How to compose accurately?

The biggest problem in my opinion is that more and more often kids arrive without ideas who think they can be composers; I usually refer them to colleagues who are more "in need".

Premised that I am not making a general statement, based on the fact that...

pianothor wrote:

And absolutely yes, I would like to start studying composition, but on my own.. for pure personal whim..

... pianothor is extreme in wanting to study alone, for personal whim; that being said, I must admit that I have serious doubts about a certain method of teaching composition that literally caused me to lose years, a method of teaching composition that sounds good in words but is incapable of creating compositional professionalism (it's no coincidence that I had to go abroad to take a lesson with the Italian teacher I wrote about above). But ultimately, this has little to do with pianothor's requests!

As far as specific cases are concerned, as far as I know Boulez was never famous as a composition teacher, but rather for conducting (an activity he no longer practices, for that matter). Regarding the teaching abilities of Pärt, Gubajdulina, and Penderecki, I wouldn't know how to comment - however, I suspect they do not dedicate much themselves to teaching.

Thank you all for the many responses, I wanted to clarify that, at the moment, I was thinking of looking into composition on my own in a very light way because I would like to dedicate my time first to piano study..

At the moment I am studying Piano, not Composition and.. before starting an educational path in composition, I would have liked to receive a basic overview of the subject both from the forum and from good websites/texts.. (The fact is that I have the entrance exam for the three-year academic degree in September and for me the conservatory environment, how it works, etc.. is new; I would have liked to read something these months while everything gets underway and subsequently, when things settle down and with a slightly clearer mind, study composition privately, from a Master) In short, so as not to arrive at the lesson knowing nothing, let's put it that way

pianothor wrote:

At the moment I study Piano, not Composition and.. before starting an educational path in composition I would have liked to receive a basic overview of the subject both from the forum and from good websites/texts.. (The fact is that I have the admission exam for the academic three-year degree in September and for me the conservatory environment, how it works, etc.. is new; I would have liked to read something these months while everything gets underway and subsequently, when things settle down and with a slightly clearer mind, study composition privately, from a Maestro) In short, so as not to show up to class knowing nothing, let's put it that way

But the title is a bit misleading, forgive me.

It's not that at the conservatory one writes in an exact way. Styles (and languages) are explored, hopefully those most significant to music history. From the fugue, to pieces for piano, for chamber ensemble, for orchestra, etc., dealing with tonality, modality, and compositional techniques of the 1900s.

But do you mean the three-year degree in composition? I don't know where you will take the admission exam, but I doubt anyone can be admitted knowing "0". The three-year degree should be equivalent to an advanced course in composition and a candidate is expected to have at least already cleared quite a bit of material.

No, I am applying for the three-year piano program, but I would have liked to learn something on my own about compositional techniques, styles, etc.. and I think that by taking composition lessons, whether privately or through a conservatory, one's compositional technique will surely improve (this is what I meant with the title, although, as I wrote before, I asked here on the forum because at the moment I don't have the actual time to attend lessons and dedicate serious attention to composition, so for now I would just appreciate a basic overview)

RedScharlach wrote:

Given that I am not making a general statement, based on the fact that...

... it is pianothor who wants to study alone, for personal whim; having said this, I must admit that I have serious doubts about a certain method of composition teaching that literally caused me to lose years, a teaching method that sounds good in words but is incapable of creating compositional professionalism (it's no coincidence that I had to go abroad to take a lesson with the Italian teacher I wrote about above). But ultimately, this has little to do with pianothor's requests!

As far as specific cases are concerned, as far as I know, Boulez was never famous as a composition teacher, but rather for conducting (an activity which, moreover, he no longer practices). Regarding the teaching abilities of Pärt, Gubajdulina, and Penderecki, I wouldn't be able to comment - however, I suspect they do not dedicate themselves much to teaching.

Red, who is this Italian composer you went to see?

Feldman wrote:

Red, who is this Italian composer you went to see?

By doing 4 quick calculations, it's not hard to catch on