Music Composition 1 Course Syllabus

This course provides a comprehensive, hands-on introduction to music composition, designed for beginners eager to develop their creative and technical skills. Over approximately 6 hours of focused content, you'll progress from foundational concepts to creating fully realized pieces. Each module blends theory with practical exercises, guiding you through melody writing, harmonic progressions, formal structures, counterpoint, and orchestration. The course concludes with a final project that integrates all skills learned. With lifetime access, you can learn at your own pace and revisit concepts as needed.

Module 1: Introduction to Composition Principles

Estimated time: 0.5 hours

• The creative process: inspiration, sketching, and development
• Overview of notation tools and software

Module 2: Melody & Motif Development

Estimated time: 1 hour

• Crafting memorable themes using intervallic variation
• Rhythmic variation techniques
• Motivic transformation and sequence

Module 3: Harmony & Progression Basics

Estimated time: 1 hour

• Building triads and seventh chords in major/minor keys
• Functional progressions: I–IV–V–I and ii–V–I
• Use of secondary dominants

Module 4: Form & Structure

Estimated time: 0.75 hours

• Binary and ternary forms
• Phrase and period construction
• Overview of sonata, rondo, and strophic/song forms

Module 5: Counterpoint & Voice Leading

Estimated time: 1 hour

• Two-voice counterpoint rules (species counterpoint)
• Smooth voice leading techniques
• Avoiding parallel fifths and octaves

Module 6: Orchestration for Small Ensembles

Estimated time: 1 hour

• Instrument ranges and timbre blending
• Score layout and instrumentation principles
• Scoring a simple quartet (strings or winds) with balanced textures

Module 7: Advanced Techniques & Modern Styles

Estimated time: 0.75 hours

• Modal interchange and chromatic harmony
• Extended chords and their applications
• Introduction to 20th-century idioms and atonal elements

Module 8: Final Project

Estimated time: 1 hour

• Compose an original piece applying melody and harmony concepts
• Incorporate formal structure and voice leading
• Orchestrate for a small ensemble using learned instrumentation principles

Prerequisites

• Basic understanding of musical notation
• Familiarity with a keyboard or staff notation
• Access to a notation software (e.g., MuseScore, Sibelius, or Finale)

What You'll Be Able to Do After

• Develop strong melodic ideas and thematic motifs
• Apply harmonic progressions and functional harmony in compositions
• Structure music using binary, ternary, and song forms
• Write effective counterpoint and smooth voice leading
• Orchestrate for small ensembles with attention to timbre and balance