Composer's Handbook

Choose one technique, write a short example, listen and then revise. Note names are at concert pitch.

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Inside this book

Motivic Cell
Sequence
Inversion
Retrograde
Augmentation
Diminution
Fragmentation
Intervallic Expansion
Intervallic Contraction
Melodic Climax
Rhythmic Displacement
Syncopation
Hemiola
Polyrhythm
Ostinato
Additive Meter
Metric Modulation
Rhythmic Augmentation
Silence as Structure
Cross-Accent
Pedal Point
Secondary Dominant
Modal Mixture
Deceptive Cadence
Plagal Cadence
Chromatic Approach Chord
Common-Tone Modulation
Harmonic Rhythm
Quartal Harmony
Upper-Structure Triad
Contrary Motion
Oblique Motion
Imitation
Canon
Invertible Counterpoint
Suspension
Passing Tone
Neighbor Tone
Anticipation
Independent Voices
Register Contrast
Doubling
Call and Response
Hocket
Timbre Transfer
Transparent Scoring
Layered Ostinatos
Divisi Writing
Pointillistic Texture
Unison Arrival
Binary Form
Ternary Form
Rondo
Theme and Variations
Through-Composition
Arch Form
Development
Refrain Transformation
Phrase Elision
Proportional Design
Dynamic Trajectory
Articulation Contrast
Rubato Framing
Harmonic Surprise
Registral Ascent
Text Painting
Tension by Density
Delayed Resolution
Dramatic Silence
Character Variation
Guide-Tone Line
Tritone Substitution
Backdoor Cadence
Modal Vamp
Blue Notes
Rhythmic Comping
Reharmonization
Drop-2 Voicing
Loop Transformation
3+3+2 Groove
Subtractive Synthesis
Additive Synthesis
Amplitude Envelope
Filter Envelope
Granular Texture
Convolution Reverb
Sidechain Compression
Spectral Layering
Field Recording
Automation Arc
Constraint Composition
One-Variable Revision
Reduction Test
Singability Test
Playability Check
Countermelody Check
Notation Clarity
Blind Listening
Peer Rehearsal
Version Comparison