Music Composition: 10 Tips for Personal Growth

Published on 31 July 2023 8 min read

Explore different music genres
Compose everyday
Find a music mentor
Learn music theory
Listen to your own music
Join a music community
Experiment with different instruments
Collaborate with other musicians
Attend music workshops and seminars
Embrace criticism and feedback

If you're wondering how to improve music composition for personal growth, you're in the right place. This journey is all about discovering new ways to enhance your creativity, broaden your mindset, and achieve personal growth. The world of music composition is vast and exciting, with plenty of opportunities for you to learn, grow, and flourish. So, let's dive into these ten tips that will help you grow as a composer and as an individual.

Explore Different Music Genres

One effective way to improve music composition for personal growth is by exploring different music genres. Broadening your musical horizons can open up a world of creative possibilities. Here's why:

Diversity of ideas: Every genre has a unique flavor, a distinct set of rules, and a characteristic mood. Grasping these elements can help you think out of the box and inject fresh ideas into your compositions.
Learning new techniques: Genres like jazz can teach you improvisation, while classical music can introduce you to complex structures and forms. This knowledge can enhance your own compositions, making them richer and more varied.
Understanding audiences: Exploring different genres can also help you understand what different audiences enjoy. This can be useful if you're composing music for a specific audience or event.

So, go ahead and immerse yourself in the world of blues, rock, country, classical, jazz, pop, and more. As you journey through the different genres, you'll likely find your own musical voice evolving, growing, and improving—just as you are.

Compose Everyday

Just as a painter paints and a writer writes, a composer composes. It's a simple truth, but one that's easy to forget. If you want to improve music composition for personal growth, it's important to set aside time each day to compose. Here's why:

Practice makes perfect: The more you compose, the more comfortable you get with the process. You start to understand what works and what doesn't. Over time, this can help you develop a more intuitive feel for composition.
Boost creativity: Composing on a regular basis can stimulate your creative muscles. It's like a workout for your brain, helping you to think more creatively and come up with more original ideas.
Build discipline: Creating a daily habit of composing can build discipline, which is not only beneficial for your music but also for your personal growth.

Remember, it doesn't have to be a symphony each day. Even a small musical idea or a simple melody can be a great start. The key is consistency. So, set a daily goal, stick to it, and watch as your music composition—and personal growth—improves.

Find a Music Mentor

Do you know what Mozart, Beethoven, and Haydn all had in common, besides being phenomenal composers? They all had mentors. Even the greatest talents in the world can benefit from the guidance of a more experienced individual. When you're learning how to improve music composition for personal growth, a mentor can be a game-changer. Here's why:

Personalized guidance: A music mentor can provide tailored advice based on your unique strengths, weaknesses, and goals. This one-on-one attention can help accelerate your development as a composer.
Invaluable feedback: Constructive feedback is key to growth, especially in music composition. Your mentor can offer insights you might not have thought of and point out areas for improvement that you might have missed.
Networking opportunities: Mentors often have extensive networks within the music industry. They can introduce you to other musicians, potential collaborators, and opportunities to showcase your work.

So, if you're serious about improving your music composition for personal growth, consider finding a mentor. They can provide the support, guidance, and expertise you need to take your compositions to the next level. And who knows? One day, you might be the mentor guiding the next generation of composers.

Learn Music Theory

Imagine trying to write a novel without knowing the alphabet. Sounds pretty difficult, right? The same can be said for composing music without understanding music theory. It's the language of music, the ABC's of the melody and harmony that make our hearts beat a little faster. Here's why learning music theory matters when you're figuring out how to improve music composition for personal growth:

Understanding the basics: Music theory provides you with the fundamental building blocks of music, such as scales, chords, and rhythms. Just like a chef needs to know what ingredients work well together, a composer needs to understand these elements to create a harmonious composition.
Expanding creativity: Some people worry that learning music theory will stifle their creativity. But in reality, it's quite the opposite. Knowing music theory opens up a world of possibilities, allowing you to experiment with different scales, chord progressions, and rhythmic patterns.
Communicating with other musicians: Music theory is a universal language among musicians. By understanding it, you can effectively communicate your ideas to band members, collaborators, or even your mentor.

So, if you're keen on improving music composition for personal growth, think of music theory as your roadmap. It can guide you, inspire you, and help you express your musical ideas more effectively. And remember, every Mozart and Beethoven had to start somewhere!

Listen to Your Own Music

Ever heard the phrase "be your own toughest critic?" Well, when it comes to improving music composition for personal growth, it's time to put those words into action. Listening to your own music is often overlooked, but it's a powerful tool for personal development. Here's why:

Spotting areas for improvement: Just like an artist steps back to observe their painting, you need to step back and listen to your music with a critical ear. You might notice a note that's off, a rhythm that could be tighter, or maybe even a whole section that could use a revamp.
Identifying strengths: But it's not all about pinpointing what's wrong — it's also about recognizing what's right. Perhaps your melody is catchy, or your chord progression is unique. Acknowledge these strengths, and use them to your advantage in future compositions.
Developing your style: By regularly listening to your own music, you can start to identify patterns or elements that recur across your compositions. These could be the building blocks of your unique musical style!

So, go ahead and press that play button. Reflect on your music, and don't shy away from making changes. After all, it's all part of the journey on how to improve music composition for personal growth. And remember, even Beethoven revised his symphonies!

Join a Music Community

Ever feel like you're composing in a vacuum? That's where joining a music community comes in handy. Being part of a group of like-minded individuals can work wonders for your music composition and personal growth. Here's how:

Gaining Fresh Perspectives: Sometimes, you might get stuck in your own musical thoughts. Joining a community gives you the chance to hear different ideas, styles, and techniques that you may not have considered before. It's like opening a door to a whole new world of musical possibilities.
Getting Constructive Feedback: A music community can provide a safe space for you to share your compositions and receive constructive feedback. This can help you see your work from a different angle and uncover areas of improvement that you might have missed.
Building Connections: Networking is not just for business professionals. Building relationships within your music community can lead to exciting collaborations, opportunities, and lifelong friendships.

Whether it's a local music club, an online forum, or a university group, don't hesitate to join a music community. It's a surefire way to add a new dimension to your journey on how to improve music composition for personal growth. So go out there, join a community, and let the music bring you together!

Experiment with Different Instruments

Ever tried to play a tune on a violin and then on a piano? You might notice they give your composition a completely different vibe. That's the beauty of experimenting with different instruments. It can totally transform your music and spur your personal growth. Here's why:

Expand Your Musical Vocabulary: Each instrument has its own unique sound and playing techniques. By experimenting with various instruments, you can add more colors and textures to your music.
Boost Your Creativity: Have you ever tried composing a piece for an instrument you've never used before? It can be a fun challenge that pushes you out of your comfort zone and sparks your imagination.
Deepen Your Understanding of Music: Getting hands-on experience with different instruments can give you a better understanding of their roles in a composition. This can help you create more balanced and harmonious music.

So, if you're wondering how to improve music composition for personal growth, don't be afraid to pick up a new instrument. Who knows, you might discover a newfound passion for the ukulele or the harmonica. Remember, every instrument you play adds a new note to your musical story.

Collaborate with Other Musicians

Music, like most forms of art, thrives on collaboration. Working with other musicians opens up a world of ideas, perspectives, and techniques that can inspire you and refine your composition skills. Here's how collaborating with other musicians can enhance your personal growth in music:

Learn New Techniques: Every musician has their own way of playing, composing, and perceiving music. By collaborating, you can learn new techniques or approaches that you might not have discovered on your own.
Inspire Creativity: When you combine your musical ideas with those of another musician, you create something that's far more unique and creative. It's like mixing different colors to create a new shade.
Improve Teamwork: Music isn't just about melodies and harmonies. It's also about working together to create something beautiful. Collaborating with other musicians can help you develop your teamwork and communication skills, which are vital for any musician.

So, if you're asking yourself, "How can I improve music composition for personal growth?" consider reaching out to fellow musicians for a jam session or a co-composition project. You'll be surprised how much you can learn—and grow—through collaboration.

Attend Music Workshops and Seminars

Another fantastic way to improve your music composition skills and foster personal growth is by attending music workshops and seminars. These events offer a unique platform to learn, share ideas, and get exposure to the latest trends in music composition. Here's why they are beneficial:

Expand Knowledge: Workshops and seminars are often conducted by experts in the field. Attending these can provide you with a wealth of knowledge and insights into music composition that you may not find in books or online tutorials.
Networking Opportunities: These events are also great for networking. You get to meet and interact with other musicians, composers, and industry professionals, which can open up new opportunities for collaboration, learning, and growth.
Hands-on Learning: Many music workshops involve practical sessions where you get to apply what you've learned. This hands-on experience can significantly enhance your understanding and skills in music composition.

Therefore, if you're pondering over "how to improve music composition for personal growth," consider enrolling in a music workshop or seminar. It might be the key to unlocking your full potential as a composer.

Embrace Criticism and Feedback

When it comes to improving music composition for personal growth, criticism and feedback are gold mines. Yes, it can be hard to hear, but remember, the goal here is to improve, and feedback is a tool to help you do just that. Here's why:

Identify Areas for Improvement: Feedback can help you pinpoint areas where you need to polish your skills. Maybe your melody needs work or your harmony is off. Honest criticism shines a light on these areas.
Boosts Creativity: Feedback also encourages you to think outside the box. If someone says your composition is too predictable, it's an invitation to surprise them next time!
Tracks Progress: Regular feedback is like a progress report. It shows you how far you've come and how close you are to your goal of improving music composition for personal growth.

So, how about turning the sting of criticism into fuel for growth? Embrace feedback, apply it, and watch as your music compositions reach new heights.

If you enjoyed our blog post on music composition and personal growth, we highly recommend checking out the workshop 'Indie Film Composing: Building Your Composer Brand' by Daisy Coole. This workshop will not only provide valuable insights into composing for indie films but also help you build a strong brand as a composer. Dive in and expand your knowledge in the world of music composition!