MUSIC COMPOSITION LESSONS - Madison, WI
Beginners to College Prep
WRITE MUSIC WITH PURPOSE
Composition isn’t just about putting notes on a page, it’s about knowing why those notes are there. Whether you’re writing a melody, building a chord progression, or scoring a full arrangement, every choice should serve the music. That’s what I focus on in my teaching. We’ll work on the fundamentals ~ harmony, rhythm, form, orchestration, but always in the context of what you’re trying to say with your music. The goal is to get you to a place where you’re not just writing, but writing with intention and direction.
My Approach
Writing music can feel intimidating, especially when you’re staring at a blank page. But composition is a skill, not just a talent, and like any skill, it can be developed with the right guidance and consistent practice. The most important thing to know is that everyone starts at the same place, and that’s at the beginning. What I can do is help you get past that point, develop your understanding, sharpen your ear, and find your own voice as a writer. Whatever your musical journey looks like, I’m here to help you move forward.
Your Music. Your Voice. Let's Build It.
Composition is part inspiration, part technique. I’ll help you develop both with a balanced, detailed approach built around your goals.
Personalized Composition Instruction
Every student comes in with a different starting point and a different end goal, so that’s where we begin. Whether that be a personal interest or you are geniunely interested in pursuing a degree in music, I’ll help you get where you want to go, and build a realistic plan to get you there.
What I Teach
- Development and refinement of musical ideas and riffs
- Application of Music Theory for Melody and Harmony
- Use of DAWs and notation programs
- Analysis of song forms, tones and musical effects
- Finding your own compositional voice
Lesson Formats
- Weekly lessons
- 30 minute intervals
- Online lessons
- Beginner to intermediate
- Intensive study on the collegiate level
Sample Tracks
Listen to examples of lead, classical, and genre based guitar samples you can build up to in your own studies.
Music Composition Examples
Include sheet music or examples of writing music.
MUSIC COMPISITION FAQ
I'm a complete beginner, where do we start?
We will begin with the basic elements of music and how to be creative with them.
Do you work with younger students?
I will work with students in Composition as young as 6 if they demonstrate an interest music creation.
I'm preparing for college music can you help me prepare?
Yes. We will go over fundamental knowledge to have in place, and making a plan for any requirements for the college you are looking at.
How do the lessons work, what do I need to prepare for each lesson?
Each lesson will discuss a concept of creation and idea generation. We will either continue work on a piece that is in progress, or come up with a series of small goals and assignments for the next lesson.
What do I need to bring to the lessons?
Composition and some sort of musical notation usually go hand in hand. You’ll want to bring whatever is necessary to demonstrate what you are working on. This could include staff paper, a laptop with DAW, a recording or an instrument.
Do I need to be able to read music?
Not necessarily, but it is helpful and encouraged. The creative element can be approached from many different angles, and I can still help you to find your own strategies for writing.
What happens if I have “Writer’s Block”?
We will discuss strategies on how to work around that and generate ideas. Composition can be practiced in a similar fashion to any instrument. Trying to write and create something everyday will help you develop work flow and improve the creative process.
I’m hesitant to show my work to other people, are you going to tear my creation apart?
No. Presenting something you’ve written to other people, or opening yourself up to critique can definitely be scary and intimidating. It can feel incredibly vulnerable sometimes. We will discuss different aspects of your composition with an emphasis on objective language. I avoid judgmental and qualitative statements (good, bad, brilliant, stupid, etc.) and focus on the mechanics and details of the writing itself.
Do you teach with any kind of composition software?
While I am primarily versed in Finale for notation and Logic for recording, we can work on learning any notation program or DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) for your process.
Do I need to play an instrument to learn how to write music?
Not necessarily, but a background or foundation in some sort of instrument is helpful.
Book Your Lesson
Your first lesson will be 30 minutes. We’ll assess your current skill level and find a regular day and time that works for your schedule. The time slot you book for this first session may differ from your ongoing lesson time.
Friendly Reminders: Text & Email
All new students must provide an email address and phone number. You’ll receive confirmation when you book, plus text and email reminders before your lesson.
Confirmation Policy
Please confirm your lesson at least 24 hours in advance. Unconfirmed lessons will be automatically canceled to make the time slot available for other students.
Music Lessons
“There’s no reason for a guitarist to have a big ego. You should love the instrument more than wanting to be a rock star””