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If You Can Write, You Can Compose: How Can My Writing Experience Help Me Teach Composing?

1. The document discusses how writing experience can help teach musical composition. It notes that writing and music share similar structural elements and concepts, so writing instruction provides a framework for teaching composition. 2. It argues that since writing teachers already teach the creative process through classes, they are well positioned to help music teachers teach composition as well. Students also report finding composition more similar to writing classes than other music classes. 3. Numerous writing exercises, teaching methods, lessons, and rubrics have been developed that can be adapted for teaching musical composition based on the long history of writing instruction in schools.

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Anami Jumanca
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44 views3 pages

If You Can Write, You Can Compose: How Can My Writing Experience Help Me Teach Composing?

1. The document discusses how writing experience can help teach musical composition. It notes that writing and music share similar structural elements and concepts, so writing instruction provides a framework for teaching composition. 2. It argues that since writing teachers already teach the creative process through classes, they are well positioned to help music teachers teach composition as well. Students also report finding composition more similar to writing classes than other music classes. 3. Numerous writing exercises, teaching methods, lessons, and rubrics have been developed that can be adapted for teaching musical composition based on the long history of writing instruction in schools.

Uploaded by

Anami Jumanca
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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IF YOU CAN WRITE, YOU CAN

COMPOSE
By Dr. Charles Rochester Young

HOW CAN MY WRITING EXPERIENCE HELP ME


TEACH COMPOSING?

1. Music and writing have many structural similarities.Both


disciplines use the terms compose, meter, rhythm, phrase, cadence,
tone, form and audience in similar ways. Creators in both
disciplines write down their ideas. 

2. Music teachers and students have been writing words longer


than music. Therefore, writing instruction can provide a less
intimidating entry point for musical composition.

3. The creative process is much bigger than just composing.


Since school writing teachers already teach the creative process,
they can help music teachers do the same. My students often say
that composing music is more similar to writing classes than to
other music classes.

4. Many writing teachers emphasize creative thinking over


teaching how to write.Writing classes aren’t solely for training
professional writers. Composition teaching isn’t solely about
training professional composers either.

5. Professional writers rarely teach public school writing


classes.Similarly, music teachers don’t need professional
composing experience to teach composing.

6. Teachers have taught writing to many students for many


years.Every student in every school takes writing classes, so
writing teachers have seen just about everything you’ll encounter.
As a result, numerous writing exercises, teaching methods, lesson
plans, and assessment rubrics have been developed. All can be
adapted for composing music.

7. Writers have more books on the creative process than


composers.I use a writing book, If You Can Talk, You Can Write
by Joel Saltzman, as the textbook for my university composition
class. The following writing books are my favorites: Writing With
Both Sides of Your Brain—Henriette Anne Klauser100 Things
Every Writer Needs to Know—Scott EdelsteinThe Right to Write--
Julia CameronWriting Down the Bones—Natalie Goldberg

WHAT WRITING CONCEPTS CAN HELP MY


COMPOSING STUDENTS?

1. If you’re not sure how to start, start anyway.A story can


begin with a word, a sentence, or a mood. Similarly, a composition
can begin with a single note, a chord progression, a rhythm, or just
about anything else. You can even start by writing the ending or
the middle!

2. Inspiration can only follow many hours of hard work. Writer


Jack London said, “You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go
after it with a club.”

3. Make your first draft a “sloppy copy.”Brainstorm and throw


as many words (notes) on the page as possible. Only revise after
brainstorming an entire draft. Author John Steinbeck said,
“Rewrite in process is usually found to be an excuse for not going
on.” Writer James Thurber agreed by saying, “Don’t get it right.
Get it written.” 
4. There is no single “right” way to write or compose.Every
piece and writer (composer) is unique. Some use pencil and paper.
Others use the computer, piano or tape recorder. Some research or
outline before they write. Others just start writing.

5. Good grammar doesn’t automatically make it good


writing.If good grammar equals good writing, then the dictionary
is thrilling. Good writers (composers) usually capture the spirit of
an idea first and fix grammar (rules of music theory) later on.
Author Hallie Burnett said, “I would rather you had something to
say with no technique, than have technique with nothing to say.” 

6. Revising is a normal and sometimes lengthy part of the


process.If you’re constantly revising, you have distinguished
company. Ernest Hemingway rewrote the ending to A Farewell to
Arms 38 times and Beethoven revised the opening to his Fifth
Symphony over 100 times. Poet Robert Frost said, “No tears in the
writer, no tears in the reader.”

7. Mean what you say. Say what you mean.Write more than you
need, then eliminate everything that isn’t meaningful. Nobel
Laureate Isaac Bashevis Singer said, “The writer’s best friend is
the wastepaper basket.”

8. You’ll never insult your audience by writing too


clearly.Business writer Patricia Westheimer said, “Writing is to
express, not to impress.” If the audience doesn’t understand what
you’re trying to say, make it clearer. 


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