Music Composition Lesson Overview
Music composition lessons take composers through a series of online music composition courses aimed at developing the composer’s knowledge of music theory, and teach composers how music theory relates to the organization of music. Starting with the fundamentals, music composition lessons teach concepts of unity, variety, and the aesthetics of musical form. While formal training in music isn’t required to begin studying music composition, a commitment to the art and knowledge of basic musical concepts is highly encouraged.
Composers learn how to write for a variety of ensembles through the orchestration music composition course. Orchestration starts with the solo instruments and works up to large ensembles. Monthly seminars help to keep composers motivated and inspired, courses provide appropriate fundamental training in music composition, while private instruction allows a student composer to develop creatively by writing original compositions. This three-part approach to training composers allows music composition students to progress rapidly and develop their own individual musical voice. Online music composition lessons are taught by composer, khan.
Adequate progress for a composer requires that the student composer complete approximately two musical works per year and stays active in the current music theory course. One of the works should be performed publicly by a local group or by the composer. Performances can be in the form of a recording or community event.
The programme is delivered in a series of six-month Certificate Levels. The first three levels are taught in weekly, one-and-a-half hour group lessons, focused on strategies of improvisation as a tool for composing. The final three six-month Certificate Levels involve weekly hour-long private tutorials. The weekly sessions also cover subjects such as fugue, orchestration or advanced analysis, depending on the individual student’s needs and interests
Throughout the course, students also attend two-hour workshops, twice a month, focusing on key elements of compositional practice, including instrumentation, notation and setting pictures to sound. These also provide a unique forum for students to hear their work-in-process performed by instrumentalists from the Conservatory
To progress to Composition Level 4 on the course, a student must first have passed Theory Certificate Level 3. After each six-month block, students will be required to submit a satisfactory composition portfolio before progressing to the next Certificate Level. Portfolios will be reviewed every six months.
Course Syllabus
Month
1: Chords in Classical Music, Voicing Chords, Basic Harmony Progressions, Voice Leading, Introduction to Texture Month
2: Basic Progressions with Inversions, Voice Leading 2, Keyboard Voicing, Creating Accompaniment, Textural Reduction Month
3: Sequential Progressions, Non-chord Tones Month
4: Diatonic chord substitution, Cadences, Parallel Period Form, Melodic Writing Techniques Month
5: Chromatic Substitution, 2-voice counterpoint Month
6: Progressions within Progressions, Alberti Bass, Rounded Binary Form
Recommended Background
A background in basic music theory is needed. This should include familiarity with the following:
1. key signatures;
2. meter, time signature;
3. reading treble and bass clefs;
4. rhythmic note value names and meanings (eighth, quarter, half, etc.)
5. reading of intervals (melodic and harmonic) up to a 10th.
6. Chord types: major, minor, diminished, 7th chords (Mm7, m7, diminished 7, etc.)
