How to learn music composition ? (books, ideas ,..etc)

[alybaracat]

For 2 years now, I have been composing music, recording it on my phone, and maybe send it to my sister for feedback, get no reply (I know I will be killed after this post Cheesy) and thats it!! I do nothing with my music afterwards. But latelty I decided to publish my works.

However, I want to learn more about music composition and improve. May you recommend books or ways to learn?

Here is one of my original pieces, I would really appreciate your feedback and comments

[dcstudio]

ok... hey I really like the way you implement the line cliché from the James Bond theme--that shows some thinking and dare I say... some potential.  You are already composing and your composition has thematic structure.   I am guessing you are not horrendously trained because usually those types are so busy trying to sound different that they forget to please the ear. 

you are also an artist... so you know many of the rules of composition already as well.  The rules for rendering balanced visual art are almost exactly the same--even the terminology crosses over.  Your brain is already set up for this... and it shows.

since you are a trained artist you may feel that you need training in composition as well.... and hey it doesn't hurt to learn more about it,  just keep in mind that what you are doing now is legitimate as well.


I would recommend working on your piano technique just a bit as that will hold you back while your compositions are growing in complexity.

[ajlongspiano]

Try to listen to one or two new pieces of music every single day. Don't contrain yourself to one time period or style either. Listen to EVERYTHING. It will help your ear grow and develop a sense of direction and style. Your ear is the most important thing when it comes to composing. A person with all the theory knowledge in the world without a good ear for melody and harmony will have no success as a composer. The more you listen, the more your ear will develop. If you'd like some music suggestions just let me know!

Best,

AJ Long

[marijn1999]

I'm just gonna say one thing:

Schoenberg - Fundamentals of Composition

BW,
Marijn

[klavieronin]

In addition to Schoenberg's "Fundamentals of Composition" you might look at Reginald Smith Brindle's "Musical Composition" and Vincent Persichetti's "Twentieth Century Harmony". I found both those books quite enlightening but when all is said and done, there is no substitute for practice. Write a lot of music often and be sure to produce a score. Don't just make a recording because in the process of writing it out you will be able to refine the details and structure of the piece in a way that just isn't possible otherwise.

Also as ajlongspiano said, try to listen to a lot of new music.