I have noticed that many composers seem to have a natural feel for what they write, without having learned or studied any of the various techniques of composing. Would learning these techniques (how to harmonize by theory, counterpoint, interval relationships, etc.) help a composer to improve his technique? Sometimes I feel like nothing I make is of any value... :( And then I hear some people just make stuff up that&#39;s miraculous, without having learned any formal theory. <_< Maybe I&#39;m just in a weird mood right now, but I want to know your opinions. :) Please post if you have anything to say on the subject. I hope I&#39;m not studying counterpoint, harmony, theory, and playing multiple instruments all in vian for the hope that it&#39;ll help me compose... :blink: Sometimes it feels that way.

I strongly think that you need both. When I feel a certain thing, I can then use what I&#39;ve learned to guide me along. The two go together. So I&#39;ll have a certain idea, and I&#39;ll use the harmony/counterpoint I&#39;ve learned to make it work.

The problem is that you can&#39;t be taught how to feel. You can&#39;t really learn intuition, but rather you just get it, mostly be experience I suppose . . . er, haha, I&#39;m not making any sense now, am I?

it&#39;s ok Alphonse, you&#39;re making sense :/

lol I&#39;m kidding, but I agree with you about needing feeling and knowledge of composition to be successful. I think I haven&#39;t been a successful composer because I have really bad musical theory. In grade 11 at my school, the music students do a theme and variations for their composition assignment. Enter me, whose very excited about finally composing something, but our class ends up being taught by the art teacher, and instead of composing we got a crappy arrangement assignment that we didn&#39;t even end up doing, and now I can&#39;t take music next year :crybaby:

"End my rant"

Then again, I&#39;m the kind of person who initially needs a lot of direction and support before I can do something on my own. Who knows? maybe one day I&#39;ll be better prepared to compose.

btw: I think that a lot of inspiration comes from suffering, and I simply haven&#39;t suffered very much in my short life.

Hrm. So you think the two go hand-in-hand? I guess it&#39;s worth it to keep teaching myself new theory stuff. :) I actually find it interesting&#33; And I compose one song a day. Many of them are bad, but it&#39;s worth composing one a day for that jewel that occasionally comes out of my work. :) Then I know I&#39;ve done something with my time. Other people just sit on their gluteus maximus and play VG&#39;s all day (I do a bit of that, too&#33;) but I know that I&#39;ve created something by the time the day ends&#33; :D

It is simply absurd to think that one will be a successful composer in any way without serious study and work. Nothing comes easily. As Mozart said, "People err who think my art comes easily to me. I assure you, dear friend, nobody has devoted so much time and thought to composition as I. There is not a famous master whose music I have not industriously studied through many times"

learning piano from a little kid to grade 8 piano was intense. never skipped a grade. i quitted thinking it was stupid. a year later i went back on the piano just for fun... and I just played things. some i remember, some i just came up with in a second. Learning with help alot in getting the technical things right.

First you are taught to play with your hands. Then we learn to play with our hearts.

Never skipped a grade? XD I only took two Grades: 5 and 8. Diploma next year.

Anyway, I strongly believe that although talent plays an integral part in composition, composition skills come from effort.

I think IT comes from both. Yes, people may be talented and just whip up something. But having some training helps. Unfortunately, my theory isn&#39;t very good and I had to quit piano lessons at Grade 3 due to various reasons. After that I tried to continue learning with the help of my friends.

Playing music must come from the heart...

You can ignore me.. I may not be the best for advise. :blink: :heh: