Learn the Techniques of the Greatest Composers

We'll look at real music, and see how it works.

  • Learn Practical and analytical tools to get you started composing quickly.
  • We start with an overview of the fundamental concepts of composing, and how to create a simple melody using basic chords from a given chord progression.
  • From there, we’ll begin to connect how scales and chords become melody and harmony.
  • You'll have a solid foundation to begin learning the craft of composition.
Start learning how to compose
Learn the Techniques of the Greatest Composers

What Students Are Saying

  • Complete success

    Dustin Nadon

    This course is an absolute necessity for any aspiring musicians, instrumentalists, composers or anyone with a serious interest in understanding musical compo...

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    This course is an absolute necessity for any aspiring musicians, instrumentalists, composers or anyone with a serious interest in understanding musical composition. Thank you for all that you contribute, and for the certificate.

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  • Mind blown.

    John Murphy

    Amazed 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.

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  • Why I would rate this course a 6/5 if I could.

    Landis Bauer

    The 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...

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    The 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.

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  • Fantastic Teaching

    Kwadwo FRIMPONG

    You make the subject so easy to understand and to remember.

    You make the subject so easy to understand and to remember.

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  • I strongly recommend this course to everyone!!!

    Kathryn Lang

    I loved this course!!! The lessons were very informative and easy-to-understand. The Vocabulary of Composition helped me realize how much I enjoy composing, ...

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    I 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!

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  • Fantastic

    Melody Woodham

    I'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 ...

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    I'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.

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Course curriculum

  • 1
    Create a Basic Melody
    • What Makes a Decent Melody
    • Fundamental Concepts of Composition
    • History: How We Got To Tonality
    • Theory: The Major-Minor System
    • Practical: Composing a Basic Melody
    • Download: Basic Melody Worksheet
    • Guided Exercise #1: Compose a Melody
    • Guided Exercise #2: Compose Another Melody
  • 2
    Using the Piano to Understand Composition
    • You Thought You Knew C Major
    • C Major Vocabulary Sheet v2
    • Learning Chord Progressions for Composers
  • 3
    Make More of Your Melody
    • 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
  • 4
    Understand the Essentials of Harmony
    • Download: Worksheets for Understanding the Essentials of Harmony
    • Intervals
    • 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

  • Practical

    Learn a simple but reliable process of composition.

  • No Composition Experience Needed

    The course starts from the ground up.

  • Techniques for Any Style of Music

    For any composer, whether you compose film scores, write songs, or just want to compose simple piano pieces.

FAQ

  • Do I need to be able to read music?

    Yes, but you do not have to be great at reading music. You should be able to understand treble and bass clef.

  • Will it apply to my style of music?

    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.

Don't wait any longer

Now's the time to begin your composing journey.

Get started now