Music Composing Isn't That Hard : Composing the Possibilities | Aaron Tan | TEDxUSMNibongTebal
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- čas přidán 23. 05. 2017
- Is music composing hard? Have you ever think that everyone can compose their own song. Aaron is going to share you what is the simplest way to compose a song.
Aaron Tan is currently a final year undergraduate student of Materials Engineering however Aaron began his music journey with the electronic organ and piano at the age of 4 and he had obtained Associate Diploma in Piano Performance and Music Theory. Apart from that, he is also keen in composing pieces and songs.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx
Composing music is not hard at all, but composing creative music and individualist music is something that requires an artistic mind.
Man your comment just blown my mind♥️♥️♥️
Indeed. I can make bland piano melodies like they're nothing, working up and down scales. Creating intriguing, tension-release phrases that fit your vision, from scratch, that blend and become a complete work is remarkably difficult.
A Simpleton How do you do it?
A Simpleton what’s your contact information would like to work with you
Which still isn't difficult. Composing music is not difficult. It is, however, very time-consuming
You gotta start somewhere, right? He’s simply giving the aspiring composer the ABC’s of songwriting. It’s up to the individual to give it soul. Some of the simplest songs are the sweetest! I think he is a great instructor, talented and super cute!
that super cute influenced your whole comment lol
Why did I just decided to become a composer at 4AM?
The answer is deep inside your soul my brother!
@Aznas I decided 12 years ago. Still struggling to release my first song.
@@sauravchaudhary2348 I wish you the best of luck achieving your dreams
@@lesentientgarbage Thanks dear!
Go to sleep you are watching this video in a dream.
Composing is easy, but it's hard when you have to use more than the same 4 chords over and over and over and over
Exactly, for composing music like from the baroque, classical or romantic era, you need to step out completely of these chord progressions
Eh hem, pop music
Well said!!
Not really, composing a 16-place chord progression isn't much harder than composing a 4-place one, it's just that making a chord progression is only like 10% of the work behind composing.
20,000 Subscribers Without Any Subscribers ok. 16 chords is easy too. My point still stands, when most people talk about composition, they don't sit there counting chords. Composing is about saying something with music, abs my point is that you can't say anything unique with 4 common diatonic chords
There is always someone coughing.
Lloyd Wood RIGHT!!!!
I am a composer as well. You can check my channel iff you like.
Sorry if you dont like these kind of advertisements.
he hit the bong before the lecture
Coronavirus
They predicted the coronavirus
The Chinese version of Beauty and the Beast is much more emotive.
Anthony a good tune is important to cover the sounds of screaming as those opposing brutal chinazi regime are having their nails pulled off tibetans or skin pulled back on uigurs - this actually happens - forced abortions can also cause screaming, organ harvesting with no anesthetics on falon gong practitioners, or disappearing hong kong citizens screaming in jails as they’re beaten up after being illegally transferred to Guandong where many electronics and Christmas decorations are made. So enjoy the music and remember how many in China will never forget some of the tunes he’s playing.
S. Sherlock uh, ok.
@@sherlockman huh?
I’m a senior in high school (I’m currently 18) and I’ve been playing the piano since I was ten, and the violin since I was 13. A year ago I started playing the guitar, too. In my country (Italy) there’s this “special” kind of high school you can attend: they call it “musical high school”. You have to audition to get in. I auditioned when I was 13 and I got in. It’s just a regular high school, really, but you learn about music theory, harmony, music production and history of music. And, most important thing, you study two instruments that you can choose (well, kinda... ): the first one is the one you auditioned with (it’s the piano for me) and the second one is assigned (violin for me). I’m about to dive into my last high school year and I know that this is what I want to do: film composition. I know about harmony, and music theory, and I play three instruments, and yet sometimes even I get the feeling that I’ll never make it. My question is: how do I make it? What do I study at university? I know that there is a master in “Composition for screen” but I need an undergraduate degree before doing that, and I have no idea what to get it in. I also want to attend university in a country that will give me more opportunities, job-wise. People think that if you want to peruse a music career, Italy is the best country but, trust me, when it comes to composition, it really isn’t. Ennio Morricone is the exception. Nobody makes it here. I’m so lost. I know what I want to do, but I have no idea where to start. If someone has any ideas or any piece of advice, I’m begging you to share. Thanks for reading.
Believe in yourself! Keep pushing through that pain! It's definitely better than suffering. You're thoughtful mind and actions have done so good thus far from what you've expressed so my advice would be to believe yourself to be as almighty as any being can be and achieve what makes you get out of bed in the morning!
Exposing your deepest feelings, which is something 99.999999% of the population hides, is what separates the good from the great
70mjc truth
Love your comment
Hey @70mjc , you just defined art for me!
His five second rule is known in classical music as establishing the key. If there is not starting key it won’t make sense. There’s a period that you have to spend in home key before moving on. In truth though, it’s rare for pop music to change keys. So as long as you hit all the note of that scale and nothing else you be fine.
accidentals
FYI You can change keys within five seconds if it's just a passing key or immediately returning to the home key.
Of course these are often not considered modulations in the first place.
Chinese love to re-invent things and pass them off as their own - they do the same when gaming the PISA scores of IQ tests. It’s very difficult to stop chinese students from not cheating, without rote memorization and cheating they’re incapable of passing basic university courses. TedX is a massive globalist propaganda machine.
S. Sherlock um ok....?
@@sherlockman thank you for this comment
I wish this guy right here all the happiness that he deserves..
The best tedx i have watched so far! Thank you so much!
I found this useful, thank you. And you play so well!
Leah Godson me too
The young lad deserves a standing ovation....love and blessings from another engineer 🙏
@Giannirey S ye lol
Giannirey S Depends.
A composition which has richness in its variety without an anticipation with what comes next requires a lot of talent, and that's when you would be known as a well known composer.
I'm not sure what you mean by without an anticipation..i think you mean it's not obvious or clear where it's going melodically or harmonically maybe? I could never admit I don't have a lot of talent..it would be too depressing and discouraging..
Fantastic video! Thank you, Aaron! And I really enjoyed the song that he played at the end. It was a beautiful tribute to his parents.
Hats off to Aaron!!!Applause.
Awesome breakdown of the structure. Good discover :)
I love it. I want to pursue composing music. Amazing..
It’s so beautiful! 😢
Mr. Aron tan, I inspired on your music, the way how you play piano, I also love playing pianist, so you're Also one of genius in playing pianist
I like your composition. Good luck in your music career.
good job! it was a great speech thank you
This is inspiring
Thank you very much
Very beautiful song, Aaron Tan! :)
That piece at the end though😍
Yeah but composing something absolutely beautiful is difficult
Not always..and it shouldn't be
.life is difficult..enough..i know that sucks the motivation out of it for me
Great man!!!
I want make my own everything music, even chords..
Theoretically, chords can be anything
Jacob collier
Well damn try some inversions XD
@@festy111 yeah I was gonna say lol thanks to the wonders of contemporary classical music and free jazz and versions, every chord already exists lol it's just about knowing enough music theory, it's kinda impossible to make your own chords nowadays, even using microtones, most of it has already been done somewhere
Not enough people who love it try because they think they will embarrass themselves or something. Just get a DAW and a good piano and learn a few piano keys. Get the jist of the basics and let your heart do the rest of the writing. Record it while you play and cut out parts that you hear that you like. Play in 8 bar increments with pauses and then mix and match, wallah, you can find the best and make your song by organizing after. Music is all creativity and you just have to find a system that works for you. Even though it’s very creative it’s also predictable and pattern filled too. The thing is, it’s not HARD at all. It’s actually very easy. I’ve written and composed MANY hit songs. Is it a world wide hit? Nope. Is it even a hit in my country? Not even close. It’s a hit with my family, my friends, & every person I’ve ever showed it too and many of them ask me for cd’s to listen to in their car. My families friend’s and my friend’s friends buy and request cd’s, people call me to make their podcast and CZcams channel songs etc. You don’t always have to be successful in music to write great music. I don’t want to be in the edm music scene because I ran with the wrong crowd and they’re all druggies but that doesn’t stop me from making great edm music and still dj’ing for friend’s weddings and local bars. I CHOOSE not to use my connections because I don’t WANT to be famous. Not everyone wants the same types of success. In order to write a worldwide hit you have to be fortunate enough to have all the right connections and friends. There is TONS of unnoticed music that could and should be hits over current hits but the people on the billboard charts just happen to know the right people. Write enough music and you too will eventually have that. It’s not hard, it’s just hard to make a business out of it because that’s what the music industry is after all. Hope this clarifies things to anyone looking to get into music. Do it for you and let those close to you in on your emotional heart felt secrets. I have composed over 300 unreleased tracks and family and friends vibe to them all the time 😊 I’ve been told I’m talented and I “should be a musician” & “why don’t you send those in to your music label friends cause you could be a star”. First of all, I don’t really believe that I could get to that level anyways cause I don’t know that many of the right people and second, like I stated it’s not about that. Music is about love and passion. Put that into your music and play for your spouse or lover and write them music and I promise you’ll unlock a special part of their heart you may have otherwise never seen ♥️
Exactly..... Happiness is the key
Superb Bro.Great read.I want to ask you some question.
I'm zero in music composing and i dont know how to play any music instrument.
But I can compose music using my imagination and the sound playing in my head.
I want to start composing edm music and turn them into song.Can you tell me from where i can start?
Should i go to piano class and learn how to play piano before jumping to music composing?
Nick Halverson Are you from France?
RamG sorry for such a delayed response my friend. I didn’t see this until now. My advice would be to get a midi keyboard and don’t get one that is only one octaves get one with like 5 octaves minimum. If you could get a 88 key electric piano that would probably be fine. Go to the website called hook theory (hooktheory . Com) and learn about piano keys and use it to arrange chord structures. Then play 8 or 16 bar chord structures on a loop. Mark off which keys on your piano you can play and still be in key since you’re new to it and won’t know (use small postit note dots so you associate a sound with a color if you do not already do this naturally as it’s my understanding that most of my friends don’t although I assumed since I do everyone did). As you’re listening to the chords and playing around with the keys in that key you’ll eventually formulate a melody. Make it very repetitive and pattern based initially when you first start out. Once you feel you have the right melody, record the notes and then create a new sound in a plug-in. Then arrange a beat and wallah :) you’ll be inspired to finish the track in a creative way by mixing and matching. I’d say that’s the best place to start. Hope that helps!
Lala Land I am from the United States. Out of curiosity, why did you think France?
I like how he suggested to the audience to give him the chord numbers. This works for basic songs or music. If you go for predictability I think it is rather uninteresting. But if I were teaching composition (which I had thought I might) I would use examples of Gabriel Faure or composers of that time, which retained melody but used unusual chord progressions.....taking the third note of a chord and making it the fifth note of the next chord, etc. It makes for much more unpredictable sounds which is more interesting. His music sounds typical of those who compose very basic things. My music goes far afield from that.
It is more classically styled piano and vocal works.
Put your lesson on u tube,sounds interesting.
I mean in his defense this is likely a general course that anyone can partake in, regardless of musical ability, which is why the methods are so basic.
Composing music is very hard
Nope
When will he compose..?waiting forever
I've practiced music for years. Now, I'm stuck between Music or Engineering, and I love both. :/ any advice?
Cant answer that, its your choice, some people will recomend you to go for the path that will secure money and stability, others to follow your passion and dreams, you would have to think about that, considering the advantages and disadvantages of every option. Good luck, its hard but im sure, whether you choose engineering or music, you will be ok :)
Combine both, audio engineering allow you to learn the technicality of how the electronics work while doing something ur passionate about
I’m 14 and also currently a composer. Composing Music is not easy. Everyday I try to compose music that sounds good, and it takes me hours and hours to do that. Sure, he explains that there are parts of a song or piece, such as the melody, harmony, etc. But, i don’t know if he’s ever heard of plagiarism. Coming up with a good part may be easy to write and brainstorm, but there’s literally thousands of parts that sound exactly the same or almost the same. So, the hardest part is finding something that isn’t already used in another piece. Musicians have to listen to pieces every single day because they want to make sure no other tune is just like it. Also, progression, articulation, and general knowledge of music and notes, those are topics composers have to cover. You don’t just learn how to put notes together in one year, you will learn it in many years or decades.
i advise you to read "art is theif" artists dont listen to a bunch of stuff to find stuff not to take. They listen to a bunch of stuff to STEAL it and put it together
Thank you bro
Wow. I really want to make music 🎶
Thank you! This will help me compose music for my cartoon Rising Falls!
Did you get the name idea from gravity falls?
Maybe lol
Man I love music composing
i can make musical parts, bits and sections but the hardest thing is figuring out how to expand on them and what comes next, i always get stuck with that.
Men, I just wrote this amazing lyrics that everyones brags and says they are incredible and to compose something for it, and I came to youtube after actually trying and learn what I was doing wrong and all I find is people saying that it's easy xD
I just, can't everything I do is uninteresting. Althought porbably what's making it harder is to compose a melody for the lyrics
6maria94 composition is not easy , it's actually a profession of its own that has unlimited potential to be explored and refined , and the nuances and difficulties of musical composition are things best left for professionals ..
This may not appeal to you , but I strongly suggest that you pay someone to compose something for your lyrics
You're better off studying music theory than looking for tips from youtube videos. Internet musicians have no idea what they're talking about. You need to study music theory and get a real music teacher to learn anything of value.
@@Amaroq64 I was learning music theory in a school before the lockdown, though. But I can't rush really rush the teacher. Mainly because I'm in a class full with kids so yeah xD
Also, one of my problems was composing in the guitar. I play, but I don't have any guitar theory. I'm a vocal student and can't afford more than that :(
But I appreciate your suggestion!! I already composed the song, but I hope the process becomes easier once I know more theory :)
You just gotta be where you're at, it's hard to compose until you can play comfortably in any key (some composers prefer to not play in key known as 12 tone or chromatic).
There's a lot you can learn on CZcams "circle of 5ths" for instance can show you what chords and notes go well together. I was at where you were and after years of teaching myself music theory I can compose now so if you just keep playing you'll get there. If you know bar chords you can look up 7th and 9th chords, they're cool. If you don't know bar chords you should probably start there.
Dear 6maria94 The best advice i can give you for the point you're at is to just use your ears, play around, experiment (on the guitar of piano) and find what sounds good to your ears. That's all you need ;-)
Which keyboard you playing sir ?
Wow, I'm early... great
I am a composer as well. You can check my channel iff you like.
Sorry if you dont like these kind of advertisements.
We all know composing or creating is not hard but creating something great is. If it was that easy everybody would be great.
bhuwan shah maybe not enough people who love it try. The thing is, it’s not HARD at all. It’s actually very easy. I’ve written and composed MANY hit songs. Is it a world wide hit? Nope. Is it even a hit in my country? Not even close. It’s a hit with my family, my friends, & every person I’ve ever showed it too and many of them ask me for cd’s to listen to in their car. My families friend’s and my friend’s friends buy and request cd’s, people call me to make their podcast and CZcams channel songs etc. You don’t always have to be successful in music to write great music. I don’t want to be in the edm music scene because I ran with the wrong crowd and they’re all druggies but that doesn’t stop me from making great edm music and still dj’ing for friend’s weddings and local bars. I CHOOSE not to use my connections because I don’t WANT to be famous. Not everyone wants the same types of success. In order to write a worldwide hit you have to be fortunate enough to have all the right connections and friends. There is TONS of unnoticed music that could and should be hits over current hits but the people on the billboard charts just happen to know the right people. Write enough music and you too will eventually have that. It’s not hard, it’s just hard to make a business out of it because that’s what the music industry is after all. Hope this clarifies things to anyone looking to get into music. Do it for you and let those close to you in on your emotional heart felt secrets. I have composed over 300 unreleased tracks and family and friends vibe to them all the time 😊 I’ve been told I’m talented and I “should be a musician” & “why don’t you send those in to your music label friends cause you could be a star”. First of all, I don’t really believe that I could get to that level anyways cause I don’t know that many of the right people and second, like I stated it’s not about that. Music is about love and passion. Put that into your music and play for your spouse or lover and write them music and I promise you’ll unlock a special part of their heart you may have otherwise never seen ♥️
Nick Halverson Ok see I don’t want fame or anything I want to create great music that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have emotion I want my music to make people feel very deep emotions, I want to change their perspectives, by great I mean is that my music should be powerful enough to give hope.
The best thing I can do is this
If two different castes are sitting apart and they won’t even look at each other but as soon as I play music they come together and listen, Unity it’s almost like you are changing the world and I want to do that with my music
“I WANT TO CHANGE THE WOLRD”
Music is way bigger for me and it’s not just about love and passion I want to heal people by music which you scientifically can. I want to make them feel they are in some other world when they listen to my music.
This what I mean when I say great.
Scientists still cannot understand music. Can you imagine?
I have one the most powerful tool. Music even you do. You have used it in your own way and now I am using it in my own way🙂🙂👍👍 BEST OF LUCK KEEP SPREADING MUSIC
THIS WORLD IS SHORT OF LOVE...
Nick Halverson 2:20 to 2:30 You say it yourself see. That’s what even I meant meaning creating a music piece which makes the other person feel strong emotions.
2:32 No offence but I created music without using any method and all m not saying this to put you down or something it’s just that my approach to music was very different and I feel different about music than you feel about it.
Nick Halverson do you have a link To listen To?
I like his song
He is so cute and talented.
Really.
7:10 not messy at all, this intro is good and now i know why not many people dig into prog rock :/
(inb4 but muh pink floyd)
True I roo love that old intro
He teaches music just like every other internet musician.
"Look at this [unintelligible] that comes so naturally to me! See, it's easy!"
Gee, thanks...
Sir super my name is Kiran I am playing piano 🎹 at age 20 now 21 but I don’t no chords how to play chords I am just Learning from u tube only plsss rply
Actually disagree. Yeah if you are composing something simple like this it's pretty simple... If you want to compose something that sounds yours, if you want to compose something with more complex texture and harmony, maybe composing for orchestra... Believe me, THAT'S REALLY HARD, and takes a lot of effort and time... Even making and producing a good pop song is a LOT more difficult than this.
yeah... i don't get it
Internet musicians are terrible music teachers. When they tell you "anyone can do it", you need to just ignore them and study music theory.
@@Amaroq64 Best comment :) Very honest
Finding creative yet intriguing groove and beats are more challenging than finding good melody
❤️
who like to learn from 2019 on?
Yea composing a song is easy, but what about a whole piece with real actual music not just chords and melody, that requires talent
Well that might depend, perhaps. I'm not sure talent is always necessary in those kind of things, even if it does surely give a certain advantage, but even talents need to be regularly practiced in order to keep them.
Intro
hook
predictability
sad backstory
Anyone else see him say a little prayer? That was nice.
Beautiful song.
Wow
Good
I can’t be the only one who got excited when I heard Up All Night by Charlie Puth in the beginning
Truth
When I saw those sound effects in the music software..I already give up😂😂 it's really hard 😭 and I can't even read music
See this is more highlighting the difference between composing for pop music or songs vs classical music of all periods. It's much more complicated when you are suddenly composing for 50+ parts for an hour long piece
我想寫清潔工之歌? i want to write the song of cleaner?
He makes it seem easy but for me we'll, would take a lifetime and many migraines to get that good in either music or engineering!!
if composing is easy then why am i sitting here crying and trying to figure out how to write at least something for my gcse work
Do u need to be able to play an instrument in order to compose music?
no. u can do it in digital software
@@mr.sunflower3461 Hi can u suggest digital softwares that I can use as a beginner? (Better if I can dowload it for free LOL)
@@chaevie257
FL Studio
@@chaevie257 FL studio is good, or if you want a free alternative, you can try LMMS
Yes, if you are planning to make it big.
I'm not a theory expert or traditional musician. He went over the main chord progressions of each song...but song chord progressions change from verse to chorus to bridge, etc. How does that work?
what do you mean? how does what work?
@@elenaspano5067 it's been so long that I don't even understand my question from 7 months ago anymore lol
@@namanrawal5849 hahahahaha it’s fine. how is it going with music and all that?
@@elenaspano5067 I took a break for a year because I started developing an unhealthy relationship with it. When I come back to it, I need to make sure I'm enjoying it and not finding it a chore! thnx for asking
@@namanrawal5849 uh how I relate to that. I had the same problem a while back. I just stopped playing when I truly didn’t feel like playing and re-learned what it feels like to actually want to sit at the piano (for me at least) and just play. If you don’t make a career out of it it’s even better cause then you don’t feel like you have to do it every single day.
This guy just opened up a portal in my head.
Where does it lead
I composed a song and its frustrate me that i cant make a piece for it. I dont really know how.
It happends a lot when you make music, you can either delete the parts that bug you or just do a whole new project to get your brain working elsewhere.
Even listening to other music or doing something else for a while can unclog your creativity, that’s how I deal with it personnaly.
Nice bro ... you really are a god gifted in music.
Well said 11.30 to 11.55
Personally I find predictability boring.
蒲公英之歌? the song of dandelion
Similar to writing a story ; there's a beginning , middle , and end . The difference in the crafts is that a story screenplay has many , many , more components .
I like ham
why was the opening optimus prime
Equill Timpirimint!!!
Guess he was good.. I don't know anything about music other than enjoying one.
Composing song isn't that hard...
-asian
Not much information here just the same basic knowledge you can get from the internet.
Ted Talks are usually for those not familiar with the subject.
I agree, but to be fair, this is the internet
I agree, this is shallow, but he is a good pianist...
THIS GUY MAKES MONEY WITH I IV AND V
This is still confusing to me...
Bro this guy doesn't know what hes talking about composing music is justs as hard to learn as playing an instrument it takes years of dedication and hard work and there are no short cuts
I know this because I'm a musician
lol if i were to have a singaporean composer i would rather have wong kachun talk
I was amazing
@🐼 It? :)
this is low-key just a presentation disguised as informative but is actually just a guy playing the piano calling out numbers lmaoooo and the difference between a melody and background music. Just because you say something then do something... doesn't mean you've explained anything or taught anyone anything.... lol js
Definitely a Singaporean HAHAHAHA
This is.....pied pipah.
Everybody is an expert I guess lol this comment section is just horribly judgemental haha
Building a satellite isn't that hard.
Making predictable songs... pffffffffffff boring!
China learned well from korea 😁🤔
I hate this Disney music!
Everything seems to be easy for a asian..
he knows stuff but i dont understand anything and this is by far one of the weakest ted talks ever
I'm sure he's a great musician/composer. But he's an absolute terrible teacher.
Do you even know the difference between writing a hit song and writing music? Try writing an original hit song bro - you are not even on the starting blocks-
You talk too much, Please just do your composing...