146 Answered Questions for the topic songwriting

04/03/19

Books on composition as insightful as Goeschius?
I've been a magpie for books on composition/orchestration, and it seems to me that the books written by Percy Goeschius are the best, most insightful and well-written that I've come across. Hia... more
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Songwriting Composition 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

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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Songwriting Composition 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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Songwriting Composition 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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Songwriting Composition 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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Songwriting Composition

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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Songwriting Composition 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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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

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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Songwriting Composition 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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Songwriting Scales Chords

03/19/19

How to determine which (slash) chord to use?
I usually notice the patterns of making chord progressions with defining its root notes. These root notes actually the main notes that I will sing in and from there I can decide to use which chords... more
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Songwriting Composition 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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Songwriting Composition 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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Songwriting Composition

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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