What readings and activities would you recommend to someone interested in becoming able to compose music, as opposed to learning how to play any particular instrument?
Reading: An Introduction to Tonal Theory by Peter Westergaard.
Activity: Study scores. Copy them out by hand. (This is actually the traditional method of learning composition, believe it or not; it might be compared to tracing drawings in visual art). Make simplified versions (e.g. write out the “main line”, then “main two lines”, etc.). Make analyses of works as in Westergaard. And, above all: attempt to compose, and learn by trial and error.
What readings and activities would you recommend to someone interested in becoming able to compose music, as opposed to learning how to play any particular instrument?
Reading: An Introduction to Tonal Theory by Peter Westergaard.
Activity: Study scores. Copy them out by hand. (This is actually the traditional method of learning composition, believe it or not; it might be compared to tracing drawings in visual art). Make simplified versions (e.g. write out the “main line”, then “main two lines”, etc.). Make analyses of works as in Westergaard. And, above all: attempt to compose, and learn by trial and error.
Feel free to inquire further.
Thanks!