Author Topic: [checklist] How to set up for music composition  (Read 6452 times)

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Offline pimathbrainiac

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[checklist] How to set up for music composition
« on: May 03, 2013, 09:28:54 am »
On IRC, Scipi told me I should make this tutorial, so I will.

1. download musescore: It's free and just as good as Finale (which costs $300) http://musescore.org/

2. download a better soundfont and configure it: google for soundfonts, because this is all about personal preference. To configure: reference the musescore website

3. learn the interface before you start composing. Read up on musescore's website

4. come up with a motif: a melody that repeats itself in the piece at several points (tip: have an instrument you play handy so you can test melodies on an actual instrument)

5: create the rest of the melodies around that motif

6: add countermelody and harmony

7: add percussion if needed



Some useful tips:

Your first piece is almost guaranteed to be terrible, get feedback on how to make it better, and keep composing

Don't give up!

If you get stuck, listen to your piece so far and think what will come next. This works really well.

Harmonizing requires a bit of music theory knowledge. Learn it.

Have fun!
« Last Edit: May 03, 2013, 09:42:52 am by pimathbrainiac »
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Offline Juju

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Re: [checklist] How to set up for music composition
« Reply #1 on: May 03, 2013, 02:17:57 pm »
Nice tutorial here. I think Musescore accepts MIDI input, so you can input music with your piano plugged to your computer right?

Plus this tutorial relies entierly on free software, so it can work on pretty much every operating system. Pretty nice for those who runs Linux like me.
« Last Edit: May 03, 2013, 02:18:06 pm by Juju »

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Offline pimathbrainiac

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Re: [checklist] How to set up for music composition
« Reply #2 on: May 03, 2013, 02:19:37 pm »
Yeah, you can take MIDI input in Musescore, but it is VERY accurate, and humans, sadly, are not.

Long story short: It's not a feature I use often.
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Offline Scipi

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Re: [checklist] How to set up for music composition
« Reply #3 on: May 03, 2013, 02:52:38 pm »
Could you make a few screenshots running us through some basics? Like making a small piece and explaining what you are doing, how you are doing it and why? It doesn't matter to us if it get's to be a little long or has to be split into several posts, but it's be something that could get us started with the basic procedure.

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In the wake of these events, we can only ask, Why? Why do these people make these demands, what caused them to gather, and what are their future plans...

Offline Juju

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Re: [checklist] How to set up for music composition
« Reply #4 on: May 03, 2013, 02:53:26 pm »
Video tutorial! Make us one!

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Offline pimathbrainiac

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Re: [checklist] How to set up for music composition
« Reply #5 on: May 03, 2013, 02:54:12 pm »
I, sadly, can't right now.

My good computer is in the ICU right now, so I can't get a good video for it.

I'll try once

a. my good computer is back

or

b. I get a new good computer

sorry for the inconvenience...
« Last Edit: May 03, 2013, 02:56:57 pm by pimathbrainiac »
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Offline Scipi

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Re: [checklist] How to set up for music composition
« Reply #6 on: May 03, 2013, 03:25:21 pm »
Certainly, there's no rush for it.

It'd just be nice to have a few solid tutorials for music, since Omni has a rather large music component, yet little by way of tutorials it seems.

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Wait... This just in, the Omnimagians have sent the UN a list of demands that must be met or else the world will be "submitted to the wrath of Netham45's Lobster Army". Such demands include >9001 crates of peanuts, sacrificial blue lobsters, and a wide assortment of cherry flavored items. With such computing power stored in the hands of such people, we can only hope these demands are met.

In the wake of these events, we can only ask, Why? Why do these people make these demands, what caused them to gather, and what are their future plans...

Offline linuxgeek96

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Re: [checklist] How to set up for music composition
« Reply #7 on: May 03, 2013, 05:34:54 pm »
Does anyone here know a good place to get feedback on your music? (Other than the Off-topic boards here)

Offline Juju

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Re: [checklist] How to set up for music composition
« Reply #8 on: May 03, 2013, 05:40:41 pm »
We have the Music Showcase board just for that.

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Offline linuxgeek96

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Re: [checklist] How to set up for music composition
« Reply #9 on: May 03, 2013, 05:41:39 pm »
 ::) Wow. My face right now... Thanks, @Juju
« Last Edit: May 03, 2013, 05:43:38 pm by linuxgeek96 »

Offline DJ Omnimaga

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Re: [checklist] How to set up for music composition
« Reply #10 on: May 03, 2013, 10:53:58 pm »
Music really takes a lot of practice, even if you use a software. Early on, your bassline is almost always guaranteed to be off key with the rest, same if you add a chord progression along with the music. I didn't have this problem much at first because I used pre-made melodies, but when I started using my own (after my 3 first songs), I often had issues.

Also, use headphones, so you can catch up every possible mistake and EQ your stuff easier.

(Note: I don't use Musescore so I can't help on it)

Offline epic7

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Re: [checklist] How to set up for music composition
« Reply #11 on: May 08, 2013, 10:27:05 pm »
I have never posted anything I have composed.
I have never been happy with anything I have composed. :P

Hopefully that'll change soon :P
« Last Edit: May 08, 2013, 10:27:32 pm by epic7 »