Teaching Composition in the Private Music Studio by Len Rhodes

Len Rhodes offers a practical guide encouraging music students of all ages to compose.

“Teaching Composition in the Private Music Studio” is the result of discussions I have had with teachers during many years of teaching and composition workshops. This particular treatise is the direct result of my workshop at an MTNA National Conference in Seattle, WA., USA.

My goal in addressing the many considerations I outline in this book, is that you, the teacher, will gain new ideas that you can introduce into your own studio. The object of this handbook is to help the private music teacher develop the craft of the composition of “serious” music with their students. This book contains many practical exercises and suggestions which are aimed at developing aural awareness, rhythmic, melodic and harmonic security; and most significantly, the ability to create.

In working through this book as well as the complementary exercises and ideas, I hope the information will:

• help widen the teacher’s horizons and encourage structured direction.

• help motivate students to express their creative ideas.

• help guide the teacher to the practicality and significance of successfully encouraging their students to formalize ideas; and foster their eagerness to hear their compositions on the recital and concert platform.

• help the teacher to actually engage the average music student (those with no special talent for composing, specifically), in the creative process; while at the same time, offer ideas for the talented and more advanced music student.

• help the teacher encourage the student to have “ownership” in the composition through their individual creativity and not rely on their teacher’s ideas (or the ideas of others.)

In addition to offering history, theory, improvisation, basic styles, suggestions and ideas, this book also includes exercises on rhythmic and melodic dictation, contemporary harmonies; and so much more. Suitable for the classroom as well as the private studio. 

Download is 60 pages.

Testimonial: "...thank you (to Len Rhodes) for your wonderful presentation of 'Teaching Composition in the Private Music Studio', the information will be put to good use in our studios..." - MTNA National Conference, Seattle WA attendee."