Learn the art of composing music in a fun, creative and engaging way. All levels are welcome!
Our composition course is focused on improving musical creativity, with providing and enhancing tools and techniques. Written assignments will develop musical ideas and notation methods. Several leading computer programs will be used as a tool to explore these and related topics.
Composers apply musical knowledge of rhythm, melody, tone and texture in a variety of ways. They have to be aware of the possibilities and limitations of each instrument, including the human voice.
First, let answer the following questions:
Do you want to compose music that clearly expresses yourself and your emotions in a way that others understand?
Do you want to create music mostly for yourself, but you’re interested in film, TV, and video games?
Do you want to write down what you hear inside your head, and from that create longer works, hit songs, or just a good piece of music?
Do you want to understand how music works?
Try to build this routine:
- Compose something every day.
- Listen to music every day.
- Imitate other composers by writing in their style.
- Try other styles and forms of composition .
- Play your pieces for friends.
- Composing Music can be an extremely rewarding endeavor. Whatever melodies, rhythms, and images a musician has in their head. The process of bringing it out encompasses many elements coming together, usually, in some kind of harmony.
- Composition can be a very creative, ‘in the moment’, type of art, sometimes starting with just a simple inspiration or idea. Through development and refinement, a piece of Music begins to emerge. Sometimes with planned results, other times, musical ideas can evolve into unexpected new directions, waiting to be heard.
- Although not always necessary, a basic knowledge of Music Theory fundamentals can be quite helpful when it comes to composing. Including, for example, recognizing scale patterns and key signatures, to understanding beats, rhythm, and tempo, and structure.
- Proficiency in the Instrument choice for Composing, can be another consideration. Increasing technique and other skills can be beneficial when working on and developing ideas in real time.
- The ability to Record during Composition can be immensely helpful. Whether by traditional transcription, tablature, or modern recording techniques. Any method will aid in the progress of music development, and offer an additional perspective.
- Remember, don’t feel like you need to ‘force’ the Music when creating. The music is already in us. As Composers, we just need to give it the right time and space, and allow it to flow.