Learn how to compose music in a few minutes

Step 1
Choose a scale:
We will choose the simplest one but the same will apply with any scale.
Let's choose A minor scale.
That's is A B C D E F G A.

Step 2
Using the simple 1 3 5 rule, this defines 7 chords that can be used.


ACE
BDF
CEG
DFA
EGB
FAC
GBD


Note some are minor and some major. This is selected automatically by nature so you do not have to remember anything.

Step 3
Start playing

Apart from rhythm music consists of Bass, Harmony, Melody.


We can begin by Bass A and harmony ACE, then bass C, right hand CEG.


Note ACE, CEG can be anywhere in the keyboard. So inversions apply.


Melody can be any note of the scale in any imaginative way.


A key element of music is repetition.


Experiment having your ear brain as judge.


Avoid consecutive 5ths which sound bad.


For example ACE to GBD sounds much better, as ACE to GBE to FACE.


This introduces us to new chords having other code than 135.


For example GBE is written as G6.


With a 6th a third is taken so G6 is played GBE.


With a 7th or a 9th the 3rd and 5th is taken too and the 7ths and 9ths sound better when they are prepared or