What are the elementary skills of composition?

Question

I'm interested in learning music composition, but in spite of music being as old as time itself the majority of resources I've come across so far seem to suggest that a beginner learn sections of music theory, which is a monumentally complex subject, or work to improve through simple trial and error.It makes the idea of becoming even moderately skilled seem dauntingly difficult.Taking illustration or painting as an example, if a beginner were to simply draw lines to approximate what's in their mind they would eventually learn to become a better artist, but the progress would be slow and painful. Fortunately in that case you could build on the work of past artists by learning/practicing specific well established skills: - Shape/proportion - Light/shadow - Perspective - and so on...My real question is this: What, if any, analogues exist for music composition? Essential skills that every composer needs to know that serve as building blocks for more complex artistic expression. Or is my thinking here fundamentally flawed?

Answer 1

Hi there! I understand that you would find learning music theory a bit daunting. It depends on how complex you want your compositions to be. If you're looking to start songwriting, for example, you can learn your diatonic chords of a major key, common chord progressions, and then work on a melody that is in that key. That might be the simplest way to get started. You can build on this by learning more about theory to make more complex harmonies. But I would encourage you to start with where you are and build from what you have. Creativity is all about working with the skills you have. Good luck!

Answer 2

Hi, I think your thinking process is artistic but maybe a little complex. I believe learning music theory, such as intervals, major and minor scales and its modes, and the harmony behind them, time signatures and sight reading are necessary and essential fundamentals.