Music Composition Techniques 2: Tension And Release

This course includes lifetime access so you can complete the course at your own speed.

This course will provide you the tools to reach that control that is equivalent to having a good technique. Take this course today and you will learn the basics of piano technique exercises.

Benefits of taking this course include:

• Unlimited and lifetime access to the course
• Learn the course at your own pace
• Course can be accessed on any platform
• 24/7 Customer support

When most people think of a composer, they imagine someone sitting in a dusty attic with a grand piano, big white wig, and the year is 1800. That might have been accurate back then, but the modern composer is just like you and me. In fact, I am one.

In this course, I’ll show you techniques I use for writing music in a variety of styles and situations. I’ve worked with major American orchestras, film studios, and video game designers, so I’ve got more than a little experience. I’m also a Ph.D. in music composition and a university professor (of music composition).

Recently I was named as a semi-finalist for the Grammy Foundation’s Music Educator of the Year award because of my in-person university classes. Now I’m taking those classes online in order to reach more students, and give them the joy of Music Theory.

I’m planning on making several “sections” of this class, and this is Part 2. As the class grows, we will go deeper and deeper into my techniques. This class is focused on the creating a sense of Tension and Release: One of the most fundamental concepts in music composition.

Music Composition Techniques 2: Tension And Release course will cover the following topics:

Topic 1 - Welcome And Overview

• Introduction
• My Background
• Why Tension And Release?
• Review: Tools
• [DOWNLOAD] Staff Paper
• Review: Process Of Composing

Topic 2 - Tension And Release In Form

• Long Term And Short Term
• Forms That We Know So Far
• Forms That Create Drama
• Sonata Form
• The Four Elements Of Sonata Form
• Sonata Form Examples
• Using Sonata Form For Tension And Release
• [DOWNLOAD] Moonlight Sonata
• Modern Uses Of Form For Tension
• Example: Muse (Butterflies And Hurricanes)

Topic 3 - Tension And Release In Meter

• Meter And Tension
• Stylistic Concerns
• Compound Meters
• Compound Meter Definition
• Compound Meter Signatures
• Another Perspective
• Alternating Compound And Duple Meters For Tension

Topic 4 - Tension And Release In Rhythm

• Rhythmic Patterns
• Pattern Obfuscation
• Example: Philip Glass (From The Soundtrack To The Truman Show)
• [DOWNLOAD] Glass, Truman Sleeps
• Example: Aporia

Topic 5 - Tension And Release In Harmony

• Consonance And Dissonance
• Prolonged Dominant
• Emphasized Resolution
• Pedal Tones
• Long Resolution Of Pedal Tones
• Pedal Tones In Higher Voices
• Example: Aphex Twin, Ventolin

Topic 6 - Combining Techniques

• Using Multiple Techniques
• [DOWNLOAD] Sonata In C, Mozart
• Example: Kinesthesia, Movement 7
• Film Music And Tension Techniques
• Composing Music For Films

Topic 7 - Wrap Up

• Coming Soon: Composition Techniques 3: Composing For Film

This course is designed for anyone who is interested in learning tension and release music composition techniques.

No prior knowledge is required to take this course.

Currently there are no Q&As for this course. Be the first to ask a question.

Certificate of completion

Digital certificate - Included