Questions tagged [composition]
For questions about the creation of new music and the techniques used to do so.
1,005 questions
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Why does Loge's motive appear at the end of Act 2 of Götterdämmerung?
Here's one version of Loge's motive, screenshot from this video:
The key character of this motive is colored in red. And at the end of Act 2 of Götterdämmerung, in 03:06:10 of this video, we can hear ...
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Haydn’s Op. 76 No. 1 and the Priest’s March in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte
Is there any documented relationship between the opening of the Adagio sostenuto of Haydn’s Op. 76 No. 1 and the Priest’s March in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte?
Mozart (F major) starts with: A - C , F F, ...
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Do French horns in a wind band share parts?
I'm writing a piece for wind ensemble (ie, concert band but mostly one player per part). I understand the convention is that first and third French horns have the higher parts while second and fourth ...
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How can I choose the best instruments and rhythm for my song?
I have come up with the lyrics for a song entitled "when novel goodness ends".
The lyrics are in Italian. Here they are:
Canzone (il nome della canzone, è… when novel goodness ends ??
Si ...
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Has contemporary classical/academic music been influenced by black metal in the form of reverse cultural borrowing
I’ve been struck by the profound parallels between atmospheric black metal and late romantic/20th/21th-century classical/academic music — not merely in emotional tone, but in musical language. Both ...
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Why are there so few songs written in D♯ major or E♭ minor?
I noticed this graph on https://annas-archive.li/blog/backing-up-spotify.html computed over 86 million music files, representing around 99.6% of Spotify listens:
Why are there so few songs written ...
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Writing "Easy Piano" arrangements
I would like to write "easy piano" arrangements for songs that I have written. I particularly admire the easy piano arrangements of John Brimhall. He seems to be able to capture the essence ...
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Composing for viola: playability
Is this playable on viola?
Eighth-note equal to 90 clicks. This is just for an effect, so it doesn't have to be as clean as possible. I'm worried that the g# would be a stretch.
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What are composers or improvisers who utilize chords with large compound intervals spanning more than two octaves? [closed]
I’m coming up with my own approach and I’m trying to see how others have done it.
To clarify, I am seeking composers and improvisers who treat intervals like a 23rd differently than they would a 9th. ...
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Smoke on the Water == Beethoven's 5th?
I just came across this video featuring guitarist Ritchie Blackmore:
Ritchie Blackmore talks about the inspiration for Smoke on the water
He says that if you invert the four note pattern in the ...
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What is a voice leading (Guitar notation)
I’m studying guitar writing from the Arranging 1 Workbook by Bob Doezema.
While going through the different writing techniques, I came across one in particular that confused me.
I’m not sure if it ...
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"Version control" for composing music
At the moment I use MuseScore for writing down and composing music.
While the melody usually comes up while playing around on the piano, I often construct the chords, instruments, repetitions, key etc....
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Exercises and test questions in music theory books [closed]
I am an amateur musician and want to improve my music theory aiming to learn to write simple counterpoint. I have a few books which have been recommended to me. Most books include exercises to test my ...
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EBNF grammar for composition?
I am trying to learn a bit of composition and had an idea that it would be nice to have a EBNF description of structure and harmony. I wonder if anyone has seen this kind of thing somewhere maybe ...
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From simple melodies to small tracks
I came up with a few melodies and would like to know how to make longer tracks from these, approximately in the length and way how this piece plays around with its basic melody EBF4 Estavius. I don't ...