Course overview
Our Music Composition In Depth course will teach you all the skills and knowledge you need to create diverse and well-structured tracks. You’ll learn how to create hooks, riffs, bass lines and chord progressions and fuse musical styles to create your own musical signature. Make your music stand out from the crowd by taking your composition skills to the next level here at Point Blank.
This online course will also connect you with a global community of alumni such as Aluna Francis and Claude Von Stroke and take part in free online masterclasses.
If you’ve completed a professional course at Point Blank, you gain exclusive discounts and credit towards a range of other courses.
We are proud to be ahead of the curve in delivering a fantastic student experience whether on campus or online and are happy to include all the exclusive features for students.
Course spaces are limited to ensure every student receives ample 1-2-1 time with their tutors.
Job outcomes
- Music Producer
- Recording Engineer
- Mix Engineer
- Sound Designer
- Sound Editor
- Music Arranger
- Film/TV Music Composer
- Remixer
- Artist/Performer
- Singer/Songwriter
- Studio Manager
- A&R/Label Manager
Study method
- Online
- Blended
- In-class
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Duration study load
- 6 months
What is My Schedule?
Each module requires your attendance in one weekly masterclass which will be 2 hours long. The masterclasses take place between 7-9 pm UK time and will be on the same day each week. The masterclass day will be confirmed a week before the start of each term, but all classes are recorded and archived, so you can watch them back whenever it suits you if you can’t attend live. You will also be able to book five 1-2-1 sessions with your lecturer per module per term for additional support – these take place in weeks 2, 4, 6, 8 and 11 of your course.
Entry requirements
Are there academic entry requirements?
No. There are no academic requirements for this course. This course or programme is practical, and therefore aimed at those who wish to develop their skills to a professional standard.
Is this course suitable for beginners?
Yes. The course caters for students who have little or no prior knowledge. Students with production experience can also greatly benefit from Point Blank’s world-renowned courses.
Materials
- Over 20 hours of high-quality video tutorials
- 20 Live Group Masterclasses with your instructor and the whole class
- 8 Live 1-2-1 Tutorials with just you and your instructor
- Comprehensive well written course notes
- Exclusive audio resources created by Point Blank: downloadable projects, channel strips, bespoke plug-ins, samples, acapella and more
- 2-year access to all of the above
- 24/7 access to forum
- Submit your tracks to our record label, Point Blank Recordings, distributed by Beatport, iTunes, Juno Download and Amazon
Testimonials
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Andre Crom in XLR8RMusic Composition In Depth (Online)"I can recommend the Electronic Music Composition course, which I took myself. It taught me the basics of music theory."
Global Alumni
- Aluna Francis
- Claude VonStroke
- Leona Lewis
- Pete Tong
- Goldie
- Patrick Topping
- Madam X
- Arjun
- Spoony
Delivery
As part of your course, you will get access to a range of Online Learning features to help you in your studies. We’ve enhanced our exclusive 1-2-1 sessions in order to provide you with individual time to speak to your lecturers and share your projects so you can get advice and guidance on specific areas of your assignments. You’ll get advice on your 1-2-1 tutorial exercises, course materials, academic assistance and carer/industry tips, and be able to ask any questions you want. You’ll also benefit from our purpose-built Virtual Learning Environment, which allows you to connect with the wider Point Blank community, and study at the time and place that suits you.
What equipment do I need to take this course?
- Either Ableton Live 11 Suite or Logic Pro X (please contact us for more details)
- Computer – please check the minimum requirements for your chosen DAW
- Native Instruments Komplete (recommended)
- A MIDI keyboard (recommended)
What support do I get during this course?
Throughout your course, you will be instructed and supported by our expert team of professional music producers. You will be able to contact them via the student forum, raise any issues that you may encounter on your course, and receive a timely response. All of the instructors are highly experienced in making music and/or have in-depth knowledge of the music business and will be able to offer valuable advice and guidance. You will also be able to participate in a weekly online masterclass where you can raise specific questions related to the module you are currently taking.
Subjects
Compositional proficiency is a core skill for contemporary producers and artists, equipping them with the ability to realise their creative ambitions and make more informed production decisions, whilst helping them become professionally competitive.
This module will explore the core elements of musical composition: rhythm, harmony, melody, structure, and arrangement. You will develop compositional techniques through practical application of music theory using music software.
This module focuses explicitly on commercial western popular musical styles, genres and their aesthetics. You will have the opportunity to investigate technical and stylistic aspects of these styles and genres, developing their confidence and abilities in composition. You will gain experience in composing original musical elements and arranging these elements into a full composition.
- Commercial composition techniques
- Use of rhythm in drum beats and melodies
- Key, modes, and scales
- Use of melodies
- Writing basslines
- Composing musical ‘hooks’
- Listening and analysis
- Use of harmony: chord sequences and modulation
- Form, structure and arrangement
You will expand your knowledge base of stylistic, rhythmic, harmonic, and structural conventions and gain skill in their application through practice and analysis following the maxim described by Clark Terry as “imitate, assimilate, innovate”.
The module will focus on developing an individual compositional voice by examining and assimilating the features of acclaimed musical works and music that align with personal goals. You will challenge your notions of taste and aesthetics by asking such questions as: where is the line between music and noise? What is style? And questions that challenge our aims: why do I write this way? Why do I want to write this way?
This personal exploration will be underpinned by the technical study of musical forms, theories of rhythm and harmony, extra-musical stimuli, and contemporary methods of sonic manipulation.
- Aesthetics of music
- Implementing concepts drawn from a musical analysis
- Composing in traditional and novel forms and structures
- Composing for electronic and acoustic instruments
- Non-Western music traditions
- Creative strategies: experimentation and improvisation
- Understanding and developing a compositional brief
- Developing a portfolio and the composer’s place in the music industry
About Point Blank Music School
Point Blank's global network of schools is world-renowned for music education, and has now taught over 50,000 students how to make their mark in music. Our studios feature top industry-standard equipment including SSL mixing consoles, Ableton Push 2 controllers, Novation and Native Instruments keyboards, various outboard equipment, the latest Roland gear and Pioneer DJ devices, and a lot more.
If you want access to the best instructors, the best facilities, and the best connections out there, then join Point Blank’s global community now and step inside the music industry.
