Need some guidance

Hello everyone, my name is Erik

There's many different ways to compose, and it really depends on the composer on what they choose.

But one thing that I think is highly important is to have a plan. Know what you want to accomplish with your composition and everything will become clear. Of course, that's more varied than it sounds. Some people make a formal plan of their composition from the start, others collect material and then plan their composition, and even in these categories there are subcategories.

Then there are some that just start writing bar to bar. While it's not wrong, especially if the output is well done, you are more in control of your material if you plan from the beginning and then write it out.

So, I guess the best way that I would suggest writing music (of any genre really. Of course, if you're writing an AABA song, then you're plan will be much shorter than a 30 minute symphony.) is to collect material, and then decide how to put that material together.

Study scores ad nauseam, because it reflects upon you and can give you ideas about how to go about your own material. Also, having someone sit down with you and talk with you about your material is a good idea. It's foolish to go up to someone and ask if the piece is "good" or "bad," but really it's important if it works or not. I suggest looking up any composers in your area that may be taking up students if you can afford it. Also, don't just go with any old professor. Composition isn't like a lot of other subjects. There's no one right way to do things. It's important that you find a teacher that is open-minded and can apply their technique to any genre of music.

Of course, you'll get help from this forum, but when we want to start looking into the inner workings of a piece of music, then studying with someone in person is really the best way to go.

Studying music theory is very important. If you feel that you aren't getting a solid grounding in theory, ask around and see if there's any universities or other establishments offering theory classes. You can also learn a lot yourself, but like most self-studied things, it will usually take longer than learning it with a class.

This got a little long, but I hope that my response has helped you.

Well, I wouldn't really mind asking any composer living nearby to help me in my study, the thing is just that I'm not sure if I can find one. I live in a small town, there are no universities I can go to for theory classes and the music school that we have only teach instrumental lessons from what I know. I would love to have a real composer help me in my studies, the thing is just that I don't know of anyone living around here. But in a year and a half when I'm out of ordinary school, I'm gonna go study at a real music school, somewhere I don't know yet, but until then I just feel the need to sharpen up and get some knowledge. Sure, I have been composing for a while, 2 years at that, although that was when I was playing the electrical guitar, and it was mostly for and thought that was I was going to be. But one day when I was listening to some beautiful classical piece I got this huge emotional impact, I just felt that I someday want to create a piece of music like it, beautiful music that strikes your heart :musicwhistle: That's how it started out anyway with me becoming a composer. Now I've officially changed to playing piano, and I haven't really had that much time with it yet so my compositions are of small quantity and length.

Well well, as for now, I guess I should be looking up on some instrumentation and orchestration, I think that is my biggest problem at the moment (I have no idea what kind of parts I should be assigning to the different instruments and how I can use them together). I'll try to write something and see how it works out with my newly acquired knowledge. And in the meanwhile I'll also try to finish at least one of the two small piano pieces I've started to write, while taking some of the knowledge from the harmony book. And I'm gonna try analysing some piano pieces similiar to the ones I'm writing to get some ideas from them. I guess that'll be my plan for now. And I'll try asking my teachers when I get back to school next week.

Probably the most important is having something to express that suits music. I've been told a few times that it is possible to compose music mechanically but you get out what you put in as far as I can see. The creative side of composition can't easily be taught so don't expect to find many useful books on the subject. You can, however, learn the craft and basic tools that put you in a better position to translate what you have to say into music. Once you start gaining some experience you start reshaping the tools to your own needs. Books will help with these basics. The internet is useful for some things like the ranges/qualities of instruments. For orchestration you need to study scores starting with the genre you like. (Just following along with the music isn't enough - there's often too much happening to take it all in, but you should study a couple of pages while a performance is fresh in your mind and find out how it was done.) Finding a teacher with whom you have a rapport would help still more (by which I mean a teacher with the insight to sense what you're trying to do.)

But you have to start with that creative impetus, a will to express/communicate something of you; and determination. Same with any creative pursuit. Knowledge alone is worth almost nothing until you put it to use, then with experience you get understanding.

good luck,

M