Menu
What's new
By:
Filters

Is there a book/course/webseries/whatever that has structured exercises for a beginner?

N

newbycomposer

Member
I'm trying to get back into the swing of writting, and I never really was good at it back in the day anyways. I'm wanting to try to get a better handle on all the core stuff. Harmony, orchestration, midi programming, all of it. But specifically on the topic of harmony, one of the things I miss from college was having structured assignments. Write x number of bars, use these chord progressions, xyz voice leading, ect.

While I'm not looking for something that formal, but I am realizing that when it comes to learning specific stuff (orchestration, ways to use articulations, ect.) I REALLY benefit from structured exercises.

I don't want to break the bank on some giant course, but I'm ok spending some money on a book or something reasonable.
Click to read more...
 
A good "hands-on" fundamental harmony book taught at the keyboard. (Despite its title, you don't have to use it primarily for the purpose of improving your piano skills):

Harmony at the Piano: Using Keyboard Harmony to Learn Advanced Piano​

by Ken Johansen
__________

Worthwhile composing tutorials:

Composing with Constraints: 100 Practical Exercises in Music Composition​

by Jorge Variego (Author)
__________

For orchestration practice, go to Cinema Incidental at IMSLP. These are reductions of "old-time" cinema music that were categorized by mood and scene type, etc., and orchestrated by the leader on the spot for whatever instruments that particular theater had on hand, like the continuo bands of the Baroque. Pick one you like the look of and orchestrate it for the ensemble of your choice. Some of them indicate instrument suggestions, but try to ignore that so you can make your own decisions.

Cinema Incidental Series - IMSLP

imslp.org imslp.org
__________
 
newbycomposer said:
I'm trying to get back into the swing of writting, and I never really was good at it back in the day anyways. I'm wanting to try to get a better handle on all the core stuff. Harmony, orchestration, midi programming, all of it. But specifically on the topic of harmony, one of the things I miss from college was having structured assignments. Write x number of bars, use these chord progressions, xyz voice leading, ect.

While I'm not looking for something that formal, but I am realizing that when it comes to learning specific stuff (orchestration, ways to use articulations, ect.) I REALLY benefit from structured exercises.

I don't want to break the bank on some giant course, but I'm ok spending some money on a book or something reasonable.
Click to expand...
I’ve done some exercises from Project Lessons in Orchestration (by Heacox)
 
Last edited:
Booked marked all the previous responses. I always push ScoreClub. The Harmony counterpoint 1, counterpoint 2, and modal mastery classes have exercises.

There's a mockup course but other then that, I don't think there's midi
 
Thanks for the recommendations @R.G. The Harmony at the Piano looks particularly interesting and I've already ordered it! Looking forward to sitting down at the piano with it, for at least a couple minutes each day at least to start going through it. Fantastic resource link to piano scores + orchestrations too!
 
newbycomposer said:
I'm trying to get back into the swing of writting, and I never really was good at it back in the day anyways. I'm wanting to try to get a better handle on all the core stuff. Harmony, orchestration, midi programming, all of it. But specifically on the topic of harmony, one of the things I miss from college was having structured assignments. Write x number of bars, use these chord progressions, xyz voice leading, ect.

While I'm not looking for something that formal, but I am realizing that when it comes to learning specific stuff (orchestration, ways to use articulations, ect.) I REALLY benefit from structured exercises.

I don't want to break the bank on some giant course, but I'm ok spending some money on a book or something reasonable.
Click to expand...
Hi,
I made a course for beginners.
Hit me up if you are intrested...

Best
Michael
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom