Blog Entry - Composition - Getting Started

What are the Primary Components to any Good Song?

When composing, I would say it is important to understand what exactly makes a piece of music good - So what is good? Is that even the right word to use? Should we all be aiming for perfection or excellence? how do we decipher an excellent musical piece from a not-so-excellent one?

Well, as a basis for Western music (both classical and folk, old and modern), patterns, repetition and a balance between familiarity and the unknown are favoured - the concept of a 'groove' or 'pulse' is essentially what we as humans look for in music - as well as an emotional, and psychical response (this could be getting up and dancing uncontrollably, or simply feeling elated or depressed).

Music it seems, is a form of language that is universally understood - often being able to express the inexpressible - so where should one begin when composing?

Melody Writing

Arguably, the melody is the most distinctive feature of any piece of music - chord structures are recycled as are bass lines and rhythms, but it seems melodies are the equivalent of the unique selling point.

Simplicity - Keeping melodies simplistic and paced is important, consumers (listeners/buyers) will be more likely to sing along and have a connection with the music if they themselves can understand it and replicate it. 
Repetition - Repetition is key to us as humans recognising patterns - having a consistent theme or a repeated chorus is an effective technique that makes a piece of music memorable.
People often only remember choruses of songs or a certain repeated phrase.
Balance/symmetry - This can be interpreted in different ways, a prominent example of balance in a melody is the main motif of 'Fur Elise'. The melody wants to be resolved. Holding and releasing tension adds movement and a story to a melody. 
Movement through Whole Step - The best melodies move mainly by whole or half step note values, Noel Gallagher has notably introduced chromaticism (use of the semi-tone scale) to popular music.