261 Answered Questions for the topic Composition (Music)
07/11/19
How can I create loopable bounces for video games?
I'm writing the music for a video game. Much of the music is going to be looped indefinitely. How can I arrange my music and bounce audio files that can be looped effectively?A naïve technique is...
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07/11/19
Tips on counting and playing odd time signatures?
I'm pretty interested in learning, composing and playing along to songs using odd time signatures (3/4, 5/4, 7/8, ...) and I'd like some advice on how to wrap my head around all this stuff.For...
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07/11/19
What's so off about the intro to Prokofiev's Dance of the Knights?
Now this question is by no means an attack on any conductor or orchestra, nor Prokofiev himself, but why does it seem that it's hard for everyone to get right into time with one another with this...
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07/11/19
Why use the key of C#?
I was reading about Brahms, and it was mentioned that he had composed a piece in C# Major. AFAIK, we generally don't use C# Major in jazz or rock music because the key signature has 7 sharps, so...
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07/10/19
How do I know what key to write in?
I've recently become obsessed with **Les Miserables** and **Miss Saigon**. The music has inspired me tenfold to compose, write similar music.I've posted on here before on how to compose, and I'm...
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07/09/19
What does an arranger do?
When you see the "arranged by" attribution on a score, what did the arranger (typically) do?
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07/09/19
What is the Lydian Chromatic Concept?
I've recently found out about George Russell's book the _Lydian Chromatic Concept of Tonal Organization_ and I've been curious about exactly what the Lydian Chromatic Concept is and how it can be...
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07/09/19
Is 2 measures sufficient for a fugue subject?
I know what a fugue is. I also have been reading up on the form of the fugue and how to write in counterpoint. I wrote a canon and I have written a sonatina using sonata form. So theoretically a...
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07/08/19
Piano - what is 'Improvisation'?
I'd like to ask what defines improvisation. I know that it revolves around playing without a score, but is the absence of a score the sole condition for improvisation? If I come up with a piano...
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Composition (music) Composition
07/08/19
What do I need to notate as I play?
I hope this isn’t a silly enquiry. My daughter improvises on our piano, classical style, and I would like to know if there’s a means to notate on computer as she plays. We bought Sibelius software...
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07/08/19
Can learning music theory from "Music Theory for Guitarists Volume 1" by Bruce Arnold teach me enough to start composing?
I am a guitar and bass player who has played pop/rock/blues for 15 years. Like a lot of other users I am music illiterate. I am a fan of Frank Zappa, Grateful Dead and am interested in composing...
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07/07/19
Most important musical concepts for writing songs on acoustic guitar?
I want to be able to write catchy/"cool sounding" guitar parts for songs. I am currently studying music theory extensively. I am just wondering, are there any guitar-specific musical concepts that...
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07/04/19
Fundamental and In-Depth Music Theory for an Absolute Beginner?
I know nothing about music theory, but I have been playing the guitar for over 5 years and have been only working with tabs. I want to learn music theory **from scratch, fundamentally and...
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07/04/19
Are doubly augmented and doubly diminished intervals practical?
In music theory when naming intervals, a lowered diminished interval is a doubly diminished interval (dd) and a raised augmented interval is a doubly augmented interval (AA). One example is a...
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07/03/19
Tonal harmony: 18th century counterpoint vs. Accessible contemporary harmony and composition?
I have a fair amount of knowledge when it comes to "rules" regarding music of the bygone days of the traditional prelude & fugue, the motet, and four voice harmony of the Baroque era....
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07/03/19
How do I begin finally making music on the piano?
It's been almost 4 years since I had too much time on my hands while living in student dorms so I decided to learn to play the piano.
I always loved listening to classical and suddenly listening...
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07/03/19
Elements of a horror musical song?
When composing horror music for musical drama in general, what does one need to consider as in harmony, melody and rhythm, etc.? For harmony, I am especially interested in what chords are normally...
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07/03/19
How to start making musique concrète?
This is probably one of the more obscure music styles, and some of you may not even consider it as a style of music. Music or not music, it is a form of art that I am interested in making. I am a...
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07/03/19
Why do some arrangements of notes make a good melody and some don't?
A note by itself is not always particularly pleasant to hear. Why do some specific combinations of notes make a good, pleasant melody?
Why are some people good at coming up with such pleasing...
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Composition (music) Composition
07/01/19
Expanding chord progression repertoire when composing?
I'm working on writing some sad sounding songs. Every time I'm jamming by myself on the guitar, I can play a few chords and sing or whistle what the leads could be. Leads come to me easily, and I...
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07/01/19
Is there a simple way to transpose a song from one key to another? What is the methodology?
What is a simple way to accomplish transposing a song from one key to another key?In other words if I am looking at a song written in the key of C and can't sing it in that key and I want to...
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07/01/19
Key signature for writing in modes other than major and minor?
I have trouble deciding what accidentals to put in the key signature for pieces in Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian or Mixolydian modes. There seem to be trade-offs associated with each choice.For example,...
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Composition (music)
06/30/19
Three common musical markings for gradual slowing down are ritardando, rallentando, and allargando. How do these differ from each other in interpretation and execution?
Three common musical markings for gradual slowing down are ritardando, rallentando, and allargando. How do these differ from each other in interpretation and execution? For example, I was taught...
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06/30/19
Finding the "Starting point" when creating a composition or score?
This is a fairly simple one, and hopefully not too wide-open to be permitted here: what approaches are available when sitting at a fresh screen or sheet of paper, or at your instrument, to create...
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06/30/19
How do you compose tuplets against straight notes?
I would like to know how to compose tuplets of odd numbers against even numbers on the piano (ie. 3 against 2). How would you go around composing something like this? I have been composing for some...
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