Music Composition For Dummies

Create the next big pop hit, bang out a catchy jingle, or write an iconic film score, with music composition skills

Today’s composers create music for television, film, commercials, and even video games. Music Composition For Dummies brings you up to speed with the theory and technicality of composing music. With easy-to-understand content that tracks to a typical music composition intro course, this book will teach you how to use music theory to write music in a variety of forms. You’ll discover the latest tech tools for composers, including composing software and online streaming services where you can publish your musical creations. And you’ll get a rundown on the world of intellectual property, so you can collab and remix fairly, while retaining all the rights to your own creations.

• Get a clear introduction to music theory and songwriting concepts
• Learn about composition best practices for movies, TV, video games, and beyond
• Explore sample music to help you understand both artistic and commercial composition
• Launch into the latest technologies to mix and share your creations

Great for music students and aspiring artists, Music Composition For Dummies, is an easy-to-read guide to writing and producing all kinds of tunes.

Table of Contents

Part 1: Basics and Rhythm

CHAPTER 1: Thinking Like a Composer

CHAPTER 2: Tools of the Trade

CHAPTER 3: Musical Scrapbooks: Writing on Paper and Screen

CHAPTER 4: Rhythm and Mood

Part 2: Melody and Development

CHAPTER 5: Finding Melodies Where You Least Expect Them

CHAPTER 6: Scales and Modes, Moods and Melodies

CHAPTER 7: Building Melodies Using Motifs and Phrases

CHAPTER 8: Developing Your Melodies

Part 3: Harmony and Structure

CHAPTER 9: Harmonizing with Melodies

CHAPTER 10: Putting the Chords Together

CHAPTER 11: Composing from the Void

CHAPTER 12: Songwriting Structure

CHAPTER 13: Understanding Musical Forms

Part 4: Orchestration and Arrangement

CHAPTER 14: Composing for the Standard Orchestra

CHAPTER 15: Composing for Rhythm Sections and Small Ensembles

CHAPTER 16: Composing for Multiple Voices

CHAPTER 17: Composing Commercial Music and Songs

CHAPTER 18: Composing Electronic Music

CHAPTER 19: Composing for Other Musicians

Part 5: Behind the Scenes

CHAPTER 20: Utilizing AI to Help You Compose

CHAPTER 21: Using Samples, Standards, and Cover Songs

CHAPTER 22: Designing a Pro-Level Music Studio.

Part 6: The Part of Tens

CHAPTER 23: Ten Career Opportunities for Composers

CHAPTER 24: Ten Platforms for Selling Commercial Music

CHAPTER 25: Ten Platforms for Promoting Your Independent Music

Part 7: Appendixes

APPENDIX A: Modes and Chords Reference

APPENDIX B: Glossary

About the Authors

Scott Jarrett has been a theatrical music director and has taught recording labs, voice, guitar, music theory, and composition. He has worked with artists from Willie Nelson to Dave Grusin.

Holly Day has created work for over 3,000 international publications including Guitar One Magazine, Music Alive!, and Brutarian Magazine. She is also the co-author of Music Theory For Dummies.