How to start composing?

seaduck · Sun 15/01/2006 13:33:55

Hi!

I realized that one day I will be faced with the problem of adding music to my games. The problem is that I am not a musician. I know I could ask someone to help me, but I'd very much like to try it myself, at least for some small games.

My current skills:
- play the guitar a bit (self-taught)
- read simple musical score
- operate several composition programs (FastTracker, Cakewalk,...)
- musical hearing not very good (can't tune guitar by ear very well)
(I also own a Commodore MIDI keyboard)

How can I learn some basics of composing? Can anyone point me to some tutorials / online / offline resources, books, etc? I have no idea where to start... something about the theory of harmony?

DoorKnobHandle · Sun 15/01/2006 13:36:03

Well there's no composing without knowing the fundamentel basics of music theory...

Either buy yourself a good book on this topic or google for resources. Here are some tutorials I managed to find in ~2 minutes - those specialize in guitar, too.

Pet Terry · Sun 15/01/2006 13:51:07

Get a music making program and start experimenting. That's what I did years ago, I have never studied any music theory. I see you know how to play guitar and how to use some of the programs, that's a good start.

simulacra · Sun 15/01/2006 15:38:39

I recommend that you learn how to master sound also. Not having anyone to help me, it took a year or two of fiddling until I understood that I wasn't really mastering the music I did properly and most of the work I'd done so far was full of noise, crackles and unbalanced samples. So, learn how to handle sounds without destroying it in the process.

The Inquisitive Stranger · Sun 15/01/2006 19:51:47

Quote from: Petteri on Sun 15/01/2006 13:51:07
Get a music making program and start experimenting. That's what I did years ago, I have never studied any music theory. I see you know how to play guitar and how to use some of the programs, that's a good start.

Neither did I (at least not formally). For some odd reason, melodies just pop into my head and I plunk them down, along with some parts for other instruments, until I end up making something that sounds pleasing to me.

Then again, I studied piano using the Suzuki method as a kid, and have, as a result, developed such magical powers as perfect pitch and the ability to play just about anything by ear. (I'm still the worst sight-reader in the world, though...)

DaniÃ«l Brooks · Sun 15/01/2006 21:13:33

That was very helpful to seaduck, CoveredInSLUDGE. Thanks!

seaduck · Sun 15/01/2006 21:28:43

Thanks for the advice, everyone!

Well my problem is that I can't play anything by ear (except for the simplest of the simplest kids' tunes). This is a problem because even if a tune pops up in my head, I have problems playing it.

Another problem for me is determining what chords could possibly be used with a certain melody. I usually end up trying 12 major and 12 minor chords, rejecting all of them, and giving up.

Once I actually managed to compose a song that wasn't totally stupid, but I'd say it was more luck than anything else. I presume you can only use certain chords with certain scales and notes, and if I knew these rules, I would have a greater chance of succeeding.

Ok, I'll try experimenting and finding a good book.

Trumgottist · Sun 15/01/2006 23:00:54

Two words: Improvise and sing.

Also, practising your guitar playing will help.