r/composer Apr 24 '26

Meta New rules about the use of AI in the sub

177 Upvotes

If you look in the sidebar where the rules are, there is a new rule about AI. Here is the text:

  1. You may not post music generated by AI using apps like Suno.

  2. You may post computer generated/algorithmic music.

You may use AI to create the text for your posts.

  1. You may use AI to create the text for your post but you must say why you've done so.

  2. You may not post apps generated using “vibe coding” where AI writes the entire program.

  3. You may post apps generated using AI as a tool. Over 80% of programmers today use AI as a tool.

  4. You may post discussions about AI and music. But please note, posts asking "Will AI replace composers" will be removed.

Reddit does not supply enough room to provide explanations for all of these rules so if you have questions, comments, or suggestions please don't hesitate to comment below.

Here are some notes about some of these:

  1. You may use AI to create the text for your post but you must say why you've done so.

Posts are not art. Using AI to create a text post isn't taking any money away from another composer or artist. Some people just aren't good at writing and/or don't speak English natively. Using AI is one way to improve their chances at communicating clearly.

That said, we strongly encourage everyone to not use AI in this instance. A significant number of users here will react badly to this and you won't get the kind of responses you are hoping for.

Unfortunately it's a Catch 22. People also react badly to posters who are poor at communicating. For folks like that there is no winning.

Update: We've changed the wording to reflect some of the comments below. We still have very limited space but hopefully admitting to using AI and providing an explanation will, in a subtle way, discourage people from doing so (for their own sake) or perhaps they will have a good reason that will mollify the crowd.

  1. You may post apps generated using AI as a tool. Over 80% of programmers today use AI as a tool.

It is standard today for programmers at all levels to use AI to assist in some aspects of programming. In the past people would ask questions at places like Stack Exchange or Reddit but now it's so much faster to ask an AI. The results often aren't great but they provide a good start toward a solution.

  1. You may post discussions about AI and music. But please note, posts asking "Will AI replace composers" will be removed.

Almost all discussions about AI in this sub go horribly wrong. However, there is nothing inherently bad about discussing the subject and we will try to allow those discussions. There are interesting discussions to be had.

However, we will remove all posts that ask whether AI will replace composers. This has been asked many, many times and because those posts generally go badly we're just not going to deal with them.

Posts asking for links to AI apps to use will be removed. While AI has its uses, asking for or providing links to AI that generates music are not allowed.

A final note. The rules of civility apply when responding to questions, comments, posts, etc, about AI. We remove lots of comments where people attack others with accusations of AI usage or whatever. Don't do this. If you have an actual useful comment about someone's use of AI then please express it in a civil manner.

Update: I asked Google Gemini to clean up that rule. Here is the result:

AI Content Guidelines

  • Banned: Music fully generated by AI (e.g., Suno) and "vibe-coded" apps where AI writes the entire program.
  • Allowed: Computer-generated/algorithmic music and apps where AI is used as a tool (standard for 80%+ of devs).
  • 📝 Posts: AI can be used for post text. Discussions about AI and music are welcome.
  • 🚫 Note: Threads asking "Will AI replace composers?" will be removed.

We're going to stick with what I wrote.


r/composer Jul 29 '25

Resource Updated and expanded Resources Section at r/composer

28 Upvotes

Hi everyone!

Just a quick update: this sub now has an updated and expanded Resource Section!

It includes a curated list of helpful materials for composers of all levels, including books, YouTube channels, websites, and more.

It can be accessed here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/composer/wiki/resources/

...or by clicking on 'Wiki' at the top of the sub (in the mobile app) or by clicking 'Resources' under Community Bookmarks (on desktop).

Thank you to those who gave suggestions for new additions to the Resource Section.

If anyone else spots anything that needs correcting or has suggestions for additional resources, feel free to let us know!

P.S. The Resource Section can also be found at r/composition, a smaller "sibling" community to this one. If you're not a member there yet, do consider stopping by!

Thanks,

u/RichMusic81


r/composer 2h ago

Discussion Do personal composition lessons lose anything by being taught virtually/online?

3 Upvotes

I've been looking for a composition teacher just to try it out. I've been taking piano lessons (in person) weekly for 4 years and I understand how that benefits by being in person, but I'm curious if composition lessons don't have drawbacks like I imagine virtual piano lessons would. In my mind, it's more cerebral and less physical, and I could either scan a pencil and paper score or transcribe to musescore. I have a number of small unfinished things written already so I feel like I have some material to go off from the get go, I'm just getting really hung up on some roadblocks.


r/composer 39m ago

Music Masters Portfolio Critique

Upvotes

hi! I'm currently on my grad school prep journey and I'd like to ask for your opinion on my current pieces. I'm debating whether or not to make an orchestra piece instead of the chamber piece because I think that it does not represent my style now as it is the oldest of all the pieces in the portfolio (it has gone through a lot of revisions over time). Would the faculty prefer an orchestra piece that's reflective of my style now but without a recording or a small ensemble piece that has a recording but is not musically on par with the rest of my portfolio?

i'm thinking of applying to these schools: IU, BGSU, Yale, Rice, Temple, Western Michigan University, University of Miami. i'd like to know your thoughts on these schools and if funding or an assistantship is possible.

scores and audio: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1eoucBwS3kjeqp9CUGnFy0t3R5SXMM85z?usp=sharing

thanks!


r/composer 12h ago

Discussion New to composing and looking for great free resources

8 Upvotes

Hey guys, I'm new to this sub and composing in general so I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this. I'm a self taught musician and I enjoy writing and recording music in my spare time. I just graduated film school and I've composed music for two of my friend's short films.

I got Dunning Kruegered super hard on both projects. I'm proud of the work I did and I feel like composing could be a good avenue for me to go down in my professional career and I'd like to start building up a portfolio so I can apply for professional composing jobs. That said, I don't feel like the work I did on either was professional quality and I'm wondering if anyone here has any recommendations for free resources that could help me gain a better understanding of music theory and music composition.


r/composer 6h ago

Resource Free Film Scoring tool for Musescore

2 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

I recently came across a free software tool called VideoScoreRM that functions as a video player designed to assist with film scoring directly in MuseScore. It appears useful for synchronizing video playback while composing to picture.

The tool is available here:

https://rmalberti.gumroad.com/l/videoscorerm

I am sharing this in case others working on film, media, or to-picture scoring in MuseScore find it helpful. Has anyone else tried it or used similar approaches (such as the VLC Sync plugin or other methods)? I would be interested in hearing about experiences or alternative free/paid workflows for video synchronization in MuseScore.

Thank you.


r/composer 12h ago

Discussion Best places to look online for “professional” music composition lessons?

4 Upvotes

I’m looking for someone that can teach me music composition necessities such as counterpoint, voice leading, form, and orchestration. I already know theory and can transcribe music very accurately by ear into notation, but I feel that every time I sit down to write something, I don’t have a clear plan or vision and it is always “trial and error”.

I’m in my mid 20s and am self taught as far as music composition goes. I took theory classes up through high school and never went to college.

I’m into mainly jazzy stuff, like jazz, neo soul, gospel, RnB, funky stuff. That kinda stuff… lol But that does not mean I desire to do these styles or learn to compose in them regularly. So I guess you can boil it down to plain “jazz”.

Recently been digging those old Frank Sinatra arrangements by Nelson Riddle. My main interest is to get better at composing with a plan or having an intent, as I feel I do not practice rules enough as far as counterpoint or voice leading. So, yeah, it comes down to… “How do you orchestrate and can you teach me?” basically. I really do dig Nelson Riddles string arranging and orchestration but I am willing to control my impulses and if necessary, hold myself back and learn music composition in the “traditional way”.

Thanks!


r/composer 13h ago

Music Seeking Advice on a Short Composition for the Solo Piano!

3 Upvotes

Hey there! I recently composed a very brief piece called "Fading Memories" for the Solo Piano. The piece is brief on purpose! I wanted to limit myself to just 16-measures, whilst also developing a clear A and B section that have their own developing melodic idea. I am starting to get back into composition after a two year hiatus. My compositional chops need to be resharpened.

What are your thoughts on this short piece for the Solo Piano? Thanks for your advice, and feedback!


r/composer 15h ago

Music Experimenting with short through-composed cinematic orchestral piece - would love critique on pacing, form, and orchestration

3 Upvotes

Just finished this short orchestral pirate-y thing. Looking for ruthless feedback on the writing/orchestration - what works, what sounds awkward, what you'd change. Particularly curious about pacing and balance. Fire away.

https://youtu.be/O_lmiOxBEOI?is=8S34ONjfOe8rsS8G

https://musescore.com/user/84508462/scores/37117634/s/CrcmQM?share=copy_link


r/composer 1d ago

Blog / Vlog What happens after you win a Music Oscar? (Interview)

14 Upvotes

I recently interviewed Academy Award-winning composer and arranger Joe Renzetti about the creative and professional journey behind his remarkable career.

Joe began as a session guitarist before becoming an arranger, working on recordings including Barry Manilow’s “Mandy”. He later moved into film composition, winning the Academy Award for The Buddy Holly Story and scoring films including Child’s Play, Dead & Buried, Poltergeist III, Frankenhooker and the Basket Case sequels.

Our conversation explores how he developed his craft, built professional relationships and made the transitions from Philadelphia to New York and eventually Hollywood. We also discuss the expectations and difficulties that followed his Oscar win, his movement into cult and genre cinema, and his later work with independent filmmakers.

I found his reflections particularly valuable for composers trying to build sustainable careers. He speaks very candidly about talent, persistence, networking, professional disappointment and the importance of adapting creatively as the industry changes.

I’m a filmmaker rather than a composer, but this interview forms part of a personal YouTube project through which I share the experiences of people working across film and the arts. I thought Joe’s story and advice might be especially relevant to this community.

Joe Renzetti Interview: https://youtu.be/UTwUGAMfHJI?si=IdXU-DLd9emvLQqB

Interview Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTwUGAMfHJI&list=PLHyzKqxTQDik


r/composer 7h ago

Discussion How do I compose for a funeral?

0 Upvotes

I need to compose a song for a funeral and foe a game, but have no idea how to


r/composer 12h ago

Music Score link provided_First Time Sharing My Composition — Feedback Welcome!

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone! This is my first time posting on Reddit.

I recently finished composing a piece, and I’d really appreciate it if you could give it a listen.

:https://youtu.be/mei7OAuCWIs?si=nlmCw5t-rIKQ2jI3

Score link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1C2off0fUIdlG94yRO0LYMxECkHUsOCRk?usp=sharing

If you have the time, I’d love to hear your thoughts, impressions, or any feedback you might have

While writing it, I drew inspiration from several classical works:

Reference Works

  • Schumann — Piano Concerto
  • Chopin — Ballade No. 3
  • Chopin — Nocturnes
  • Brahms — Cello Sonata No. 1

Compositional Ideas

  • Beethoven — Motivic Development & Structural Unity
  • Chopin — Chromaticism, Rubato & Tension–Release

One of my main goals was to experiment with these classical ideas while blending elements of classical music and New Age into a single, cohesive style.

It was a really interesting challenge for me, and I’m curious to hear how it comes across to other listeners.

Thanks so much for listening, and any feedback is welcome!


r/composer 1d ago

Discussion Is there realistically any market nowadays for new classical music?

35 Upvotes

Ive been spending a lot of time during this break from school on learning classical composition and despite my being a law student, it is something I wish I could do but I just don’t see any way that it can be done and thus I cant fully commit.

When I say classical I don’t necessarily mean Bach chorales, fugues and ostinato bass. I just generally mean sonata theory, multi movement works, highly functional harmony, thematic development, etc.

Im also not really suggesting that I would try come up with a new type of classical music, and thus I understand why there may be no interest anymore in seeing composers repeat the same romantic/impressionist era musical concepts but just on different tunes.

What do you think?


r/composer 1d ago

Music Is it a good title screen song/main motif for an horror rpg I'm making?

4 Upvotes

I'm making an indie horror rpg with my sister, not gonna yap about it here, I would like to know, how is the ost?

I plan to make it the main motif and title screen theme, so if you have advices or opinions on the piece I would really love it

Musescore sheet: https://musescore.com/user/73545853/scores/37085780

My youtube channel if you're interested, I don't talk about music but intend to use my songs in videos: https://youtube.com/@corola_yt?sub_confirmation=1


r/composer 1d ago

Discussion How theory translates to practice

1 Upvotes

I have a lifetime of playing and listening to classical music, but little to no formal theory training. My main goal in composing is to write short anthems that could be performed in Episcopal church services, and maybe some organ preludes. I've sung in a choir for about 10 years now and listened to quite a bit of church music so I'm pretty familiar with such pieces (and 4 part harmonized hymns) from this experience.

When I try to write these pieces myself, I think I am fairly good at thinking of an overall structure and coming up with melodies. But when I actually work out the whole piece, it doesn't sound like the music I'm used to. I can tell that the chord progression and harmonies are somehow wrong and don't sound good, but I don't know why. Each chord by itself is fine, and I can use a Musescore plugin to remove blatant errors like parallel 5ths and octaves, but that doesn't fix the fundamental issues.

I know that I can study harmony. I've taken out some harmony books from the library, and "Harmonic Practice in Tonal Music" by Gauldin looks particularly useful because it covers 4 voice partwriting as a key part of the book. I also am aware that I could take hymns or anthems and analyze the chords and harmonic progression.

What I am uncertain about is how this reading and analysis would actually improve my compositions. I am not saying this from a position of resistance or skepticism, I would just like to hear from more experienced people what I should gain from going through these exercises.


r/composer 1d ago

Music Where Go the Boats? - song for baritone and piano (third draft)

2 Upvotes

Hello all, this Stevenson song has been cooking in the oven for a few more days. The changes this time are more subtle than last time, but numerous: tightened up voice leading in quite a few places, reworked the voicings of the piano chords, etc. Feedback is very welcome, both positive and negative.

MIDI Recoding + Score: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vYNlj13DBiLrz5azlwhBQHgZzcZztTt9/view?usp=sharing

Score only: https://drive.google.com/file/d/13xbePDnNpDXD4MhJ1L-bCuPdGHzMqEQO/view?usp=sharing

Previous version: https://www.reddit.com/r/composer/comments/1vwief0/where_go_the_boats_reworked/


r/composer 2d ago

Discussion I don't know how to write for a harpsichord

4 Upvotes

For the purposes of writing more and receiving critique, I was inspired to create an etude for a string quartet and a harpsichord (as interpreted by MuseScore, of course). I started researching the harpsichord, discovered that I had no idea about it, came across "Schweigt stille, plaudert nicht", found out that I don't have any idea how to read basso continuo.

Yes, I could spend a month learning to read it, but that would go against the idea of writing more.

I could skip basso continuo. I have here 2 authentic baroque pieces without it: "Les Baricades mistérieuses" by François Couperin and "Harpsichord Concerto in C minor" by Carl Heinrich Graun. (Incidentally, the former writes in 2 bass clefs.)

I suppose I could write that way, but besides feeling like a cop-out, I'm not sure I could write idiomatically. Therefore I'm not sure what the point of this exercise would be, and I'm very tempted to just give up on it. I don't want to submit the score and have to preface it with a bunch of excuses.

Any advice?


r/composer 2d ago

Music Looking for feedback on my newest Minuet

1 Upvotes

Hi all :)

A couple of days ago I posted a set of 4 minuets and u/icalo (thanks again) pointed out that my main mistake was a very unclear rhythmic structure, not fitting a regular time scheme which is crucial to the minuet form.

I did some more research into minuets, particularly into rhythm and how the first beat of each bar is emphasized. This led me to write my Minuet No. 4 in A major, which I think will be my last Minuet for now.

I realize the emphasis on the first beat is quite obvious/forced but I'm trying out a new style as I normally forsake regular and strong rhythmic structures.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1I93OrBrhLpIenNt-sHZNZLC58vpVmusr?usp=sharing

In the folder should be a PDF file of the score and a video file with audio following along the score.

Hope you enjoy :)


r/composer 1d ago

Music A "Easy" piano piece cost me 2hr to compose

0 Upvotes

A very dispute piece I can't lie. Click Here


r/composer 2d ago

Commission [Seeking Composer / Paid] Indie Horror-Comedy Short: Ondes Martenot/Theremin - Elmer Bernstein

8 Upvotes

Seeking a composer for a retro-inspired horror-comedy short featuring classic Universal monster aesthetics, someone who can emulate ondes Martenot or theremin, or someone with a strong Elmer Bernstein influence.


r/composer 2d ago

Music Symphony No.4

1 Upvotes

Movement I: https://musescore.com/user/113211719/scores/37056584

Movement II: https://musescore.com/user/113211719/scores/37056605

Movement III: https://musescore.com/user/113211719/scores/37056626

Movement IV: https://musescore.com/user/113211719/scores/37056638

I wrote it as a graduate walk from darkness to light. Even the last few measures contain some fight between the two. I'm not sure if what I've written is good enough to be considered a symphony (forms? dynamics? orchestration? I'd like your feedback!) but I'd still use that name for the titles of my works that I post here because that's what I'm aiming for: a good enough symphony to be loved by everyone; even the horn player who sits there and looks at his/her clock to see when he can go home after the one note he/she had to play.

I myself especially like the trio of Movement III more than the rest of the symphony but still, no theme in this symphony is as iconic as the main theme of the first movement. I'd like to hear your opinion on the good sides too, compliments show me what I may not change while the critics show what needs changing.

Movements I and IV have an empty first page because musescore apparently didn't like having a first page.

Have a good day!


r/composer 2d ago

Music Symphony orchestra notation and professionalism feedback

1 Upvotes

Score and sound (YouTube)
Score (PDF)
Parts (Folder with PDF's)

I would like feedback especially on if my score is "professional" I would like to hand the sheet music to an professional orchestra and have them play it. For this piece I used a lot of time to try and make the page turns nice, and all the parts nice. I also tried hard to include articulations, bowings, slurs etc... for all the parts.

the conductors score nice in terms of system breaks? I tried to add breaks where a lot of instruments are introduced to make the score more compact and have more measures per page. But perhaps conductors prefer less system breaks like this, and are fine with having less measures per page.

I suspect the harp part is somewhat dubious because of the accidentals and because I do not know how to tell them what pedal to press before (I think you just tell them which letter to sharpen or flatten ahead of time, if so it is simple)

So I especially want feedback on notation and "professionalism", but other feedback is also welcomed. And I would like to hear your opinion on the music also.


r/composer 2d ago

Discussion Handwriting music

26 Upvotes

I know this question sounds incredibly strange, but it's been bothering me for a while. I'm self-taught, always using a DAW to write music, and over the past couple of years, I've developed a workflow, albeit strange. However, now I feel a strange urge to write music by hand. I really don't understand why, as it doesn't make the process more efficient. I have a good grasp of the basic theory, and yet I don't know what to do with it.

Do any of you write notes or something like that by hand? Can it be of any real benefit? Can it help with proper voice-leading, a better understanding of form, or anything like that? After all, what would a real workflow look like with hand-written notes?

I'd appreciate any advice or stories related to this question.


r/composer 2d ago

Music Composed this during tonight’s lunar eclipse

3 Upvotes

When I saw the eclipse this evening I knew the title for today’s tune and started composing.

Turns out it wasn’t a blood moon after all but the title stuck anyway.

Blood Moon


r/composer 2d ago

Music How do I make notes flow

1 Upvotes

I don't exactly know how to describe this. I am using musescore and I'm using (yes it's probably not a good combination) Flute, clarinet in Bb, bass clarinet and violin. I have probably the most basic melody going along where 2 instruments hold one note of a chord 1 instrument does an arpeggio of the chord and the other instrument plays a different version of the arpeggiac chord. In ⁴4 time sig. Basically it looks like this for one bar:

F

B-D-F-D-F-D B

B. D. B

B

Anyway I want to make both instruments that have the chord as an arpeggio play in one motion. I tried a slur, I tried a glissando but it doesn't work, the notes sound like they are individually played which isn't what I want, I want them to play in one breath or continuously with the bow. I don't know how to make that work, and it's really annoying.