Hi, I'm just wondering about the way that Sting composed his songs.

Some artists composed music or played music by ear - what did Sting do? Was he able to read music and write out his songs in the form of readable music? Did he compose songs by ear or by hand?

Yes Sting reads music quite well and does write from that stand point. But every musician/singer/songwirter first hears the music in his head plays it out on an instrument and then writes it down. Sting can play the piano quite well too but doesn't do it in public very often. He does come from a rather musical family. His mother played the piano and his father was a good singer. Of course he had to learn all of this over years of playing with different bands.

Sting plays Satie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brZ46s6ZtBc

Ah well I think I can understand him playing out his melodies before putting them to paper.

I like that he can read music; for me, I prefer that in a musician, at least in this day and age where people can acquire music teachers if they're that well known in the biz :D

Oops Franny my desktop isn't the best computer to view the youtube. I'll have to use another computer.

Great clip from Montserrat while making Ghost in the Machine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ci-yIVsDIdk

and this one from Bring on the Night showing Sting's synclavier.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRc3u0mzSOI

Sting Quote:

"I'm not one of these guys who waits around for inspiration. I don't sit in the lotus position and meditate and hopefully I'll channel some God-given message. What I actually do is I put the hours in. I work. I actually practice music."

Those were great Munch. I am trying to find the one where Sting is playing piano on an MTV program he did. I'll keep looking.

I LOVE the Montserrat documentary with Jools Holland - it is such a great insight into the work of all three Police members, but especially Sting, as he got so much time for talking about his songwriting.

"The music and the lyrics come from two different areas ... and sooner or later they meet." I think, this also explains the redundancy of the "big enough umbrella"-line: He just used it to whatever music it matched. *g*

However, I wonder if his way of songwriting has changed over the years? As far as we know, he doesn't spend too much time in the back of a bus anymore. Or do too much cocaine, for that matter. ; )