You are here:
- Home
- Music/Performing Arts
- Musicians' Exchange
- Musical Composition, Theory and Songwriting
Musical Composition, Theory and Songwriting/Questions Answered by Expert Dr Colin
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Transposing and Keys | 1/10/2012 |
| Q: I know my clarinet is a b flat instrument. I know that piano is a c instrument. I know that if I try ... A: Many thanks for getting in touch. I guess a lot of students find this issue a bit perplexing. Your ... | |
| chords | 1/6/2012 |
| Q: When I play the notes C-E-G-B my keyboard tells me it's a "C M7" chord. I thaught that this would be ... A: You are absolutely correct in your undertsanding of the C7 chord. However, there are two types of C7 ... | |
| music path | 12/11/2011 |
| Q: I have a musical talent (I have to ability to copy concerts , songs with all details on my mind and ... A: Music is obviously very important to you. You say that you started lessons on the organ but didn't ... | |
| ATCL Program Notes Help | 11/29/2011 |
| Q: Colin, I was just wondering whether you could help me. I'm going to sit for my ATCL Piano Exam and ... A: First, I must confess that this is not my area of expertise and I cannot recall the pieces you ... | |
| song writing | 11/29/2011 |
| Q: my name is esmaa I am 15 years old i love to sing and i have written some songs, i would love to ... A: Many thanks for getting in touch. I am very pleased to hear that you have written some songs. I'd be ... | |
| Old Masters & composition | 9/27/2011 |
| Q: Colin, Did the old masters ie. Mozart Beethoven etc. know every instrument in the orchestra when ... A: That's a very good question and one that more people should ask. I am delighted to hear that you are ... | |
| Book of Music | 9/21/2011 |
| Q: I have used this Music book few years back, but do not remember the title of the book to search it ... A: I think you might have caught me out here. However, I can very vaguely remember a book with those ... | |
| 4 part harmony | 9/7/2011 |
| Q: For a given melody- let's suppose "twinkle, twinkle little stars" on C scale.Which starting note ... A: So you can compose melodies, well, that's very good. Adding harmony to a melody is very much a ... | |
| 4 part harmony | 9/6/2011 |
| Q: For a given melody- let's suppose "twinkle, twinkle little stars" on C scale.Which starting note ... A: There seem to be three questions here. If a song starts on the note C (in the key of C) then it is ... | |
| 4 part harmony | 9/4/2011 |
| Q: For a given melody- let's suppose "twinkle, twinkle little stars" on C scale.Which starting note ... A: Your suggestion for the voincing of the first chord is correct in principle but not in practice. ... | |
| musical notes beyond 12 musical note octave | 7/12/2011 |
| Q: Can musical notes beyond 12 notes as well as musical notes that can't be express in octave exist? I ... A: Many thanks for getting back to me. I did not know that there are frequencies so high that they ... | |
| musical notes beyond 12 musical note octave | 7/12/2011 |
| Q: Can musical notes beyond 12 notes as well as musical notes that can't be express in octave exist? I ... A: Many thanks for getting in touch. This is a very interesting question although no one has asked me ... | |
| LMusTCL 2011-12 | 7/7/2011 |
| Q: I am putting myself through this theory diploma, and I'm struggling to find the support that Trinity ... A: I am delighted to hear that you are working on the LMusTCL diploma. I did the LMusTCL exam myself ... | |
| I've GOT to know! | 6/20/2011 |
| Q: (Richard Prior), starts jogging after a girl he is evidently trying to meet. The classical music is ... A: The music in the movie is taken from Rossini's overture entitled "Semiramide". There is a very good ... | |
| Symphony No. 4 Mendlssohn - Pitch | 6/19/2011 |
| Q: and i've got a short question to ask you. In this piece http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhstAEaWBl4 ... A: It is very rewarding for me to have such positive feedback. I am so glad that you have gained ... | |
| Symphony No. 4 Mendlssohn - Pitch | 6/18/2011 |
| Q: and i've got a short question to ask you. In this piece http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhstAEaWBl4 ... A: I guess this must be a school question but nevertheless seems strangely unfocussed. You could ... | |
| Composing and notating music | 5/16/2011 |
| Q: and i desperately need your help as much as possible please. :( I'm in my last year of schooling in ... A: Heavens, it seems like you are really worried about this! You keep saying that you don't know how to ... | |
| Theory Question | 3/21/2011 |
| Q: I understand publishers and composers break rules becuz of playability and ease of understanding. ... A: First, I must apologise for keeping you waiting so long for an answer. I have been away for a few ... | |
| Accidentals & key signatures | 3/19/2011 |
| Q: Colin. How many accidentals does there need to be on sheet music for piano to change the key ... A: I came across this problem recently when I was writing some choral music. I don't believe that there ... | |
| Bridges | 2/14/2011 |
| Q: I would like to know if it is possible to have two bridges in a song that don't include a key ... A: You can certainly use two bridges in this song. In fact, there is technically no limit to the number ... | |
| Re: Chord progressions | 12/12/2010 |
| Q: I have been out of classical music studies for about 3 years now and I am trying to re-acquaint ... A: Many thanks for getting in touch. Glad to hear that you have decide to re-acquaint yourself with ... | |
| help writing a concert report | 11/26/2010 |
| Q: How can I describe Praeludium and Allegro (1905)? I went to a piano and violin performance . i am ... A: I am guessing that the work you mention is a work by Fritz Kreisler and wrongly attributed to ... | |
| Worked Past year question paper (new syllabus). | 10/21/2010 |
| Q: Can you please help me by providing a worked past year question paper(New Syllabus) of Trinity ... A: I have checked with the Trinity College (I presume you mean the one in London) website and found ... | |
| Chord Sequence based composition | 10/8/2010 |
| Q: I have a chord sequence and I need to know how to compose a jazz melody based on this. I have ... A: However, you didn't tell me what the chord sequence is, or how many chords are in it, so I am afraid ... | |
| Romantic composition | 9/30/2010 |
| Q: I was wondering if you could help me. I'm studying GCSE music at the moment, and am doing a romantic ... A: Many thanks for getting in touch. The piece for flute and piano sounds like an interesting project. ... | |
| KEY CHANGES | 9/6/2010 |
| Q: Can you tell me what keys i can safely move up to/from etc. I.E. I write dance music.My last one ... A: First, we must ask oursleves "why change key?". There are several reasons. The most common answer is ... | |
| 4 part harmony | 9/3/2010 |
| Q: am choir member but have problems in composing 4 part harmony songs.my songs do not come out the way ... A: It is difficult to give an answer to your question without seeing what you have actually written, ... | |
| Claire de Lune duplet | 8/18/2010 |
| Q: Regarding Debussy's Claire de Lune - in the middle of measure #41 there's a duplet with 2 quavers ... A: I have been re-thinking my previous answer about the Debussy and been in touch with a friend who is ... | |
| Iranian Music Samples ! | 8/11/2010 |
| Q: too many follow ups !! you know , ok . you must search by : - the master names , like : " Mohammad ... A: Many thanks for those useful suggestions. I will check them out later today and tomorrow. When the ... | |
| notes & chords ! | 8/8/2010 |
| Q: I'm a real beginner and I wanna know what's the difference between notes and chords ? ( for example ... A: Many thanks for getting in touch. Music notes are simply single tones, like the individual notes on ... | |
| Classical piece question | 7/13/2010 |
| Q: I've always wanted to know the name of this piece of music. Its in the movie GLORY. Its not in the ... A: Many thanks for getting in touch. The piece you refer to (played in the movie "Glory") is known as ... | |
| Music educationa and Composition | 6/5/2010 |
| Q: I am a violist (amateur ) from Nigeria. Presently, I am studying audio engineering (diploma) at SAE ... A: but I am not sure whether I am the right person to answer it. This is largey because I am based in ... | |
| Composition tips. | 5/25/2010 |
| Q: I am a current Guitar Performance major in college. I have been wanting to compose for a while now ... A: Many thanks for contacting me but please excuse my lateness in replying. This was due to ... | |
| sequences | 5/6/2010 |
| Q: what are real & tonal sequences? Whats the difference between them? A: I am so sorry not to have replied to you earlier. The question seems to have been overlooked. It is ... | |
| Vocal Problems | 3/17/2010 |
| Q: 1. I have a bad habit of sing with a covered voice sometimes - how do I sing through the mask of my ... A: Many thanks for getting in touch. The questions you ask are very interesting but I really think you ... | |
| Can you sing while you play the violin? | 3/10/2010 |
| Q: I want to learn a musical instrument. I am 57 years of age so will never be a maestro. I can deal ... A: I missed this question when you sent it, because my email serrver was down for a few days. Sorry for ... | |
| African Song | 2/10/2010 |
| Q: do you know of anywhere which may have some information i could use for my piece, like scales keys ... A: However, my expertise lies in European classical music and so I am not really in the best position ... | |
| Composition | 2/6/2010 |
| Q: Well, it might be a ridiculousWhat is the best and the rightest way to compose music? I've often ... A: Thaks for getting in touch. No, it's not a ridiculous question at all. I think many people have the ... | |
| Gregorian chant | 2/2/2010 |
| Q: I understand you do answer questions about Gregorian notation. I published a tentative score of a ... A: I am interested to hear of your connection with Gregorian chant. However, I have very little ... | |
| Seeking help... | 2/2/2010 |
| Q: my name is Ashley and I was just wondering if you could possibly answer a question for me? My ... A: Many thanks for getting in touch. However, I cannot answer questions about performance, because I ... | |
| Classical Compositions | 1/22/2010 |
| Q: Colin! I am writing because I hope you can help me with something I have difficulty understanding. ... A: Many thanks for getting in touch with this interesting question. This friend of yours certainly ... | |
| composition | 1/17/2010 |
| Q: I've been playing piano for around 6 years and finally started writing music. I've got the melody ... A: (Connection problems!) I was interested to read that you have already been playing piano for six ... | |
| Advancing from a simple listener to a composer/musician | 12/31/2009 |
| Q: Good day, Dr. C! I am yet a beginner in the world of classical music. I got interested on it just ... A: I had an email from allexperts.com informing me that I had not yet answered your question. However, ... | |
| Advancing from a simple listener to a composer/musician | 12/31/2009 |
| Q: Good day, Dr. C! I am yet a beginner in the world of classical music. I got interested on it just ... A: Many thanks for getting in touch with me and apologies for the slight delay in getting back to you. ... | |
| designing sounds from a feeling | 12/23/2009 |
| Q: I know I want to base songs on charisma and stylishness, (which I understand as using the elements ... A: I know exactly what you mean, but the answer would require several chapters of a book, if not an ... | |
| Compositions in gregorian chant style | 12/13/2009 |
| Q: I would like to make some questions about how to "compose" in gregorian chant style. Could you help ... A: Many thanks for your response. Of course, I had not realised that you are a member of the Coral ... | |
| improvising with a drummer | 12/13/2009 |
| Q: I have started improvising my own reasonably skilled lead and rhythm guitar playing along with a ... A: Many thanks for getting in touch. I would love to be able to help you with this problem but pop/rock ... | |
| Compositions in gregorian chant style | 12/10/2009 |
| Q: I would like to make some questions about how to "compose" in gregorian chant style. Could you help ... A: Sorry for the delay - I have been away from the computer for a couple of days. From your question, ... | |
| Harmony in composition | 11/17/2009 |
| Q: I want to try to compose some short choral pieces - initially some suitable for a small church ... A: As you rightly suggest towards the end of your message, this could be a complete course! But since ... | |
| Time Signatures | 11/16/2009 |
| Q: Iam taking an introduction to music class and I've been asked to convert the song "Try to Remember" ... A: Well, I don't know why you have been asked to convert a 3/4 song into some other time signature, ... | |
| harmonic analysis | 11/12/2009 |
| Q: Iam having a problem finding out where the modulation is in Weber's (1786-1826)Der Freischutz, Act ... A: I am afraid that I can rarely answer questions about individual classical works. This is because I ... | |
| compositional techniques | 11/10/2009 |
| Q: i am 14 and going to the hunter school of performing arts broadmedow and i just got a beethoven ... A: Many thanks for contacting me. The question you have been given seems a rather difficult one, for ... | |
| staccato half note | 10/19/2009 |
| Q: Is it possible for a half note to be staccato? ANSWER: Hi Julie, In theory, yes, it is possible ... A: I am afraid that I completely overlooked your previous email. Apologies. If you are concerned (and ... | |
| staccato half note | 10/18/2009 |
| Q: Is it possible for a half note to be staccato? ANSWER: Hi Julie, In theory, yes, it is possible ... A: An accented eighth note would not be politically correct because it may well offend some religious ... | |
| a-level composition | 10/4/2009 |
| Q: I am a young teacher who has been asked to teach the a-level composition module. I did teach the as ... A: First, apologies for not getting back to you sooner. The Internet connection has been down here for ... | |
| Melody | 9/16/2009 |
| Q: Iam taking an introduction to music class, I've been asked to write(create) a melody with 8 mesures ... A: This is a simple question but very difficult to answer by email. I understand exactly what you mean. ... | |
| Suspended chords | 8/31/2009 |
| Q: Any idea how I name a suspended 4th chord using roman numerals? Thanks, Paulo. A: The Roman numerals sometimes shown under chords are more of teaching aid than anything else and ... | |
| why some progressions are more strong? | 8/29/2009 |
| Q: In many text about harmony and voice-leading its said that some chord progressions and some root ... A: Many thanks for contacting me, but I'm sorry for the delay in getting back to you with this. Your ... | |
| singing | 8/25/2009 |
| Q: i really like to sing and I'm already in singing lessons, but i don't really know how to get people ... A: The important question here is, "How well can you sing?" You are already having singing lessons and ... | |
| key transitions | 8/23/2009 |
| Q: We're doing a medley of Broadway songs for a dual piano concert & having some difficulty with 4 ... A: As you already know two things are required of transitions (1) to get you from one key to the target ... | |
| Et Exultavit | 8/4/2009 |
| Q: Be grateful if you could give any advice on the form of this aria from the Magnificat. I am leaning ... A: I have been searching for my score of the Magnificat to check the form of Et exultavit spiritus ... | |
| figured bass | 7/23/2009 |
| Q: Have a figured bass exercise to complete. Piece is in G minor. Problem is I have a B natural bass ... A: Many thanks for this question, but sorry for the slight delay. My Internet connection was down ... | |
| CHORD THEORY | 7/12/2009 |
| Q: Please, would you mind sending me the chord diagram of 9th chord to my email: Thanks and God ... A: I'm sorry, this email didn't arrive and I've only just found it. In your previous message, your ... | |
| CHORD THEORY | 7/12/2009 |
| Q: I am very happy with your answer on 9th chords. You really answered my question. I would like to ... A: Strangely this message did not arrive in the usual way either. Sorry for any delay. I am pleased to ... | |
| How to figure out Bi-tonality of chords | 7/11/2009 |
| Q: (I'll just give you a little on my music background) I completed nearly all my piano grades, kept ... A: Nice to hear from you again! I am delighted to read that you bought a jazz theory book and I hope ... | |
| CHORD RULES | 7/11/2009 |
| Q: I do play organ and I have composed a lot of hymns with chord but I have not released any of them. ... A: Nice to hear from you again! I am glad that your studies are progressing well. Yes, I can tell you ... | |
| Writing down musical compositions | 7/2/2009 |
| Q: I have composed many songs for the piano, but they are all in my head and I'm worried I will forget ... A: Many thanks for getting in touch. I am sure that some other people have a similar problem. I know ... | |
| Composition competitions | 6/16/2009 |
| Q: I am an eighth grade middle school student. I have been composing for about a year and a half. I was ... A: First let me apologise for not getting back to you sooner. No excuses! I'm interested to hear about ... | |
| how to signify one note is played an octave higher | 6/1/2009 |
| Q: I have to do a keyboard reduction. Problem I have is in bass stave I have an E below middle C and a ... A: Many thanks for getting in touch. If you are writing a piano reduction of something, the important ... | |
| Wagners Siegfried Act III Scene 3 | 5/15/2009 |
| Q: I am trying to analyze the first 23 measures of this piece. What are the chords in the first 11 ... A: First, very sorry for the delay in my response. I usually respond within 12 hours. I would love to ... | |
| Does S mean rest? | 5/12/2009 |
| Q: Greetings, In the Turkish language there is a word “es” taken from the name of the letter S. ... A: .. Many thanks for contacting me. If I spoke the Turkish language, there is a good chance I could ... | |
| Singing question | 4/28/2009 |
| Q: I am a choir director. One of my vocalists (who is a soprano) came to me and said that whenever she ... A: However, as I believe it states in my profile, I am not a singing specialist and it may be a good ... | |
| violin | 4/9/2009 |
| Q: Somebody ready to answer in classical. If we are sing a simple indian aarti "Om Jai Jagdish Hare" . ... A: I am afraid that my musical knowledge is based on European classical music and I have very little ... | |
| Meaning of "Intensity" in music | 3/29/2009 |
| Q: What does a graph that depicts a song with intensity on the y-axis and time on the x-axis show? I'm ... A: Of course, you know already that the "x" axis (time) is the horizontal component on the graph while ... | |
| Musical form | 3/26/2009 |
| Q: Can you help. I need to identify the form of a particular piece. Section A is 8 bars and final ... A: Many thanks for getting in touch. You have obviously given this problem some thought already. As you ... | |
| Harmony Question ? | 3/24/2009 |
| Q: I have a question related to my theory homework. So I know that parallel fifths have to be avoided ... A: Many thanks for contacting me with these interesting questions. Let's just take a moment to cast our ... | |
| Chord transitions | 3/13/2009 |
| Q: In a choral arrangement, I'm trying to segue from a Eb major ending to a C major beginning. Can't ... A: Many thanks for contacting me with this question. You say that you want to segue into a C major ... | |
| CHORD RULES | 3/6/2009 |
| Q: I do play organ and I have composed a lot of hymns with chord but I have not released any of them. ... A: I am very pleased that my previous response was helpful to you. When you describe the notes as 1,2,3 ... | |
| Dynamics written in brackets on music scores | 2/27/2009 |
| Q: Can you please tell us why the opening dynamic(f) is written in brackets on the music score for Eine ... A: Many thanks for getting touch. This is an interesting question. When music is to be published, the ... | |
| Harmony or Counterpoint | 2/18/2009 |
| Q: I am an amateur composer. I want to become better, so I've started studying theory. I have a few ... A: You describe yourself as "an amateur composer," which implies that you have composed some music ... | |
| GCSE composition | 2/17/2009 |
| Q: I'm a GCSE music student and are presently composing a piece in rondo form in the key A minor for a ... A: Many thanks for contacting me. Thanks also for providing so much detail in your question. I am going ... | |
| CHORD RULES | 2/10/2009 |
| Q: I do play organ and I have composed a lot of hymns with chord but I have not released any of them. ... A: Many thanks for contacting me. I am glad to see that you play the organ and have composed some ... | |
| natural tuning of the modes | 1/23/2009 |
| Q: I've got here by Google search - I found your earlier answers about natural temperament. Going on ... A: First let me apologise for the delay in this reply. I have been away for a few days. Your question ... | |
| how to sing i front of an audeanc | 1/16/2009 |
| Q: HELP A: Many thanks for contacing me. I have to say that I am not a singing teacher and do not have ... | |
| Romantic Style | 1/9/2009 |
| Q: I am a professional piano teacher, and I compose for a hobby. Just wondering, I am trying to compose ... A: First of all, sorry for the delay - I have been a little bit ill recently (cue: sad violins!) but OK ... | |
| Theory Levels | 12/29/2008 |
| Q: I am a stay at home mom with two children, one 8, one 11. I am very interested in composing and ... A: Many thanks for getting in touch. This is a good question and one that I have been asked many times ... | |
| American Classical Music Analysis | 11/30/2008 |
| Q: This is going to be long. I am doing a research with the topic: "AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE ... A: However, it looks like a major piece of research and rather difficult to give a very short answer. ... | |
| tricky transition | 11/17/2008 |
| Q: Dr. Colin, I am writing a song that goes beyond my typical songwriting (or at least it attempts ... A: Many thanks for getting in touch. You say that the verse chord progression is in half notes except ... | |
| A level composition | 11/4/2008 |
| Q: my teacher and I have come up with an idea to use Bach's unfinished fugue's 3rd subject (you know, ... A: Before I forget, there is an interesting article on Bach's famous unfinished fugue here: ... | |
| Temperament in singing | 10/27/2008 |
| Q: Dr Colin, Could any given note be slightly different if sung in a different key, or do singers (say, ... A: You have obviously given the issue a great deal of thought and I suspect the question of temperament ... | |
| Temperament in singing | 10/27/2008 |
| Q: Dr Colin, Could any given note be slightly different if sung in a different key, or do singers (say, ... A: As you know, temperament is a method of tuning of keyboard instruments in which some intervals are ... | |
| bad transition | 10/26/2008 |
| Q: Ok i am currently composing the music that was written by my friend. i am just prodicing the music ... A: You may not have noticed from my profile that I do not normally answer questions on popular ... | |
| Chord theory | 10/21/2008 |
| Q: I'm a student studying to be a pastor. I've taken a number of credits of instruction in music above ... A: Many thanks for getting in touch. Actually, the question you ask is a very important one but very ... | |
| vocal arrangement | 10/8/2008 |
| Q: I'm searching everywhere for the definition of vocal arrangement & vocal production. I would like to ... A: If you look at my profile, you'll see that I do not answer questions on popular music or song ... | |
| A confusing decision- Vox/no Vox??? | 9/20/2008 |
| Q: Greetings. I have a less than four min. tune sans vocal melody/lyrics. Thus far, it's had very ... A: Many thanks for getting back to me and for clarifying the question so clearly. I found the track "We ... | |
| A confusing decision- Vox/no Vox??? | 9/20/2008 |
| Q: Greetings. I have a less than four min. tune sans vocal melody/lyrics. Thus far, it's had very ... A: Many thanks for taking the time to contact me. I have checked your myspace.com entry but I am not ... | |
| 4 part harmony. | 9/12/2008 |
| Q: I've been teaching myself Harmony for a few years now with a view to composing and I ran into a ... A: I posted my reply to your question several days ago but it did not appear on the website. I will try ... | |
Musical Composition, Theory and Songwriting
Answers by Expert:
Dr Colin
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I can answer questions from students of "classical" composing, arranging, notation problems and music theory, writing for instruments and voice and writing music for education. I can answer questions about orchestration but I do not cover questions about pop or rock music, pop song writing or electronic music.
I taught for many years in UK up to "A" level theory and composition. I have spent many years in music education, initially (like everyone else) as a teacher. Then I moved on to advisory work (teaching teachers!) and also lectured, giving many workshops for teachers in developing music education skills and techniques. For a time I worked as a teacher-lecturer at London University's Institute of Education and eventually worked full-time as a Music Education Adviser to schools in part of London, offering advice on music education and curriculum development.
Experience
I started composing music at the age 14 (it was mostly rubbish, since you asked) and now have a large number of compositions to credit as well as many publications, especially for instrumental music and choral music. I have also written several acclaimed works for large orchestra and choir. My work has been published particularly in the UK (under different names)(notably by Boosey & Hawkes, Novello, and Schott) but also in the USA and the Netherlands.
My music for elementary players (several publications) has been performed and broadcast worldwide. I am now retired from my previous job as Music Education Adviser. These days I spend most of my time composing and arranging. I am currently working on instrumental arrangements of world national anthems for my National Anthems website and also completing a suite of very easy piano solos and duets for elementary players. For many years I have used the music program "Finale" for all my music writing activities.
Organizations
International Society for Music Education;
Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
Publications
"The Times" Educational Supplement; "Hi-Fi News and Record Review". For several years, I used to write for many of the state music education periodicals in the US and I also wrote several influential articles on instrumental music teaching for "Music Teacher" magazine in the UK. (UK).
Education/Credentials
PhD(Hons); MA(Hons); FLCM (compositon) ARCM, LMusTCL,(music diplomas)
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.