Want To Become A Music Composer?
Welcome all music aspirants and future composers!
In my career as a music composer and music producer, I have been asked a lot of times that 'How do you manage to create a tune?' It is a very difficult question to answer to, but on a single moment of that question, I remember the whole journey of making myself able to compose tunes! All the efforts taken while learning(the journey is on yet), travel like a cinema film in front of eyes!
If you are reading this because you want to be a good music composer, then you have landed at a correct place. Many music aspirants ask about being able to create fresh tunes. Well, there is no any formula to compose a tune. No one in the world can tell exactly how to compose, but yes, there are certain tips which will help you to find the inner ability of creating melody, or to learn the skills which are utmost compulsory for becoming a music composer.
You need to have at least some basic knowledge of music to start with. If you are already learning to sing or play an instrument, that is really helpful, but if not, stop reading and go get yourself enrolled in a music training class. You won't understand the beauty of composing melodious tunes, unless you experience it while learning. Composing is an art. And it is true that you have to have it hidden in you, but you need to take proper training to find the art within you.
Learn Raagas, Scales:
Musical notes are limited, but there is a whole musical universe created with different combinations of these notes. These combinations create different moods, feelings! Every emotion in the world can be expressed with the help of musical combinations. In Indian Classical Music, these combinations are called Thaats and Raagas. There are Scales in Western Music. Raaga Bhoop can show a fresh morning whereas a beautiful evening can be unfolded by Raaga Yaman! you will never be able to compose an intense melody if you have never come across the lure of playing with these musical combinations!
Learn Rhythm Patterns, Time signatures:
Rhythm plays a vital role in composition. Yes, some songs are without rhythm, but majority of music has been bounded with the beats. Rhythm is the backbone of songs. Especially in Folk Music. Folk genre is basically founded strongly on rhythm patterns. So everyone that is willing to compose a tune should necessarily have at least some basic knowledge of rhythm, tempo, patterns. Time Signatures are very important if you want to play creatively with the rhythm of the song. At times, adding two or more time signatures to the same single song, create a magnificent impact on listeners.
No Shortcut For Practice:
They say art is a God's gift! But to nurture that skill, you HAVE to seriously practice it daily. You can not just seat and think I already know singing/playing an instrument/composing a tune (etc), so I do not need to take much efforts. You think like that and you are finished! Even great legendary artists never miss their daily practice session. Even if they are touring, or stuck in some stuff. So if you really want to become a good artist ( this is applicable not only to composers but to every art form) you need to practice a lot. Also keep an eye on the practicing techniques and perfection. You should practice in a correct manner. A single small wrong technique can ruin your skill. So it's better if you practice under some proper trainer's guidance.
Try To Compose Lyrics:
Composing words is very different and difficult than composing only a melody, i.e. just a tune. While composing just a tune without words, you can go with your instinct and composer whatever comes in your mind. But when you are going to compose some words, you have to be careful. The meaning of those words is the most important thing that you should keep in mind while giving a melody to those words. E.g. there is word sky in the poetry, and you compose it in lower notes, it would be totally opposite o the meaning of the word! Such technical aspects you should always take in to consideration. One always needs to read a lot of good poetry, try to understand the hidden meaning, read between the lines. All these will help you become a better composer! Try to compose the expressions hidden in the words. If you succeed in that the you have become a good music composer for sure!
Study Different Meters:
In Indian music, we are blessed to have such a rich legacy of marvelous poets! Even just reading various genres of poetry will bring enrichment to the study of poetic beauty. A very important part here, we get to read different meters in our poetry. And as music student, everyone should always try to compose lyrics of different meters. Composing in different meters makes us strong in playing with rhythm and time signatures.
Listen, Listen & Listen:
Constantly listening to good variety music is a key for increasing own reference database and knowledge. It is impossible that you will just sit at home in front of a musical instrument and suddenly a great tune will reach you out from universe without you having enough knowledge, references in the musical section of your brain! Try to recognize rhythm patterns, raagas, scales, times signatures. The more knowledge you will try to acquire, the more it is going to be easy for bringing variety in your work and scope for arrangement.
These all are just some basic tips that will help you technically to be able to compose tunes. In reality no one can teach someone to create or compose a musical tune. But by following these tips, I am sure you will be able to take a step ahead towards your dream of becoming a music composer!
Also, you can definitely write to me for help composing on our email id firstname.lastname@example.org