About This Course
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 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 online in order to reach more students, and give them the joy of Music Theory.
I’m planning on making several “sections” of this class, and this is Part 2. As the class grows, we will go deeper and deeper into my techniques. This class is focused on the creating a sense of Tension and Release: One of the most fundamental concepts in music composition.
In this class, we will cover:
- My background, and listen to some of my music
- Why Tension and Release?
- Tools of the trade: Software
- Tools of the trade: Pencils and fine paper
- Long Term and Short Term Tensions
- Using Form for Tension and Release
- Forms that Create Drama
- Sonata Form
- The 4 Elements of Form
- Example: Mozart, Moonlight Sonata
- Composing with Sonata Form
- Modern Uses of Sonata Form
- Example: Muse, Butterflies, and Hurricanes
- Tension and Release with Meter
- Compound Meters
- Meter Signatures
- Alternating Compound and Duple Meters
- Using Rhythm for Altering Expectations
- Rhythmic Patterns
- Pattern Obfuscation
- Example: Philip Glass, Truman Show Soundtrack
- Example: Allen, Aporia
- Using Harmony for Tension and Release
- Consonance and Dissonance
- Prolonging Dominant
- Emphasized Resolution
- Pedal Tones
- Moving “Pedal Tones”
- Example: Aphex Twin, Ventolin
- Combining Multiple Techniques
- Example: Mozart, Sonata in C
- Example: Allen, Angel of Repose
- Film Music and Tension Cues
- Composing for Films
- And much, much, more!
What are the requirements?
- Before starting this course, students should know the basics of how to read music
- Extensive music theory training is not necessary for this course.
- For those without any music notation background at all, the course Music Theory Comprehensive – Part 1 is highly recommended.
What am I going to get from this course?
- Write and Compose music using proven techniques and tips
- Create their own music using software, or good old pencil and paper.
- Generate musical ideas through creativity exercises
Who is the target audience?
Anyone interested in learning to write music for fun, or as a potential new career
Students who have written their own songs or compositions and are looking to explore composition deeper
Our Promise to You
By the end of this course, you will have learned tension and release music composition techniques.
30 Day Money Back Guarantee. If you are unsatisfied for any reason, simply contact us and we’ll give you a full refund. No questions asked.
Get started today and develop your music composition skills.
Course Curriculum
| Section 1 - Welcome And Overview | |||
| Introduction | 00:00:00 | ||
| My Background | 00:00:00 | ||
| Why Tension And Release? | 00:00:00 | ||
| Review: Tools | 00:00:00 | ||
| [DOWNLOAD] Staff Paper | 00:00:00 | ||
| Review: Process Of Composing | 00:00:00 | ||
| Section 2 - Tension And Release In Form | |||
| Long Term And Short Term | 00:00:00 | ||
| Forms That We Know So Far | 00:00:00 | ||
| Forms That Create Drama | 00:00:00 | ||
| Sonata Form | 00:00:00 | ||
| The Four Elements Of Sonata Form | 00:00:00 | ||
| Sonata Form Examples | 00:00:00 | ||
| Using Sonata Form For Tension And Release | 00:00:00 | ||
| [DOWNLOAD] Moonlight Sonata | 00:00:00 | ||
| Modern Uses Of Form For Tension | 00:00:00 | ||
| Example: Muse (Butterflies And Hurricanes) | 00:00:00 | ||
| Section 3 - Tension And Release In Meter | |||
| Meter And Tension | 00:00:00 | ||
| Stylistic Concerns | 00:00:00 | ||
| Compound Meters | 00:00:00 | ||
| Compound Meter Definition | 00:00:00 | ||
| Compound Meter Signatures | 00:00:00 | ||
| Another Perspective | 00:00:00 | ||
| Alternating Compound And Duple Meters For Tension | 00:00:00 | ||
| Section 4 - Tension And Release In Rhythm | |||
| Rhythmic Patterns | 00:00:00 | ||
| Pattern Obfuscation | 00:00:00 | ||
| Example: Philip Glass (From The Soundtrack To The Truman Show) | 00:00:00 | ||
| [DOWNLOAD] Glass, Truman Sleeps | 00:00:00 | ||
| Example: Aporia | 00:00:00 | ||
| Section 5 - Tension And Release In Harmony | |||
| Consonance And Dissonance | 00:00:00 | ||
| Prolonged Dominant | 00:00:00 | ||
| Emphasized Resolution | 00:00:00 | ||
| Pedal Tones | 00:00:00 | ||
| Long Resolution Of Pedal Tones | 00:00:00 | ||
| Pedal Tones In Higher Voices | 00:00:00 | ||
| Example: Aphex Twin, Ventolin | 00:00:00 | ||
| Section 6 - Combining Techniques | |||
| Using Multiple Techniques | 00:00:00 | ||
| [DOWNLOAD] Sonata In C, Mozart | 00:00:00 | ||
| Example: Kinesthesia, Movement 7 | 00:00:00 | ||
| Film Music And Tension Techniques | 00:00:00 | ||
| Composing Music For Films | 00:00:00 | ||
| Section 7 - Wrap Up | |||
| Coming Soon: Composition Techniques 3: Composing For Film | 00:00:00 | ||
Course Reviews
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very y deep training
the teacher gives some great detail and I sure hope to see more like making music of ads and computer games etc.