Different techniques used in composing
Melody
(pitch, range, theme)
Melody is the linear element of music and is the organisation and combination of notes, pitch and rhythm working together. The melody in a song is mots likely the part that is sung by the artist and if the song/composition doesnt have singing in it, then the melody would be the notes that makes us as listeners recognise and memorise the song.
I have researched some most recognisable songs/melodies.
https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-most-universally-recognized-melodies-in-the-world
These are some of the most recognisable songs/melodies.
- The Alphabet Song / Twinkle Twinkle Little Star / Baa Baa Black Sheep
- Frere Jacques
- The Morning Song from Peer Gynt
- God Save the Queen / My Country ‘Tis of Thee
- Beethoven’s 9th Symphony (Ode To Joy)
Moods
The mood is a temporary state of mind or feeling. The mood in music is important as that is what affects the listeners mood and emotional state and makes them feel a certain way depending on the genre of the song, for example, the four most common moods in songs are joyful/happy, mellow, sad/emotional and aggresive.
Example of a joyful/ happy mood in a song.
These songs will put the listeners in a happy mood.
Example of a Mellow song.
These songs are used for relaxation and stress releif.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgpJVI3tDbY
Example of a sad and emotional mood in a song.
These songs will most ikely bring an emotional mood to the listeners.
Example of an eggresive mood in a song.
These songs will most likely bring the feeling of aggression.
Pitching
Pitching is how high or low the melody/notes are played, every note can be played in a different octave on the piano. Pitching is important when composing, as that gives a good instrumental balance in the soundtrack. If for example all the instruments are played with the same low pitch and in the same low octave, all the sounds would be dimmed and the listener wouldnt be able to hear and recognise the different melodies or notes that are played. A good balance would be having a combination of low and high pitching for example, having a melody played on the piano and accompany the melody with bass notes played at a lower octave on the piano, this would give the soundtrack more of a brighter and fuller effect.
Harmony
(chord, progression, key)
Harmony is the verticalization of pitch. Most often is thought as the art of combining pitches into chords (several notes played simultaniously as a “block”).
Harmony involves chords, their construction and chord progression. this involves the combination of notes and pitches. Harmony adds depth and colour to a note with extra notes and creates a chord for example an Am chord is made up of three notes, A, C, and E. Theres also key signatures for example a C major scale that is a major scale based on C, with the pitches C, D, E, F, G, A, and B. Its key signature has no flats and no sharps.
Structure
Song structure is important as that otganizes the song. One of the most common structure in a song is, verse/chorus/2nd verse/ 2nd chorus/ bridge/ 3rd or finishing chorus. The structure tells us where the song is going.
Instrumentation layers
Instrumentational layers add texture to a song and makes it more fuller, interesting and alive.The way you can add texture to a composition, is consider adding different pitches of the same instrument, for example play different octaves on the piano. The way you can layer instruments is, you can play chords on the piano, then accompany the chords with some guitar bass, then you could add some strings, drums and then you could think about adding a guitar riff. When layering instruments you have to be carefull not to over do it.
Texture
Monophonic texture : One melody with no harmony – Monophonic texture (monophony) refers to a single melodic line, though it may be played by one or many instruments. The voices may be in exact unison or in different octaves, as long as the same notes and rhythms are played. An example of monophony include group singing of simple tunes such as “Happy Birthday”
Homophonic texture : This texture features two or more notes notes sounding at the same time, but generally featuring a prominent melody. Homophonic texture is one of the most common textures used in popular songs. It is defined as having one voice, a melody, which stands out from background accompaniment.
Polyphonic texture : This is the music between two or more indipendent melodies played at the same time. The more different the medlodies are frm one another, the more polyphonic the texture is, which makes the texture more dense.
Rhythm
Rhythm is the element of time in music. Rhythm is the arrangement of sounds as the move through time. The term rhythm is aslo used to describe a specific pattern of sounds.
Rhythm is hard to expain and easier to demonstrate.