The Elements of Music Composition: Organic Approach to Music Composition

By Kevin A. Ure

For Composers Who Want to Compose Effective Music

2nd EDITION: Revised December 2019

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 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, and create modulations to scripted keys do not encourage original thought. 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.

Music Composition Technique Series: Vol. I

The Elements of Music composition starts composers on a path of musical mastery. The four-volume series serves as a complete education in the theory of music composition. Volume II develops the composers' 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.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 169883280X
• ISBN13: 9781698832807
• Release Date: October 2019
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 212 Pages
• Weight: 0.84 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.0" x 9.0"