Punkademic Music Composition 101: Fundamentals, Principles, And Myths

In this course, I'll show you the techniques I use for writing music in a variety of styles and situations. I've worked with major American orchestras, film studios, and video game designers, so I've got more than a little experience. I'm also a PhD in music composition and a university professor (of music composition).

Recently I was named as a semi-finalist for the Grammy Foundation's Music Educator of the Year award because of my in-person university classes. Now I'm taking those classes to Udemy in an online format in order to reach more students and give them the joy of Music Theory.

This course starts with common misconceptions about the art of writing music. I'll give you the first one right now: You don't have to be a genius. Music Composition is a skill that can be learned, with practice.

Some of the topics we will cover in this class are:
My background, and listen to some of my music
What you need to know
Myths of the composer
Tools of the trade: Software
Tools of the trade: Pencils and fine paper
How do you start?
The process
Program music and metaphors
Character sketches
Writing through canon
Form
Starting with a plan
Graphic form representations
Film scoring and Tension Cues
Composing for Films and Games
Principals of orchestration
Principals of music theory
To use a keyboard or not to use a keyboard?
Any much, much, more!