The hottest Composition Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Music Topics

My brother-in-law is a genius

Thinking about... • 496 implied HN points • 07 Jun 25
🎶 Music Opera Composition Performance Songwriting Critique
  1. The phrase 'my brother-in-law is a genius' isn't commonly said, but it can be true for some people. In this case, the brother-in-law is an accomplished opera composer with award-winning works.
  2. Dan Shore's music often reflects contemporary themes while drawing from classical styles, making his operas unique and relatable. He uses his talent to express current events through his performances.
  3. In tough times, music can offer comfort and connection. Sharing songs that mix serious themes with humor can help people cope better with challenging situations.

Prelude no. 1 in C major---music you should know by name

Disaffected Newsletter • 1099 implied HN points • 22 Jun 24
🎶 Music Classical Composition Theory Instruments Performances
  1. Bach's Prelude no. 1 in C Major is a beautiful and well-known piece of music that many people recognize, even if they don't know its name.
  2. The piece is part of a collection called the Well-Tempered Clavier, which showcases different musical keys and tuning systems.
  3. You can hear similarities between Bach's Prelude and the song 'Don't Cry for Me Argentina', showing how classical music influences modern songs.

Christian Wolff

Dada Drummer Almanach • 86 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🎶 Music Composition Performance Jazz Classical
  1. Music exists through performance, meaning it comes alive when played by musicians. The written score is important, but it doesn't define the music completely.
  2. Christian Wolff contributed to a style of music that allows performers to interpret and play it in different ways. This makes each performance unique.
  3. Wolff was part of the New York School of composers, which focused on new musical ideas and included famous figures like John Cage. Their work influenced how we think about music today.

GO BIG!

DrawTogether with WendyMac • 1297 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Drawing Composition Technique Inspiration
  1. Visual composition in drawing is key to achieving the desired impact of your artwork, focusing on elements like focal point, balance, movement, and interestingness.
  2. Drawing big can push you out of your comfort zone and lead to more interesting and engaging artwork, as you pay closer attention to details and take up more space in your drawing.
  3. Taking inspiration from artists like Georgia O'Keefe can encourage you to experiment, push boundaries, and capture the essence of your subject in a unique and captivating way.

Cut-ups

Dada Drummer Almanach • 72 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
🎶 Music Genres Artists Composition History Influence
  1. Can was a unique rock band formed in 1968, made up of musicians with diverse backgrounds in classical music, jazz, and even astrology. They aimed to create spontaneous music that broke traditional boundaries.
  2. Their approach involved improvisation and experimentation, often pushing the limits of what rock music could be. This made their albums innovative and influential on many modern artists.
  3. One of the band's interesting practices was to leave their instruments recording in a room to capture unexpected sounds, showing their commitment to spontaneity and creativity in music.
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Cura

Eric Harper • 79 implied HN points • 31 May 24
🎶 Music Composition Songwriting Music Performance
  1. Writing religious music can challenge preconceived notions and lead to unexpected personal growth.
  2. Combining diverse musical influences can result in unique and meaningful compositions.
  3. Practicing different styles and collaborating with others can expand creativity and reach new audiences.

The Two Types of Writing Problems

Desk Notes by Charles Schifano • 48 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
📚 Literature Writing Narrative Style Composition Artistry
  1. Writing problems can be split into two main types: composition issues and expression issues. Composition deals with how to arrange your words, while expression is about capturing your thoughts.
  2. When you know what you want to say but can't find the right words, it's usually a composition problem. There's often a solution or guide that can help you find the right way to say it.
  3. Writing is a mix of sharing what you're thinking and continuously refining it. It's okay to struggle; the goal is to bring the ideas in your mind to life on the page.

Five ways I sharpen my writing

A Bit Gamey • 47 implied HN points • 03 Nov 24
📚 Literature Writing Tips Creative Writing Composition Editing Storytelling
  1. Always know your purpose when writing. It helps you stay focused and get your message across clearly.
  2. Use a friendly and personal tone in your writing. It makes people connect with you and enjoy what you share.
  3. Keep your writing concise by using strong verbs and cutting out unnecessary words. This makes your points clearer and more powerful.

On Mahler

Something to Consider • 39 implied HN points • 17 Jun 24
🎶 Music Classical Composition Analysis History Influence
  1. Gustav Mahler's music feels unique because it's complex and doesn't fit into traditional categories of melody and harmony. His pieces blend several melodies together in a way that feels seamless.
  2. He composed music without being tied to the piano, using multiple staves instead. This means he imagined his music without testing it out, much like coding without running the program until it's done.
  3. Despite not having a large amount of music, Mahler's works are filled with deep emotions and beauty. His few compositions leave a lasting impact that few others can match.

A lake that's on fire

The Day After Tomorrow • 79 implied HN points • 20 Apr 24
🎶 Music AI music Composition Technology impact Creativity
  1. AI can now create music by using poems and other inputs, making it easier for people without musical skills to share their creativity.
  2. This technology challenges our ideas about who can be a musician and what music truly means, as machines can produce similar emotional experiences as humans.
  3. As AI music becomes more common, we may need to rethink how we value music and the connections we feel to it, regardless of whether it's made by humans or machines.

Photo highlight: Week 2

One bag many places • 59 implied HN points • 12 Apr 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Photography Composition
  1. The author uses weekly photo highlights to improve their photography skills by analyzing what worked and what didn't.
  2. The addition of a human element in photos can transform them from capturing objects to telling a story about people, adding depth and meaning.
  3. The author grapples with the ethical considerations of taking photos of strangers in public spaces, choosing to prioritize anonymity and respect.

Homeric Redshirts and Iliad 10

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 59 implied HN points • 13 Dec 23
📚 Literature Analysis Characterization Composition Tradition Themes
  1. The introduction of Dolon in Iliad 10 serves as a strategic element to provide rest and anticipation in the epic, suggesting it is integral to the overall theme and composition.
  2. Dolon's character in Iliad 10 is complex, with his appearance, relationship to wealth, and status as a single son with five sisters all playing significant roles in understanding his role in the story.
  3. Ancient scholars drew connections between Dolon's traits, such as his greed and appearance, to deeper themes like heroism in response to the actions of characters like Achilles, offering insights into how characters are developed in Homeric poetry.

Steelmanning Polytheism

Going Awol • 79 implied HN points • 10 Feb 23
📖 Philosophy Composition Metaphysics
  1. The argument for polytheism can be strengthened by philosophical concepts like the Unrestricted Modal Ontological Argument and Unrestricted Composition.
  2. Unrestricted Composition theory explains the concept of objects being composed by multiple concrete objects, supporting the idea of a collection of Gods in polytheism.
  3. Objections to polytheism, such as issues with the maximal greatness and intrinsic value of multiple Gods, can be addressed through philosophical reasoning and alternative perspectives.

Nature's Bounty

Ear Worm • 19 implied HN points • 21 Jun 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Music Nature Artist Composition
  1. Václav Hálek's compositions are unique and explore the artist's natural condition.
  2. Hálek combined his love for foraging with his ear for new music, composing pieces based on mushrooms, flowers, trees, and people.
  3. Hálek's artistic method gave voice to the natural world, reflecting his deep connection with nature.

Making Games, Writing Papers

Homo Ludens • 0 implied HN points • 03 Mar 24
🚌 Education Game design Composition Student Engagement Skills Development
  1. A well-designed game should be playable immediately without instructions, leading to better engagement.
  2. Teaching composition through game design using iterative processes can greatly enhance student understanding and application of concepts.
  3. Engaging students in creating their own games based on design principles helps them practice essential skills like critical thinking, communication, and revision.

Hello Gold Mountain | The Philadelphia Orchestra

Wu Fei's Music Daily • 0 implied HN points • 15 Sep 23
🎶 Music Classical Concert Composition
  1. The Philadelphia Orchestra is performing Wu Fei's orchestral composition Hello Gold Mountain to celebrate their historical trip to China in 1973.
  2. Alison Friedman highlights the difference between propaganda and art in a recent interview, emphasizing the emotional journey of art.
  3. Wu Fei is busy with preparations for the concert, including panel discussions, master classes, and podcast recordings leading up to the event on Sep. 21.