Composition techniques
*. break week: 28th October 2025.
Why do I need an advice session
Choose a starting date
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
- Start Date: 16 Sep 2025End Date: 25 Nov 2025Tue (Daytime): 10:30 - 12:30In PersonLocation: Keeley StreetDuration: 10 sessions (over 11 weeks)Course Code: MG854ATutors: Edward HendersonFull fee £259.00 Senior fee £207.00 Concession £181.00
- Start Date: 13 Jan 2026End Date: 24 Mar 2026Tue (Daytime): 10:30 - 12:30In PersonLocation: Keeley StreetDuration: 10 sessions (over 11 weeks)Course Code: MG854BTutors: Edward HendersonFull fee £259.00 Senior fee £207.00 Concession £181.00
- Start Date: 21 Apr 2026End Date: 30 Jun 2026Tue (Daytime): 10:30 - 12:30In PersonLocation: Keeley StreetDuration: 10 sessions (over 11 weeks)Course Code: MG854CTutors: Edward HendersonFull fee £259.00 Senior fee £207.00 Concession £181.00
- Start Date: 29 Apr 2025End Date: 08 Jul 2025This course has startedTue (Daytime): 10:30 - 12:30In PersonLocation: Keeley StreetDuration: 10 sessions (over 11 weeks)Course Code: MG854CTutors: Edward HendersonFull fee £249.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £174.00
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
This course is based on the analysis of composition techniques from a variety of styles and genres of music. You will then learn to use these techniques through exercises, and apply them in your own original composition. This term focusses on principles of good melodic writing.
What will we cover?
Principles of good melody writing:
• pitch set (key, mode), contour (shape and direction), range
• harmonic implications
• rhythmic structure
• motivic and phrase structure
• principles of effective good counterpoint between melodies.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
Analyse the construction of melodies in a variety of styles
Understand what gives a melody good shape and direction
Understand how melodies work together to create counterpoint
Write effective short melodies and contrapuntal textures in a variety of styles
Compose your own original melodies.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
You need solid knowledge of music theory to at least Grade 6 standard, including understanding of metre and rhythm, intervals and conventional music notation, as well as experience on an instrument or voice. Entrance to this course is via a short test: please email music@citylit.ac.uk if you have further questions or click the ‘start my interview’ button on this page and we’ll contact you.
Do try this composition workshop chord naming quiz [external website] to get an idea of the entrance level of this course.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
• Guided analytical listening, score study, discussion and playing/singing of examples
• class and individual exercises in writing using the techniques studied
• playing / singing of exercises
• playing through and critiquing student exercises and compositions
There will be exercises in class and regular homework, on which you will receive tutor feedback.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Please bring your own manuscript paper, pencil and eraser. Other musical materials will be supplied by the tutor. You may need to bring your instrument to class to play the exercises and compositions.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Composition Techniques runs every term, and different topics are studied each term. You may also be interested in Song writing, Music production, Music theory, Music history, or one of City Lit’s many practical instrumental, singing and ensemble courses.
Edward is a composer who studied at Cambridge and Trinity Laban. He teaches composition and music history at City Lit, Morley College and Trinity Laban Junior Department, and writes about music for The Wire (UK) and Positionen (Germany). His latest work includes a commission for the London Contemporary Music Festival 2024. Previous significant work includes “Flower” (recorded by the BBC at the Aldeburgh Festival 2019 and broadcast on the New Music Show), “One Two” (Cologne 2022), Will (Oslo and Cambridge), “Hold” (Huddersfield 2017), and “Tape Piece” ( LCMF 2015). Since 2013 Ed has worked with Bastard Assignments curating, performing and contributing work to regular shows in London and internationally. Their performances at Southbank Centre (2016) and Wellcome Collection (2017) were broadcast live on BBC Radio 3, and they have featured in articles in the Guardian, Telegraph, Financial Times, Frieze, and Neue Zeitschrift für Musik. In 2024 a profile on the group, “Family Dynamics,” was broadcast in Germany. They have been commissioned for a large scale performance in Norway, Denmark and London in 2025 and 2026, and “House” for Musik Installationen Nürnberg in 2025.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
