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Composing Music

A New Approach

A remarkably practical guide to composing for beginners that teaches you how to write music by diving in and doing it
 
Aimed at those who have some knowledge of music but not formal training in composition, this concise introduction to composing starts right in with a brief composition exercise, then proceeds step by step through a series of increasingly complex and challenging problems, gradually expanding the student’s musical grammar.
 
The book includes blank music score pages for you to use for exercises and experiments. In addition to covering various styles of contemporary music, including both pop and classical genres, Composing Music addresses the challenge of setting words to music, writing minimalist compositions, and more. 

Composing Music is the perfect introduction to writing music of all sorts for engaged beginners.

240 pages | music examples throughout | 8-1/2 x 11 | © 1988

Music: General Music

Reviews

“A basic philosophy behind this book is that the way to learn to compose is to compose. The book aims at practicality and at getting the aspiring composer to write down some music right away. The student is taken step by step through brief explanations and exercises that require him or her to follow composing’s basic tenets. The emphasis on practicality is demonstrated in the general rules students are given at the beginning of the book.”

Music Educators Journal

“The second half of the book deals with writing for instruments that are available to you with techniques in popular music, and with a look at a few concepts from modern ‘serious’ music. This is a wonderful book for anyone who is developing improvising skills or who would like a fun way to explore music.”

Jim Stockford | Co-Evolution Quarterly

Table of Contents

Preface
General Rules for the Exercises
1. The Cell, the Row, and Some Scales
2. Harmony
3. Transformation
4. The Small Theme and the Large Theme
5. More Scales and the 12-tone Row
6. Isomelody and Isorhythm, Combined
7. Ostinato
8. Accompaniment Procedures
9. Harmony (II)
10. Counterpoint
11. Organum
12. Imitation: a Useful Game
13. Words and Music
14. Picture Music
15. Popular Music as a Source
16. Minimalism
Appendix A: Instrument Ranges
Appendix B: Musical Symbols
Appendix C: Bibliography
Index

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