How to Compose Music - Canons

in #music7 years ago


In this video I show you my process for composing a new piece of music from scratch. The music in this video is created by myself on the spot and demonstrates my composition process.

Here I show how to compose a two part canon at the interval of an octave for the piano. A canon is a composition where one of the voices is identical or imitates the other voice. I start with the upper voice and bring in the lower voice one measure later and an octave lower. From here I continue to extend the upper voice which in turn extends the lower voice. Finally, I return to the initial measure and repeat the canon from there.

Canons are fun to compose because they are similar to piecing together a puzzle. The restriction of having one voice imitate the other challenges the composer to come up with new ideas constrained to the fact that the different voices must sound good when put together.

The proper study of the subject of canon lies in the area of counterpoint so one would do well to have a good understanding of strict counterpoint and harmony to create a successful canon. However, for those unwilling to go through that long course of study an attempt at composing a canon can and should be made at once.

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what a pleasure! listening to the final product was nice, now you are just spoiling us!

This is great

Thanks

I like your sharing please keep it up! :)