Music Composition For Dummies^®

by Scott Jarrett; Holly Day

• ISBN13: 9780470377178
• ISBN10: 0470377178
• Format: eBook
• Copyright: 2008-02-01
• Publisher: For Dummies

Summary

Want to turn that haunting tune in your head into an awesome sound in your ear? You can! Music Composition For Dummies demystifies the process of composing music and writing songs. It guides you through every step of writing your own music, from choosing the right rhythm and tempo to creating melodies and chord progressions and working with instruments and voices.In this fun and practical guide, you'll learn how to match keys and chords to the mood you want to convey, work a form without limiting your creativity, and hammer out a musical idea, even when your mind is drawing a blank. You'll find out how to create popular songs, classically structured pieces, and even film, TV, and video game soundtracks. And, you'll learn what you need to know about music composition software, including Finale, Sebelius, Pro Tools, and more. Discover how to: Preserve and organize your musical ideas Work with established chord progressions or create your own Develop great rhythms Select the right instruments Find melodies in your head, your instrument, and the world around you Use major and minor scales Work with modes and moods Build melodic motifs and phrases Use the circle of fifths to harmonize Write for multiple voices Make a demo recordingFilled with creative exercises to build your composing skills, Music Composition for Dummies is the resource you need to get that melody out of your head and into the world.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Basics and Rhythm.

Thinking Like a Composer

Tools of the Trade

Musical Scrapbooks: Writing on Paper and Screen

Rhythm and Mood

Melody and Development.

Finding Melodies Where You Least Expect Them

Scales and Modes, Moods and Melodies

Building Melodies Using Motifs and Phrases

Developing Your Melodies

Harmony and Structure.

Harmonizing with Melodies

Composing with Chords

Composing from the Void

Beginnings, Middles, and Endings

Musical Forms

Orchestration and Arrangement.

Composing for the Standard Orchestra

Composing for the Nonstandard Orchestra

Composing for Multiple Voices

Composing Commercial Music and Songs

Composing Electronic Music

Composing for Other Musicians

The Part of Tens.

Ten Composers You Should Know About

Nine Career Opportunities for Composers

Ten Recommended Books for Composers

Ten Periods of Music History to Explore

Modes and Chords Reference.

Glossary.

Index.

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.