Music is an integral part of any person’s life. Each of us is a listener, everyone listens to music both at home and on the street, in cars, trains and the subway. This is because a favorite composition can relax or, conversely, motivate new forces in work, for example. Can you imagine life without radio, music channels and concerts? Most likely no.
But if you have a certain musical taste, sense of rhythm and you think that you can become a real composer, why not try to do it? How to become a composer, we will discuss in detail in this article.
History of music
True virtuoso composers appeared in the Renaissance, when classical music became a kind of luxury, because at that time almost all the compositions were performed only live, by huge orchestras in large acoustic rooms specially designed for music. Masters of music were very appreciated among royal families, because it was very difficult to become a musical genius in those centuries, few people knew how to write and read correctly, not to mention music. Nobody knew how to become a composer either, the musicians learned from each other, and there were too few special music schools - nevertheless, the art of the manuscript was more in demand.
First composers
Nevertheless, it was during the Renaissance that the first works composed by professional composers arose. The whole world today knows Mozart, Bach, Strauss and Beethoven - their music is still relevant, you most likely heard it in films or in the theater and have known it since childhood. The Russian classical school of musical arts also did not stand still, its prominent representatives are Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Sergey Vasilievich Rachmaninov and other great composers known throughout the world.
To become a composer, as the above personality, many musicians dream to this day. In pursuit of dominance on the stage, a whole cohort of musicians formed who created in their own style and manner. And today we can observe countless genres and their representatives: from pop music to hard rock, from turnip to musical poetry and recitative. Every year, new genres of music open and the “throne” of the master of music moves from one artist to another.
Musical education
But how to become a composer, you ask? In order to write music, you must first understand it more than a simple listener. Unfortunately, not everyone has a sense of rhythm by nature, but with the development of certain skills, one can achieve success in composing simple melodies, moving on to more complex compositions.
Contrary to the opinion that writing a first hit requires a musical education, you can bring a few people from the world of music who did not graduate from music schools and conservatories. For example, a virtuoso guitarist and composer, included in the list of "100 best guitarists in the world", Jimi Hendrix is a self-taught.
Rock and roll legend Chuck Berry also passed music education, and this did not stop him from becoming famous all over the world. There are also many artists on the modern stage who have become composers without the intervention of a music school. Till Lindemann, frontman of the currently known Rammstein group in any corner of the Earth, does not have a musical diploma, but has unique vocals and writes some of the group’s compositions on his own.
The beginning of the way
Where is it worth starting to competently and originally come up with music? How to become a composer without leaving your home?
To begin with, we recommend deciding on the genre of music that you perceive best. It can be absolutely any style and no matter how relevant it is, because popularity is determined not by the number of listeners, but by the quality of the product. You must understand that not everyone understands music, like any other art. If you like psychedelic rock or country, which nobody in your yard listens to, except you, this is no reason not to develop in these directions. Of course, variety singers are listened more often than philosophical garage music, the texts of which are veiled by metaphors. But then again, do not chase fame. Music is the product of an idea in your head.
As they become composers, no one will answer you either, this process is purely individual.
Playing an instrument
But inspiration alone will not be enough. As a rule, if you decide to write your first song, you should own some instrument or vocals, at least at an advanced level. Learning a tool involves mastering the correct scales and other means of building melodies. No one forbids you to replay the compositions of famous musicians and disassemble them in parts. Modern computers allow you to emulate most musical instruments, you can take advantage of this. Electronic music, for example, is entirely written entirely on a computer, why is a DJ not a composer if he wrote the beat correctly and originally?
A multi-instrumentalist?
Beginning composers should understand that any melody, as a rule, consists of several parts, assembled in the correct order. It is important to be able to hear and arrange the instruments so that each of them sounds original and harmonizes with the others. Even if you have a good command of the guitar and want to write a guitar song using, for example, drums, but at the same time, you have never dealt with percussion at all, increase this skill. It is not necessary for a composer to be able to play drums, it is important to know at least the theory of each instrument individually. And if you also acquire the basic skills of playing all the instruments expected in your compositions, this will be a huge plus.
Many world-renowned composers prescribe parts for instruments and record a song with professional musicians. So groups, groups and orchestras are formed. Session musicians can also help you build the right piece of the instrument that they own. Do not be afraid to experiment and communicate with people, one head is good, and two is better.
Consider 2 cases of becoming composers: with and without a musical education.
There is a musical education
How do you become composers if you have a musical education?
If you studied at a music institution, this will undoubtedly give you an edge over the rest. The discipline of playing the instrument helps to unleash the potential, as well as make friends with other musicians. In the formation of classes for playing music, separate groups with professional teachers are usually formed.
Path through the scene
With success, you can get into the orchestra and try yourself in the role of a musician on stage - to feel the kitchen from the inside. As a rule, most music teachers and composers were once ordinary musicians themselves and did not even mean that they would achieve anything more. You can initially set a goal to become a creator, go through several steps from a musician to a composer, and start writing your repertoire.
When you receive a musical diploma, you also strengthen your position in front of other musicians. If you studied at a music institution, then you know musical notation, the history of music and the basics of building compositions - all that a beginner composer needs.
In this case, you have everything except inspiration and courage. Find the missing mosaic details and start creating.
No music education
But how to become a music composer if you have never studied at a music school? Is this even possible? Is it possible to become a composer without a musical education?
Definitely yes. Of course, you will have to make more efforts and efforts. But if everything goes smoothly, you can also write music. For a person who has never had anything to do with writing music, there are numerous videos on YouTube and other video hosting sites where professional music producers share their experiences.
A modern person should understand that today music is often written using computer software: all instruments are emulated and reduced even by a simple home computer, you just want to. In about the same way, you can become a songwriter on a computer.
Of course, having no ear for music, at first it will be difficult, but gradually increasing your skills in owning a home recording studio will make it easier for you to work with the instruments separately. To work on a computer with music, sequencers are almost always used. A sequencer is software for recording, mixing, and processing audio files. With competent work with it, you can achieve studio-quality sound. Also, such programs allow you to connect VST-tools (software tools that emulate the sounds of real counterparts). We recommend Cubase or FlStudio - the most popular and oldest sequencers, they are great for beginners.
Top-tier composers such as Hans Zimmer or Max Richter write music on computers. Moreover, having extensive experience and original material, it is quite possible to become a music composer for games like Stuart Chatwood or Jeremy Soul.
So, here you can just start composing music, having a keyboard, computer and enthusiasm. To become a composer without education, as a professional, absolutely anyone can, if desired.
Electronic music
The growing popularity of electronic music often does not require experience in writing scores, it can be used and become a music composer from scratch, like many DJs and electronic musicians. Witch house, techno, drum and bass or ambient are genres that often use compositions by other musicians. That is, the original track is taken and modified by imposing an additional beat, effects or instruments on it. Slicing from several different tracks is welcome.
How to become a composer of electronic music? Is music education necessary for this? No no need. Moreover, electronic music most often implies a hobby. But it is worth noting that there are cases when such a hobby develops into a professional hobby.
Other listeners are critics of such music, and on the Internet there are many portals on which the next remixes of very different quality are laid out. No one will mind if you try to compose or glue something. Creativity is always welcomed, and a quality work, as a rule, is materially motivated.
Conclusion
Working with music inspires not only you, but also your listeners: you are free to choose genres, methods of performance, recordings and information yourself. Even 20 years ago, in order to record any instrument, it was necessary to pay a lot of money to a recording studio, now all the manipulations can be carried out at home and get quite high-quality material at the output. Write music and become composers.