Author Archives: Hank

About Hank

Welcome to the blog on the website of Hank Hehmsoth. Here you'll find many and varied writings of Hank Hehmsoth, from opinions, to articles and videos from related topics, and last but not least, his music. Hank frequently gives readings and talks in the Austin/San Marcos area as well as the rest of the country. If you are a creative composer or music professor and are interested in Hank teaching a master class on improvisation, composition, and related topics, such as jazz piano and harmony, at your college or university, contact him directly.

Getting things done

Posted on April 26, 2013 by Hank

Getting things done (GTD) is a productivity system that is been around for 10 years or so. It’s a book by David Allen, and it’s a time management methodology often referred to as GTD. I’ve had bad experiences reading self-help … Continue reading →

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Steve Wozniak quote on creativity

Posted on April 12, 2013 by Hank

  “Most inventors and engineers I’ve met are like me — they’re shy and they live in their heads. They’re almost like artists. In fact, the very best of them are artists. And artists work best alone — best outside … Continue reading →

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Hemingway Speech to accept the Nobel Prize in literature 1954

Posted on April 12, 2013 by Hank

He speaks about creativity, and loneliness. I’m not sure why, but I don’t suffer from loneliness. But maybe I don’t work as hard, either……. Having no facility for speech-making and no command of oratory nor any domination of rhetoric, I … Continue reading →

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04.16.13 Premiere Performance: Hehmsoth’s “Three Shades of Blue”

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Hank

04.16.13 Premiere Performance: Hehmsoth’s “Three Shades of Blue” composition was commissioned by the Kandinsky Trio and is written specifically for the Common Experience theme for 2012-2013: “A Global Odyssey: Exploring Our Connections to the Changing World.” The Kandinsky Trio is … Continue reading →

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Michael Brecker – Developing Your Own Sound

Posted on March 8, 2013 by Hank

Michael Brecker – Developing Your Own Sound (from an interview before his death) I’ve always said go back and listen to the amazing, listen to the great players. Go back and listen to the great masters. Again, Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, … Continue reading →

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A Composer is a Messenger of Vision

Posted on March 5, 2013 by Hank

These excerpts from Deepak Chopra, MD are as valuable to musicians and artists as they are to everyone. I think as a composer, and a performer, you are a “messenger of vision.” A leader must be action-oriented, turning his decisions into … Continue reading →

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Thomas Paine quote

Posted on February 9, 2013 by Hank

“The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value.” I just spent 3 months on a piece, “3 Shades of Blue”, with … Continue reading →

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Logic Constructs and the Matrix

Posted on January 30, 2013 by Hank

I am fond of discussing with my graduate composition students the topic of logic constructs. As long as it is systematically prepared, you can absorb a writer’s method and/or style (his way of thinking) enough to emulate and recreate under … Continue reading →

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Group Leaders and Followers

Posted on January 18, 2013 by Hank

Here are some pointers about looking and listening all the way up the ladder. 1. Keep your feedback loop large. Leaders and followers co-create each other. There is constant input and output. If you get input only from your closest … Continue reading →

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An Artist’s Job

Posted on January 18, 2013 by Hank

You may think that an artist’s job is to speak the truth. An artist’s job… is to captivate you for however long I’ve asked for your attention. If I stumble into truth, I got lucky, and I don’t get to … Continue reading →

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