What Is Music Composition?

Have you ever wondered what music composition is and if it's something you should pursue? Composing music is great for a lot of musicians but not for all.

Before you invest in lessons or a degree, consider what music composition is and how it works. Then, you'll learn if it's the path you should take.

Overview of Music Composition

Music composition refers to writing music from scratch. You typically use the term "composition" to refer to classical music or perhaps jazz music. Usually, the creation of pop or rock music is called "songwriting."

You can start with an idea that pops in your head randomly. However, you might decide to sit down at your computer or instrument and write what comes to you. Both methods work, so consider what you prefer or what works best for your schedule.

Music composition requires some skill, but you can get started as a beginner. Then, you can hone your craft and become the best music composer you can be.

What a Composition Includes

A music composition includes a few elements of music theory. It can be a bit more creative than music theory exercises, though. You need to know the "rules" of music theory, but you also have the freedom to break those rules, within reason.

If you've played music, you can look at the sheet music for something you've played. That can give you a good idea of what goes into a composition.

However, it may help to see a list of the common pieces that make up a piece.

Instrumentation

If you play in a band or orchestra, you may not see the instrumentation. But the full score of an orchestral work or even a solo with accompaniment, will show the instrumentation. For example, your solo's instrumentation may be flute and piano.

The standard instrumentation for a string quartet is two violins, one viola, and one cello. If you want to write works for standard groups, you should know those instrumentations.

Even if you don't want to write for a standard group, you should consider what instruments your piece will include. Then, you can make sure to write parts for each instrument. You'll be able to decide when to double parts and when to give instruments solos.

Time Signature

The time signature is the set of numbers you see at the beginning of a piece. Of course, there's common time (or 4/4). You also have cut time (2/2), 3/4, 2/4, 6/8, and other time signatures that are somewhat common.

However, you also have the option to choose a different time signature. For example, you may want to write a piece in 5/8. Or you might choose not to use any time signature and omit bar lines, so the performer doesn't have to stick to a particular meter.

No matter what time signature you choose, you can change it. Most sheet music notation programs (link) let you change the time within the middle of a piece. If you don't have that feature, you may need to switch to a different platform.

Key Signature

Along with the time signature, you will see a key signature at the beginning of a piece. There are 15 different key signatures you use, including the key of C (no sharps or flats). You can choose from one to seven flats or one to seven sharps.

Some of the keys are enharmonic keys, which means they may sound the same but look different on the page. For example, F# major and Gb minor have six sharps and six flats, respectively. Both notes produce the same pitch but are different keys.

Composers like Bach believed different keys evoke different emotions. If you think one key sounds better for a piece, you can use that. Or you can choose a key that works best for your instrumentation (such as sharp keys for string players).

Melody

Of course, no music composition would be complete without a melody. The melody is what you or your audience members would want to sing after playing or listening. Typically, you would give the melody to a higher-pitched instrument, such as a flute or violin.

However, you may give the melody to a cello or bassoon, especially if you want a lower, dark sound. This applies to larger ensembles where you have instruments that span the entire range of notes.

If you're writing a solo, you will give the melody to the solo instrument. Then, you can give other parts to the piano or whatever instruments you choose to accompany the soloist. Alternatively, you may want to have the melody move between instruments, such as in Ravel's Bolero.

Harmony

Along with the melody, a music composition will usually have some form of harmony. Even in a solo, unaccompanied work, you can incorporate harmonies into the piece. For example, the Bach Partita in A minor for solo flute uses chord progressions within the melody.

If you're writing music for multiple instruments or for piano, you can assign certain parts of the harmony to those instruments. Low instruments, like the bass or tuba, almost always take on the bass line.

Instruments in the middle range, such as viola or clarinet, can take on the inner harmonies. The same is true of other instruments that aren't playing the melody or bass line.

Rhythm

Most pieces have some sort of rhythmic structure. You can use the time signature to inform the rhythm, such as waltz rhythm when writing a composition in 3/4. On the other hand, you can start with an idea for a rhythm and choose a time signature that works with that.

The rhythm is the backbone of a lot of pieces. It can help keep the performer where they need to be as they go through the piece. You can also choose to emphasize the rhythm with repeating notes or using the same rhythm throughout a piece.

I already mentioned Bolero, and the snare drum has the same rhythm. That pattern repeats as different instruments play the melody.

How a Composition Works

Knowing what goes into a music composition is one thing. However, you may wonder how a music composition works when you combine those elements together and why it matters.

Whether you've composed music before or not, you should consider how music compositions work to help inform your composition process. Then, you'll be able to improve your skills, and you can make your music easier for performers to read.

Here are a few things to know about how compositions work.

Directs Musicians

A music composition works by directing musicians and conductors. Your composition should tell musicians what instruments are involved and what notes to play. If you write for larger ensembles, your score can give cues to the conductor to help direct the players.

In the case of solos or smaller ensembles, you can give more information within the individual parts. That way, performers can learn if anything inspired you to write the piece.

You can keep the score clean and only include the notes and a few markings. However, you may want to provide more details to help guide people as they learn the piece.

Includes Notes and Other Details

Of course, a good music score will include all of the notes for all of the parts. You may also want to include separate parts if the piece isn't for just one or two players. That way, people will be able to read more of the piece on one page, and the conductor can view the score.

You may also want to include other details for your music composition. Details can include:

• Tempo
• Dynamics
• Staccato markings
• Fermatas
• Moods that you want to convey

Think about how you want the music to sound. While you can give a relatively blank score, you may want to include more instructions to help guide performers. Then, they can perform the piece as close to how you hear it in your head.

Varies by Genre

The exact components of a music composition may vary between genres and styles. For example, a lot of jazz music is written in the form of a lead sheet. That has the melody and chord symbols, and the musicians extrapolate their parts from there.

Pop music is frequently the same, though it may have a more detailed piano part, such as in a song book. But classical music usually has the most detailed writing for each instrument.

Be sure to look at scores of pieces in the genres in which you want to write. Then, you'll have a good idea of how to write the music that you want to compose.

The Art of Composing Music

Composing music is partly a science and partly an art, and it can take a while before you find your "voice" and create a process that can help you compose. When you write your first piece, you may think it's not very good.

Think about it like you would think about learning a new instrument. When you started playing music, you probably had to start slow. And you probably didn't sound very good until you had been practicing regularly for a few months.

That being said, here are a few things that may help you start composing.

Getting an Idea

A relatively easy way to start composing music is to start with an idea that pops in your head. Many things can inspire you, from the leaves outside to the food you eat. If you get an idea for a melody or chord progression, you can work with that.

This can be hard because you may not want to let the idea slip before you can record the audio or write it down. If you find you get ideas almost anywhere, you can download an audio recorder app and a notation app to your phone. Then, you'll be able to write out your ideas.

Now, you may not always have an idea. You can pick up your instrument and start noodling around until you come up with something that you like.

Expanding on the Idea

Once you get an idea, you will need to turn it into something. Maybe you know you want to write a symphony or another type of piece. Or perhaps you just want to expand on the idea, but you don't have a major plan in mind.

If you started with a melody, you can now expand to the harmonies or vice versa. You can do a lot of work at once, but you can also spread it out. As you first start composing music, you may choose to go slowly and rely on inspiration.

However, if you want to make music composition your full-time gig, you can't rely on inspiration to write. You can set a schedule or routine so that you can get into the groove of composing regularly.

Adding Parts

At some point, you're going to need to start writing the parts for different instruments. Many composers will write using a piano, so they can play all of the parts together. Personally, I write my melody part and perhaps a harmony line or two from the start.

If you want to add more parts, you'll need to do that now. You can also start to assign the melody and harmonies to different instruments. Maybe you want the flutes and violins to double the melody, and you want to give the harmonies to the violas and cellos.

Every piece is different, so consider your goals for what you're writing. Think about what you hear in your head and if you hear the timber of a specific instrument. Then, you'll be able to assign parts accordingly.

Including Dynamics and More

After you have all of the notes on the page, you may want to add other marks. Most pieces will at least have some dynamics and maybe some slurs. But you can add staccatos, grace notes, and other markings to flush out the piece and give performers more guidance.

If you know you want to put a staccato on a certain note as you write the piece, you can do that. You don't have to wait until all of the notes are there. Just find a process that works for you so that you can compose music and enjoy it.

Editing the Piece

After you add different marks, you may need to do some editing. Look back at the score and listen to a digital rendering if you're using a computer. Then, you can figure out if everything sounds how you want it to, and you can fix errors.

You can also add any markings that you missed when you went to add them earlier. If you don't like editing your music, you can hire someone.

However, they may not be able to make creative decisions. They can make sure the spacing looks good and is ready for publication, though.

A Final Listen

Before you self-publish your sheet music or submit it to a publisher, give it another listen. Make sure everything looks and sounds good and that you're happy with the score.

You can even have another composer or musician listen to the piece and review the music. Ask them for their thoughts and feedback on how you could improve the piece.

This is particularly important if you're writing for instruments you don't play. Your colleague can tell you if certain parts may be more difficult due to their instrument's design.

Follow Your Own Process

As you get experience composing music, you may form your own process. This is completely fine, and it's good. Having a unique process means you can enjoy composing, and it can keep you from accidentally copying the music of someone else.

You can also form a process that leaves room for other obligations, such as school or a job. Beginner composers and composers who work part-time can still have a process. That way, you can make music that you're proud of and can't wait to publish.

Choosing and Using Tools

A major part of music composition is choosing and using tools that make sense. You can compose music in a variety of ways, depending on your experience or preferences.

Consider the following options you have when writing music.

Manuscript Paper

Before we had computers, composers had to compose on paper. Manuscript paper (link) is a type of paper that has staff lines on it. You don't have to worry about drawing the lines, so you can get straight to writing.

Paper is convenient if you write music at the piano. It's also nice if you want to write music that doesn't have a key or meter. You can write the music however you want, and you can deal with the settings of music notation software later.

If you use paper, remember that you won't be able to listen back to the piece. You will need to play it to get a sense of how it sounds.

A Laptop or Desktop

Many composers today will use a laptop or desktop. They will download their favorite music notation program and input notes either with the computer keyboard, mouse, or an external MIDI keyboard.

If you use a laptop or desktop for a lot of things, it makes sense to use it to compose. You can get your money's worth, and you don't need to buy a new device.

However, this isn't the most portable option. If you need or want to compose in different locations, you may need multiple desktops. When using a laptop, it could weigh you down and make it harder to carry everything.

An iPad or Other Tablet

I prefer to compose music on an iPad. It's small and light, so it's easy enough to throw in a bag in case I get inspiration when I'm out and about. I also like using the touch screen and an Apple Pencil to input notes.

Of course, you can use a touch screen if you use a Windows computer. However, if you prefer to use Macs, you'll need to use an iPad to touch the screen.

If you use Android, you may want to check out Android music composition apps. I don't know of any or if it's even an option. However, you can at least use an Android tablet to record audio to write down later.

A Smartphone

It can be hard, if not impossible, to use a smartphone for your primary music composition device. The best way to use a smartphone is to record ideas on the go. If you get an idea for a melody or harmony, you can record the audio with your phone.

You can also write down chord progressions or lyric ideas in your notes app. If you use an iPhone, most iPad apps are also available. You can use a notation app to write down the melody, and you can export it or re-write it in your software of choice later.

Even if you don't plan on using your phone much, it helps to have music composition apps on it to be prepared. You never know when you may get an idea for a piece, and you won't want to let it go.

Is Music Composition Hard?

Music composition can be hard, especially when you first start composing. However, composition can also be very rewarding.

Hearing musicians play your music can make the work all worth it. The same is true when you get your first sheet music sale or commission project.

Can You Compose Music Without a Degree?

You can compose music without having a degree in the field. Having some sort of musical training will be helpful, but that doesn't have to include college.

At the very least, you should understand music theory and how a few instruments work. Then, you'll be able to start writing without having to learn those things.

How Do You Practice Music Composition?

You practice music composition like you'd practice any other skill. If you want to get better sooner, you'll need to set a practice schedule that you can stick to.

Then, you can learn how to compose for different instruments and in various styles. Even as you gain experience, you may need to keep practicing to improve your skills.

Is Music Composition for You?

Music composition is an excellent area of music. It allows you to express yourself, and you can write for voice or any other instrument.

You don't need to perform yourself, so it's great for players who aren't the best on their instruments. Even if you perform or teach, composing can help supplement your income and help you have a successful career.