342 Answered Questions for the topic Composition

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... more
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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... more
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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... more
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07/03/19

Prefer composition over inheritance?
Why prefer composition over inheritance? What trade-offs are there for each approach? When should you choose inheritance over composition?
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Composition Composition (music)

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... more
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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... more
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Composition Notation Scales Modes

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,... more
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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... more
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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... more
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06/29/19

Why have I never found any music written in the key of C Sharp Major?
Music is written in almost every key that corresponds to every note that is on my piano keyboard. There is clearly a C Sharp (black key right of C) on my piano keyboard but I don't recall ever... more
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06/28/19

How can I stay informed of new art music?
As a composer, it's vitally important that I'm aware of what's happening in the contemporary music world. I find it very difficult to keep myself informed of a field that often flies below the... more
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Composition Piano Songwriting

06/27/19

Piano Concertos: Why is Brahms 2 considered more mature than Rachmaninoff 3?
**I'm not completely satisfied with the answers so far, so more answers please! There's a nice bounty to be had!** These two titanic concertos are two of the most difficult often played concertos... more
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Composition Songwriting Theory Modes

06/27/19

What exactly is the difference between C Ionian and D Dorian?
Both modes have the same notes. But why do they sound different. How to approach while composing a song in a particular mode as opposed to a key. Is it the harmony or the pivoting root? I read few... more
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06/27/19

Parallel Fifth in a Symphony Orchestral?
when writing for an orchestra can we use parallel fifth (Power Chord)? for example in game of thrones symphony for some part of string or another song for brass section because it is so powerful... more
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Composition Songwriting Theory

06/27/19

Does a cadence cover all "punctuation marks" in a musical phrase?
If we compare it to English, then a cadence acts like a period. But what about other punctuation marks like commas, exclamation marks, questions marks, etc. Are they also called cadences?
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Composition Songwriting Performing

06/27/19

Ritardando, Rallentando, and Allargando?
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... more
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06/27/19

Melody Writing - Tension & Release?
I'm back with a more specific question. I read in a book entitled 'Complete Idiots Guide for Music Composition' which has a detailed discussion on writing melodies and techniques to do so. As I... more
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06/26/19

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... more
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06/26/19

Is looking for chord after having the melody unusual?
Most people I encounter seem to have the opinion that **the** definitive way is to first have the chords and then "mess around" with the harmony notes until one founds a desirable succession of... more
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06/26/19

How should I write a SATB piece in Musescore with respect to its voice soundfont?
I'm currently writing a vocal piece for a high school SATB chorus in Musescore. Throughout the composition process, I've been using the Musescore playback, **which presents all voice syllables in a... more
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06/26/19

Key choice for brass instruments?
I've been told several times that brass instruments prefer to play in keys with flats, rather than sharps. As a trumpet player myself, I cannot relate to this preference. E major is just as easy or... more
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Composition Piano Songwriting March

06/24/19

What makes a Turkish March a Turkish March?
I can only find 2 pieces called Turkish March. There is the 5th movement of The Ruins of Athens by Beethoven. Then there is the infamous Rondo Alla Turka by Mozart. And when I search Turkish March... more
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06/24/19

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... more
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06/23/19

What should I do about composing 'soft' accents for piano?
When composing for the piano, I often find myself writing a lot of sudden soft notes. I need an accent mark that suddenly softens notes. From my knowledge (and searching the web), I can not find... more
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06/23/19

Guide-lines for creating a simple chord-progression?
I am working on a computer program that generates a simple melody, based on a simple chord progression of four chords taken from the 7 triads of the C Major scale. The program is also supposed to... more
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