342 Answered Questions for the topic Composition

Composition Notation Scales Modes

03/26/19

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... more
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03/26/19

Can someone explain the rhythm of a Mazurka?
While perusing some Chopin and Liszt sheets, I tried to play a Mazurka or two. But, I simply don't understand how the rhythm works. It feels awkward and unbalanced when I try and I just don't *get... more
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03/26/19

How to dramatically change the feeling of a song while keeping the melody largely the same?
How to dramatically change the feeling of a song while keeping the melody largely the same? Let's say we have a happy, upbeat pop song and we want to turn it into a sad song (or vice versa). Is it... more
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03/26/19

How to create Chord progressions that make sense?
I've been reading over Walter Piston's Harmony book, and it has been an eye-opener to say the least. I understand concepts like tension and release, voice leading and so forth, but I still don't... more
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03/25/19

are there piano pieces where the hands play in different keys?
Do you know music for piano where the two hands don't have to play in the same key?
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03/19/19

What does it mean to be able to write a fugue?
My theory teacher told me once in passing that she had written fugues. Later on people let me know that to write a fugue you need to be somewhat of a theory genius. Why is this so? What makes the... more
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03/19/19

Which chromatic passing tone to use?
I'm wondering if there's certain chromatic passing tones that are used more than others. Especially in classical or pop improvisation/composition. For example in the key of C, each of the five... more
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03/19/19

How do I write an original melody?
I'm trying to write a song, and I keep thinking of a melody, but they have all been taken. How do I find a melody that hasn't been taken?
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03/19/19

Why do EDM musicians often create an intro that is 15/30/45/60/120 seconds long?
Not all tracks have intros, and usually those are extended mixes that have them (sometimes can be original mixes and remixes). However, I notice that often their intros are 15/30/45/60/120 seconds... more
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03/19/19

Countersubject strategy, is my strategy a good one?
Introduction So, I have always been kind of on and off about writing fugues. Bach keeps encouraging me to write a fugue and when I am in fugue mode, Bach is all I listen to. After all, who better... more
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03/19/19

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... more
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03/19/19

How to make the dominant preparation less boring?
This is one thing that I have always noticed when I compose a sonata. Even if I can get through most of the development section in sonata form, the dominant preparation sort of grinds my gears. I'm... more
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03/19/19

Why do modern popular songs composed on piano sound different than songs composed on guitar?
Songs that I hear that are piano based - ie. **composed and originally performed on piano**, seem to have a different feel than those composed on guitar. The flow, the movement, the chords used -... more
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Composition Songwriting Band Flute

03/19/19

What is the range for the flute for a high school band?
I'm writing a song for a high school band, but I'm unsure of the range for flute players. I know flute players play really high, but I'm not sure where the limit is (both high and low). What range... more
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03/19/19

Why isn't there a classical composer like Beethoven, Chopin or Mozart today?
Why there aren't composers writing in a classical style today? Why don't we hear of classical composers today like we do of Beethoven, Chopin or Mozart? My question may be strange, but I am... more
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Composition Songwriting Learning

03/19/19

A total newbie wants to learn how to write songs. What does he need?
I am recently being interested in writing my own songs/my own music. However, I'm a newbie when it comes to music. I am not really musically talented nor inclined. I only know basic guitar chords... more
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Composition Songwriting Brass

03/19/19

How do I compose idiomatically for brass instruments?
I'm thinking of composing pieces for small ensembles with varied instrumentation. Typically I compose on a keyboard. How do I determine if the musician can easily play on brass instruments such as... more
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03/19/19

What is the most convoluted standard musical form?
In musical composition, we tend to reuse sections of a piece in patterns that are referred to as "musical forms". Some basic examples of these that I know of are ABA, AABA, ABAB, and the rondo form... more
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Composition Songwriting

03/19/19

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... more
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Composition Songwriting Cadence Chopin

03/19/19

How to write extended perfect authentic cadences?
I am currently writing a Berceuse in the style of Chopin and I noticed in a lot of his music and that of other romantic composers in the final perfect authentic cadences they repeat it multiple... more
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03/19/19

Is there a name for this sort of ambiguity with respect to the rhythm of a piece, and/or is this a recognized technique in composition?
If you listen to the first 40 seconds or so of [Veridis Quo](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgcY6qlzdf8) by Daft Punk, you'll probably feel like you have a pretty good idea of the beat of the song,... more
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03/19/19

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... more
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03/18/19

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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03/18/19

Why isn't there a classical composer like Beethoven, Chopin or Mozart today?
Why there aren't composers writing in a classical style today?Why don't we hear of classical composers today like we do of Beethoven, Chopin or Mozart?My question may be strange, but I am really... more
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03/18/19

What technique was being used in composing this background music for a film?
At around six minutes and 40 seconds of this Youtube video, https://youtu.be/9kK-Z-hCOow this gentleman talks about using minor and major thirds and how it was supposed to mimic the sound of a... more
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