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Composition with Brendan Collins
Video Tutorials on Specific Compositional Techniques
Voicing Chords for Strings
Often the key to composing successfully for string ensembles comes down to how well the chords are voiced. This tutorial focuses on a simple technique that is guaranteed to improve your string writing in no time
Composing Piano Accompaniments
Composing piano accompaniments is an integral part of creating successful works for solo instruments and voice. Here is a tutorial that investigates the role of piano accompaniments and provides techniques that will lead to better accompaniment writing
Writing a Walking Bass Line
This tutorial demystifies the art of composing supportive and interesting walking bass lines
Writing a Rock Song
This step by step approach to composing a successful rock song focuses on developing strong and 'catchy' melodic material, a clearly defined structure and the roles of the singer and instrumentalists
Basic Blues
Melody Writing with the Blues Scale
Use the blues scale to create meaningful melodies. Phrasing, repetition and thematic development are all part of creating a successful melody
Wordsetting - Song Writing
Setting words to music. This tutorial will guide you through the process of taking a set of lyrics and turning them into a vocal composition
Melody Writing
Part 1
This tutorial will demonstrate how a composer can develop a sophisticated and meaningful melody from a set of chords
Melody Writing
Part 2 - Enclosures
This tutorial will demonstrate how a simple technique will revolutionise your ability to compose colourful and interesting melodic lines
Writing a Fugue Exposition
This tutorial will demonstrate how a simple technique will revolutionise your ability to compose colourful and interesting melodic lines
Successful HSC Composer
Interview
Something different. This interview gives us an insight into how Tom Collins achieved success as a composer in the Higher School Certificate
Two - Part Writing
Part 1
Demystifying the process of creating two independent musical lines of equal importance that harmonise with each other. This process more simple than you may think
Voicing Jazz Chords
Whether you compose jazz music or music of other genres, this simple technique will bring your chord progressions to life and ensure smooth flowing musical lines
Creating Chord Progressions
Chords are a great starting point when composing music, but how does one create a meaningful harmonic progression? This tutorial will guide you through a step by step process that is sure to have you creating strong progressions for your future compositions
Modulations
Part 1
Most successful compositions have a change of tonality at some point but how do composers seemlessly transition from one key to another? This tutorial will show you how
Modulations
Part 2
This technique is even easier than Part 1. No preparation required, you don't even need to return to the original key. This modern method of changing tonality will breathe ramp up the energy levels of any composition.
Non Major Minor Tonality
Ok so now you are feeling more confident in your ability to compose music. How about moving outside the traditional major/ minor tonalities? This tutorial will suggest ways of creating your own tonalities that will give your music a modern and contemporary flavour
12 Bar Blues
12 Bar Blues - so simple, right? ... Think again. This tutorial demonstrates how sophisticated this 'simple' progression can be. Techniques presented in this video do not just apply to the blues. Once mastered you will find yourself using these methods in all your compositions
Composing in 7/8
Composing in uneven time signatures can be daunting but not anymore. This technique simplifies the process and will have you composing freely in uneven time signatures with confidence.
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