Questions from Students
To have a life in music is to be a life-long music student!
I’ve learned just as much from students asking questions as I have from professionals - and I’m excited to share their questions with you!
For composers preparing a talk or group lesson with students (particularly in high school), it can be helpful to anticipate some of their questions ahead of time—and to prepare a few of your own to answer! After talking with high school and middle school students across the country, I’ve compiled a list of some of the most common questions I’ve received from students. While some of these questions could be answered with a quick sentence or two, many of them could also be the basis for your own presentations on the topic!
Writing Process
Getting Started
How do you start writing? What is the first step you take when you start?
How do you get an idea for a melody?
How do you get yourself inspired? Do you have a method?
Do you have to play all the instruments to know how to write for them?
How long does it take to write a piece?
How do you decide on what instruments to use?
When you compose, do you hear it your head and just write it down? Or do you experiment with ideas and then play it to see if it sounds good?
Writing
How do you start to develop your own voice, and not just imitate other composers?
How do you write for instruments you’ve never played before?
Where do you compose your music? Do you have a favorite spot?
How do you deal with creative blocks?
How do you know when a piece is finished?
Is it hard to write music?
Do you have to write every day?
Career Path
Starting Out
How did you know you wanted to be a composer?
How did you know you could “make it”?
What risks did you have to overcome to be a composer?
What drew you to the music industry?
Education
What formal training did you have to go through to be a composer?
What instruments do you play?
Have you always been passionate about music as a career?
How did you decide what schools to apply for?
Do you have to be very good at music theory in order to compose?
Business Side
How many pieces have you written?
What is your work schedule like?
How do you start promoting yourself? How do you get composing opportunities?
How much do you get paid per piece?
Collaboration
When you work with dancers, do you write the music first? Or after the choreography?
How do you write for film? Is the film finished when you write the score?
Do orchestras or musicians make changes to your music?
Have you ever written music with another composer?
How often do musicians rehearse your piece before a premiere?
Music Opinions
Your Music
What kind of music do you compose?
Do you compose in different styles?
Are there pieces you’ve written that you don’t like but others love?
What has been your favorite piece to compose?
Music in General
What is your favorite chord / song?
What kind of music inspires you?
What do you listen for in a piece of music?
Wrap-Up
Learning to answer these questions can help students learn more about your work and let your presentations, clinics, and masterclasses run more smoothly—and they also act as a great anchoring point as you revisit them throughout your life in music. Here’s hoping you find them as helpful as I have!
Happy music-making!
