Musical Composition

by Reginald Smith Brindle

Musical composition is a key discipline in music programs in conservatories, colleges, and universities. Many teachers consider it as important in the development of young musicians as listening and performance. It can be argued that through compositions musicians achieve the deepest insight into the composer and his music. Musical Composition takes the student through the elements--melody, harmony, counterpoint, and rhythm--before covering a variety of special subjects such as writing vocal and choral music, accompaniments, and film and TV music. Chapters are devoted to recent techniques including free diatonicism, serialism, and indeterminacy. Over 200 examples illustrate points in the text and there are exercises for each chapter.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction

196 pages, Paperback

Published November 6, 1986

Reviews

[Christian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Professor Smith is a genius and is definitely very experienced with his many positions as a professional musician. While I was unhappy with some of his points, he always backed up his teachings with valid points. As a young musician still in high school, any help is needed and should be taken with much caution, and I recommend this to any avid reader of both literature and music.

[Acer Pseudoplantatus · Rating 2 out of 5]

Whilst some good information is contained and much is covered, the first sections hold little of value for observant musicians.
The latter portion, I assume, would not hold too much of interest for those who have been engaging with modern music as musicians or in analysis, though most of it was novel to me.
There could have been more exercises in the back portion of the book and some might have been more beneficial with further suggestions or guidance.

If it were just that, I'd have given it three stars, but Brindle sadly has an annoying bias against polyphony, often warning student not to use it, calling it ineffective for creation of mood/atmosphere, acknowledging its "intellectual beauty" only and presenting as inexpressive technical wanking whilst at times mistaking polyphony for harmonic language and failing to give examples of it in choral writing, dismissing it because modern composers do not favour it.
So there is an incredible texture allowing for countless possibilities and expression in all harmonic languages being misrepresented and not being taught.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good starting point for understanding principles of composition. It covers things like melody, harmony, form, etc, and does a really good job of giving them structure, like they’re a natural result of understandable principles. It helps you think about the philosophy of music.

It’s also extremely classically / Western oriented. At times it’s very prescriptive and has a pretentious air of “this is the way things are”. I wish it had acknowledged more of what music is actually like, which is a highly subjective set of guidelines that are constantly evolving. I also wish it had acknowledged that this is western theory, not universal theory.

It’s a good starting point to learn principles of western music though. However know that this is not the kind of thing you read cover to cover like a novel. It’s a guide. It’s inspiration. It’s best used to help you as you practice writing music. You don’t even have to finish it. Practicing is where you really learn.

[Jeremiah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would not recommend to beginners. Tried to pick this book up multiple times over the years only to find discouragement due to difficulties with the terminology and general theoretical approach. Finally was able to finish it and with relative ease this year, but that's after taking 2 years of aural skills and music theory classes, writing a couple of albums, and reflecting for a few years on all of the information I learned through those and other experiences with writing and playing music. That said, I really enjoyed the book and would highly recommend it to anyone with a bit of background in music theory who enjoys an analytical approach to composition and songwriting.

[Kari · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a good quote, but when I went back for it, I couldn't find it, and I don't feel like reading the whole thing again for one quote.