Compositions and arrangements

[Nebulous]

Hi Chris

I was jsut wondering, since your pretty experienced in learning and teaching music, if you could maybe point me in the right direction of HOW to study composition and arranging. I know I'm not a student of yours, and I understand if you don't want to give to much away, or even if one post isn't enought to really explain it. What I'm concerned about is that just listening to other peoples work isn't what is normally considered "studying", and that I won't actually get much from it.

In doing this, I'm trying to mainly improve my song writing, so if you could give me a few tips, or reffer me to other recources, that would be really awsome.

Cheers for your time Chris

Daniel

 

[Chris_Broderick]

Hi Chris

I was jsut wondering, since your pretty experienced in learning and teaching music, if you could maybe point me in the right direction of HOW to study composition and arranging. I know I'm not a student of yours, and I understand if you don't want to give to much away, or even if one post isn't enought to really explain it. What I'm concerned about is that just listening to other peoples work isn't what is normally considered "studying", and that I won't actually get much from it.

In doing this, I'm trying to mainly improve my song writing, so if you could give me a few tips, or reffer me to other recources, that would be really awsome.

Cheers for your time Chris

Daniel

Hey Daniel,

I don't mind giving you tips at all; there is so much info that it would take a long time to convey it all. The best thing I would recommend is taking theory courses at a community collage (inexpensive and the curriculum is nearly the same as a 4 year collage). I know you wanted more details right now but the question is really to big to answer on a forum.

Take care, Chris.

 

[Nebulous]

Hey Daniel,

I don't mind giving you tips at all; there is so much info that it would take a long time to convey it all. The best thing I would recommend is taking theory courses at a community collage (inexpensive and the curriculum is nearly the same as a 4 year collage). I know you wanted more details right now but the question is really to big to answer on a forum.

Take care, Chris.

Haha, cheers. I guess "learn theory" is an answer
I might just have to look into it. Cheers.

 

[progmetaldan]

I'm definately finding that learning theory is a huge help, as it sort of gives you the reason why whatever it is that your doing works... And helps you figure out things even if you don't have a guitar in hand etc...

 

[r_young112]

check out theory and harmony by keith wyatt and carl schroeder, im using it now, very good theory book

 

[Nebulous]

check out theory and harmony by keith wyatt and carl schroeder, im using it now, very good theory book

Cheers. I might pick up a theory book soon (after I've had a look through my old ones that I haven't touched for years). I'm actually thinking of going back to private tutoring if I get a job that I've applied for. I could use the extra theory, but I wouldn't complain about some more tip on my technique anyway, so a tutor might be my best option.

 

[Nebulous]

check out theory and harmony by keith wyatt and carl schroeder, im using it now, very good theory book

Check your PM's dude

 

[Chris_Broderick]

Also,

a pretty good site to visit is:

www.musictheory.net

it's not extemely advanced ( more then a lot of people know) but they have exercises and a lot of good info that you can get for free there.

Chris.

 

[Nebulous]

Awsome. Thanks for that Chris.

 

[Nebulous]

Since i had so much help here, I thought I'd update everyone on what's going on.
I figured that sicne I'm between jobs atm and can't completely devote time and money to sceduled lessons, my best bet for now would be to get a theory book. I took R_young112's advice and bought Harmony and theory, as well as Composing music by William Russo.
Right now I'm about 2/3 of the way through reading Harmony and Theory. Upon the second readthrough I will do all the excercises, that way i will be understanding deeper, being the second time, and will re-inforce concepts.

So far, even through just reading the book, I've noticed an improvement in my aproach to writing music and note selection, as I'm begining to understand why certain notes work within a certain context.

I'd like to thank everyone who gave me some tips and advice, it will not be all forgotten, now that I have these books. Once I get through these I would still like to continue studying, and hope to be able to get some pro lessons and continue learning and improving.

Once again, cheers and beers

 

[progmetaldan]

Thats great man, keep on it!

 

[Nebulous]

Cheers. Will do.
It's amazing how reading a bit will make you realise the power of whole/ half steps and intervals. It's one thing that I use to take for granted!

 

[r_young112]

haha i totally did not notice you replied in here, yeah intervals are DAMN important, a while ago when i had been into theory for 6 months, my teacher gave me this sheet, FILLED with intervals, 120 intervals all together, the last 2 lines were multiple intervals too, and by the time i was done with that i could read the whole thing off in less then 3 minutes

...then i did it with the inverse intervals

but yeah that books really good, the later chapters are amazing, im just starting 23, and the modal interchange, and stuff like that is really really nice to have in your playing

and now i think im gonna go check into some thicker theory books, because i gotta say this has given me one hell of a solid ground to stand on...

 

[Nebulous]

When I bought H&T I also got Composing Music by William Russo. It has different topics and according to reviews, covers more advanced concepts. Maybe you could look into it, to see if it's what you're after?

 

[r_young112]

definitely, ill check it out, the MI press has one for aural skills that i wanna check into too

 

[Netherworld]

Yes when learning about arrangements, learning theory is always the best way to go. I would be in courses at the local college if I wasn't broke.