Our Approach & Our Students

Our Approach to Composition Learning

Music Composition is by far the most exciting and rewarding area of the music. To be able to create something out of thin air and convert it into music, and see how this interacts with other people is a fabulous journey and experience!

ONLINE COURSES – OUR SYLLABUS

The musical composition courses provide the foundational and necessary conceptual and operational tools for the development of compositional work, considering it as a process of elaboration of musical ideas both from the instrumental performance and the writing process in a specific medium (musical notation)

 

It is divided into eight areas of study:
 

Theory and Basic Harmony

-Structural Harmony

Counterpoint

Composition

-Composition for Music Producers

Orchestration

-Music Analysis

Keyboard Harmony

 

The musical composition modules are designed to be applied throughout the Syllabus proposed at the beginning of the study program by the teacher in charge of the subject, about musical creation projects focused on Composition.

The core of the program is the development of a final musical creation project, which is the integrated expression of the preferences, knowledge, skills and artistic dispositions of the student.

 

All the courses are divided into three modalities:
 

The first or “Self Directed” provides all necessary information to achieve your goals but without any guidance of the instructor. It entails a self-directed experience.

The second or “guided by an instructor through final assessments” has the supervision of the instructor at the end of every module upon the presentation of written works by the student with the proper feedback of the instructor.

The third one, or “one to one lessons” modality will have the instructor guiding the student on every step of the way, accommodating the concepts learned according to the student needs and expectations.

 

IMPORTANT: All the courses are designed from beginner to advanced level. For the first modality, the courses can be taken in any order the student prefers, although taking the “Theory and Harmony” course is advised to be the first one.

For the second modality, we advise to take the courses in this order in the case of a beginner for an efficient learning path:

1.- Theory and Basic Harmony


2.- Keyboard Harmony


3.-Counterpoint 


4.-Composition (or Composition for music producers, depending on the specific needs)


5.- Orchestration

6.- Music Analysis

7.-Structural Harmony

 

 

Elements of Music Composition

The use of melody, rhythm, harmony, counterpoint, orchestration and texture demonstrates the composer’s awareness of elements of extension, development, variation and contrast in creating a formal structure. This is related to the concept of “Syntax” within music knowledge. Once the foundation is built, the task of the composer is to “put together” all the elements that contribute to the creation of a musical piece. The word “composer” comes from Latin compōnō; literally “one who puts together”

Additional skills

Another important aspect of your musical growth is the developing of your aural competency. This will allow a more fluent communication of the ideas spurring from your brain to the paper!

Additionally, you may want to learn how to play instruments. You should focus mainly on the piano, which can be said, is the main “composer’s tool” so that they can use instrumental aids when composing music. You can find more information on our “keyboard Harmony” course.

COMPOSITION SYLLABUS FOR THE THREE MODALITIES:

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

1.- To introduce the students to the musical compositional process, from instrumental performance to the musical notation skills.

2.- Enable the development of the skills needed to face a compositional work upon a given task.

3.-Facilitate the acquisition of compositional tools from the execution and the written development of the student’s ideas.

4.-Introducing students to the aesthetic frameworks of academic music within the stylistic ranges of Baroque, Classical, Romantic and modern music.

5.-Introduce students to formal analysis as a tool for understanding, decoding and elaborating musical works.

6- Build learning strategies from fundamental to advanced literacy, providing the necessary tools for musical analysis of music composed by the student. (this only applies to the third modality)

EXPECTED LEARNING

Understanding of compositional procedures (variation, repetition, contrast) through listening, writing, Composition and execution provided in a reflective space about the “making” of music arouses the desire to compose with a unique style.

METHODOLOGY

The material is structured in theory classes, either written or by video-tutorials, examples of masterworks in different styles and periods, suggested bibliography, quizzes, and practical exercises.

In the second and third modalities, the student will have assignments graded by the teacher.

1.-SELF DIRECTED

This course was developed to be a self-directed experience. There is no direct contact with the teaching Staff or online support.

To whom this course is aimed:

-Musicians who are interested in widen their knowledge to apply it on either their performances or their compositions.

-Music amateurs who are seeking a foundation to help them boost their creativity.

-Music teachers in all areas who are interested in expanding or refreshing the concepts studied to enrich their lessons acquiring the theoretical and historical knowledge necessary for a high standard in music literacy.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Introduce students to the learning materials as a tool for understanding, decoding and elaboration of musical works allowing a better understanding of masterworks and their musical works.

To develop meaningful theoretical and aesthetic vocabulary and skills to provide the necessary tools to expand their compositional palette.

METHODOLOGY

The materials will be provided through written material, graphics and video-tutorials with examples of masterworks.

All assigned required coursework will be either auto-graded quizzes or practice exercises with given answers for the student to double-check. 

2.-GUIDED BY AN INSTRUCTOR THROUGH GRADED ASSIGNMENTS

LEARNING OUTCOMES

This course base its curriculum into the idea of mixing independent learning from the student with the surplus of undertaking practical work in every module assessed by a specialised tutor. 

This modality will enable the student to ensure the success of the skills learned during the course.

The tutor in charge will suggest different possibilities for the development of the sound materials proposed by the students.

METHODOLOGY

The primary purpose of the course is the production of own compositions through specific instructions that are carried out in the form of practical works, both in practical and theoretical classes.

Each module contains a practical work where the contents given in the theoretical part of the course are put into practice through practical assignments handed to the tutor in charge of the course. We firmly believe that to put into practice the concepts, such as the different compositional procedures, musical forms, the analysis of sound materials allows a better understanding of the composition process.

The milestone of the course is an evaluation of the musical work through its execution and its analysis.

This course is intended for:

-High learning students who want to expand specific knowledge of music structure granted by concepts of Harmony, Counterpoint and Composition. 

-Performers who are seeking to elaborate formal analysis tools where the development of the observation of varied processes of musical creation of various composers from different eras and styles to apply into the pieces that they are already performing or they want to approach on a deeper level.

-Students that trust their independent learning capacity to absorb the information going forward to the assessment.

-Music teachers in all areas who are interested in expanding or refreshing the concepts studied to enrich their lessons.

3.-PERMANENT INSTRUCTOR SUPPORT: ONE-TO-ONE LESSONS

This course is based on the traditional tutor-student environment, which has been the cornerstone of musicians who aspired to unlock their creativity.

During the course, the tutor will suggest different possibilities for the development of the sound materials proposed by the students.

This course is intended for:

-Students who have undertaken classes but never had the chance to develop their unique style.

-Musicians who want music composition to be their careers

-Amateurs who seek to have their musical knowledge to be propelled to the next level.

-Teachers and or performers who would like to reinforce the concepts encountered in the repertoire to acquire the theoretical and historical knowledge necessary for music literacy.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The core of this course is to provide guidance and tailor the learning process to aid the student to acquire critical and reflective skills to develop their unique musical practice.

METHODOLOGY

The mentioned topics will acquire more or less complexity in their treatment, depending on the level of the student. The assignments proposed by the teacher will be in the line of the style and interests of the student, making this course tailored to specific needs.

Meet our Students

The best way to know us is by our own students

” I have been studying for a while now and I can definitively say it has been very enriching and fulfilling experience.”

Georgios Kommatas

” Amazing courses. I am learning tons but applying it step by step on the way  “

Karen Louis

” Great course! I have learned so much from it, very clear and progressive.  “

Victor Ruiz

What can we do for you?

People enthusiastic about new things,  musicians that want to expand your musical palette or producers who want to raise to the next level at the studio. They are all welcome!

We can guide you through the journey from the beginning

Embarking in the musical creation process is a fulfilling and amazing experience and at the same time daunting and challenging. To find our own voice as creators can feel almost unreachable at the beginning. We are here to guide through the process from the first step, helping finding your path by tailoring the courses we offer to fit your musical goals and purposes.

If you are interested to enrich your knowledge in music

If you already have some musical background and seek to either brush up the concepts you have already learned, or if need help putting all the knowledge together learned through diverse sources, or just want to dig into a specific field in music, these courses are for you.

We can help you to access another level in your music. These courses are for:

 

-Student in Music. All levels!

-Beginners in composition from all genres.

-Composers and/or songwriters who want brush up their knowledge or put them into practice

-Music producers who want to compose their own material but don’t know how.

-Musicians that need help to sit for any theory or composition examination (Grades, ATCL, LTCL, FTCL, etc.)

Need advice?

Give us a call if you need any advice before taking any of the courses or to make a planning tailored for you.

Let us help you overshoot your goals in the right ways.