Many people dream of having a full time music composing career. Whether they’re about to graduate high school, have recently entered college or are looking for a rewarding career change, music composition can be a very fulfilling way to earn a living. The road to this type of career is full of challenges and every aspiring composer must work extremely hard to get their career off the ground.
Immerse Yourself in Music Theory
You’ve probably heard a few hundred songs that you’ve thoroughly enjoyed and wondered how musicians can compose such wonderful pieces. From chord progressions and time changes to sharps and flats, you’ll need to know the ins and outs of music theory.
Music theory is the scientific and mathematical study of music. While you won’t be sitting in a classroom mixing substances or solving endless trigonometry problems, you’ll need to know how different notes in a chord affect one another, how to subdivide beats in a bar, the ranges of various instruments and more.
Begin by taking classes at your local community college. A series of music theory classes for composition majors often lasts at least four to five semesters, so be prepared to spend excessive amounts of time studying and composing small tests pieces for your class.
Learn Piano
A piano is the primary tool of the trade for composers. They’ll sit for hours experimenting with different chord progressions and genres to determine which ones best fit the ideas in their heads.
If you haven’t done so already, take piano classes from a private tutor, at your local college or simply teach yourself if you’re up to it. Learning the piano will also help you better understand various keys and chords that you use later on.
Obtain a Master of Music Education Online
The process of teaching students how to play or compose music will have many benefits of its own, one of them being able to discover new ideas for musical pieces that you’ve never thought of before.
Completing a masters of music education online will help launch your musical career by giving you the opportunity to teach others what you love so much. While teaching, your students will likely give you creative ideas that you’ve never thought of before.
Becoming a modern day Mozart is no easy task. As one of the great all-time composers, Mozart dedicated his life to learning and experimenting with new ideas, and creating some of the best musical masterpieces of all time. Dedication and hard work are the keys to becoming a successful composer.
