A Quick and Easy Composition Method


Try Emusic FREE for 14 days, keep the 25 Free songs even if you decide not to continue.

Here's the method I use every time I want to capture an idea. I draw out 8-bars (or measures) first. Why 8 bars? Because it is an ideal framework to work in. Eight bars of music are enough to generate a complete musical sentence and can usually be repeated once or twice. Next, I improvise and see what comes up. THEN I will write down the chords I am playing and the first 2-bars of melody.

Writing down the first 2-bars of melody helps me remember the entire theme for the 8-bar phrase. I usually stay within one key to make it easy. This means I'll have 6 chords to work with. In C Major, the chords would be, C Maj. - D min. - E min. - F Maj. - G Maj. and A min. This is more than enough material to work with. In fact, I rarely use more than 3 or 4 chords for the first 8-bars.

Once you get your first 8-bars down, your more than halfway home. Why? Because you already have the beginning. The rest of the piece, if there is a rest of the piece, can be finished by drawing more bar lines AND LISTENING FOR THE NEXT SECTION OF MUSIC. This is always accomplished through improvisation.

Your best material will ALWAYS come from improvisation because you are not thinking about creating something. Instead, you are allowing the music that is inside of you to come to the surface without forcing it or willing it into being. You use the 8-bar framework to hold your ideas so to speak.

There is no rule that says you must work within 8-bars. You can use 4 or even 16 bar phrases, however, its good to be able to feel the form and structure of an 8-bar phrase first. It is the structure used by most composers and it is wise to understand it.

Edward Weiss is a pianist/composer and webmaster of Quiescence Music's online piano lessons. He has been helping students learn how to play piano in the New Age style for over 14 years and works with students in private, in groups, and now over the internet. Stop by now at http://www.quiescencemusic.com/piano_lessons.html for a FREE piano lesson!


MORE RESOURCES:

Didiom Partners with CD Baby to Offer 2 Million DRM-Free Music ...
PR Web (press release), WA - Oct 6, 2008
Didiom and CD Baby joined forces to allow music fans to sample, buy, and download music from CD Baby artists through Didiom's newly redesigned mobile music ...


Nokia launches 'iPod killer' with free music downloads
This is London, UK - Oct 3, 2008
Nokia has unveiled a new mobile phone and music download store to take on Apple's iPhone. The firm will offer unlimited music downloads for a year on ...
Nokia Tube and RIM BlackBerry Storm: touchscreen’s to rival iPhone Phones Review
Internet & Technology Investor's Business Daily (subscription)
all 634 news articles


Free music downloads at iomtoday
Isle of Man Today, UK - Oct 3, 2008
Simply click visit www.iomtoday.co.im/emusic and find out how you can download 50 songs from eMusic's vast catalogue of titles — for FREE. ...


Vodafone offers MusicStation and DRM-free music downloads
Telecom Paper (subscription), Netherlands - Sep 22, 2008
Vodafone has introduced Vodafone MusicStation for its customers in New Zealand. Vodafone MusicStation is an unlimited music downloads service which enables ...


Dan-O Offers Free Music Downloads to Introduce New CD Release
MarketWatch - Sep 8, 2008
GARRISON, NY, Sept 08, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Pop/Rock Singer/Songwriter Dan-O is offering free music downloads on his website DanoSongs.com to ...


BBC News

MySpace Offers Free Music Downloads -- with Ads
NewsFactor Network, CA - Sep 25, 2008
By Patricia Resende Free music is available to MySpace users -- with ads. Or they can buy music free of digital rights management on MySpace Music. ...
MySpace opens music store DM News
MySpace Music To Debut With Blue Chip Sponsors MediaPost Publications
McDonald's and Toyota among first sponsors of MySpace Music Brand Republic
Marketing Vox News - Marketnews.ca
all 862 news articles


Unlimited and DRM-free music downloads
NetGuide, New Zealand - Sep 15, 2008
Vodafone has launched what it calls “two significant advances in the way New Zealanders can access the music they love”. Vodafone MusicStation is an ...


Small Scottish enterprise set to launch free music downloads
Irish Independent, Ireland - Sep 11, 2008
“We are confident Kerchoonz is still the best solution to free music downloads available,” says Ian Morrow – who has produced star acts such as Wet Wet Wet ...


ITProPortal

Sony Ericsson's Walkman Phone Range To Offer Free Music Downloads
ITProPortal, UK - Sep 9, 2008
To many, Sony's Walkman is synonymous with the sound of music and it is not surprising that rumours have surfaced about Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications ...


DailyTech

Microsoft Taps Europe for Search R&D
BusinessWeek - Oct 6, 2008
The tickets enter users into the running for prizes such as free music downloads, air miles and video games. Ballmer's European trip includes stops in ...
Microsoft limits new search reward program to IE Computerworld
Microsoft Adds More Perks to Live Search Wired News
Microsoft's Live Search lures users with new rewards TG Daily
all 156 news articles

Free-Music-Downloads - Google News

Free Music Download Sites (Home Page) |   Free MP3 Downloads  |   RSS Feed  |   Artists  |   Music Resources  |   Music Downloads