342 Answered Questions for the topic Composition

04/03/19

tips for writing the drum notes to a song in a band?
I play the drums in a band, and the song has already been written and everything that the vocalist, guitarist and bassist will play. The drums were left out and I have to write them to fit the... more
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Composition Songwriting Dynamics

04/02/19

Dynamic markings and relative sound levels of instuments?
In an orchestra, various instruments have different "perceived output volume" capabilities and these change across registers. For example, flutes get louder in their higher register, bassoons are... more
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04/02/19

Well-known composers or piano pieces generally suitable for someone with small hands?
One of my struggles with playing the piano is that I have small hands. I can reach an octave - mostly. I can reach it, I just can't maneuver between octaves quickly. Often times a piece will have a... more
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04/02/19

Orchestral Composition Process?
I'm helping my daughter research the composition process for composing for an orchestra. What we are trying to find out is about the process of composing for the multiple instruments in the... more
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Composition Composition (music)

04/02/19

Selling arrangements online?
This summer, I want to earn money to buy sequencing software. I really enjoy arranging songs (as well as writing them) so I thought it would make sense for me to try to sell some online. Can I do... more
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Composition Songwriting Intervals

04/01/19

What is so special about the devil's interval?
I'm interested in learning more of the Devil's interval, how it originated, some of its uses and what exactly about the interval of a diminished fifth makes it sound ominous?
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03/27/19

Optimal harmonic audiation techniques?
I am trying to learn to audiate harmonies in order to be able to compose without instruments. I can already audiate melodies, but harmony is a real beast. (*Edit: To be clear, I can recognize... more
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Composition Songwriting Fugue

03/27/19

How to Write A Fugue?
I am having trouble composing a fugue. I would like someone competent in fugue writing or knowledgable about fugues to suggest resources I can consult to improve for the particular problems I am... more
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Composition Songwriting Chords Key

03/27/19

B5 power chord in A minor?
I'm trying to write a rock/punk song in the key of A minor and the chorus goes: B5, C5, G5, F5. The B chord in A minor is B diminished, does that mean I have to use the diminished chord or can I... more
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03/27/19

Composing a song in Cm with major chord substitutes?
I am composing a song in Cm with a very basic chord progression of I-IV-I. So, normally, in Cm, that would be Cm7-Fm7-Cm7, but I am actually playing Cm7-F7-Cm7. First of all, why does this work?... more
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03/27/19

How are the 4 French Horn parts in an orchestral piece paired/arranged range-wise?
I am composing a piece for full orchestra and want to make sure that my parts are conventional. I know that there are typically four horn parts, but are 1 and 2 high parts, 1 and 3, or something else? more
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03/27/19

Is it possible to describe how referees in composition competitions (typically) work?
Would it be possible that someone having a working knowledge in these matters (ideally, someone who has much experience being a referee in composition competitions) to give an overview, to a person... more
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Composition Music Theory Theory Scales

03/27/19

Is it possible to write a song without a key?
Is it possible to say "This song has no key"? Are there songs that have/follow no key? Is it possible to create song without adhering a key?
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03/27/19

Compositions or songs written for black keys only?
I was taught to do improvisation by practising playing random tunes using just the black keys on a piano, and although it had a very oriental sound, the tune was quite pleasant if you introduced... more
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Composition Music Theory Theory

03/27/19

Can someone explain the theory behind the changes in Superstition by Stevie Wonder?
I'm learning Stevie Wonder's Superstition on guitar (an awesome song) and I'm really curious about the theory behind the changes in the chorus. The intro and verse are just a riff in E minor... more
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Composition Songwriting

03/27/19

Where Xenakis used intersection?
I understood intersection in Xenakis sieve theory, as he explained himself [here](https://monoskop.org/images/7/74/Xenakis_Iannis_Formalized_Music_Thought_and_Mathematics_in_Composition.pdf). But... more
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03/27/19

How to write in counterpoint for a sonata?
So yeah, just as it sounds like, I will be composing a sonata. It will be in the style of Beethoven. The first movement will be slow and quiet mostly. Of course I will be using dissonance such as a... more
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03/27/19

What purpose do accidentals serve in music?
I'm having trouble writing music containing accidentals.If the diatonic scale contains 7 related notes, what purpose do accidentals serve? If the accidental notes are not related to the overall... more
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Composition Songwriting Harmony

03/26/19

Help with multiple voice harmonization?
I recently started composing using software, before that I only used guitar and memory, so this opened up lots of new possibilities with voices, intervals, ranges, etc. I started composing a... more
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03/26/19

How do I get out of my song writing rut and compose something new and fresh for a change?
I have been writing melodies for my original lyrics since 2008 and have written quite a few songs in that time. But the more songs I write, the more difficult it becomes to write melodies that... more
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Composition Composition (music)

03/26/19

The use of each key in Western music?
I've been looking into variations on the following question: why was X piece written in Y key? For instance, why did Beethoven choose to write the Moonlight Sonata in C# minor? Presumably we can... more
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Composition Composition (music)

03/26/19

Do real-life emotional experiences affect one's creative ability?
I have heard people say that music only flows from a broken heart. But I have never yet in my life been heartbroken in a big way.When I sit down to write music, not one melody comes out from me... more
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03/26/19

Is it possible to write a song without a key?
This song is in F Major, "That song is in A Minor", "This song is in D Minor, but modulates to F Major in the middle", etc.Can we say "This song has no key"? Are there songs that have/follow no... more
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03/26/19

How do classical composers write music?
I am starting to learn about music theory and today it hit me how do classical composers such as Mozart and Beethoven are able to write music for instruments they don't play, such as (for example... more
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Composition Composition (music)

03/26/19

I accidentally composed a song that sounds like a famous song?
About six months into learning guitar, I tried my hand at composing a song. Looked into some basic composing theory, picked a specific tempo, learned how to record and actually play the thing, and... more
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