Questions I have

I have a couple questions.

1. What are textures?

2. How do I correctly use keys and fluctuate between them smoothly? SHOULD I fluctuate between them?

3. How can I use major/minor chords accurately?

Hello @Sidewinder and welcome to the forum!

10 minutes ago, Sidewinder said:

1. What are textures?

There are probably two main concepts for the term "texture".  The first is referring to whether your music is Monophonic, Polyphonic, Homophonic or Heterophonic.  Monophonic music is made up of just one voice, like Gregorian Chant (or if there's multiple instruments involved, they'd all be doubling the same melodic line).  Polyphonic music is where many melodies of equal importance are being played at the same time, also often referred to as counterpoint or countermelody, and a prime example would be any of Bach's music, especially fugues.  Homophonic music is the innovation of the classical period in music history meaning the music of Mozart and Haydn and occurs when there's a clear hierarchy of importance between melody and accompaniment.  Like often when in a piano sonata, the left hand has some accompanimental pattern while the right hand plays the melody (usually the melody is louder or brought out in some way).  Finally Heterophonic textures occur when variations of the same melody are all being played at the same time or almost at the same time.

The other way of defining texture is through tone color or orchestration.  When a certain combination of instruments through playing together in some specific way create a unique sound or harmony or counterpoint, that is also a texture.

For now I'll leave it at that.  Thanks for your post!

5 hours ago, Sidewinder said:

2. How do I correctly use keys and fluctuate between them smoothly? SHOULD I fluctuate between them?

The "correct" usage of key can be context dependent, but the general rule would be to stay IN key.

To modulate (the nerd term for fluctuate/change) you need smooth voice leading; it can make even the wildest changes seamless.

However, certain chords "want" to go to others.

For example, if I am on the G chord in the key of G major, modulating to C major or A minor would be a good choice, because it is not only a chord shared by those keys, but it is the dominant V chord of C major and the VII of A minor. A very strong sense of "pull"

Should you modulate? Well, it's up to you of course, but it definitely can make your piece more interesting.

5 hours ago, Sidewinder said:

How can I use major/minor chords accurately?

Every scale or mode presents its own assortment of major and minor harmonies.

If you have a C note, and you're using the C major scale, you have three obvious choices: the C major chord, the F major chord, and A minor because the note "C" is present in all three.

There are of course other options, but that is the basic idea.