Composition Lessons Online?

[Ed Sharpe]

Composition Lessons Online?

Has anyone here ever considered taking or giving composition or theory lessons on line.

If so how would they be held? Just through email? Or more interactive through the use of something like Skype or WebEx?

What would be covered? Just composition help/guidance or pure theory? Something in between?

[Kevin]

I tried one online but could not get the hang of parallel this and that and doubling this etc etc. The tutor let me go (which is understandable). The were done through email by the way.

[Joseph]

Apr 22, 2015 0:14:54 GMT Ed Sharpe said:

Composition Lessons Online?

Has anyone here ever considered taking or giving composition or theory lessons on line.

If so how would they be held? Just through email? Or more interactive through the use of something like Skype or WebEx?

What would be covered? Just composition help/guidance or pure theory? Something in between?

if you haven't already looked you can get a clear idea by checking out the course offerings from Berklee.  They have an extensive online curriculum.

[Kevin]

They certainly do Joe but they come at a serious price.

[Ed Sharpe]

Thank you Zepposnonno.

But I what I was really trying to ask is more about what people think about the concept of on line composition lessons. Would they be interested in them? What would they want out of them? My wife is currently tutoring a Girl in Japanese via online. They use Skype with Video to hold a lesson once a week. So ...

Are people even interested in the idea of on line lessons?

Would interactive video class be preferred?

Or would email exchange be preferred?

Theory or composition?

[Joseph]

May 8, 2015 16:55:42 GMT Ed Sharpe said:

So ...

Are people even interested in the idea of on line lessons?

Would interactive video class be preferred?

Or would email exchange be preferred?

Theory or composition?

Hard to say, Ed.  The current generation seems to be quite accepting of doing EVERYTHING online.  Myself?  I would prefer the tactile approach, that is I would prefer to be in the same room with an instructor [in whatever].  But I am an old guy.  maybe some of those of our "younger" SOS membership could give you a better idea as to the viability of such an endeavor.  Not so many years ago I declined to take Berklee classes for just that reason already elucidated.   Joe

[Kevin]

I think that it might depend on the level you would be teaching at as to the use of Skype or email or even a mix of both.

The idea is a good one though. Adding orchestration to the list would broaden the appeal!

Is this something you are thinking of moving into Ed?

[Ed Sharpe]

May 9, 2015 12:46:41 GMT Kevin said:

...

Is this something you are thinking of moving into Ed?

Something I have thought about from time to time.

[Kevin]

Do you think that you might be going into it?

[Ed Sharpe]

May 21, 2015 21:33:02 GMT Kevin said:

Do you think that you might be going into it?

It is something I think about doing in my more manic moments.

[Kevin]

I feel sure you would have takers once you get your name around. Thomas Goss seems to have done well starting a site on face book.

[Kevin]

Well Ed have you given this anymore thought or has the idea not proved to be viable.

[Ed Sharpe]

I still think about it. Just trying to conceptualize what form would be best.

Things like; one on one or more of a seminar/classroom approach? Real time using tools like Skype? Or off-line using tools like email and forums. If offline does there need to be a visual element like say YouTube video?

There seems to be a lot of music theory classes on YouTube, but the ones I have surveyed seem to be lacking something. And I think it might be that they are more geared towards theory and less towards composition. But I am not sure.

The thing is I do not want to re-invent the wheel, so I am trying to figure out if there is something unique that I can offer in the realm of music composition lessons.

[Kevin]

Do let us know when you have decided if you are going to do such a thing Ed.

[Joseph]

Dec 25, 2015 0:56:04 GMT Ed Sharpe said:

". . . There seems to be a lot of music theory classes on YouTube, but the ones I have surveyed seem to be lacking something. And I think it might be that they are more geared towards theory and less towards composition."  

makes sense to me . . . 

Seriously Ed, what is it you want to teach?  I think once you answer that question then the dynamic will become obvious.

The last time I subjected myself to composition lessons it was with a composer/pianist who wanted me to write at the piano.  Now I learned long ago never to write at the piano as it would just limit my output to what I could play (and that was never very much and much less today).  So, I would prepare scores as PDFs as well as mp3 files and send them to her before each lesson.  That way she could be intimate with the score and involved on a level that we never could have achieved if she expected me to play for her.  I point it out as a dynamic similar as to what online lessons in all probability would be based.  Just some thoughts . . . joseph

[Kevin]

Would it be okay to think that you would be assisting each pupil in their particular style (assuming they had one) rather than guiding them into the style that you already work in?

[Ed Sharpe]

Jan 1, 2016 11:27:18 GMT Kevin said:

Would it be okay to think that you would be assisting each pupil in their particular style (assuming they had one) rather than guiding them into the style that you already work in?

I am not a big fan of the thinking that one writes in a "style". It always struck me that "style" was something the historians stuck on you once you where long gone. :-)

Would I be trying to convert people to say "serial composition" or "aleatory compositions" or "micro tonalities"; no. But I would push them out of their comfort zone, expand their pallet of tools, and organize their musical thoughts.

If one was comfortable with triadic harmony and that is what they heard in their head, I would not change that, but if they only used I, IV, V chords, then that I would try to change, to get them to expand the number of chords in their tool chest. I would make them do exercises in techniques that they were either unfamiliar with or uncomfortable with (like dodecaphonic techniques). But with the understanding that they are just exercises, meant to stretch their compositiontional muscles, but not to fundamentally the change what they want want to say musically.

[Kevin]

That sounds very interesting Ed. Do let us all know if it will be something you will be taking up. I am sure many of us could do with getting out of our comfort zone!