harmonic rythm

[ken66]

What can I do to feel when to change to next part I'm trying to develop as a composer is that something you can learn, or is it just felt, I don't always have a clear idea of where I want to go but have theory down.

 

[miltslackford]

What can I do to feel when to change to next part I'm trying to develop as a composer is that something you can learn, or is it just felt, I don't always have a clear idea of where I want to go but have theory down.

That's quite a vague question - do you mean how long to make different sections of a tune?

 

[thomashawk]

To answer your question, it can be both learned and felt. Applying standard forms/progressions such as 12-bar blues, Rhythm changes, ii-V-I or IV-V-vi (to name a few) to compositions let you "know" when to change, and can of course be learned. Additionally all music is a series of tensions and releases which are definitely FELT - that's why that big chorus in your favorite tune is so catchy and effective.

 

[mambo4]

To quote Hal Galper, "Let the melody be your guide".
Ok he was talking about jazz improv...
but I believe composing a lead melody first and letting chords and rhythm follow generally gives superior results vs simply stringing together chord progressions or riffs.

 

[BassChuck]

When it comes to composition, if you could 'learn' it all music would pretty much be the same. Your intution is your best teacher.
Mambo4's quote of Hal Galper, "Let the melody be your guide" is very useful. Music, even the most bizarre, is a simple thing. In other words, there is one thing in every musical presentation that is more important than the others. Hal Galper is correct in assuming that most of the time its melody... but it can be other aspects of the music. As a composer, once you are clear on what you want to present, let that be your guide and let it be your job to keep that one idea clear and present, and control the other parts of the music to support it.

Harmonic rhythm is rarely the most important aspect of a compostition. But it is a very important part of the support group.

 

[miltslackford]

I think if you start writing down the chords for a lot of tunes with the bar lengths this will help. I've done this for a lot of tunes - I've got about 500 at work that I've done for guitar students, and it gives you a feel for what other people do. If you do lots by the same people you get a feel for how they compose - say Lennon compared to McCartney, compared to Bowie, compared to Supergrass, compared to whoever. Staying on a chord 'too long' or 'too short' is something that good songwriters do. There's remarkably few great songs that have standard lengths (ie. 4 or 8 repetitions) all the way through. A lot of standard songs, but few great ones. If you're short of ideas for your own compositions then looking at a wide variety of tunes by other people and figuring them out will give you a sense of perspective about what means what.

Other than that it's difficult to give advice because when your composing, if you know the theory it's up to you how you use (or abuse!) it.

 

[mambo4]

Could chords be built by notes of melody or you saying apart but still related somehow I know theory and been playing long time but only now wanting to compose.

Yes, chords can be built based on the melody. The chords you choose should contain the melody notes, often as the top note of the chord. Harmonizing melodies is part of any music theory class, so If you 'know theory' as you say, the harmonizing a melody is no mystery. Other wise, time to google 'harmonizing a melody'.

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