Volume 1: Elements of Music Composition
Introduction to Music Composition
Organicism in Music
The Elements of Music Composition gives composers the missing puzzle piece to create musical works that endure and become richer and more meaningful with each performance. Composers learn how a musical work can grow out of a single seed and connect the different disciplines within music composition. Applying the concepts in this book will help composers create highly effective works that resonate with audiences.
The education of a composer typically includes instruction in subject areas that are designed to teach composers about the methods that composers of the past used to create original works:
◆ Counterpoint teaches composers to combine multiple melodies that create harmony.
◆ Music theory teaches chords, progressions, and how to write established harmonies.
◆ Orchestration colors a musical work and adds depth.
◆ Form serves as the container for expansive musical ideas.
These cornerstones of music composition are important to the development of a composer's technique and skill, but they do not teach how to think like a composer. The Elements of Music Composition introduces the concepts of coherence and comprehensibility, which results in a single theory of composition that is flexible and teaches composers to think like the master composers of the past. This book provides the missing puzzle piece for composers who want to learn how elements in music can work together to create an organic and coherent musical work.
Designed for Composers of All Levels
Pulling back the veil to reveal how master composers create original works
Deconstructing the dogma associated with the seemingly impenetrable art of music composition is one of the primary aims of this work. Composers are introduced to the concept of organic music and begin to develop an understanding of how coherence and comprehensibility play a major role in the creation of musical works.
Understand the Principles Composers Use to Create Masterworks
Music theory is only a stepping stone to the creation of original music compositions
Music theory teaches a composer to create derivative music of an established style. While music theory is essential to learning how the masters constructed their musical works, it doesn't necessarily teach composers how to compose original music. This book shines a light on the process of composing music by showing how composers can use melody, harmony, form, orchestration, and counterpoint in a connected process where every element contributes to the composition and serves a role.
A Practical Approach to Music Composition Without Arbitrary Exercises
The craft of music composition is revealed through a careful review of the elements of music
Composers will not complete exercises, improve technique, or learn the typical concepts addressed in your average music composition course. This book also does not prescribe generic exercises that instruct a composer to create a melody on an established chord progression, fix voice leading errors, or create modulations to scripted keys. Learn a philosophy of music composition based on centuries of musical development. Travel deep inside the process of composing to reveal fundamental principles that can be applied to almost any style of music.
Volume 2: Music Composition Technique Builder
For Composers Who Want to Compose Coherent Music
The Elements of Music Composition gives composers the missing puzzle piece that makes it possible to create musical works that endure and become richer and more meaningful with each performance. Composers learn to create a composition that grows out of a single seed and connects the different disciplines within music composition. Applying the concepts in this book will help composers create highly effective works that resonate with audiences. The education of a composer typically includes instruction in subject areas that are designed to teach composers about the methods that composers of the past used to create original works.
- Counterpoint teaches composers to combine multiple melodies.
- Music theory teaches chords and progressions.
- Orchestration colors a musical work and adds depth.
- Form serves as the container for expansive musical ideas.
These cornerstones of music composition are important to the development of a composer's technique and skill, but they do not teach how to think like a composer. The Elements of Music Composition introduces a concept of coherence to bring all of these components together into a single theory of composition that is flexible, does not demand adherence to strict rules, and teaches composers to think like the master composers of the past. Think about music in an entirely different way. Learn to compose music where every element is critical to the whole. This book provides the missing puzzle piece for composers who want to learn how elements in music work together to create an organic and coherent musical work.
Designed for Composers of All Levels
Pulling back the veil to reveal how master composers create original works
Deconstructing the dogma associated with the seemingly impenetrable art of music composition is a primary aim of this work. Composers are introduced to the concept of organic music and begin to develop an understanding of how coherence and comprehensibility play a major role in the creation of musical works.
Understand the Principles Composers Use to Create Masterworks
Music theory is only a stepping stone to the creation of original music compositions
Music theory teaches a composer to create derivative music of an established style. While music theory is essential to learning how the masters constructed their musical works, it doesn't necessarily teach composers anything about writing original music. This book shines a light on the process of composing music by showing composers how to use melody, harmony, form, orchestration, and counterpoint in a connected process where every element contributes to the composition and serves a role.
A Practical Approach to Music Composition Without Arbitrary Exercises
The craft of music composition is revealed through a careful review of the elements of music
Composers will not complete exercises, improve technique, or learn the typical concepts addressed in your average music composition course. Travel deep inside the process of composing to reveal fundamental principles that can be applied to almost any style of music. Generic exercises that instruct a composer to create a melody on an established chord progression, fix voice leading errors, and create modulations to scripted keys do not encourage original thought.
Composing Music Series: Vol. II
The Elements of Music composition starts composers on a path of musical mastery. The complete four-volume series serves as a complete education in music composition. Volume II develops the composer's technique and inner ear. Volume III teaches composers the craft of counterpoint and harmony. Volume IV completes the training by refining the composer's craft and turning it into art.
Workbook: Technique Builder Workbook
Technique Builder Workbook, Book 1
Audio Files Available on Apple Music, Amazon Music, or your favorite streaming service. Search for Kevin Ure Technique Builder Audio.
The workbook contains the Daily Routines and Mirror Exercises that are available in the Music Composition Technique Builder text. It is not necessary to purchase this text to make use of the Technique Builder book that is available separately. There is a link to download the files in the Technique Builder DRM-Free. However, this text includes larger images to make it easier to read and additional ear training exercises. It's also possible to use the code inside the Technique Builder text to receive a DRM-free copy of this book along with the audio to print and use in full resolution.
There are 7 Sight Singing Sets and 7 Rhythm Sets included in this book that are not available in the Technique Builder textbook.
Etudes included in workbook:
① Daily Routines 1-7*
② Mirror Exercises 1-12*
③ Sight Singing Sets 1-7
④ Rhythm Sets 1-7
This text complements the Music Composition Technique Builder textbook. While this book may be used standalone to develop the ear, it is intended only for musicians who already know how to identify notes on the staff and can play an instrument. Through a series of simple etudes, musicians can develop their technique and learn to sight-read and hear music in their mind's ear. These exercises have been used in various undergraduate music courses across the country.
Please do not purchase this workbook unless you already have a basic ability to identify notes on the staff and play written sheet music at a very basic level.
*Included in the Music Composition Technique Builder. The workbook totals 65 pages in length.