By Mandy Weems
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Composing. Every
pianist has heard the word and knows what it means, but few can do
it well. Some try their whole lives to be able to compose one piece
of music, and others seem to be able to crank out beautiful
compositions all the time. And, while it seems to come naturally to
some, how do they constantly produce beautiful melodies,
instrumentals, and wondrous music that can take us far away.
These gifted
musicians have a certain way that they create their piano
compositions and they use this method for every composition that
they create. No one can tell you your specific formula for creating
a great musical composition, since there are many different steps
and areas to think about when you are ready to compose. To help you
find your method, here are the main components of composition and a
bit about each one to show you exactly what is involved with each
area of composition.
Theme – What is
your composition about? What are you trying to convey to the
listener? Springtime, a thunderstorm, another country, love,
sadness? There are millions of different themes and emotions that
music can evoke in any listener, and you should have a general idea
of what your composition will be about. Once you have this theme
for your music, you'll find that the composition process will go a
lot easier. While you are creating the other areas of your piano
score, keep your theme in mind so you don't stray from it. Write it
down on a sheet of paper and keep it in front of you, almost like a
goal that you are trying to reach with your composition. The theme
is the life of your composition and you should always keep it close
to your heart, and your fingers, while you work.
Melody – When you
decided to compose a piece of music, you probably already had a
small strain of music in your mind. This strain is your melody and
should be the focal point of your composition. It was probably this
strain that led you to your theme or vise versa, and the two should
always work hand in hand. For example, if your theme is love, then
a cacophony of percussion and hard hitting notes isn’t the best way
to go about conveying your love to the listener. But, wonderful
melodies that melt the heart with soft and warm winds and piano
strains would be better suited to create an atmosphere of love in
your composition. Once your theme and melody are aligned, the rest
of your composition will be a lot easier to create. Use your base
melody and expand on it throughout the piece, allowing it to grow
and move you where it wants you to go. Your melody will help you
move to your chorus, which will be the next focal point of your
composition.
Chorus – This is
the strain of music that will be repeated at least twice in your
composition. It can be as simple as a few lines of music, or as
complex as a whole page, depending on the length and the theme of
your music. The chorus is the one area of your composition that
every listener will recognize the second time they hear it and know
that it is the chorus. It is also where your theme and melody
should meet flawlessly and allow your listener to see that
thunderstorm, hear those springtime birds, or visualize those waves
crashing on the beach. The chorus is what will keep your
composition together and give you a base to work from for the
remaining parts of the work.
Introduction –
The intro into your composition is not a “must have” item. Some
composers will not create a piece without one, while it doesn't
matter at all to others. The intro can help you bring your listener
into the composition and help to set the overall mood of the piece.
Thunderstorms usually start with a light rain, so you can use an
intro to set the mood and the ambiance for your storm. But, they
also can come on suddenly, with a surprising crash and brightness
that can be blinding, so you can do with an intro and throw your
listener into the eye of the storm. Either way, the introduction is
up to the composer and should bring your listener into your work.
Bridge – The
bridge is the part of your composition that will bring two sections
of music together that wouldn't otherwise fit. In most musical
works, the bridge is used to take a pause to help the listener
reflect on previous parts of the composition. It is used between
the melody and the chorus, and in many other areas throughout
different compositions, and is only a small strain of notes that
will “bridge” other pieces of the piano composition together.
Instruments – A
good composer knows his instruments, their ranges, their sounds,
their pitches, and so on. It doesn't matter if you are only
composing for the piano or for an entire orchestra, knowing your
instruments and their abilities will help you to create great
melodic strains that will melt together flawlessly. Along with the
instrument comes the musician, and you should also consider who will
be playing your composition when you are creating it. If you are
writing for the piano, you don't need to consider things such as
length of breath, but instead you should think about the average
player's abilities, positions of the notes on the ivories, and their
stamina for continuing long and complex strains of music. Knowing
your instruments will help you to become a better composer.
Changes – Once
you have developed a melody, theme, and so on, you will start to
place these items into your composition. But, creating a piece of
music that is a completely repetitive pattern does get a bit boring,
so you will need to change things up a bit. By changing up a part
of your composition, you will help to keep the listener in the
moment and really listening to your work, instead of drifting off
somewhere. You can create a second melody to compliment the first,
and insert it into your composition without warning to create a
change in the overall sound in certain parts, or you can insert a
completely different chorus or bridge that will help to change up a
transition into another area.
Once you have
these basic areas of composition down, other areas can then be
worked in. Things such as your personal style will play a huge role
in the overall sound and composition, but is completely different
from composer to composer, and no one can tell you how to create
your own individual style. With your own personal style of
composing, you'll find the pattern that you prefer, be it Melody,
Chorus, Bridge, Melody, Chorus, Bridge, Ending, or be it something
completely random and different. By simply sitting down at the
piano, with a tape recorder, and a pen and paper, you will be taking
the first step into completing a masterpiece that you can be proud
of for the rest of your life.
Mandy Weems is an official writer for
Free Piano Sheet Music.
COMPOSING YOUR FIRST PIANO WORK
