Who do you compose for

[pianoplayer51]

Do you compose music that you know people will like or do you compose music that you like and if other people don't like it that's their hard luck because I was told that when you create music and compose it always be some people who like it and some people who don't and you can't please everybody so if you try and make music just to please somebody else and their taste it won't be your collaboration because you'll be only creating something that somebody else like whether you like it or not

[lelle]

I compose a bit. It's primarily for myself. I try out things that engage me, excite me, or seem interesting to me in some other way.

I'll sometimes show things to people and be curious about their reaction/feedback, especially when I'm trying to develop a specific composition skill such as counterpoint/fugue. But ultimately my goal is to make something based on my own vision. If other people like it, it's a nice bonus. If other people dislike it, it can sting a bit and then I move on with my life.

But ultimately I compose for my own pleasure so neither things matter or dictate what I write.

[pianoplayer51]

Somebody said to me that when you have singers and they create their music they have to create music and songs that are going to sell it's no good trying to make music that no one is going to like because no one will buy their records or CDs or things like that so from that point of view you have to make music that is going to be appealing to others it's also the same with books I know I'm deviating a bit but when you write a best seller you have to make it so that the book will sell in bookshops it's no good writing a book publishing a book and having nobody by your book because that's not how authors make Livings and author has to make a living so they've got to write books that will be sellable and people would like reading and it's the same with music I don't want to create music play it to an audience and the audience think goodness gracious me what Earth's is she doing here it's so boring

[transitional]

I compose for myself.

it's no good trying to make music that no one is going to like because no one will buy their records or CDs or things like that so from that point of view you have to make music that is going to be appealing to others

Although it's good to go to others for opinions on how you can make your music better, then you should make music that you enjoy. If you find that the only way to make money from something is to do it in a way you don't like, don't try to make a living from it.

[lelle]

Somebody said to me that when you have singers and they create their music they have to create music and songs that are going to sell it's no good trying to make music that no one is going to like because no one will buy their records or CDs or things like that so from that point of view you have to make music that is going to be appealing to others it's also the same with books I know I'm deviating a bit but when you write a best seller you have to make it so that the book will sell in bookshops it's no good writing a book publishing a book and having nobody by your book because that's not how authors make Livings and author has to make a living so they've got to write books that will be sellable and people would like reading and it's the same with music I don't want to create music play it to an audience and the audience think goodness gracious me what Earth's is she doing here it's so boring

Is your goal to make a living writing music, and would you be happy tailoring your music so you could sell millions of CD:s?

Or do you just want to do it for your own fun and happiness?

I like a lot of music that's quite unpalatable to the masses so I do not agree with your point.

[pianoplayer51]

I see the point.  Im not making a living from it so i do not have to tailor it to please anyone but myself

[geopianoincanada]

I want to learn how to compose beautiful piano melodies. But whenever I try something I shoot it down after hearing the recording played back because what emotions I feel upon listening never match what I felt during the performance.

[pianoplayer51]

You need to practice frequently and eventually you will master it

[ted]

Although there seem to be fundamental differences in the processes of composition and improvisation both are forms of musical creation, so my answer to the original poster's question is the same for both. As people such as Jarrett have amply demonstrated, a recording of an improvisation can, through modern technology, stand as an artistic end product equal to a written score.

I create because I have an inner imperative to do so. I don't do it "for" anybody or anything. It just gives me immense joy to do it and I don't know how or why it began. I could say I do it for myself but that answer seems somehow inadequate for reasons I cannot explain either.