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:

Check-In And Get Free Music Downloads With New App
PSFK
By Emma Hutchings on February 8, 2012 Nightlife app Buy Me A Drink has partnered with Wantickets to provide information about events and ticket purchasing access for their users. They will be rewarded with free song downloads, which will provide them ...



Library now offers free music downloads
Port Orchard Independent
By BRETT CIHON Partnering with Freegal, a service that allows access to music online, the Kitsap Regional Library now offers free, downloadable music to all library members. Under the partnership, users will be able to download up to three songs a week ...

and more »


Kitsap libraries offer free music downloads
North Kitsap Herald
Kitsap Regional Library has joined Library Ideas' network of public library websites that offer free access to songs from Sony Music's catalog. The service, called Freegal, allows KRL to increase the size and diversity of its collection by offering ...



Shazam Revolutionizes the Super Bowl with More than One Million Giveaways from ...
MarketWatch (press release)
Use Shazam while watching the Super Bowl to win cars, get free music downloads, receive gift cards, donate to charity and enter sweepstakes for other giveaways! NEW YORK, Feb 02, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Shazam(R), the world's leading media discovery ...

and more »


The Drum

Shazam! Aim your phone at the Super Bowl TV ad, win two Toyotas
The Drum
Super Bowl Viewers were also able to "shazam" free music downloads, gift cards, donate to charity and enter sweepstakes for other giveaways. Even Madonna's half-time show was covered. In last years's Superbowl there was just one Shazam ad.

and more »


Syrian women, backbone of the revolution
FRANCE 24
And Argentine tax payers rewarded with free music downloads. By Electron Libre The women of Deraa, where the Syrian uprising began back in March, took to the streets on Saturday, calling for the release of their husbands, brothers or sons currently ...

and more »


Free song downloads at library, 3 a week
Fort Wayne Journal Gazette
Music lovers who are also library card holders now have access to free music downloads through the Allen County Public Library. The service – called freegal – was launched this month, said Stacey Pearson, who heads the Art, Music and Media department ...



Free MP3 Downloads of the Best Dubstep, Best Techno, and Best House Music on ...
MarketWatch (press release)
18, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- www.pumpyouup.com announces the release of their New Year's music collection of free music downloads. The New Year's theme is techno flavored with a touch of dub. The collection includes a variety of dubstep, trance, ...

and more »


Product Placement News

Guvera Entertainment Launches 'My Soundtrack' Facebook App
All Access Music Group
My Soundtrack looks to drive brand-to-consumer engagement with music, allowing FACEBOOK followers and fans to enjoy and share music, stream without limits, and earn free music downloads. "It is without question that music communicates with our hearts ...
Guvera Entertainment Launches My Soundtrack(TM) Facebook AppMarketWatch (press release)

all 10 news articles »


Kellie Pickler Helps Launch Road to the Ram Jam Series
Great American Country (blog)
The Road to the Ram Jam series will bring country fans closer to their favorite artists with exclusive video content, the opportunity to win prizes, free music downloads and the chance to enter to win trips for two to the Ram Jam concert.
Kellie Pickler Joins Road To Ram Jam For The USOLook To The Stars

all 5 news articles »

Google News

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