**How to Compose**

Composing is an art that requires careful thought and planning.

First, you need to have a clear idea or topic in mind. This will serve as the foundation for your composition.

Next, it is important to gather relevant information and ideas. You can do this through research, personal experience, or by brainstorming with others.

Once you have your ideas, you can start organizing them in a logical manner. This may involve creating an outline or a structure for your composition.

When writing, it is important to use clear and concise language. Avoid using jargon or overly complicated words that may confuse your readers.

Finally, it is essential to proofread and edit your composition carefully. Check for spelling and grammar errors, as well as clarity and coherence.

By following these steps, you can improve your composition skills and create high-quality written works.

A good book is like a precious treasure that holds the power to transport us to different worlds, expand our knowledge, and touch our hearts.

It has the ability to engage our minds, making us think deeply about various ideas and concepts. Whether it's a thrilling adventure, a heartwarming romance, or a thought-provoking non-fiction piece, a good book has the potential to leave a lasting impact on us.

It can inspire us, motivate us, and even change our perspectives. When we open the pages of a good book, we embark on a journey of discovery and enlightenment.

We lose ourselves in the story, become emotionally invested in the characters, and learn valuable lessons along the way. A good book is not just a source of entertainment; it is a companion that can陪伴 us through different stages of our lives.

It enriches our vocabulary, improves our language skills, and broadens our horizons. So, the next time you pick up a book, make sure it's a good one that will take you on an unforgettable journey.

It’s a rather good compendium that encompasses compositional ideas, approaches, and tools.

I’ll likely keep it on the shelf as an idea book and a source from which to draw pedagogical approaches for my own students.

It definitely presupposes some skill in reading and writing music, though not much more than that.

I think the amount of theory absorbed in piano lessons or other musical studies is probably sufficient, and one could look up additional information as needed.

However, there was a significant mistake on page 151 where the wrong definition for retrograde inversion was given. So, be aware of that if you reach that point.

This was the only glaring error that I happened to notice, but there were several sections that I didn’t read in detail.

For example, I’m not going to improve my counterpoint with the presentation in this book, that’s for sure.

The section on orchestration is basically a cheat sheet on the orchestral instruments.

I’ll still refer to my copy of Adler when I need to look something up, but if this is the only resource you have, you could do worse.

The presentation of 20th-century trends outside of tonal music is very limited, and the same goes for songwriting if that’s your area of interest.

Every chapter has numerous assignments and examples.

On the whole, it seems like a fairly good book to begin with, but it doesn’t offer much that is especially useful for those who have been writing music for some time.

This was a truly great basic introduction to the techniques of music composition. It not only provided valuable insights into the various methods and approaches used in creating music but also served as a good review of some fundamental music theory that I had once known.

The explanations were clear and concise, making it easy for beginners to understand. However, I do wish there had been more in-depth coverage on how to develop a short melody into a full-length piece. This is a crucial aspect of music composition that requires a great deal of skill and creativity.

It would have been beneficial to have more examples and practical exercises to help readers master this important technique. Overall, though, this was a very useful and informative article that has inspired me to further explore the world of music composition.

This book is truly phenomenal for any hobbyist eager to embark on the journey of composing music.

It begins by covering the fundamental theory such as scales, tones, and chord progressions, but does so in a way that doesn't stray too far from the practical aspect of actually making music.

What makes it even more remarkable is when it delves deeper into the topics of melodic development and coordinating different voices.

It touches upon the grammar and logic of composition, gradually revealing the mysteries that lie behind one of the oldest art forms.

This is one of those rare books that has the power to draw an outsider into a world that initially appeared dense and esoteric.

It serves as a guiding light, leading hobbyists step by step towards a better understanding and appreciation of the art of music composition.

Whether you're a beginner with a passion for music or someone looking to expand their knowledge in this field, this book is an absolute must-read.

Even though I find the name off-putting (as I don't see that music theory has to be difficult to teach or understand),

I really liked the casual way of explaining all the relevant concepts in music composition.

He goes over all the fundamentals of the way music is put together. This includes aspects such as melody, rhythm, harmony, and more.

He also mentions all the possible rules you can use if you want to make it easier for yourself in the beginning.

For example, there are rules about chord progressions and note combinations that can help you create a more harmonious and pleasing sound.

Of course, he's careful to mention that once you know all the rules of harmony, you can discard them at your leisure.

This is because there is no right way to compose music.

Anything that sounds good to your ear is a worthy piece of music.

It's all about creativity and personal expression.

So, while it's important to learn the basics, don't be afraid to break the rules and explore new sounds and ideas.

An excellent tutorial/reference on composing melodies to fit chords is an essential resource for both composers and performers. It provides valuable insights into the art of creating harmonious combinations of notes and chords. By understanding how to add chords to melodies, one can enhance the musicality and depth of the composition. Moreover, this tutorial/reference also helps in understanding the different chords available, their characteristics, and how they can be used effectively in various musical contexts. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced musician, this tutorial/reference can serve as a valuable guide in your musical journey. It offers practical tips, examples, and exercises to help you master the skills of melody and chord composition. With its clear and concise explanations, you can easily learn and apply the concepts to your own musical creations.

Tools for music composition play a crucial role in the creative process.

They come in various forms, each with its own unique features and functions.

Some common tools include music notation software, which allows composers to write down their musical ideas in a standard notation.

This software often comes with a wide range of features such as the ability to add dynamics, articulations, and other musical markings.

Another important tool is a digital audio workstation (DAW), which is used for recording, editing, and mixing music.

DAWs offer a variety of features such as multiple tracks, effects processing, and automation.

For those who prefer to compose using traditional instruments, a MIDI keyboard or other MIDI-enabled device can be used to input musical notes into a computer.

MIDI keyboards allow composers to play their ideas in real-time and record them directly into a music composition software.

In conclusion, having the right tools for music composition can make the creative process更加流畅 and enjoyable.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced composer, it is important to choose the tools that best suit your needs and preferences.

This is a pretty good book that offers you an overview of the tools available for composing. It delves quite deeply into musical notation, although that's not something I'm currently interested in. However, I believe it would have been even better if it had included a more comprehensive analysis of song forms and sections. Despite this, it's still a quite good book for those who are just starting out in the world of composition. It provides a solid foundation and introduces many useful concepts and techniques. The author presents the information in a clear and accessible way, making it easy for beginners to understand. Overall, it's a worthwhile read for anyone looking to learn more about the art of composing.

The content of this book truly merits five stars.

However, I'm deducting one from the overall rating due to the unfortunate title.

Prior to commencing this book, a reader or musician should possess some fundamental knowledge of music theory, specifically at least scales and chords, and also have the ability to identify notes on a keyboard.

With this foundation in place, this book has the power to make the mysteries of music composition not only understandable but also highly intriguing.

Both the chord-first and melody-first approaches are presented.

Chord leading and chord progressions are lucidly explained, accompanied by common examples from diverse styles of music.

The author demonstrates how to organize motifs and phrases into complete and increasingly complex compositions.

The exercises at the end of each chapter are optional, and I chose to skip some advanced material that simply didn't pique my interest, such as atonal and experimental music.

Nonetheless, I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who desires to learn the basics of composing music.

This book is not truly intended for "complete idiots" as it demands that you possess at least basic music theory knowledge.

Nevertheless, overall, it appears to offer a good overview of techniques to be utilized. Recently, I enrolled in a composition class where the teacher simply instructed us to "create a melody, vary it, and stack the variations on top of each other." While this can result in interesting music, I have the impression that most music is not composed in such a straightforward manner.

I was grateful to encounter the fundamentals of working with harmony and melody. It was also beneficial that the book touched upon topics that I would never explore independently, such as serial music or microtonal music. Now, at least, I have an understanding of what they are.

One aspect that I found strange was the author's claim that everybody employs the natural minor. However, my theory teacher asserts that everybody uses the harmonic minor because everyone raises the leading tone, which seems more accurate to me. Additionally, the author singles out only the French horn as a difficult instrument to play.

In the orchestration chapter, I thought it would be more useful if the author listed the ranges that an amateur would be expected to play comfortably on the instrument. Evidently, anyone reading this book is not composing for professional musicians, and it is much easier to look up the absolute range of an instrument rather than the range of the average amateur.

Furthermore, this book suggests substituting chords by extending the chord or using one that is a third up or down (so that it shares two notes with the original). I suppose this is a good starting point if you lack theoretical knowledge, but in reality, it makes more sense to substitute chords that have the same function (such as tonic or predominant). However, then you have to delve into a significant amount of theory... so I guess it makes sense. Anyway, there is a wealth of helpful information, although it seems a bit inconsistent.