17 Essential Books & Courses for Music Composition
Discover the top resources for aspiring composers to master orchestration, harmony, and form.
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Orchestration Essentials

1

The Study of Orchestration

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The Study of Orchestration

The Study of Orchestration [Adler, Samuel] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Study of Orchestration

Samuel Adler's comprehensive guide to instruments, used at Berklee for film scoring.

2

Orchestrating the Line
Alain Mayrand's Scoreclub course on thinking horizontally in orchestration.

3

Secrets of Orchestration
Rovshan Asgarzade's detailed course on voicing and textures.
Composition Techniques
Creative Orchestration

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Creative Orchestration: A Project Method For Classes In Orchestration And Instrumentation

Creative Orchestration: A Project Method For Classes In Orchestration And Instrumentation [McKay, George Frederick, McKay, Frederick Leslie] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Creative Orchestration: A Project Method For Classes In Orchestration And Instrumentation

George Frederick McKay's book on conceptual orchestration ideas.
Musical Composition

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Musical Composition: Craft and Art

Musical Composition: Craft and Art [Belkin, Alan] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Musical Composition: Craft and Art

Alan Belkin's book on unique composition concepts.
Practical Counterpoint
Alain Mayrand's Scoreclub course on modern counterpoint applications.
Harmony Studies

1

Traditional Harmony

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Harmony and Voice Leading

Amazon.com: Harmony and Voice Leading: 9781337560573: Aldwell, Edward, Schachter, Carl, Cadwallader, Allen: Books

Harmony & Voice Leading by Aldwell and Schachter for classical approach.

2

Contemporary Harmony

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Contemporary Harmony: Romanticism Through the Twelve-Tone Row (Advance Music)

Contemporary Harmony: Romanticism Through the Twelve-Tone Row (Advance Music) [Ulehla, Ludmila] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Contemporary Harmony: Romanticism Through the Twelve-Tone Row (Advance Music)

Hooktheory for pop and rock, Contemporary Harmony by Ulehla for 20th century.

3

Advanced Techniques

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Twentieth-Century Harmony: Creative Aspects and Practice

Twentieth-Century Harmony: Creative Aspects and Practice [Vincent Persichetti] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Twentieth-Century Harmony: Creative Aspects and Practice

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Modulation (Dover Books On Music: Analysis)

Modulation (Dover Books On Music: Analysis) [Reger, Max] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Modulation (Dover Books On Music: Analysis)

Twentieth Century Harmony by Persichetti and Modulation by Max Reger.
Musical Form

Analyzing Classical Form by William Caplin

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Analyzing Classical Form: An Approach for the Classroom

Analyzing Classical Form: An Approach for the Classroom [Caplin, William E.] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Analyzing Classical Form: An Approach for the Classroom

Explores period and sentence forms, expanding to larger structures. Focus on Classical era.

Musical Structure and Design by Cedric Thorpe Davie

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Musical Structure and Design (Dover Books on Music) by Cedric T. Davie (1966-06-01)

Musical Structure and Design (Dover Books on Music) by Cedric T. Davie (1966-06-01) on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Musical Structure and Design (Dover Books on Music) by Cedric T. Davie (1966-06-01)

Introductory book on musical form, covering open vs closed forms and larger structures.
Piano Skills for Composers
Scales and Arpeggios

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Hanon: The Virtuoso Pianist In Sixty Exercises For The Piano, Vol. 925, Complete (Schirmer's Library Of Musical Classics)

Hanon: The Virtuoso Pianist In Sixty Exercises For The Piano, Vol. 925, Complete (Schirmer's Library Of Musical Classics) [C. L. Hanon, Dr. Theodore Baker] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Hanon: The Virtuoso Pianist In Sixty Exercises For The Piano, Vol. 925, Complete (Schirmer's Library Of Musical Classics)

The Virtuoso Pianist by Charles-Louis Hanon for finger exercises.
Jazz Chord Voicings

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An Introduction to Jazz Chord Voicing for Keyboard

An Introduction to Jazz Chord Voicing for Keyboard [Boyd, Bill] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. An Introduction to Jazz Chord Voicing for Keyboard

Introduction to Jazz Chord Voicing for Keyboard by Bill Boyd.
Advanced Study

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Bach -- The Well-Tempered Clavier, Vol 1: Comb Bound Book (Alfred Masterwork Edition)

Bach - The Well-Tempered Clavier, Vol 1: Comb Bound Book (Alfred Masterwork Edition) [Bach, Johann Sebastian, Palmer, Willard A.] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Bach - The Well-Tempered Clavier, Vol 1: Comb Bound Book (Alfred Masterwork Edition)

The Well-Tempered Clavier by J.S. Bach for in-depth tonal composition study.
Film Music Analysis
The Music of The Lord of the Rings Films

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The Music of The Lord of the Rings Films: A Comprehensive Account of Howard Shore's Scores (Book and Rarities CD)

The Music of The Lord of the Rings Films: A Comprehensive Account of Howard Shore's Scores (Book and Rarities CD) [Doug Adams, John Howe, Alan Lee, Fran Walsh, Howard Shore] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Music of The Lord of the Rings Films: A Comprehensive Account of Howard Shore's Scores (Book and Rarities CD)

Doug Adams' detailed analysis of Howard Shore's iconic film score.
Themes and Theory
Explores harmonies, modes, and rhythms chosen for characters and settings.
Inspiration for Composers
Valuable resource for aspiring film and video game composers.
Continuous Learning
1
Explore Resources
Dive into recommended books and courses to enhance your composition skills.
2
Practice Regularly
Dedicate time to studying and applying concepts from these resources.
3
Share Your Progress
Discuss your favorite music theory resources with fellow composers.