Twinkle Twinkle Little Star harmonized in four different styles, Baroque, Classical, Romantic and 20th Century. In the first style the melody is presented as a Cantus Firmus in Baroque style with two lower parts added below using Baroque...

Improve your harmony with advanced chords and learn how to write more dramatic chord progressions with this music composition tip. In this music composition lesson we analyse the harmony of the opening section of Bach’s C Minor Partita,...

The Mannheim school of composers, led by Stamitz, steered significant musical developments during the second half of the eighteenth century. This music history lesson explains some of their most significant innovations and explains the...

In this episode of composing for the piano we take the Music Matters theme and present it as a Waltz in Romantic style. The Music Matters theme was originally written in 4 time. By converting it into 3 time with some rhythmic...

Wondering what to do with a melody you've written? How could you go about turning it into a piece? In this music composition lesson we start with a melody in a minor key, then work out how best to harmonise it, considering various...

Many composers are happy to write basic melodies that fit with chords but how do we give a melodic line more identity and elegance? We discover how appoggiaturas can play a significant role. This music composition lesson shows you how...

In this episode of composing for the piano we talk about writing in a late Romantic style. We take the music matters theme and arrange it into a late Romantic style, discussing music composition techniques and tips when composing for the...

How does Chopin create and express emotion in his music? We delve into the mind of the composer and explore Chopin’s Nocturne in G minor, explaining how Chopin delivers emotional impact through his approach to harmony, melodic...

In this episode of composing for the piano, we explore how to present the Music Matters theme in Rumba style. The distinctive Rumba rhythm is explained and Gareth talks through how he has arranged the melodic design to fit the Rumba...

In this episode of composing for the piano, we explore how to present the Music Matters theme in Serial style. Serialism is not to everyone’s taste but this video begins with an explanation of the Serial technique and how it has been...

This music composition lesson unpacks Bach’s Sinfonia in B minor, drawing attention to the three motifs used to compose this piece. The three motifs are unpacked and we explore both the differences and the common ground between them. We...

Learn how to write three-part counterpoint. This music composition lesson presents a short musical idea and demonstrates how to evolve it into an extended passage of three part counterpoint. The characteristics of the initial idea are...

Discover how Josquin des Prez developed compositional style during the High Renaissance period. Josquin des Prez followed composers like Du Fay and Ockeghem, and prepared the ground for Palestrina and his contemporaries. As a singer,...

Learn all about the motif, what they are, famous examples and how to write your own. One way in which music is written is for it to be based on a motif or combination of motifs. So what is a motif and how would a composer work with a...

Rachmaninoff's piano concerto No. 2 is one of his most well known pieces, but did you know that Rachmaninoff struggled with depression and writer's block before being able to write this lovely piece of music? We look at the history...

Chopin’s E minor Prelude is one of his most popular and most beautiful Preludes. What makes the impact of this piece so poetic? This composer insights lesson begins by examining the melodic line in the right hand. Through much of the...

Salzburg, Austria:"We will go to the birthplace of Mozart, one of the most famous and influential classical music composers in the world ... in Salzburg, Austria."

Domenico Scarlatti wrote over 550 single-movement sonatas for the harpsichord, making characteristic but innovative use of the instrument. This composer insights lesson explores sonata K208 in A major. Having clarified the Binary...

In this episode of composing for the piano we talk about writing in a classical style. We take the music matters theme and arrange it into a classical style, discussing music composition techniques and tips when composing for the piano...

Beethoven is often labelled the ‘bridge composer’ because, more than any other composer, he provides the transition from Classical to Romantic style. Step inside the mind of Beethoven as we examine the opening of his op.79 Sonata for...

Always wanted to compose or improvise a professional accompaniment to a melody on the piano? In this music performance lesson we consider not only how to fit chords to a melody but also how to come up with a really effective...

An insight into the orchestration and harmonic language contained within Holst’s “Venus - the bringer of peace” from his Suite ‘The Planets’. Holst makes an original and colourful combination of a Horn solo with 4 Flutes and 3 Oboes,...

Not such an authentic cadence now, is it? The first 1000 people to use the link will get a free trial of Skillshare Premium Membershipttps://skl.sh/12tone10201' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'>Membership A lot of people think of music...

An analysis of Pp.79 no.2 G minor Rhapsody by Brahms. It takes Brahms a considerable number of bars to establish the home key and meanwhile he travels through a range of other keys. The melodic line is explored, including the growth of...