Music Composition For Dummies Paperback – February 5, 2008

I’m not sure what I expected. Perhaps I was looking for more of the nuts and bolts of music theory along with the “magic formula” to make me into a “composer”. There is a little of that in this book. Some rudiments of music theory are covered but a real foundation would be more helpful… as is freely admitted by the authors of this book.Perhaps I was seeking to demystify the essentially mysterious (for me) artistic endeavor of composing music. The authors go a little in this direction also, speaking of sources of inspiration and providing little tidbits such as “Finding Melodies Where You Least Expect Them.”I was certainly expecting information and “rules of thumb” for the use of chords, tempo progression and the other tools of the trade. That’s definitely in the book and probably the most valuable part for me.Also present is a plethora of information that is only indirectly associate with composition but would be important for a person seeking to make a living in composition. This includes advice on how to solicit venues for performance, copyrights, working with agents, how to produce a “demo” and other such topics.After reading cover to cover, I am no more a composer now than I was when I began. I didn’t really expect the book to provide talent where talent is lacking. I understand a bit more about the process of composition and have learned something of how music theory is applied to composition. For that, I am satisfied. The book was not what I expected but I learned something and that is always worthwhile to me.

I was disappointed with this book on first look but a second look change that. There is a lot of interesting concepts here. It won't be easy for a complete novice. Gave a decent overview of melody shaping. I found the section on translating the eight Laban movements into musical concepts, examples included, a refreshing way to create music. While it describes the seven modes it did not go into any depth with the particular chord progressions that define the modes. That would have been nice. But overall I found it to be a good source of concepts that need to be explored.

The book starts out with great information on the technical side of creating scores and melodies as well as other things. It really helped me get an understanding of how I can better myself. From there it moves on to different instruments and how the root nite is different for them. It speaks on the history of music composition, gives recommended reads as well as different ways to be compensated for your creations. The different avenues covered can definitely help you develop as a composer and lead to it being a way to make a living.

If you don't want to spend a fortune on tuition at a music school and you have the basics of musical knowledge then this book will be a valuable addition to your library; even if you have had courses in composition but have forgotten a lot of stuff such as ranges of instruments and how to transpose for unusual instruments such as alto flute or english horn, this book contains all that information, and you don't have to be a dummy to refer to this information. It is also helpful to have a piano and pencils with erasers.

This book is great. I have a problem with over thinking stuff especially when I'm trying to make good music. This book helped give me a piece of mind to really think music theory through. It help me find a comfortable building block as a up coming music producer. Now my mind can rest easily knowing I have the knowledge and power to create good music.

This book has some pretty basic stuff but it's a great review of a lot of things that we may not have forgotten but, in my case, I got the right tip/hint/reminder at the right time. Especialyy since I quit composing after I graduated from music school and years later I began to compose again. Some of my music is published, performed by others, and has recieved good reviews and yet there is always room to learn more or review basics, kind of like practicing scales after years of performing in public.

Covers a lot of subjects dealing with composition and writing music and songs. They mention that the book doesn't have to be read completely through, but can be devoured in chapters according to the various subjects one is concerned with. Lots of info in this book.

I had no knowledge of composing anything. While this won't go through anything crazy, this will get you started learning the ropes of composing songs. Of course, one has to know some music theory. A little heads up before diving in this book.

This book has a very high degree of music theory contained in it, which is not always suitable for beginners and certainly not for dummies. Perhaps dummies could get through the first chapter, but will struggle or crash after that. There is the real possibility of information overload and complex understanding which are only for experts or those with significant foreknowledge. Like at lot of music theory books, it shows you how — but not always why something is the way it is. E.G. 'Why' a note is sharp or flat. It sometimes admits in sections of the book that what it is about to describe is "complex". The author even goes so far as to develop he own theory method — if the standard one is not confusing enough for learner. It will tell you about the world of music , its instruments/history and can be read in that way by almost anybody, but as for music theory and its understanding; it best taken in very small doses. It goes into very advanced theory and takes big leaps from one lesson to another not suitable for dummies. It does given some good hits and tips about how you might create a composition from nothing, if you read the dialogue, rather than getting lost in theory,Music theory has become a bit bureaucracy in the world today and one can end up getting lost and frustrated in it, rather than enjoying the music! "Less is more" is a saying which musicians often say.

This doesn't seem to fit the "dummies" catalogue too well as it does require a considerable amount of knowledge to begin with. The book suggests first reading "Music Theory for Dummies" which should give you all you need to make use of this one.I was looking for something with more depth about writing effective music beyond basic theory and arranging for orchestra so this was exactly what I was after.

This is the only 'Dummies' book I've read and found it very helpful. I'm an amateur musician, able to read/play, who is keen to compose but lacking more music theory than I realised until reading this book. It is well laid out, follows a logical path and deals with the useful things essential to any would be composer, such as melody, harmony, chords and the rules of composition. This is recommended reading and has inspired me to better understand music theory.

Useful book to have - but essential that you have a least a basic rudimentary knowledge of music theory.Also brings together the practical aspects of music theory - so a good read for those of you who think music theory is irrelevant!

Quite a task to write such a book - but I think very well done.I found the style makes it easy to read but there is a lot of substance to it.I am starting to develop various compositions and was looking for something to give general guidance on things that I should be considering and options/directions to go in .For me at my stage of development it is just right.