How to Make Music: A Simple Sample

If you want to start creating unique expressions through sound, there are only a few steps you need to take to achieve it. Of course, there are varying degrees of conciseness when it comes to musical expression, or in other words, how articulate your actual expression is when compared to your ideal expression. The level of articulation is facilitated through music theory, instrumental technique, and the study of styles that correspond to your personal taste. In a nutshell, the closer you are to a hypothetical mastery of your craft, the more satisfaction you'll get from the sounds you generate.

However, it should be noted that, while your expression might be initially limited, you can start writing music without much practice. All it requires to get started is a basic proficiency on your instrument of choice. Regardless of your level of mastery, this simple technique will get you started on the journey of composition.

The fundamental starting point for crafting music is inspiration; it is the seed that will become your tree, that will bare the fruit of enjoyment. Find a song, band, melody, chord progression, really anything that makes you feel good. Now that you've found something that tickles your fancy, there are a few ways to progress from this point. The simplest way to turn the inspiration into a new artistic expression, is to learn the source of inspiration, be it a riff or a beat, etc. Once you've learned the source, now the songwriting begins. What you want to do is modify the part you chose to the point that it becomes something new.

There are a few ways to do this. Say you found a chord progression that inspires you to write a song. After you've learned the progression, start by changing an aspect of it. You can change the order of the chords for example, placing the last chord first; you can change the rhythmic inflection, from something that's downbeat to upbeat; or you can write another part on top of the original, and discard the original riff. This practical approach to writing music is known as songsmithing, and is a surefire method of initiating yourself into becoming a songwriter.

This is analogously the seed to your tree - there are fundamental forces of nature you need to take into consideration to facilitate the growth of your sapling, and they will be covered in subsequent posts. So get started on your compositional journey, and stay tuned for more methodological secrets.