Anybody know a good website to learn compositon?

Could anybody direct me to an helpful website which can help me learn a bit more about composing? I have been basically been trying for a week, and most of the time when i look for a website, it is either to advanced, or something off-topic.. If anybody could direct me to some resources, it would be most apprciated.

have you ever thinked about taking real lessons with a real teacher???? :glare:

Well, this site works pretty well for that. I dont know of any articles on composition, its something that kind of figure out for yourself (besides the theory side of things). This forum is really one of your best bets though. I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you might have, as I'm sure many (if not all) other people here would. So ask away! And write some music, even if you think it sounds bad, just write it. One of the things I always say is that each of your compositions will be better than the last; in other words, the more you write, the better you become. So write as much as you possibly can, and soon you'll rival Mozart. Good luck!

You're really not going to find much. You can use musictheory.net to learn some basic theory, but other than that you're going to need a teacher and some theory lessons.

The Yellow pages

buy some CDs...

I think the comment above this one sums it up. You have a few people here who can (and will) help with particular problems - obviously the concentrated attention you'd get from a teacher isn't possible.

But you also have a few tourettes cases and confrontationalists who chip in but not always constructively. So familiarise yourself with who's who by reading a few topics including the FFA.

Bear in mind you'll get a variety of responses so prepare to be selective over whose opinions if any, you want to act on.

As JohnGalt said: a teacher with whom you can develop a good working relationship is advisable.

You can do a lot for yourself though. Get a decent book on theory. The library might have some to peruse before you commit money. Get scores and (initially) CDs of composers you like and study the scores, find out how it's done. Aim to develop a good ear so that ultimately you can work out what a page of score sounds like in your mind. It won't happen overnight so start with simple scores. Eventually you'll need a reference on orchestration but listening and score study will go partly toward that.

Develop a detached critical view of your own work. This itself is an art.

Don't worry too much about computers right now. You'll need just to sit back and think at times and maybe work things out on paper. Don't be bluffed that sibelius and finale substitute for composition skills! They can rob a beginner of the chance to learn and think, doing "useful" things that unfortunately might steer you in a way you don't want to go, if you had enough independence to know how.

Here's a comprehensive online reference. Don't be put off by the amount! Nor expect to learn it in a week. I doubt many here knows all this stuff! Certainly not me.

Theory

I may have to check that site out; I've just bookmarked it.

The toughest thing about composition is probably inspiration. Everything else can be learned... inspiration just has to be there. You may find you'll get more inspired as your skills improve and you learn to hear more in your head - I know I have. Never get frustrated (heh, that's a tall order!) if you can't think of anything to write. Either play around at a piano or just try not to get yourself inspired. Inspiration is often like looking directly at one of those things you see in your peripheral vision, then when you look at it, it disappears. Or like trying to realize you're dreaming when you're asleep. The more you concentrate on it, the more you'll destroy it or wake up. I find often my most inspired moments are the times when I'm physically exhausted, because my mind doesn't have enough energy to be overly analytical, thus my creative side gets a chance to come out more.

Here's a site that covers a lot of ground: http://www.musique.umontreal.ca/personnel/Belkin/bk/

Counterpoint: Species Counterpoint Menu

although most people here think there aren

Nice list you got there. I'll check them out too.

Here's a site that covers a lot of ground: http://www.musique.umontreal.ca/personnel/Belkin/bk/

Counterpoint: Species Counterpoint Menu

hehehe... my advisor for my master's degree :)

we just put out a CD of cello/piano music together.

hehehe... my advisor for my master's degree :whistling:

we just put out a CD of cello/piano music together.

Are you talking about Alan Belkin? I like (as the name says) this sites practical nature.

Just another thought while we're on the topic of free resources: public library. It requires a bit more effort, but what a resource! Just recently the library where I live got 'digitized' so we can easily hop on a computer to order books from surrounding libraries.

I remember finding a few dusty book that featured detailed exercises, that was useful.

Has anybody else noticed Baroque Admirer's member number is 1337? Lucky bastard.

hehehe... my advisor for my master's degree :D

we just put out a CD of cello/piano music together.

What did you major for your masters and where did you study?