There are infinite ways to find musical inspiration. Perhaps the easiest method is to listen to as much music, and as many genres of music that you can. Whilst some composers choose to listen to no music apart from their own to maintain a pure and unique style, you will most likely benefit from hearing other composers' ideas. Sometimes a melody might just 'pop' into your head. It might be an idea to always carry a notebook, or some other way of remembering these spontaneous thoughts.

Once you have a melody you should experiment with it. Whether it's on the piano, or using computer software, you can turn a single musical phrase into a whole composition just by varying it (for example reversing, inverting or changing its tempo) and building a chord sequence around it. It will help if you have some knowledge of musical theory, but don't be discouraged if you're a beginner. Remember: practice makes perfect, and everyone has to start somewhere.

Often composers will claim to have been inspired by nature, or perhaps a significant person in their lives'. So how can you turn your experiences of life into music? The first step is to realize that different devices in music have different connotations. A good example would be the rising 6th interval (jumping from one note - say a C - to the one six steps up - in this case an A). The interval was used excessively in the Romantic period as a representation of love. Perhaps this comes from the dreamy and romantic nature of a melody which leaps and flows. Look at key changes, chromaticism, and also think about how variations in rhythm and tempo can dramatically alter the mood of a piece.

So there you have it; a few simple ideas to get your composition moving. Remember don't throw any idea away until you have tried many variations on it; you might just like one of them.

Learn more about this author, Joe Lodge.
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