Music Composition 101: Fundamentals, Principals, and Myths

Welcome to Music Composition 101: Fundamentals, Principals, and Myths. The complete guide to getting started in music composition.

This is a class designed for the average person who is ready to take their music career (or music interest) and develop it into something more. Whether you are an active musician or an aspiring musician, this class is perfect for you.

When most people think of a composer, they imagine someone sitting in a dusty attic with a grand piano, big white wig, and the year is 1800. That might have been accurate back then, but the modern composer is just like you and me. In fact, I am one. 

In this course, I'll show you the techniques I use for writing music in a variety of styles and situations. I've worked with major American orchestras, film studios, and video game designers, so I've got more than a little experience. I'm also a Ph.D. in music composition and a university professor (of music composition). 

Recently I was named as a semi-finalist for the Grammy Foundation's Music Educator of the Year award because of my in-person university classes. Now I'm taking those classes to Skillshare in an online format in order to reach more students and give them the joy of Music Theory.

This course starts with common misconceptions about the art of writing music. I'll give you the first one right now: You don't have to be a genius. Music Composition is a skill that can be learned, with practice.

Some of the topics we will cover in this class are: 

• My background, and listen to some of my music

• What you need to know

• Myths of the composer

• Tools of the trade: Software

• Tools of the trade: Pencils and fine paper

• How do you start?

• The process

• Program music and metaphors

• Character sketches

• Writing through canon

• Form

• Starting with a plan

• Graphic form representations

• Film Music and Tension Cues

• Composing for Films and Games

• Any much, much, more! 

The course is a roadmap to launching your career as a composer!

All the tools you need to prepare, organize and start your career are included in this course and the entire course is based on real-life experiences - not just academic theory.

Please click the "Take This Course" button so you can launch your music career today.

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Praise for Courses by Jason Allen:

⇢  "It seems like every little detail is being covered in an extremely simple fashion. The learning process becomes relaxed and allows complex concepts to get absorbed easily. My only regret is not taking this course earlier." - M. Shah

⇢  "Great for everyone without any knowledge so far. I bought all three parts... It's the best investment in leveling up my skills so far.." - Z. Palce

⇢  "Excellent explanations! No more or less than what is needed." - A. Tóth

⇢  "VERY COOL. I've waited for years to see a good video course, now I don't have to wait anymore. Thank You!" - Jeffrey Koury

⇢  "I am learning LOTS! And I really like having the worksheets!" - A. Deichsel

⇢  "The basics explained very clearly - loads of really useful tips!" - J. Pook

⇢  "Jason is really quick and great with questions, always a great resource for an online class!" M. Smith

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• Introduction & Welcome
• About Me
• Let's talk frankly about music composition
• Music Theory
• Music Notation
• Music Software and Technology
• Music Software Example
• Music History
• "I Can't Hear Music From a Score"
• "I Can't Write Down What I Hear"
• "What if I Run Out of Ideas?"
• Writer's Block
• Some Excerpts from My Other Classes
• What Comes First?
• F#!
• Program Music and Metaphore
• Character Sketches
• Free Writing
• Canon
• Good Composers Borrow...
• What is Form?
• Different Forms
• Start With a Plan
• Graphic Representations
• General Thoughts
• Getting Gigs
• Build A Portfolio
• Find Film Makers
• Don't Be Afraid of Free
• More You Can Do...
• What Next?
• Thanks and bye! (For now!)
• SkillshareFinalLectureV2