5 Big Misconceptions About Composing Music

So you're a composer, huh? What's your real job? You must be good at classical music... Are you sick of hearing this? Me too. Proper composition requires hard work, time, and commitment. Early in your composing practice, especially when facing obstacles and major roadblocks, it's easy to fall for common myths discouraging aspiring composers. This explains why many give up before they even start. Don't get caught up in these misconceptions! I am here today to bring truth and shine some light on what it really means (or doesn't mean) to compose music.

Misconception #1: You Must Know How to Read and Notate Music for Composing.

Sure, it helps to know the language. Most composers use it to communicate ideas with other musicians. On the other hand, if you are alone, you can use whatever system helps you understand the job. For many people like me, this is indeed a course or two in theory, but it is more abstract and personal for many others. Ultimately, the two paths lead to the same place. Whether you are reading books and learning notation or finding the patterns of "what sounds good' - you are learning music theory. You don't need to know a Bb from your face. You need a keen ear, impeccable concentration, and good taste. Many famous songwriters claim not to learn music theory (Eddie Van Halen, Jimi Hendrix, The Arctic Monkeys).  

Misconception #2: You Must Be a Masterful Instrumentalist.

It would be best if you didn't discount the ability to play an instrument, but you don't have to be a prodigy or virtuoso by any means. It is more important to understand the nature of the instrument - how it relates to other instruments and how it behaves when combined with them. In other words, I wouldn't bother learning to play the piano as much as knowing where the same pitches are on other instruments and what ranges sound right in different contexts (this comes from a piano player, bear in mind!). Many famous composers claim no proficiency in any instrument (Schoenberg, Elliott Carter).  

Misconception #3: You Will Never Make Enough Money.

Every job that requires practice to gain success suffers from this ideology: pro sports, acting, teaching... but this is a silly thing to assume. Composers possess a desirable niche skill. Einstein discovered relativity, but he couldn't (to the best of my knowledge) compose music. Musicians and composers are the epitome of success via multiple incomes: touring, teaching, performing, endorsing products, attracting advertisements, and more. Here is a YouTube video from Advanced Music Production about the advantages of multiple incomes as a musician and why the numbers for musicians' average salaries are inaccurate. Multiple Income Streams of the Music Business  

Misconception #4: All Compositions Are of the Same Monetary Value.

It is critical to remember the average person does not understand how music is made. They may think it takes months of grueling focus, or you're simply arranging samples in a sequencer. The truth is that we do both of those things and cannot allow clients to set unreasonable deadlines. It is up to us to set the rates. Longer content means more work (it's not just copy/paste). Some jobs are quick and may only take a few hours and a computer. Others may require weeks and several outside resources. The article below lists a good starting point for content creators. How much should I charge for composing music?  

Misconception #5: All Popular Music Is Diatonic and in 4/4.

This is perhaps the most harmful misconception of all because it is, in fact, the occasional non-diatonic colors that make Pop songs so tasty. I am not suggesting everyone go out and write a micro-tonal piece or create their own tuning system (although I would love to hear it). But, one or two borrowed chords or a seamless key change may be exactly what a song needs to stand out and still "pop" — keeping it cool and keeping it subtle. Britney Spears' Toxic repeatedly borrows the "flat 2 major" chord from Phrygian in the main theme - but it is not "in Phrygian." Radiohead's Everything In Its Right Place borrows the same chord. The famous cover of Tears for Fears, Mad World, by Michael Andrews, follows a Dorian scale. You may have noticed Led Zeppelin has bars of 5/4 and 7/8 all over the place (The Ocean), but people still love it because they do it functionally.