The Vocabulary of Composition
FREE! Learn a simple, flexible and powerful process of composing. It doesn't matter what style you write in, this applies to any tonal music.
We'll look at real music, and see how it works.
Jon is a great teacher. This is a great method that gets to the actual writing very quickly. I like the limitations concept, and I think he uses the right ba...
Read MoreJon is a great teacher. This is a great method that gets to the actual writing very quickly. I like the limitations concept, and I think he uses the right balance of options and limits.
Read LessAmazed at how a simple chord progression can be made into a lovely piano piece.
Amazed at how a simple chord progression can be made into a lovely piano piece.
Read LessThe course is logically ordered and requires no prior knowledge of music composition. The intent of the lessons are always made clear and the exercises are j...
Read MoreThe course is logically ordered and requires no prior knowledge of music composition. The intent of the lessons are always made clear and the exercises are just challenging enough for a beginning composer to keep them interested but not overwhelmed.
Read LessThis course helped get me out of a "rut" I had unwittingly formed around the piano, which consisted of "listen, read, memorize, move on". I have played w...
Read MoreThis course helped get me out of a "rut" I had unwittingly formed around the piano, which consisted of "listen, read, memorize, move on". I have played with the idea of improv, but it rarely moved beyond finding obvious chord progressions to popular melodies. The principles of this course, consistently practiced, will revolutionize my fundamental attitude toward the piano and composing. I can only imagine what the full course is like... and I will certainly recommend this website to anyone I know who wants to learn to compose!
Read LessI loved this course!!! The lessons were very informative and easy-to-understand. The Vocabulary of Composition helped me realize how much I enjoy composing, ...
Read MoreI loved this course!!! The lessons were very informative and easy-to-understand. The Vocabulary of Composition helped me realize how much I enjoy composing, and taught me how to do it well and effectively. Thank you so much for creating this course and making it free so that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy it!
Read LessI've been composing for many years but this course took me back to basics and served as a reminder of the fundamental building blocks in composition. I feel ...
Read MoreI've been composing for many years but this course took me back to basics and served as a reminder of the fundamental building blocks in composition. I feel like it has refocused my approach to composing. Jon explains everything very clearly and I'm sure I will revisit this course again in future.
Read LessFundamental Concepts of Composition
History: How We Got To Tonality
Theory: The Major-Minor System
What Makes a Decent Melody
Practical: Composing a Basic Melody
Download: Basic Melody Worksheet
Guided Exercise #1: Compose a Melody
Guided Exercise #2: Compose Another Melody
Set some goals, and help me craft a better course
You Thought You Knew C Major
C Major Worksheet v4
Learning Chord Progressions for Composers
Download: Connecting the Chord Tones Worksheet
Connecting the Chord Tones
Limitations and Creativity
Guided Exercises #3: Connecting the Chord Tones
Guided Exercise #4: Connecting the Chord Tones
Intervals
Download: Worksheets for Understanding the Essentials of Harmony
Making Intervals Intuitive
Making Chromatic Intervals Intuitive
Interval Workout
Triads and Inversions
Making Triads Intuitive
Seventh Chords
Making Dominant 7th Chords Intuitive
Basic Chord Progression No. 1
You're ready for the next step!
Live Composing Session: How it All Comes Together
Complete Course Workbook: Fundamentals of Musical Composition
Yes, but you do not have to be great at reading music. You should be able to understand treble and bass clef.
Yes.
The principles are what matter. The style is not as important.
We learn using a classical style because its clear to explain the principles.
You can then apply it to your style of music.
Thanks for doing this course!
Thanks for doing this course!
Read LessI thoroughly enjoyed the exercises and found the concept of introducing limitations very helpful. I was disappointed, though, by the large amount of basic mu...
Read MoreI thoroughly enjoyed the exercises and found the concept of introducing limitations very helpful. I was disappointed, though, by the large amount of basic music theory that was included.
Read Lessvery good
very good
Read LessGood presentation of essential piano to get you going.
Good presentation of essential piano to get you going.
Read LessThis course was pretty interesting. I learned lots of technical music stuff and am very excited to learn more! Building Your Composition Vocabulary will be v...
Read MoreThis course was pretty interesting. I learned lots of technical music stuff and am very excited to learn more! Building Your Composition Vocabulary will be very helpful in the future.
Read LessExcellant
Excellant
Read LessIt is amazing to see how he simplifies things.
It is amazing to see how he simplifies things.
Read Less