What do you think is important in a piece, or when composing a piece? Maybe I'm stupid or maybe it's late, but I'm having a hard time thinking about this, hehe. Off the top of my head, I'll say that for me, emotions and feelings are essential.

Is there perhaps one element that is most important to music?

Anyways, what do you guys think is important?

I start with an idea in my mind of scenary or which emotions I want it to evoke.

I get ideas like a dark cave, a blizzard, a lonely forest, etc.

If I can't get a depiction like that, I'll just start with a general mood like sadness, despair, cheerfulness, etc.

I develop a melody, then I do harmony or counterpoint to top it off.

If I don't use this method, I'll just model a song after another composer's style, like Vivaldi, Bach, King Henry VIII, or Pachelbel.

:)

to me, a good composition needs a story. you need a beginning, a middle, and an end.

Pretty much what Archangel said. I also look for a memorable theme with some variations.

Yeah, if it's matched up with a story. But if it's just pure instrumental music, I think cycles work the best.

I'll just wake up in the morning with themes in my head and play with them. I don't try to picture landscapes.