How to become a intermediate/advanced composer?

[Xiaodong Li]

This is my first thread on the forum. I apologize in advance if anything doesn't fit the exact purpose of this forum.

I just finished my first feature-length film score as the secondary composer. The film is fairly big with several huge acotrs here in China. I am very excited because it is the first time I could see my name in the credit list as a composer. The whole working experience and the recording sessions with real players just made me want to write more and more music. I feel so energetic even after several weeks of very exhausting writing.

However I do realize that there is still a very long way for me to go. The gap between me and other talented composers is obvious. I believe I have passed the beginner phase, but when it comes to more advanced techniques I found myself frequently "copying" great composer's ideas in terms of orchestration, texture, and sometimes even harmony. Although I sure am not using these ideas directly, I always try to only use the concept or at least alter the sound to fit in my piece. This is an old topic as "borrowing" vs "plagiarism". However in my case, I feel like I am on a point where I simply cannot progress anymore if I don't study or "borrow" others' ideas.

Do you guys find this is an issue? How did you overcome this problem? Is there any other ways to practice in order to becoming a better composer?

Happy new years to everyone!

[Paul McGraw]

@Xiaodong Li said:

This is my first thread on the forum. I apologize in advance if anything doesn't fit the exact purpose of this forum.

I just finished my first feature-length film score as the secondary composer. The film is fairly big with several huge acotrs here in China. I am very excited because it is the first time I could see my name in the credit list as a composer. The whole working experience and the recording sessions with real players just made me want to write more and more music. I feel so energetic even after several weeks of very exhausting writing.

However I do realize that there is still a very long way for me to go. The gap between me and other talented composers is obvious. I believe I have passed the beginner phase, but when it comes to more advanced techniques I found myself frequently "copying" great composer's ideas in terms of orchestration, texture, and sometimes even harmony. Although I sure am not using these ideas directly, I always try to only use the concept or at least alter the sound to fit in my piece. This is an old topic as "borrowing" vs "plagiarism". However in my case, I feel like I am on a point where I simply cannot progress anymore if I don't study or "borrow" others' ideas.

Do you guys find this is an issue? How did you overcome this problem? Is there any other ways to practice in order to becoming a better composer?

Happy new years to everyone!

Congratulations on the film! And welcome to the VSL forum. I guess you found your way here because you use VSL instruments?

In an ideal world, after mastering harmony, voice leading, counterpoint and orchestration, you would have private lessons with a composition teacher who writes in a style complementary to your own. However, this is not an ideal world. You have already achieved more than many composers ever attain by having your music in a movie. Learning by reading scores and developing a set of orchestration procedures, harmonic movements and textures is a great way to learn. Many composers have improved themselves in this way. 

Bach made physical copies of Vivaldi scores and studied them intensely. Beethoven modeled music by Haydn and Mozart. And many people delight in finding the influences of John Williams, James Horner and others. As long as you do not actually copy someones else's work note for note, I think you should keep doing what you are doing. It seems to be working for you.

[Xiaodong Li]

Thank you Paul!

It is very encouraging to hear that. I think I'll keeping learning from others.

Yes! I've been a long time vsl user for about 6 years. Actually I came to the forum a lot. It was my English holding me back. But I am getting a lot better these years.😊

[jasensmith]

@Xiaodong Li said:

when it comes to more advanced techniques I found myself frequently "copying" great composer's ideas in terms of orchestration, texture, and sometimes even harmony. Although I sure am not using these ideas directly, I always try to only use the concept or at least alter the sound to fit in my piece.

There's nothing wrong with that.  It's ok to "borrow" somebody else's style, manner, technique, etc. when you start.  Eventually, your own style, manner, technique etc. will find you.  Not the other way around.  This is an evolutionary process that takes time.

Oh! and I almost forgot...

Everything Paul said.

[Xiaodong Li]

Thank you for your reply Jasen.

It is really good to hear all these, guess I will just keep transcribing a lot of scores!

Best.