Do you have a student who wants to write piano music?
Maybe each week they show you a new composition they’ve come up with, or they “noodle” on the piano, inspired by the music they’re learning.
Or maybe they are asking you questions that make you think maybe they want to write piano music.
Or maybe you want to explore composition in your studios and want to help your students know how to write music so they’ll become better rounded pianists..
Today’s post is by composer Amy at Piano Postcard.
She shares six practical tips to write piano music–based on her experience with creating original compositions inspired by historical stories.
You’ll want to sign up for her newsletter, where you can get free sheet music.
Visit her website www.pianopostcard.com to explore dozens of original compositions and learn more.
6 Practical Tips to Write Piano Music
by Amy at Piano Postcard
Music is one of the greatest tools we have on earth for expression.
Music ranges from modern rap to intricate classical and expresses just about every feeling, thought, and story we can think of.
Being able to express ourselves in this form is easy – everyone can write music to some extent.
However, we tend to limit ourselves because we think we lack the tools to create great music.
If you have any musical ability, you can start creating your own music today!
I am going to give you six steps to become a better composer.
1. Find your muse to write piano music
Occasionally, I will think of a random melody out of the blue, but most of the time, I am thinking up music about something – an event, a person, a place, a phase of life, etc.
You can write about anything.
If you don’t know where to begin, start with a little brainstorming. Here are some questions to get you started.
- What are some of your favorite events in history?
- What was your favorite event in life?
- Who is a person you love?
- Who is a fictional character you can’t get enough of?
- What historical person do you wish you could have met?
- Who inspires you and why?
- What was your favorite vacation spot?
- Where would you travel if you could? (don’t limit it to this world–you can think of fantasy realms too!)
Once you find your inspiration, move to the next step.
2. Develop a melody.
This may be a controversial step in writing piano music, as many composers I know like to develop chord progressions first and work on the melody after.
However, this is too limiting for me.
I like to be able to take the melody in any direction I want.
If you are having trouble with developing a melody as you write piano music, take time to be somewhere alone where you can sing out loud.
Go ahead and sing or hum out a melody until you come up with at least eight bars.
This is a great start!
You can build from there.
3. Write piano music–literally
Write your melody onto a notation paper, dividing up the measures by counts.
Remember, this is not permanent. You can change it at any time.
Add more and more melody until you feel like you have a solid composition.
If the thought of writing down the melody intimidates you, use a pencil and consider your staff paper as “scratch paper.”
You are getting your first thoughts down.
If you decide to move a whole section of melody from the beginning to the middle later in the process, that is totally fine.
You can number the sections and rewrite the melody in a logical order later.
When your melody is finished, you are ready for the next step in writing piano music.
4. Add chords to your piano composition
Once you have your melody written, write the chord that should be with your melody under each measure.
For example: A minor, G7, C major.
For this step, I am sitting at the piano playing my melody and fiddling around with different chords until I get them just right!
Don’t let this step intimidate you.
Usually, the correct chord is obvious, and for those spots that aren’t, you can usually choose between two.
If you get stuck with adding chords as you write piano music, try working with just one bass note and then fill in the chord after you have established a good bass line.
If you need help with chords, check out our blog post, How to Teach Chords to Piano Students (with a free chords download!)
5. Make the left hand fancy
Your bass chords are boring.
Sorry, it’s true.
They need to be dressed up.
There are many ways to do this, and this article is not long enough to talk about all of them.
Some common ways are solid chords, broken chords, single staccato notes, to name a few.
And remember – the left hand can step into the melody role at any time!
Have fun at this stage!
Don’t be scared to try something completely different than usual.
Sometimes your left hand pattern can change the entire direction of the piano piece you’re writing.
6. Spend several hours playing your composition with pencil in hand
Don’t rush this step.
Once you have your melody and chords down, sit down and play your music!
Make changes every time you play it.
Play it quickly, play it slowly, play it somewhere in between.
Listen as you play.
If just one note sounds off, figure out what you need to do to make it sound better.
When you feel like the song is right, make everything finished with a final draft.
Remember…
The most important part of writing piano music is to be creative! Good luck.
~Amy at Piano Postcard
Do you write piano music?
If so, comment with your favorite tips! Do you write the melody or chord pattern first?
What do you do to challenge yourself to stay creative?
If this blog post has you excited about getting your students to write piano music, also check out How to Start Teaching Piano Students Music Composition and Host a Fun Camp for Music Composing.
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Loved reading this approach to composing. I love fiddling with the melody first as well sometimes! Thanks for sharing.