Internet Forums, Symbols, Value, and the Golden Rule If you are a regular visitor to artofcomposing.com, you may have realized I have not been posting very much recently. The main reason is, I have …
30 Minute Composition #8: Prelude in C# Minor
Here is another 30 minute composition. This is written in 5/8 time, so there is a constant "incomplete" feeling most of the time... but I kind of like that. As far as composing for 30 minutes, I made …
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Merry Christmas!
Enjoy this little ditty. I arranged this back in college, and I always wanted to take it caroling. I once went caroling using a caroling book from the high school band. Needless to say, the …
30 Minute Composition #7: Prelude in E Major
I wanted to write something a little bit faster and chromatic. I think it turned out pretty well. …
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30 Minute Composition #5: Prelude in Eb Major
In my last post, I talked about how I was going to get back into composing short pieces in 30 minutes or less. So here, I am putting my money where my mouth is. This was composed 10 December, in 29 …
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Burnout, Forging Ahead and Jazz Composition
It has been a while since I wrote a post. The main reason being burnout. What's this you say! Burnout! But I thought you always had passion for composing classical music? Yes it is true. I have …
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New Page: Free Classical Music
Just wanted to let everyone know, I added a new page to the site. It is a compilation of free classical music resources online. Check it out when you get a chance. Don't worry, it's all legal. Free …
A Composer’s Manifesto
I will finish every composition that I start (except the 9th Symphony. In fact, just stop at the 8th). I will not bask in the glory of my finished composition - that is what amateurs do. I am a …
The 5 Steps to Creating the Composing Habit
Composing shouldn't just be something you do, it should be a habit. What do I mean by habit? Habits don't have to be just bad, they can and are good things. You just need to know what makes them work, …
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Becoming a Professional Composer
Recently I have been having a change of mindset towards the way I approach life in general. This is really stemming from two books that I am reading. The first book, The War of Art by Steven …
Resistance is Stopping You From Achieving Your Goals
So recently I have not been posting much. Hopefully you have noticed this, as that means you are a regular visitor. None the less, I would like to talk about it because I think there are ways to …
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Music Composition Pedagogy
So recently I have been very busy with different things in my life. We are getting ready to move to California in the next couple of months because I am getting out of the Army very soon. This means I …
10 Steps to Becoming a Better Composer
Compose. Compose more. Compose even more. Compose even more than that. Compose when you don't want to. Compose when you do. Compose when you have inspiration. Compose when you …
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30 Minute Composition #4 – B Minor
30 Minute Composition #4 - B Minor These are turning out to be very valuable exercises. I feel like I am learning a lot about the connection of melody, harmony and form. It is easy to get yourself …
Mastering the Art of Composing a Symphony
The Universe in a Grain of Sand The art of composing music is at once, a mysterious and yet simple thing. In twelve notes (and a few quarter tones), repeated over a few octaves, we have all tonal …
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30 Minute Composition #3 – D Major
30 Minute Composition #3 - D Major This one proved to be a little more difficult in the D minor section. I was attempting to make it sound a little "medieval." It usually comes down to the wire …
How to Compose Music, Part 3: Melody or Harmony First?
Should I Start With the Melody or the Harmony? This is a common question when learning to compose music. The answer is a simple one. You need to start with both. How Do I Start with Both Melody …
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How to Compose Music, Part 2: The Setup
Your Home Music Composing Studio Yes, your home composing studio. The space where all the magic happens. There are several things that you need to consider in setting up the idea environment …
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