Is there any way to improve composing?

Question

Beside playing drums I'm toying with software to create music. The problem is when I need to advance further. I may have some good, let's say "riffs" (or pieces, or melodies, or ideas), and I'm pretty harsh with everything I create (until I'm really proud out it, it's crap to me), but have no idea how to make it longer. I have lots of "samples", short melodies, but I just can't make them last longer.Is there any way to make creating music little easier? Some music theory stuff? And how to connect pieces, how to extend existing one? That are things I'm really interested in.I would be very grateful for any answer., I love both music and creating it, but the lack of ability to "continue" is getting me down.And I know that there was thread for composing, but it was aimed for guitar, and I'm seeking more general tips.

Answer 1

One technique I use is to isolate (copy and paste into a new file) a track and treat it as a new composition, then it's like jamming with something I've already written but It comes out sounding a bit different. Afterwards I isolate the new part and jam with that. With this layering process I am able to come up with parts that work for my song.