From Metalhead to Maestro: 7 Essential Skills for Symphonic Composition
1/7
Craft melodic lines with chord tones.
• Start with simple chord tones.
• Use passing and neighbor tones.
• Analyze melodies from symphonic metal.
• Practice writing short, memorable phrases.
From Metalhead to Maestro: 7 Essential Skills for Symphonic Composition
3/7 Understand musical forms and structures:
• Learn about common forms like binary and ternary.
• Break down symphonic metal pieces.
• Write your own musical sentences.
• Experiment with different structures.
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From Metalhead to Maestro: 7 Essential Skills for Symphonic Composition
4/7 Integrate dynamic rhythms:
• Vary note lengths and rests.
• Syncopate rhythms for interest.
• Study rhythmic patterns in symphonic metal.
• Practice creating rhythm-only compositions.
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From Metalhead to Maestro: 7 Essential Skills for Symphonic Composition
5/7 Study symphonic metal hits:
• Analyze compositions from your favorite bands.
• Note their use of melody, harmony, and form.
• Try to recreate sections by ear.
• Learn from their orchestration techniques.
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From Metalhead to Maestro: 7 Essential Skills for Symphonic Composition
6/7 Combine scale and chord lines:
• Write scale-based melodies.
• Harmonize scales with chord tones.
• Practice integrating both in your compositions.
• Create exercises combining both elements.
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From Metalhead to Maestro: 7 Essential Skills for Symphonic Composition
Special Bonus Tip #8
8/7 Have a sweet hat:
• Choose a hat that reflects your style.
• Wear it while composing to get into the zone.
• Make it part of your signature look.
• Rock it with confidence.
Sometimes, a sweet hat is all the inspiration you need!