Traditional Elements of Composition

Harmony in Composition

Harmony refers to a collective sound created by several tones played at the same time.
Understand the role of chord progressions as a vital tool for directing harmony.
Harmonious compositions often include a balance of tense and relaxed moments, formed by dissonant and consonant intervals.
Familiarise yourself with common harmonic structures such as Diatonic (based on a major or minor scale) and Chromatic (adds notes outside of the major or minor scale).

Melody in Composition

Melody gives a piece of music its identity, composed of a sequence of pitches in a particular rhythm.
Melodies can have various structures such as strophic (repeating the same melody each verse), through-composed (a different melody for each verse), and binary or ternary (two or three distinct sections).
It’s crucial to consider the contour of the melody - the shape the melody outlines as it rises and falls.

Tempo and Rhythm in Composition

The tempo defines the speed at which your composition is to be played.
Rhythm is a sequence of sounds and silences in time, using various note lengths.
Patterns of rhythm are fundamental to creating different music styles — for example, a four-beat rhythm popular in Western music styles.
Remember to utilise both syncopation (accenting offbeat notes) and polyrhythms (multiple rhythms at once) to add interest and complexity.

Dynamics in Composition

Dynamics refer to the volume of your compositions.
Consider using crescendo (gradually getting louder) and diminuendo (gradually getting quieter) to build and release tension.
The use of sudden dynamic changes — forte (loud), piano (soft), etc. — can create exciting contrasts.

Structure in Composition

Your composition should have a clear structure, such as verse-chorus-verse or A-B-A.
Even more experimental compositions still follow a structure, ensuring coherence and overall balance.
Typical musical structures include Song Form, Rondo Form, Fugue, and Sonata Form.
Be familiar with these structures and how they can be used to best effect.

Instrumentation in Composition

Instrumentation relates to the specific instruments used in your composition, dictating the composition’s timbre or ‘colour’.
Choosing appropriate instruments for your desired style and mood is essential.
Be aware of the instrument families (strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, keyboards, etc.) and the unique qualities each one brings to a composition.

By understanding these traditional elements of composition, you will have the tools needed to create dynamic, engaging, and well-structured music compositions.