Tag: composition
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Composer As Communicator & Explorer
“It should be noted here that proficiency in composition occasionally correlates with maladjustment to the culture and is often associated with religions activity.” Music in Primitive Culture by Bruno Nettl, 1956, pg. 11 When I read that quote, I felt it resonate with me. Not that I’m all that “maladjusted” but that often times composers…
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Investigating How Environments Shape What Music Was Created And Performed
As a composer, I often find myself captivated by the ways in which the environment shapes the music that is created and performed around the globe. From some of the more traditional societies of Africa and Asia to the modern metropolises of the West, the music of the world reflects the unique characteristics of the…
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Exploring Music Notation: Staves, Textiles, & Organic!
As a composer, notation is a crucial aspect of my art. It allows me to convey my musical ideas to performers, enabling them to bring my compositions to life. While standard music notation is the predominant system in Western classical music, there are numerous other methods of notating music. These include non-standard notation systems and…
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Exploring music improvisation from around the world
Improvisation is a vital element in many world music traditions and has played a significant role in the development of music across cultures for centuries. It’s a way for musicians to respond to the changing needs and moods of the audience and bring their own personal style and creativity to the music. In this article,…
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What is voice leading in music? a quick overview
I learned about voice leading from a very academic angle. It was introduced to me through counterpoint and then through four-part writing. I was never a singer, except for my first year of college where I had to be in the choir, and though voice leading pertains to all instruments, it’s very clear when singing.…
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What’s counterpoint in music? who what when where & why
During my undergraduate work, counterpoint happened to be one of my favorite topics in music theory (Who am I kidding? I liked them all!). I was a teacher’s assistant and graded many counterpoint exercises. What I saw was if students grasped the principles of counterpoint, they were more successful when we got to four-part writing,…
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Writing music analysis for non-musicians & music majors
Whether you know music or not, you may be asked to write an essay/analysis on a piece of music. If you’re a music major or thinking about studying music in college, get used to it! This task can feel a little overwhelming, especially if it is your first time writing about music. This article is…
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I IV V Progression – A Musical Cliché Explained
In tonal music the I IV V chord progression is a sequence of chords based on the 1st, 4th, and 5th scales degrees. For example, in the key of C major the progression would be (I) C-major, (IV) F-major, and (V) G-major.
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Timbre’s Deep Evolutionary Power
Timbre is what makes each sound have a unique and identifiable sound. It’s how we can tell our mom’s voice from our sister’s voice. Or how we can tell the difference between a piano playing the pitch A and an oboe playing the same note. It’s the physical differences of the instrument or object and…
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9 Bach Chord Progressions To Use In Your Music
J.S. Bach is one of the greatest composers of all time, so it stands to reason that you are on solid ground using his music for inspiration. Specifically, in this article, I want to show you how his chord progressions can help you write new and interesting music. Many musicians get writers block, and it…