Getting a head start.

My general advice for those who want to learn the craft--and this will sound cliche--is to start at the beginning.  This is known as theory.  Most harmony books cover basics first(meter, intervals, etc). But I think, it is best to jump start on those topics by either learning an instrument or self-study.  Each of their benefits.  When I learned theory, it was through my piano lessons.  Teachers either use Alfred or Faber or Faber. Both have theory work book.  The theory workbook expands on lessons and provides exercise to train you.  So let us say you were learning about 3/4 in a lesson.  The theory book would go more in depth and other books that cover aspect of the lesson. 

The second option is self taught. Alfred has music theory book: Alfred's Essentials of Music Theory: A Complete Self-Study Course for All Musicians (Book & 2 CDs): Surmani, Andrew, Surmani, Karen Farnum, Manus, Morton: 0038081232973: Amazon.com: Books

Getting ahead of start on this place you ahead of the class. You can probably skip the chapters on theory and go to next part...counterpoint. 

For me, Theory workbook only works after you have some of the Masterpieces in your mind already. I have to know the soul of the works first before trying to learn their craft. Otherwise it's just meaningless to learn the craft and it's better to not compose anything at all.

On 12/14/2025 at 8:51 PM, Henry Ng Tsz Kiu said:

For me, Theory workbook only works after you have some of the Masterpieces in your mind already. I have to know the soul of the works first before trying to learn their craft. Otherwise it's just meaningless to learn the craft and it's better to not compose anything at all.

 

That's a valid view.  It's annoying that harmony text cover basics. I think there should be re-working on how harmony, counterpoint, and form should be taught. 

4 hours ago, Kvothe said:

That's a valid view.  It's annoying that harmony text cover basics. I think there should be re-working on how harmony, counterpoint, and form should be taught. 

But why covering basics would be annoying? 🤪

I myself, weirdly take form as my first approach to composing, but not harmony and counterpoint. Maybe that's why I have to write longer pieces instead of shorter ones now.

48 minutes ago, Henry Ng Tsz Kiu said:

I myself, weirdly take form as my first approach to composing, but not harmony and counterpoint. Maybe that's why I have to write longer pieces instead of shorter ones now.

This is really smart. I instinctively am harmony first, but thats why its good practice to start with other facets of music for different pieces. Form first is great because most neglect it at first and it's the best cure for "gee what comes next"

5 hours ago, Kvothe said:

I think there should be re-working on how harmony, counterpoint, and form should be taught. 

 

Write the 2026 Mikrokosmos update we need :D

20 minutes ago, Thatguy v2.0 said:

This is really smart. I instinctively am harmony first, but thats why its good practice to start with other facets of music for different pieces. Form first is great because most neglect it at first and it's the best cure for "gee what comes next

Haha it's also just an instinct to start on form first, nothing smart in it. I just really love forms in the 1st place and luckily have some really good books on it in my school library so I can study on my own as early as possible.

Maybe becoz of that, I suffer from "gee what comes next" syndrome more! I cannot just care whether the harmonic progressions work, but also how to make sense of each passages and their transitions!

Henry