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Music Chords

The document provides advice ("Do's and Don't's") for amateur and beginner composers. It recommends using contrary melodic motion, dissonances and consonances judiciously, and avoiding parallel fifths and octaves. It also advises keeping the most exciting part for the end, writing music you enjoy personally, taking breaks when composing, and developing compositional skills through regular practice.

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140 views2 pages

Music Chords

The document provides advice ("Do's and Don't's") for amateur and beginner composers. It recommends using contrary melodic motion, dissonances and consonances judiciously, and avoiding parallel fifths and octaves. It also advises keeping the most exciting part for the end, writing music you enjoy personally, taking breaks when composing, and developing compositional skills through regular practice.

Uploaded by

jupiterox
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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How to write chords

Chords was written for teachers and advanced students of harmony and composition. It is based
on classical Dutch/German (North-West European) harmony, but if you're curious about the
modern notation of chords, as used in jazz and popular music, you will not be disappointed.
In modern notation, a chord symbol is made as simple as possible. All it does, is tell you which
notes to play. In classical harmony a chord is named after its position and function within a mode
(key). Harmony symbols don't tell you where to put your fingers on the guitar or piano.
If you studied classical harmony, you might want to use this paper to learn and understand the
modern notation of chords. Chords is not a course in classical harmony.
Do's and Don't's of Music Composition
These are the Do's and Don't's for amateur and beginner composers. It is not a complete course in
music composition. You will not find much music theory here. All I offer you is some sound advice.
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Do's and Don't's
a. Use a contrary movement if possible. Although similar movements can sound good, don't use
them all the time. When possible, have one line descent if the other ascends. The more lines there
are, the more you should use contrary movements. example
b. Do not be afraid to use dissonances. Some people think dissonances were invented in the 20th
century, but they're not. They were already around in the Renaissance. If you only write
consonant intervals, your composition will be a bore.
c. Do not be afraid to use consonances. Some people think consonances are not done in the 21st
century, but they are. If you only write dissonant intervals, your composition will be a bore.
Besides, consonances are natural survivors.
d. Beware of parallel fifths and octaves. They can sound nice, but beginners tend to use them by
accident, especially when they are writing chords. That's one of the reasons why you should use
contrary movements, to help you avoid those parallels. example
e. In general it's best to keep the most exciting part of your composition towards the end. Don't
give it all away in the beginning.
f. Write the music you would like to hear yourself. Never ever write music you think someone else
would like to hear, especially not critics. Trying to be modern is so old fashioned.
g. Do not work too long on a composition. Take some distance every now and then. Go out for a
walk, read a book or go to bed.
h. It takes a brave composer to write in the key of C Major. You can't use a lot of flats and sharps
to hide a lack of ideas.
i. Write music on a regular basis. Do not think you always have to feel inspired. Play some music
first, if you have no idea what to write.
j. It is not the task of a performer to make something beautiful out of a pile of rubbish. Do your
best on the score and do not rely on a miracle.
k. Do not think you can get away with a bad music score by calling it an abstract or funny work.
You're only going to fool yourself. Make sure you know what you're doing.
l. You have to be alone, when you compose music. Being a composer is a lonely profession. If you
can't stand to be alone, you should take up another profession or hobby.
m. Do not write music in a hurry. You have to feel relaxed. Don't write music at work in your
coffee break. Take your time.
n. Be in contact with your inner self when you write music. It will make your music special to
others.
o. If you're in need of some honest advice, then don't ask your loved ones. Go find someone who's
a qualified teacher or composer. If necessary, pay for an advice. In the end you will save money.
p. Do not think that your work always has to be original. New ideas derive from old ones. Learn to
master old techniques, practice them and develop yourself as a composer.

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