Arthur Ned Maxwell composer

  How to compose music

   Composing or writing music is a very rewarding experience. This experience has lasting benefits. First, just doing something creative and satisfying, is enriching and rewarding. The idea of beginning something, seeing it to its fruition, is a feat accompli.  A project of this magnitude can bring enormous joy and satisfaction. To write and complete a musical manuscript has many advantages. Only to name a few, the manuscript itself is a work of art. Something to look at and admire. Imagine, being able to read and perceive the actual playing of the work by a group or an orchestra, mentally ahead of time as you complete your score. Now this is what every composer dreams of,  to write his very on music and eventually have others listen to and enjoy his music.

   How does one go about actually composing music? For starters, one should have some previous experience with music. Played the piano, for example. Know how to read music. Perhaps is familiar with the music scales. There are also those who play by ear. They can also use a keyboard to give input to the midi interface on their computers so as to compose or arrange their music. The music itself, must come from within. One most have some sense of rhythm, timing, and be able to carry a tune, hum a melody, or a song. One should be able to do some of these things in order to become a good composer. The music must make sense. It must have a sense of coherency. It must be written in a logical, progressive order.
    One would also want to be able to read and write the music on a score sheet. Those are the blank pages with the music scales printed on them. On this manuscript paper, you would write your music notes. Score writing software such as 'print music', by Finale,  is a wonderful tool to use. It has the music score built into the software. You can compose piano music or write for a full scale orchestra. Then you can hear and print what you have written.    They say that composers hear music ln their head. They can make up melodies as they go along. Thus, it comes as no surprise, that just like the poet who jots down his notes and thoughts. His writing poem after poem and eventually  utilizing them. Thus, there comes a time when a composer feels he must do the right thing. Do something with those thoughts and tunes. Compose his music.

      Familiarize yourself with the tools available on the internet. Listen to artists and music as never before. Try and get a perspective of what is going on. Turn from being an avid listener to an avid student of music. Start slow and develop into a full bloomed good composer.