Dynamics Do the Storytelling: Loud and Soft as Structure
Dynamics play a crucial role in music composition, adding depth, emotion, and contrast to a piece. They help convey the intensity and mood of the mus…
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Minimalism Made Repetition the Subject
Minimalism is a fascinating and influential movement in music that emerged in the mid-20th century. It is characterized by simplicity, repetition, an…
Why Claude Debussy Never Cared About Music Theory
Claude Debussy was born on August 22, 1862, so writing a post to celebrate seemed appropriate. Debussy was a revolutionary composer who challenged th…
The Hazards of Pedantic Teaching
The ultimate goal of any composer is to create music that moves the listener. However, many students face the challenge of learning from composers wh…
Counterpoint Is How Independent Melodies Learn to Agree
If you want to learn more about the history and theory of polyphonic music, consider writing your own cantus firmus composition. A cantus firmus is a…
Classical Music Kept Baroque's Grammar: Similarities That Run Deep
The shift from the Baroque period (roughly 1600 to 1750) to the Classical period (roughly 1750 to 1820) is often taught as a revolution: ornate count…
Composing a Melodic Skeleton that Unifies Harmony and Melody - Online Music Composition Lessons
One of the challenges of composing music is to create a coherent and expressive melodic line that fits well with the underlying harmonic structure. A…