworthy? Learn about social deduction with Ananda, Charlie, and Trevor on this bonus episode!
2024-03-2030 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast19. A Fake Artist Goes to New YorkWhat happens when the traitor is left in the dark? Can you have a social deduction game without conversation? Charlie, Trevor, and Ananda discuss A Fake Artist Goes to New York.
2024-03-1317 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast18. Blood on the ClocktowerWhy should you balance information and doubt in social deduction games? How do you encourage people to talk to each other? Is dying actually good for the good team? Join Ananda, Charlie, and Trevor for Blood on the Clocktower.
2024-03-0623 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast17. One Night Ultimate WerewolfDo players need to know what team they are on? What is the purpose of minion roles? What are the benefits of super-short games? Trevor, Ananda, and Charlie talk about One Night Ultimate Werewolf.
2024-02-2818 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast16. Cooperative GamesHow do you encourage interactions when it is the players versus the game? What makes an AI opponent compelling? Charlie, Trevor, and Ananda wrap up the cooperative game genre.
2024-02-2115 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast15. Marvel ChampionsHow do you represent the duality between a superhero and their alter ego? Can you have different types of resources that can still be used interchangeably? What should you do when a player is eliminated? Trevor, Ananda, and Charlie give their thoughts on Marvel Champions.
2024-02-1420 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast14. Spirit IslandWhy should you foreshadow random events? How do you encourage players to stay on-theme for their characters? Do games need strict turns and timing? Join Ananda, Charlie, and Trevor as they talk about Spirit Island.
2024-02-0728 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast13. The Crew: Mission Deep SeaHow much communication do players need in a coop game? What happens when somebody loses the game for everybody? What makes for a good twist on a familiar mechanic? Charlie, Trevor, and Ananda discuss The Crew: Mission Deep Sea.
2024-01-3116 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast12. Tactical CombatIn this special episode, Ananda, Charlie, and Trevor discuss the tactical combat genre.
2024-01-2427 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast11. Gloomhaven: Jaws of the LionHow do you make progression fun when players are getting weaker over time? Does AI for tactical combat need to be complicated? Can you have too much content? Trevor, Ananda, and Charlie analyze Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion.
2024-01-1727 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast10. Mage WarsHow granular does a representation of space actually need to be? Can you really give players access to their entire deck without overwhelming them? Where does simultaneous gameplay best fit into a game? Ananda, Charlie, Trevor talk Mage Wars.
2024-01-1024 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast9. ChessWhat are the advantages of only allowing players to move one piece per turn? Are one-hit kills broken? Should you design a variant? Charlie, Trevor, and Ananda discuss the classic game of strategy: Chess.
2024-01-0321 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast8. Logical InductionIn this extra-fun episode, Trevor, Ananda, and Charlie discuss logical induction games and their design.
2023-12-2721 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast7. Turing MachineHow do you avoid unintentional information leaks due to player choices? How can you avoid making people feel dumb in games about being clever? What should happen when a player makes the wrong guess? Charlie, Trevor, and Ananda discuss Turing Machine, the Punch-Card Computer.
2023-12-2019 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast6. Visitor in Blackwood GroveDo induction games always need unambiguous secret rules, or can fuzzy rules work? Can asymmetric roles work with induction? Check out the Visitor in Blackwood Grove with Trevor, Ananda, and Charlie.
2023-12-1318 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast5. ZendoWhat is the difference between induction and deduction? How do you make logic-heavy games friendly and approachable? Ananda, Charlie, and Trevor get started on the logical induction genre with Zendo, the classic game of scientific inquiry.
2023-12-0612 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast4. Tile PlacementBonus Episode! Trevor, Ananda, and Charlie talk about tile placement games in general. How will they use this mechanic in future games they're designing?
2023-11-2914 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast3. Galaxy TruckerCan a game be more fun to lose than to win? How do you make a game accessible to new players when there are so many different tiles to remember? Is real-time play compatible with turn-based mechanics? Charlie, Trevor, and Ananda talk about Galaxy Trucker, where you build a spaceship out of sewer pipes and see how far you can fly before it explodes.
2023-11-2920 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast2. CarcassonneWhen are rivals willing to cooperate? Should players draw their next tile at the start or end of their turn? What is the purpose of the abbot? Ananda, Charlie, and Trevor discuss the classic tile placement game, Carcassonne.
2023-11-2918 minThe Tabletop Takeaway: A Board Game Design Podcast1. KingdominoHow do you make terrain types feel different from each other? Why do players need to know the distribution of tiles? Should you use multiplication for scoring? Join Trevor, Ananda, and Charlie for the pilot episode in which they talk about Kingdomino, a light tile drafting game.
2023-11-2919 min
Composer Quest: A Songwriting and Music Composition PodcastQuest 19: MIDI RemixSince the recent episodes of Composer Quest have been about electronic and video game music, I thought we could do a composing quest related to it. So here's your challenge, should you choose to accept it: create a loop-able piece of music that's under 2 minutes, using MIDI. Send me your audio file and MIDI layers (charlie@composerquest.com) by May 25th.
Next, I'll send your MIDI layers to another random participant in this quest, and they will add their own sounds to your MIDI data, with no knowledge of the sounds you used. You will also receive someone else's MIDI...
2016-05-1800 minComposer Quest: A Songwriting and Music Composition PodcastQuest 13: Arias on Tap, the SequelFor the next Composer Quest quest, we’re partnering up with Opera on Tap Twin Cities again to premiere new arias and art songs. You can write for up to 4 voices accompanied by electronic piano. Optional additional instruments are Bb clarinet, bassoon, and euphonium. Send your new composition to charlie@composerquest.com and twincities@operaontap.com on or before December 28 at 11:59pm central time.
2014-11-2500 minComposer Quest: A Songwriting and Music Composition PodcastQuest 10: Autumn StringsFor the 10th Composer Quest quest, I challenge you to write a string quartet inspired by autumn. You have until September 1st to send me your composition (charlie@composerquest.com), and the best string quartets will be performed at the Underground Music Cafe on September 21st at 6pm. In this quest announcement episode, I pull out my dusty violin and give a few tips on writing for strings.
2014-08-1700 minComposer Quest: A Songwriting and Music Composition PodcastHow to Compose Earworms and Fetal Music with Dr. Vicky WilliamsonMusic Psychologist Victoria Williamson is an expert on earworms – songs that stick in our heads. In this episode of Composer Quest, she reveals her findings on what makes a melody sticky. Vicky also answers my other pressing music psychology questions:
Why do babies have an innate sense of rhythm?
Why did Clive Wearing, a severe amnesiac, retain his ability to perform music?
When did humans start playing instruments?
Also in this episode, you’ll get to hear the sound of the world’s oldest instrument, and a never-before-released Charlie song. Enjoy!
2013-12-0400 minComposer Quest: A Songwriting and Music Composition PodcastCharlie’s Musical ObituaryI set out to create the first episode of Composer Quest Season Two, and ended up with this heavenly look back at my musical history, embarrassing demos and all. So now, for something completely different…
2013-08-2800 min