composition lessons?

Do these exist outside of university courses? I would really like to learn counterpoint, better harmony, a lot more about composition in general but I can't really go to school for it. Are private composition teachers a relatively common thing, and do you guys think its a really necessary thing to learn to compose well?

It may not be as common as private piano teachers, but there are many composers out there who don't earn tons of money and who may be glad to give some lessons. If you don't live in a hut in the forest I'm sure you could find a teacher, if you look for one. Then it's just a question of finding a suitable one, which may be the harder part. But there's really no way to find that out but by getting in contact with them and seeing how you get along (asking musicians you know whether they know someone might help too).

Why can't you go to a school though, if I may ask? There are many universities that offer courses to any people, outside the normal degrees. At least, a school might be a place where one could start looking for a teacher, even if you don't then go to this teacher via the school.

Is a teacher an absolute necessity? No, there are plenty of composers who don't have much or even any formal training. But it's always helpful to have another person look at your pieces and give a honest, critical opinion and suggestions. And if this person is a composer her- or himself and has some experience with what you are doing, even the better. If you just want to learn about counterpoint, harmony etc. you don't really need a composition teacher or composer though. Any music theory teacher can help you there. (Even though of course many music theory teachers are composers too.)

But anyways, I think a teacher (if you find someone that suits you) can be very helpful, so go for it.

They offer lessons here ya know.

It may not be as common as private piano teachers, but there are many composers out there who don't earn tons of money and who may be glad to give some lessons. If you don't live in a hut in the forest I'm sure you could find a teacher, if you look for one. Then it's just a question of finding a suitable one, which may be the harder part. But there's really no way to find that out but by getting in contact with them and seeing how you get along (asking musicians you know whether they know someone might help too).

Why can't you go to a school though, if I may ask? There are many universities that offer courses to any people, outside the normal degrees. At least, a school might be a place where one could start looking for a teacher, even if you don't then go to this teacher via the school.

Is a teacher an absolute necessity? No, there are plenty of composers who don't have much or even any formal training. But it's always helpful to have another person look at your pieces and give a honest, critical opinion and suggestions. And if this person is a composer her- or himself and has some experience with what you are doing, even the better. If you just want to learn about counterpoint, harmony etc. you don't really need a composition teacher or composer though. Any music theory teacher can help you there. (Even though of course many music theory teachers are composers too.)

But anyways, I think a teacher (if you find someone that suits you) can be very helpful, so go for it.

There is only one university around here with a classical program (Newfoundland Canada) and they only offer rudiments and intro musicianship courses to people who aren't in the music faculty (I took both of those). I'll try emailing the composition prof there and ask around the school. Thanks for the advice!