The Fundamentals of Composition | Melody & Theme Writing

Alex Heppelmann, Instructor

Overview

The Fundamentals of Composition | Melody & Theme Writing is the first of many short courses within the Fundamentals of Composition series. Melody & Theme Writing is designed for composers in a variety of styles and genres to improve their melodic and thematic writing. A basic familiarity with written music (simple staff notation) is assumed, as is a willingness to experiment with a variety of creative approaches to music composition. 

Course Structure

The course is divided into four units of material:

1. Harmony
   1. Basic Principles of Counterpoint
   2. Diatonic Harmony
   3. Functional Chromaticism
   4. Non-Functional & Post Tonal
2. Motive
   1. Harmonic Motives
   2. Melodic Motives
   3. Rhythmic Motives
   4. Motivic Development
3. Melody Writing
   1. Melodic Contour
   2. Melodic Phrase Structure
   3. Complex & Compound Melodic Forms
4. Thematic Writing
   1. Genre-based thematic writing (e.g., love theme, adventure theme...)
   2. Thematic Development and Transformation

Each unit will contain multiple chapters of lecture material. Lectures will be accompanied by a variety of supplemental materials, including handouts, exercises, assignments, and quizzes.

Standard versus Professional Versions

Both the Standard and Professional versions of Melody & Theme Writing include all lecture and supplemental materials. Only the Professional version includes feedback on all completed & submitted exercises and assignments (for up to six months after date of purchase). If you have enrolled in the Standard version and would like to upgrade to the Professional version, please email me ([email protected]) for instructions.

If you are unsatisfied with Melody & Theme Writing, you may request a refund within seven days of purchase AND only if you've progressed no more than 10% of the way through the course.

Each lesson page will contain a downloadable PDF summary (below) of the video lesson. This PDF may contain additional examples, pieces of information, and clarifications not found in the video lecture, so be sure to explore each one!