I don't play an Instrument!

All I have to work from is a self-taught knowledge of music theory. Which is pretty important but it always seems like I am missing something not being able to play anything.

I dink around with some instruments, trying to get a sense of how they are played so when I use the instruments in the midi sequencer I can make it more realistic. But that doesn't seem to be enough.

When I try using say a Piano to make a song, it always seems like I am limited by what is easy to play. I don't have enough of a sense of the instrument to make it play sounds that I want out of my head. But when I use the computer I know what intervals to use for the melody in my head. I know if I make a chord out of certain notes it is going to sound a certain way.

Is there any point to learning an instrument any more? Am I limiting myself in any music I make by not being able to play an instrument? To an extent, computer software and the Piano Roll Notation is my instrument.

Anyone else here not play an instrument? Or don't play one well?

i dont play an instrument either! :happy:

though for composing it sure does help....

All I have to work from is a self-taught knowledge of music theory. Which is pretty important but it always seems like I am missing something not being able to play anything.

I dink around with some instruments, trying to get a sense of how they are played so when I use the instruments in the midi sequencer I can make it more realistic. But that doesn't seem to be enough.

When I try using say a Piano to make a song, it always seems like I am limited by what is easy to play. I don't have enough of a sense of the instrument to make it play sounds that I want out of my head. But when I use the computer I know what intervals to use for the melody in my head. I know if I make a chord out of certain notes it is going to sound a certain way.

Is there any point to learning an instrument any more? Am I limiting myself in any music I make by not being able to play an instrument? To an extent, computer software and the Piano Roll Notation is my instrument.

Anyone else here not play an instrument? Or don't play one well?

Well it is always good to know how to play an instrument, you can always "refer" to it.

There is nothing wrong with not knowing how to play an inst and know how to compose.

You will miss a few things such as improv.

Anyone else here not play an instrument? Or don't play one well?

Me. I play the violin, but I'm hopelessly horrible at it. I can't even play what I write.

For some reason, my improvisations sound far better than my reading attempts.

i dont play any thing and it hasent really hindered me in any way..

althouh it would be nice if i could play my midi keyboard a bit better so i dont have to go back into the piano roll to correct stuff

I play piano but I'm really horrible at it, but it's good to know.

I'm a percussionist, and I'm really good on mallets, and since mallets are kinda like piano, i kinda know both.

When I write, I usually can do a lot of stuff for percussion, 'cuz i play it, and a lot of stuff for woodwinds (my brother plays alto). but when it comes to brass, I'm totally at a loss.

So yeah, being able to play an instrument helps. A lot. And knowing people who play an instrument also helps. I often go to my bro and ask him if a tenor sax can play this or a clarinet do this etc...

~Kal

But Indian food smells good, to me anyway.

Anyway, I'm in the same boat. I can only play very, very, very basic piano self-taught, and I do feel it hurts my composing. I can't write the way that others in my field (musical theater!) write, because most theater composers compose at the piano. I can't do that, because I'm not experienced enough. So I don't feel comfortable writing complex parts, with denser (is that an acceptable adjective?) interplay between left and right hands. However, I think I might be able to rectify that somewhat by studying more scores, so you might explore that as an option.

On the other hand, I'd suggest gaining a little rudimentary knowledge of piano playing. Honestly, I rely on theory way more than my limited piano playing, but sometimes I use the piano to figure out a melody I'm just not getting onto the computer, or to find the "right" chord.

But, that might not be as useful if you're writing orchestral or chamber work, so... *shrug* :angry:

I've been working really hard in upping my piano playing skills. Don't take this the wrong way ok, but I just feel that other composers usually look down at those who just click notes on a computer, as opposed to somebody who writes by hand with a piano.

I've had a lot of snide looks, therefore, I can now play piano very well. I don't know, but when it comes to writing chorale music, the piano is always the best.

But if you want to be a professional composer, you should know how to play the piano if you want people to take you seriously. Don't worry, though. You can always learn.

well apparently it's hindered your spelling! Sheesh, if your spelling was a smell, it'd be like dead carcus + indian food. Scheisse dude. Hasent?? WHOA. Try hasn't.

Carcass.

I think it's worth composers learning the keyboard a little if only to check what they've done or to try out melody/harmony which you can change on the instant rather than frig about with a sequencer. It has a visual immediacy for harmony as well.

You don't have to be fantastic, just enough to know what's what. Trouble is...practice. But it'll save a lot of time in the longer term.

Of course, if you intend only to compose for a particular non-keyboard instrument then forget it.

Ha, It's ueful being able to play flute, clarinet, Saxophone trombone and Piano.

I could bprobably learn something else too, but I hate playing brass. I want a bassoonn!!!

I thought Wagner played violin?

Piano is a big help especially with testing chords and stuff. And if it's a MIDI electric piano, some composition software can record your playing and transcribe it for you.

I've made it an effort to learn how to play all the conventional instruments. I've found that it greatly helps my writing, as it is much easier how to feel what works, what doesn't, what's comfortable, etc. Also, intimate knowledge of instruments help me with voice leading and blend issues.

The simplest answer is: it depends. I've heard that there are many modern electronica artists who cannot play an instrument, yet who are adept with the piano roll in FL Studio. I've also seen a DJ whose instrument is the flute. It's so far removed from his field, yet he continues to produce completely unrelated music. Thus, depending on your circumstances, you may proceed without fear without the need for an instrument.

On the other hand, I don't see it being possible to compose a symphony, fugue or even a complete rock song or non-vocal canon without playing an instrument. Singers can perhaps create melody lines, but not entire songs, including bass, drum and guitar parts, on their own. In this respect, you are stuffed. However, I suppose anything really is possible if you have a program that sounds out notes as you input them.

What I've also found is that almost all high-level performers are capable of composing at least moderately well. It may be from their virtuouso status, which allows them to create fast runs that are not necessarily melodic, but simply impressive (e.g., Steve Vai and Joe Satriani in some cases), or due to a high level of musicality.

Certainly, playing an instrument cannot hurt, whether it's being able to hit notes on a two-octave MIDI keyboard or playing virtuosic works on an organ. It's never too late to learn, and learning does not hinder your composing in any way. However, it is possible to scrape by without playing an instrument, although I wouldn't recommend it.

I don't necessarily think you have to play an instrument well, but I do believe it's necessary to experience performance at least minimally to compose. That includes, by the way, the voice. But if one is a singer/composer, they should actually study the voice. And things like reading. Instead of all those "singers" that learn music from tapes and don't know how to count. And there's a good point. How can you write music, especially in terms of rhythm, if you haven't tried to interpret music, especially rhythm, on your own instrument? Or if you haven't tried to perform for someone?

Just my two cents. I play many instruments and I find that each helps my composing, especially knowing how to play wind instruments. Conversely, I think that my composition attempts make me a better performer, a better interpreter.