I was just wondering. (I know I'm finally posting after forever!)
How many people here have studied theory of have taken composition lessons? I'm starting to take composition lessons this friday because I discovered I have no natural talent...:heh:oh well.
Music is great and easy to understand, but for me it's hard to write becuase I don't understand the 'science' of it.

I have never taken lessons, but I have studied theory (in other words, I've never had a formal lesson), for 5 years now. The "science of it", as you say it, is, in other words, the "theory". Theory cannot be the only foundation of composition. If theory is the only element of composition relied on, it won't work. :think: It's one of those things that have to be learned naturally, through time.

I think what you're taking is not 'composition lessons'. If you're learning music theory, it's not really composition lessons. You're right when you said you are learning about the 'science of music'. Music theory is like all the principles and traditional rules of music and how older composers applied the rules to it. Unlike actual composition lessons, where you learn how to organize ideas, capture inspirations and learn from a teacher on how to start a piece from scratch to the point of getting it performed live. Also, music theory doesn't really give you enough to write your own original music; it's merely just the math of music.

Please tell us how the lessons go. We're interested in finding out what you're being taught.

Well, I have to disagree a tad with dot saying that Music Theory (well, it might be different for me with my teacher and all) has almost no quality of writing music. When my teacher and I do part writing exercises and chord progressions we are taking frequently about the doublings and how each of the voices/parts flow with a natural counter-point, or just flow very well together.

We've also done some compositional exercises in ABA forms, Theme & Variations, Stylistic stuff too. . .I've had some good experience (and have been told) I have a natural talent for composition, so maybe that's why we move into [however simplistic] composition.

Well, I have to disagree a tad with dot saying that Music Theory (well, it might be different for me with my teacher and all) has almost no quality of writing music. When my teacher and I do part writing exercises and chord progressions we are taking frequently about the doublings and how each of the voices/parts flow with a natural counter-point, or just flow very well together.

We've also done some compositional exercises in ABA forms, Theme & Variations, Stylistic stuff too. . .I've had some good experience (and have been told) I have a natural talent for composition, so maybe that's why we move into [however simplistic] composition.

Well, if you use music theory as your basis in composition, then you're pretty much guaranteed that your music is going to 'work for the ears' (not guaranteed to sound good, though, I mean, music is an opinionated thing). However, since composition is such a broad thing, music theory is merely a small section of it.

Yes, I agree with Sirdotdot. I also think that music composing at its core cannot be formally taught. Composers who rely on their theoretical skills simply don't write good music, for my ears. They rank somewhere among the composers-for-money I'd say.

Not to change the Subject, but
I bought a book on Music Composition, And im Teaching myself. Basicaly because im have a very Diffucault time Finishing a Piece. Like, Ill start out with a Simply idea and then I have this Really good idea, and it ends up never being finished.
The book Has a lot of Restriction. Which is a good thing for Beginners