What Are The Most Common Mistakes Made By Beginner Composers And How Do I Fix Them?

Beginning a piece, be it on a blank piece of paper or a computer screen can be really daunting. There are endless possibilities for melodies, harmonies, rhythms, instrumentation (not to even get started on the production element) and this can be hugely overwhelming.

This becomes less terrifying with experience and practice so if there is one piece of umbrella advice to follow it is this - just keep writing and finish your pieces. The more you write, the better you get and the less material will be wasted as just not being very good (hopefully) as well as you coming to terms with what works best for you!

However, there are some other problems and subsequent tips to follow to keep you focussed in your creative journey:

Don’t overcomplicate things!

Sometimes the best ideas are simple ones and beginner composers try to fit all the things they know into one piece, too quickly. Complex harmonies, rapid key changes, intricate rhythms and too many melodic themes can quickly make your piece feel cluttered and unfocused - all of these things can be excellent attributes in your composition but not all at the same time. Focus on a simple melodic theme and develop it gradually - learn to trust a good idea rather than constantly adding new ones.

Do not ignore musical structure!

Plenty of beginner pieces (and intermediate ones!) can feel like a collection of random ideas rather than a cohesive piece. This is sometimes a really interesting way of writing but you risk losing the interest of the listener and alienating them. Study common musical forms such as binary and ternary (AB and ABA), Rondo, Verse-Chorus or sonata form. The structure doesn’t need to be extensive or even followed to the letter but it does provide a roadmap for your piece and helps create a sense of direction and purpose.

Writing without listening critically!

To know the future you must have a decent understanding of the past - whilst you don’t need to incorporate Bach’s chorale rules, Debussy’s harmonic language or even Ravel’s instrumentation into your piece you can learn valuable lessons from listening and understanding why they did things a certain way. Listen actively to music that you admire, pay attention to how the melodies, harmonies, orchestration, pacing and dynamics and ask yourself why the moments that speak to you are so effective and how utilising similar techniques could enhance your own works.

Neglecting Rhythm!

It’s great to have a good melody and harmony to support this but rhythm can sometimes be treated as an afterthought leading to music that feels static or lacks energy. To avoid this, experiment with using rhythmic variation by changing note lengths, introduce syncopation and explore different interlocking rhythmic patterns as a compelling rhythm can make even a simple melody sound engaging.

Try not to overuse instruments!

When writing for multiple instruments, beginners sometimes utilise every instrument all the time (I’m certainly guilty of this)! This can create a busy and crowded texture and can reduce the impact of important musical moments. Learn the value of space and try not to have every instrument playing at the same time unless you want that effect. Strategic silence and thinner textures can create contrast and leader to greater impact in climax sections.

Revise your piece… but not too much!

Many new composers treat their first draft as the finished product. In reality, a polished final piece will go through multiple versions before reaching completion. Try setting your piece aside for a few days and then revisit it with fresh ears. If you hear sections that feel awkward or transition in a bizarre way then make a note of what could be smoothed out and revise. Editing is not a failure, it is a crucial part of the creative process!

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Explore More from Nick Pike

Nick Pike is a London-based composer, pianist, saxophonist, producer, and educator with over 15 years of professional experience. His music blends neoclassical piano with jazz, funk, and contemporary influences, drawing comparisons to Ludovico Einaudi, Yiruma, and Ólafur Arnalds. Alongside original compositions, Nick offers music services including scoring for film, TV, and advertising, piano and saxophone recording, arranging for strings and horns, and professional mixing and production.

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