What is Music Composition?
Music composition is the art of combining sonic elements — often “notes” — into a cohesive “piece”. This can mean different things for different composers. For some, this means writing notes on a page or in a computer notation software, and then constantly editing it until they have reached their final product. On the other hand, some composers work primarily in Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs). For this guide on how to compose music, we will focus on composing a piece of music for an acoustic instrument, such as the piano.
How Long Does it Take to Compose Music?
In practice, composing music can be a lengthy process. Depending on the duration and style of the piece you want to write, it can take anywhere from a few hours to several months from start to finish. On average, you should be prepared to spend approximately 50-100 hours writing a five-minute original composition. That being said, don’t just sit at your desk if you are feeling uninspired or can’t seem to put anything into place. Take time to go for walks, exercise, read a book, and, most importantly, listen to other music. All of these activities can help get your creative juices flowing.
Who Can Compose Music?
Anyone can compose music. Even if you don’t know how to play an instrument or don’t know how to read music notes, an experienced teacher can help you to start composing right away. For example, if you don’t know how to read notes on a staff, you can begin by memorizing your composition (a recording device helps), finding your own pneumonic notation, or even composing music with a software that does not use notes on a staff, such as with a DAW.
How to Compose Music for Beginners
This guide is a step-by-step process for how to compose classical music. It is meant to be a true starting point for learning the very basics of how to write your first musical composition.
Tip: if you are serious about building your skills as a composer, you should meet with a dedicated music composition teacher.
Step 1: Decide which musical instrument(s) to compose for.
Every musical instrument, including the piano, has a unique sound (or “timbre”) and range of notes that it can play. Do you want to write music that is low and booming? Or maybe high and quiet? Will you use chords? For beginners to composing, it is best to start with just one instrument for your first piece. The piano is often a good choice because it has a wide range of notes and dynamics.
Step 2: Decide how long your piece will be.
Time management is one of the most important skills for composers because all music happens in time. A common mistake that beginners make is not setting lengths for their pieces, and instead just to compose until they run out of ideas. This is not recommended for a couple of reasons. First, it is deceptively easy to write music that goes on for too long past where it should have finished. The audience will lose interest in this kind of music. Second, you shouldn’t be composing until you run out of ideas because each piece should only have a few ideas that you are working with. Generally, the length of the piece comes from expanding on or combining a small number of musical ideas (another word for this is “development”, which we will come back to later). Start by setting a time window that you are aiming for. For example, 2-3 minutes.
Step 3: Listen to existing music that fits your desired instrumentation and length.
It may seem counterintuitive if you already have an idea for what to write, but it is highly recommended to listen to as much music as possible. This has two advantages:
- You might find that someone else has written something similar
- You might find a piece of music that inspires you to write something completely different from what you were originally intending.
A huge amount of music is available for listening on Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Music, and more. Take advantage of these resources. If you aren’t finding music that you like, then feel free to send me a message and I will surely have some recommendations. If you still don’t like what you’re hearing, then it’s up to you to compose what you want to hear!
Step 4: Think about the music that you would want to hear.
Although it can be a useful exercise to practice composing music in the style of someone else (such as a past composer) even if you don’t like it, when it’s time to actually compose your own music, you should always try to compose music that you would enjoy listening to. There are two reasons for this:
- You’re the one who has to listen to it over and over again, either in your head or some other way.
- If you like the music that you compose, chances are that other people will like it, too.
Step 5: Write down (or otherwise record) all of your ideas.
This includes melodies, motifs, rhythms, chords, dynamics, articulations, etc. Don’t worry yet about putting everything in the right place—just make a list of all of the musical elements that you want to work with. For this step, you can use a paper and pencil, a notation software, or simply record yourself playing them. If you have access to a piano, or a guitar, set your phone to record and then start playing. If you want, make a separate recording for each idea.
For this step, it is very helpful to have an understanding of music theory. This will allow you to better identify what you are hearing, why you like it or don’t like it, and to go from there. For example, are you playing with a tonal key center? Are you using a lot of triplets? Do you like the sound of the octatonic scale? An experienced composition teacher can also help you with music theory, if you are interested.
Step 6: Edit your ideas.
Make note of which ideas go well together. Are there some melodies that share similar characteristics? Did you find chords that have some overlapping notes? Choose a handful of musical elements that seem to work well together, and separate them from the rest. It is important not to make your music more complicated than it needs to be by including every single idea that you come up with. Music composition is not about having lots of ideas; it is about combining a small number of ideas in interesting ways. You will be surprised how much music you can get out of just a handful of motifs or rhythms or other elements. That way, the final product will be cohesive and work together as a singular piece of music, rather than sounding like a bunch of ideas strung together in a stream-of-consciousness kind of fashion.
Step 7: Consider structure.
99% of the time, an underlying structure is at the heart of a great musical composition. The listeners may not always be aware of it, but musical structure (also called “form”) is extremely important. For example, one of the most used structures of all time is ABA, or “ternary form”. In this structure, the composer starts with one idea (A), and then uses a second, often related idea (B), and finally returns to the initial idea (A). Another, very different example for a freer formal structure might to gradually transition from A to B while also transitioning from very soft to very loud. There are infinite ways to think about form, but keep these things in mind:
- All music happens through time, so have an idea of how long you would like each section to last, or how far along you would like to place certain points of articulation.
- Do you want there to be a climax? If so, when?
- Keep it relatively simple. The whole point of a formal structure is to give your music a backbone so that it is cohesive. If your piece of music is only a few minutes long, you might not have time to introduce more than three or four distinct sections.
Step 8: Work from macro to micro.
Now that you have decided on a large-scale structure, start to zoom in on certain sections and pencil in the ideas that you think would work best for each section. For instance, if you want to have an introduction that lasts for thirty seconds, which one of the ideas would work best? Gradually start adding more and more detail.
Step 9: If you get stuck, take a break.
Composing music doesn’t always mean sitting at a table. Your brain will be thinking and listening on its own while you do other things, like take a walk or read a book. Many composers get inspired from listening to other peoples’ music, or by exploring other media like visual art. Try going to a museum and looking for parallels between the forms that you see and the form that you want to compose.
Step 10: If you can play it, play it.
The best way to edit your music is to play it (or have it played) out loud. This is true throughout the entire process of composing music. When listening, you will almost certainly notice things that you like or don’t like about what you composed. Close your eyes if you can and focus on the sounds and how they make you feel. As you play, notice if there is a passage that feels unusually difficult or technically challenging. For example, if you are writing for the piano, you probably don’t want to ask the performer to stretch their fingers too far apart, as this can cause strain in the hands. (Also, if there is a section that is particularly un-pianistic, the performer may have less control over phrasing and dynamics).
Step 11: Edit.
Once you have a first draft, be prepared to go through at least two more rounds of revision.
Step 12: Meet with a teacher.
Music composition is difficult. A great music composition teacher will help you to develop your own voice and writing style. One-on-one composition lessons are extremely helpful when you have just started on a brand new piece. There is no template for a typical composition lesson (it all depends on what the student wants to get out of it). The topics can include the nitty gritty of music theory, practical techniques for writing for the piano in natural ways that fit well under the fingers, and even philosophy of art. Composition lessons should always be individual sessions that focus on your goals.
Curious about Composition Lessons?
If you are wondering whether composition lessons are right for you, or if you have questions about what that might look like for your particular case, contact Tom Gurin with your message or to request a trial session at no cost. These individual lessons are open to all levels, from beginner to advanced, and to all musical styles. Lessons take place entirely online via individual Zoom sessions.
Learn more about online composition lessons or feel free to reach out right now to request a free trial lesson!