Hayden Holcomb describes the process of composing the piano composition "Trust and Believe" over several steps. This included writing lyrics, determining the song structure and timing, working with a facilitator to add melody and harmony, transcribing the song to sheet music, adding improvisation, and practicing and refining the piece. The composition was completed in one sitting as the lyrics came easily, but adding the various musical elements like harmony and improvisation took additional time and guidance.

1. Hayden Holcomb
“Trust and Believe” Piano Composition

2. In this image I am writing the lyrics, this took a long time but I
was able to complete it in one sitting, as the words just kind of
poured out of me.

3. In this image I am determining what kind of timing I want my
song to be, along with other technical decisions for the song.

4. In this image I am working with my facilitator to write melody
notes to match my lyrics, down to the individual syllables.

5. In this image I am continuing to add the four part harmony,
this step took a long time to complete and I required extra
guidance from my facilitator.

6. In this image I am attempting to figure out what the octaves are
so I can write down the symbols for each.

7. In this image I am working with my facilitator to finish out the
four part harmony that fills the song with more than the one
melody note.

8. In this image I am transcribing my song to the computer, part
of this was done through playing it on the keyboard, but
manual editing was inevitable.

9. In this image I am working with my facilitator to add a variety
of improvising to my piece to make it sound much fuller.

10. In this image I am putting my composition to send off to the
copy right office.

11. In this image I am trying to learn my piece so that I can play it
for my presentation.

12. In this image I am playing my song for my facilitator as she
counts the timing out loud to keep me from going too fast.

13. In this image I am making some marks on my song to help me
get through it easier in hopes I will master the song quickly.