Why It Is Okay to Copy Other Composers (Preferably Public Domain) I am currently listening to the third movement of Mendelssohn's 5th Symphony, "Reformation". I have heard some people say that Mendelssohn lost his youthful edginess and his later … [Read more]
Questions Every Composer Needs to Ask
Posted on May 6, 2013 // Leave a Comment
How to Really Start Improving Your Composing Since I started artofcomposing.com back in August of 2011, I have been searching for different methods, techniques, theory... in fact just about anything that can improve my composing. You Are What You … [Read more]
Some Beautiful Ralph Vaughan Williams
Posted on May 2, 2013 // Leave a Comment
Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis http://youtu.be/IbzxhZT6akk The Lark Ascending http://youtu.be/ZR2JlDnT2l8 … [Read more]
The Meaning of Your Music
Posted on April 30, 2013 // 2 Comments
Internet Forums, Symbols, Value, and the Golden Rule If you are a regular visitor to artofcomposing.com, you may have realized I have not been posting very much recently. The main reason is, I have been doing a lot of reading. And consequently, I've … [Read more]
A Course on Basic Music Theory
Posted on February 23, 2013 // Leave a Comment
For many people, music theory is a dry, uninteresting subject that is painful to learn, and hard to put into practice. I have never been cursed with this mindset. In fact, I have always enjoyed learning about music and the theoretical aspects behind … [Read more]
Novel Writers on the Composing Process
Posted on February 16, 2013 // 2 Comments
Recently I've had ideas for a novel, that I think could be pretty good... if not down right awesome. The problem is, I don't know how to write. Actually, I know how to write, I just don't know how to write a 50,000 word novel. When I originally had … [Read more]
You Are a Terrible Composer
Posted on February 2, 2013 // 1 Comment
Actually, thats not true, but hopefully I got your attention. The fact is, most people will get this idea in their head at least once in their career. Many will get it over and over again. So let's take a look at why you may think your compositions … [Read more]
Piano Sonata No. 1, Mvmt ii
Posted on February 1, 2013 // Leave a Comment
Here is the 2nd movement to my first piano sonata. I am trying to finish up this piano sonata soon, because I have put off the last movements for far too long. Gotta keep on keepin' on. http://youtu.be/W-SdbqpOkuQ … [Read more]
30 Minute Composition #8: Prelude in C# Minor
Posted on January 7, 2013 // 4 Comments
Here is another 30 minute composition. This is written in 5/8 time, so there is a constant "incomplete" feeling most of the time... but I kind of like that. As far as composing for 30 minutes, I made it to about bar 24. That is pretty much the … [Read more]
Merry Christmas!
Posted on December 25, 2012 // 3 Comments
Enjoy this little ditty. I arranged this back in college, and I always wanted to take it caroling. I once went caroling using a caroling book from the high school band. Needless to say, the arrangements were not very good. Here is my take on an old … [Read more]
