Is It Important Learning To Compose?

[applelover]

My piano teacher is a jazz man and he's teaching me a lot of theory and starting on how to compose music.  Not at all learning classical music, or even already made jazz songs.  I'm really not interested in how to compose.  However, at first I wasn't interested in learning music theory either, but it turns out it's extremely interesting, first in it's own right, and everyone tells me will eventually let me be a better piano teacher.

So, should I cool him down on the composing? Or should I trust my teacher who I like and learn composing because I'll learn to like it and because it will help me play the classical music I like later on.  Thoughts on how important it is to learn composing?

[gorbee natcase]

I would jump at the chance, it will give you a deeper understanding of music.

you don't want to look back on your life with regret, especcialy if you have an opportunity like that 

[ch0p1n 0wnz u]

I think its always good to know the basics and rules of stuff, even if you dont want to compose you could just learn the basics! and if you think you would want to compose in the future go ahead.

[applelover]

why would you "jump at it", is it hard to find a teacher to teach composing?

[prometheus]

Tell him he needs to kindle your interest in composition.

[applelover]

One thing that is really attractive about composition is that my teacher seems to takea  lot of music and play around with it as he plays, adjust it to his own tastes.  I like a lot of pop music and soundtracks like beatles, simon and garfunkel, nightmare before christmas etc.  that have their own contrived arrangements that seem to lend themselves very well to this.  Does this thought make sense?

[shoshin]

My piano teacher is a jazz man and he's teaching me a lot of theory and starting on how to compose music.  Not at all learning classical music, or even already made jazz songs.  I'm really not interested in how to compose.  However, at first I wasn't interested in learning music theory either, but it turns out it's extremely interesting, first in it's own right, and everyone tells me will eventually let me be a better piano teacher.

So, should I cool him down on the composing? Or should I trust my teacher who I like and learn composing because I'll learn to like it and because it will help me play the classical music I like later on.  Thoughts on how important it is to learn composing?

You are ABSOLUTELY crazy if you don't take this opportunity to learn how to compose.  I mean you want to be an ape forever and play sheetmusic like a robot? Become a musician not a "piano player" (sounds mechanical).  Its my dream to learn how to compose....btw.

[applelover]

why does everyone say it's such an opportunity? is it so hard to find a teacher capable of teaching this? fwi it's worth, right now i wouldn't mind being an "ape" as you say, if i could play the great music already written, would be very satisfying with that and have no aspirations to make my own music

[rc]

I don't know for sure, but I get the impression that composition is something that the majority of teachers don't even consider.

I believe learning composition can provide you with a lot of insight into where the masters came from in their pieces, providing a more informed interpretation. This is usually my ultimate goal when I'm learning a piece, is to try and see how the composer came up with it.

Understanding composition is how he can play around with existing music, it's a whole new depth. Today I heard a classical piano trio (piano, cello, violin) on the radio play a set of variations on the pink panther theme, I think you'll know the one. They did variations in different styles; Mozart, Beethoven, romantic, Stravinsky, Shostakovich, country... It was incredibly interesting and a lot of fun!

It sounds to me like you have a good teacher who will give you a very thorough foundation. What Bernhard said a while ago, teaching you what you need to know. But I can understand wanting to move on and learn some actual pieces. I say you ask to learn some pieces along with what he's teaching you, perhaps he could choose pieces that would interest you as well as illustrate the theory/composition points he's teaching.

It's important to have good communication with your teacher, you have to work together, don't be afraid to speak up if you have any concerns. Also keep in mind, whatever you may think, chances are he knows better, so give the benefit of the doubt.

[applelover]

"I believe learning composition can provide you with a lot of insight into where the masters came from in their pieces, providing a more informed interpretation. This is usually my ultimate goal when I'm learning a piece, is to try and see how the composer came up with it."

Thanks for the post RC, interesting, particularly the quoted part above.  I found a solution, I now have two piano teachers so I can learn both theory and good songs to play.