I’m interested in composing music for motion pictures or producing music for artists. I wonder if this is something worth pursuing. For talented musicians, how difficult it is to be selected to write music for movies or artists?
Thank you!
Can you give a little more information on your background and plans? Do you compose now, and what genre? Are you a high school student, and if so, are you thinking about schools? Some undergrad programs have a film scoring program, many have courses in it, but very often even a school like USC, which has a great grad program for film work, first expects students to get a more classical foundation. There are all kinds of paths you can take, though, including more technology or production-oriented programs, popular music programs. So if you come back with a little more info we can help you more.
Yes, I am a senior and I’ve been thinking about applying to Clemson U, NCSU, Case Western, Johns Hopkins, UGA, and UA (Tuscaloosa). I’ve composed a few contemporary music on the piano. I’ve taken piano lessons for 9 years and have been in an orchestra for 8 years, but I’ve never been taught how to compose. I sometimes get random ideas in my head of melodies, and I really want to be able to get these ideas down and record them instead of writing the notes out for each instrument, which takes too much time. From what you suggested, I think technology or production-oriented programs would help facilitate that process.
Honestly, composing isn’t really taught. It can be great to have a teacher to stimulate ideas, facilitate process, and guide in general, but you can already set whatever ideas you have to paper (or to software, as it were). Composing generally takes a lot of time, regardless of whether you use paper and pencil, or a program like Finale or Sibelius.
Just so I understand, are you wishing you could record your ideas while playing them on the piano versus writing scores? Because you can already do that if you have access to an electronic piano. You connect the piano (or keyboard for that matter) to your computer. Perhaps you are already doing that.
Studying composition will involve music history, theory, solfege, musicianship, musicology, ethnomusicology and technology. Many programs are primarily classical to start with, at the undergrad level, but there are some jazz and some popular music programs as well. Do you know anything about contemporary classical aka “new music”?
Since you are a senior, there is a time element. I will say that with your interests, you could go for a BA rather than BM, and continue with what you are doing, perhaps with a teacher or grad student teaching on the side. That would mean you can apply to any school that appeals to you in terms of size, location,academics and “vibe” and do music.
Alternatively you can look into music production, recording technology and other studio music programs. Some want a portfolio, some don’t, Maybe you could talk to someone in a department at a school you might like and see what you need to do (or look up websites). Just for example, UMass Lowell, Hartt School at U. Of Hartford, UMichigan, Ithaca, Northeastern (all in my area, there are many in other parts of the country, including Columbia College Chicago).
I do wish to record ideas while playing on the piano! I have an electric piano, but I’ve never tried connecting it to my computer. Is it supposed to transfer what I play directly to the computer?
I will talk to some of the schools I’m interested in and ask about their music programs.
Thanks for the help!
We are not techies and even we managed to do it so you will certainly. Go to an electronics/tech. store or maybe a store like Guitar Center and ask for the cable that will connect piano to computer, yes. I don’t remember the particulars and am hopeless on these things but others here will tell you. All I remember is that the piano was recorded, the sound itself, while playing, and there was also a score generated.
Everyone has a different process for composing. This is certainly something that you can pursue and can be part of your process. I believe people edit the material played on the piano as well.
You are probably not in a position to have a portfolio by due dates for applications but plenty of people attend college and compose, and go on the grad work. See if you can get a teacher to help you with the connection of piano and computer and what you can do with that for starters 
Good luck! And someone else who is more of a techie will come on here. I know most about paper and pencil still!
You can also buy a mike and connect its cord to the computer and record guitar or other instrument…
This article sheds some light on the subject:
Pretty depressing honestly. I think it is still true that the majority of film scorers get a classical foundation, either at conservatory/music school or university/college. USC only has a grad program in film scoring for a reason. I don’t care how likable someone might be: they have to be able to write music.
ps and I am not sure someone decides to write music or can be taught to write music…baby tomato just keep doing what you are doing, see how it evolves, get a teacher now or at college who can facilitate your progress, and expect to learn and train for many years…virtually any college music department will be helpful. Your piano background will help a lot.
It’s sweet of @compmom to say that learning to write music can’t be taught, but I beg to disagree. That’s the same thing as saying painting can’t be taught, writing can’t be taught, any artistic creation can’t be taught. Or that all art is equally good. Which, sorry, it’s not. While the inherent inspiration, vision, and talent of the artist may not be something that can be learned from the outside in - the ability to express oneself in an art form - to take those inspirations, visions and talent and translate them into something that can be communicated to others - yes, those skills can be taught. And studied, and practiced, and honed. There are technical underpinnings to all art forms - as well as learning to understand - to see and hear - art more clearly - to understand what is at stake and what is offered.
I cannot be taught to draw, period I might enjoy it, but honestly, I just don’t have it. If I did have it, I would have drawn for years before I had a teacher, who therefore would not be teaching me to draw, but would be helping me with something I already was doing.
I wasn’t being sweet at all (!). I wasn’t saying all art is good at all. I think I was saying the opposite!
The point I wanted to make is that a person who is not yet composing cannot expect to go to a class and learn how to compose. If by chance that person begins to compose at that time, it is still not really being taught. That person has an inner talent that came out. That can then be facilitated by a teacher.
Technical underpinnings are always important, and study, hard work, revising, but my feeling is that those have no meaning without the talent and inspiration in the first place, which I think comes from within.
Philosophical difference perhaps but also dancing on the head of a pin
I am still democratic. I am not saying it is not worthwhile to try. I greatly enjoy my art classes but I would never ever consider myself an artist.