My progress with composing.

Hey guys,

I just wanted everyone to know how i'm going with the composing since I made a post about having trouble beginning to compose. I have made alot of solo piano pieces in a certain key, but none have a particular structure since i'm still clueless about structure. For example, I want to make a sonata, and i just don't know where the hell to go for a reference. Sure wikipedia tells you there is an intro and a exposition etc. But how do you put them all together? I guess that's a hard thing to do when trying to learn how to compose. Most websites are too esoteric and because i know so much stuff about music it bores me before i can find out what i wanted to know... I guess that's why you need a teacher, but i can't find any classes at my local westec, I feel like everyone know's where they are going except me, what do you suggest i should do? I'm not a bright lightbulb eiather, and some websites get a bit carried away when they explain the fundamentals... I've made some good music, but I want to make some classical music and it's frustrating trying to find a comfortable and understandable resource, what do you reccomend?

Thanks for reading.

Daniel.

Hey guys,

I just wanted everyone to know how i'm going with the composing since I made a post about having trouble beginning to compose. I have made alot of solo piano pieces in a certain key, but none have a particular structure since i'm still clueless about structure. For example, I want to make a sonata, and i just don't know where the hell to go for a reference. Sure wikipedia tells you there is an intro and a exposition etc. But how do you put them all together? I guess that's a hard thing to do when trying to learn how to compose. Most websites are too esoteric and because i know so much stuff about music it bores me before i can find out what i wanted to know... I guess that's why you need a teacher, but i can't find any classes at my local westec, I feel like everyone know's where they are going except me, what do you suggest i should do? I'm not a bright lightbulb eiather, and some websites get a bit carried away when they explain the fundamentals... I've made some good music, but I want to make some classical music and it's frustrating trying to find a comfortable and understandable resource, what do you reccomend?

Thanks for reading.

Daniel.

As long as you convey your ideas in music, I see no reason sticking to a form. But wellm that's just my opinion :toothygrin:

As long as you convey your ideas in music, I see no reason sticking to a form. But wellm that's just my opinion :toothygrin:

Wrong, wrong and wrong. Brahms himself said that sometimes you can't use fantastic ideas because they don't fit in with the form. Form creates beauty and balance, a lack of form is a serious musical handicap.

I would suggest you to study scores of music which follows the form you wish to follow yourself. Take, for example, a few Mozart piano sonatas, notice how he treats first theme, second theme, development, etc., and you'll understand how it's done.

I have made alot of solo piano pieces in a certain key, but none have a particular structure since i'm still clueless about structure.

You have to think about creating your own structure, if you don't follow a past structure. Do you really care that much about past traditional forms, or are you just interested in SOME type of form? Why not develop your own unique style if this is the case? I can tell you right now that I have no idea about past forms, simply because I have no interest in previous styles. This is why I for the most part compose free form works, and develop my own unique structure. There is nothing wrong with creating new forms, and it would be wrong to say, "I have no form, because it doesn't match certain styles in the past".

what do you suggest i should do

Use your creative thinking skills to develop your own style. If you follow someone else's instructions to create something, your creation will not be as original as if you were to write your own instructions to create something.

...or is form the musical handicap? Unfortunately, I disagree with you Tomas, even being a semi-"formal" composer myself. I find that in the beginning, sticking to a form or style helps you develop your compositional techniques. It's like training wheels on a bike, it guides you. Then you can take them off slowly and become original, or stick to the style if you want. Form is not necessarily a necessity in music, I find it to be more of a helping hand. There is tremendously great music that lacks any form whatsoever.

Music is a universal communicator spoken from the heart and heard by the soul. Speak it to your desire...everyone will understand you.

But even then, a piece needs to show both variety and unity.

Wrong, wrong and wrong. Brahms himself said that sometimes you can't use fantastic ideas because they don't fit in with the form. Form creates beauty and balance, a lack of form is a serious musical handicap.

What do you guys consider a form?

You have to think about creating your own structure, if you don't follow a past structure. Do you really care that much about past traditional forms, or are you just interested in SOME type of form? Why not develop your own unique style if this is the case? I can tell you right now that I have no idea about past forms, simply because I have no interest in previous styles. This is why I for the most part compose free form works, and develop my own unique structure. There is nothing wrong with creating new forms, and it would be wrong to say, "I have no form, because it doesn't match certain styles in the past".

Use your creative thinking skills to develop your own style. If you follow someone else's instructions to create something, your creation will not be as original as if you were to write your own instructions to create something.

Well I am interested in the traditional styles. I'm a huge fan of fugues, and i like how the voices talk to each other, i find that it would be a fun way to compose. I play electric guitar, and i know how to compose a song to how i want it like a blues shuffle etc. But it's not that i think forms are importent and that it HAS to be done. I just find the forms fun, and makes a piece more thematic. That's why i want to learn how to make a sonata,fugue etc.

Screw form. Form is like an artist only using crayons on brown paper bags.

Form can be a great tool if used correctly.

Free-form can be a great tool if used correctly, but it tends to be harder to maintain.

In short, you have to know what you are doing and what you wish to accomplish.