Study Materials

Hi, I'm a beginner at composing and I'm really trying to teach myself the basics the best I can. I've got a copy of "The Structural Functions of Harmony" by Walter Piston Which has helped a lot and I've got a good foundation of music theory and ear training. Does anybody have any suggestions of books for further study (like books on counterpoint or orchestration)? Really any subject that would be accessible to a beginner like me would be great.

Thanks!

Listen to recordings while looking at scores.

Listen to recordings while looking at scores.

This ^ is the most important thing you can possibly do.

Get Fux's Gradus Ad Parnassum or "The Study of Counterpoint" translated by Alfred Mann.

Start writing simple 2 part minuets and inventions like Mozart and many others did when they began to get the feel for harmonic progression.

Learn what voice leading is and study 4 part harmony. Compose in as many keys as possible and learn how to modulate to every key.

User's Manual: Introduction

Another important thing is learning the different sounds that are possible and practical...

Thank, you this is very helpful!

I need to ask though, what exactly are 2 part minuets and inventions?

And if you, or anyone else could give me some direction and recommend some good scores to analyze that would be awesome.

Thank, you this is very helpful!

I need to ask though, what exactly are 2 part minuets and inventions?

And if you, or anyone else could give me some direction and recommend some good scores to analyze that would be awesome.

A good place to start with score analysis would probably be some 'simple' classical pieces. Things like string quartets by Haydn, or a piano piece by Mozart will use simple enough harmonic language and usually not be too texturally complex that you should be able to grasp the things that are going on. Of course, there are plenty of formal complexities in these types of things too that will keep you busy if you care.

Other than that, pick some music that you like and that you are somewhat familiar with and then go through the score and try to figure out what is going on.

Keep in mind, it is not always about the harmonies used when analyzing music. If you are looking at Bach's inventions (a GOOD thing to analyze by the way) the more important factor is probably the way he varies a motive to create interesting lines through the piece.

ALSO.. since you asked.. an invention is a 2-part (or 3-part, but these are not always called inventions, but Sinfonia) piece for piano that is contrapuntal, and (usually) relies heavily on motivic development. They were pretty much exclusive to Bach.

A minuet is a type of stylized dance in 3/4 time. I am not sure of the context in which this term (2-part minuet) was used for you, but it is also probably referring to a simple piano piece by Mr. Bach that only uses to voices.

Cody Loyd is right, a minuet is basically one of the simplest possible "pieces" one can write. The reason being is that a 2 part minuet is -just that- in two parts and in tertiary (ABA) or binary (AB) form and usually has very little counterpoint apart from a workable bass line to accompany the melody.

As you can see from the famous Bach minuet in G that Cody Loyd posted, it's in A B form and is very simple. There's not as much 'motivic development' nor counterpoint as would be in a 2 part invention, which similarly is in 2 parts but uses more contrapuntal devices such as stretto/canon of various types. If you're unfamiliar with many of these terms, look them up - get used to looking a lot of things up because not everything can be easily spoon fed to you. Learning music technique is a long and arduous journey that you can only undertake with great will power and fortitude.

Also, buy yourself a copy of the Harvard Dictionary of Music.. then read it.

:)

(I'm not really kidding)

Edit.. another resource for analysis: Bach's harmonized chorales. Get a copy of these and plunk through a couple of them on the piano everyday and analyze them.. you will gain much from this experience.

http://www.amazon.com/Harmonized-Chorales-Chorale-Melodies-Figured/dp/0793525748/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1241930970&sr=8-1

actually.. go here

JSBChorales.net: Bach Chorales

Yes Bach chorales are an invaluable resource into musical harmony and technique. They are considered the "Bible" of good voice leading, harmony, and counterpoint. Each chorale is relatively short and thus very convenient for working through a few of them every day and learning how Bach uses correct voice leading in his chords and proper counterpoint techniques.

This is making things a lot easier for me now, I don't feel so overwhelmed.

I've ordered the counterpoint book and the Bach chorals, and I've been working on some minuets. What I've been doing is just writing short two part pieces on the piano but i was wondering what ensembles would be easiest to work with at my stage?

Really appreciate the advice

Thanks

This is making things a lot easier for me now, I don't feel so overwhelmed.

I've ordered the counterpoint book and the Bach chorals, and I've been working on some minuets. What I've been doing is just writing short two part pieces on the piano but i was wondering what ensembles would be easiest to work with at my stage?

Really appreciate the advice

Thanks

If you want to write for an ensemble.. I've heard that its a good idea to write for an instrument that you know how to play when you are first starting out.. so if you play clarinet, try a clarinet trio, or maybe clarinet and piano together.

Other than that, a good place to start might be string instruments.