Beginner Learning to Compose: the process?

I'm a beginner and I just recently got a keyboard. I'm learning to read music currently, I did manage to learn the sound of each key on the keyboard and now I have it memorized. I thought I'd ask someone here this question since most of you are experienced, when you compose music what is the process? Do you play the keys in your head and write it out?. If so, exactly how much of it can you hear in your head? I need to know because I'm working on a free 3D RPG project with 3D GameStudio. I am the 3d Character Artist/Modeller and we're having a hard time finding someone to do music for it so I'm trying to learn how to (btw if your interested PM me) replies will be appreciated.

Thanks.

If you want my two cents, try any method of composition that you can, and find the best way that you do it. People can tell you the way that they do it, but composing music is only going to happen well if you find the way that you do it best.

By all means, try methods described from you. I know that I've tried 3 separate methods that have each affected me quite differently. Since no one's answered this post, I might as well rant a little.

First, I composed with nothing but computer software. Unlike the common uproar of it stifling your creative ability, I saw nothing of that. In fact, I believe that it was the most creative method, even when I have tried other methods. However, there were many fallacies in the work for me.

Firstly, I would consistently write more vertically than horizontally, which is a dangerous trap to get into, no matter what you are writing. By this, I mean, I would say, "Here's a chord, and then here's a chord" with no care as to how I got from chord to chord.

Secondly, I was tempted to use the copy and paste tool a bit too often. It's tempting when you have the CTRL+C at your fingertips.

And thirdly, whilst composing, I would throw playability out of the window at times, only concerning myself with the sounds that I hear play back from the speakers.

The next method I tried was using the piano. This worked, and still works, well, despite my poor skills. However, this method, I have noticed, also brings out some fallacies in me.

Firstly, and most threateningly, is that I tend to repeat notes far too often. And I have a feeling I know why I do it. My piano playing is getting in the way. Since I can hardly wield the instrument, what comes out is usually rudimentary and basic, making a lot of repeated notes, particularly in an accompaniment figure.

Secondly, I tend fall into patterns when I am at the piano. I tend to have my fingers fall on that same 7th chord I did a while ago, and that has been a very bad trap.

The last method I have tried is doing it with nothing but staff paper in front of me. It's interesting. This method opens up a completely different part of my mind when I do it. It's more cerebral, working more with my knowledge of theory and the geometry on the page than with what I hear. Of course, I usually will hum or sing while working, but there's no way to hum a triad. Sometimes, when I'm working like this, I just have to trust myself that what I'm putting down is going to work sometimes, and if it doesn't, I'll change it later.

There are fallacies to this one as well, the main one being that sometimes, I'm extremely inaccurate. What I hear in my head sometimes doesn't transcribe on paper; it gets lost in translation. Sometimes, this has made some happy mistakes, but it has also made some serious headaches, and tends to throw my inspiration out the window.

Well, I guess the meaning of this little tidbit was that you need to try composing from multiple angles, and record your progress as your are going along. See which you are best at, and what releases the best output.

I wish you luck in your ventures!

Thanks for the reply:). Visualizing and writing down is one method of composing I understand. But I need to hear some others before I can decide which is most comfortable for me.