Embark on a musical journey to master the art of simplicity and beauty.

Course Summary:

Join our expert-led course and delve into the world of tintinnabuli, a compositional technique that weaves minimalistic harmony with profound depth. Guided by George Marshall, a PhD in music composition with over a decade of experience, you'll explore the intricacies of part writing, harmonic colouring, and melodic creation.

Lesson 1 (included in Free Preview, try it out!): Introducing Tintinnabuli

A method for composing introspective and beautiful music

Instructor Tintinnabuli Composition:

Compose with Clarity

Lesson Highlights:

  • Three Comprehensive Chapters: From the basics of tintinnabuli part writing to advanced techniques like voice role switching and harmonic contrast.
  • Build Your Portfolio: Complete the course with an original arrangement and a two-part tintinnabuli composition to showcase your newfound skills.
  • For All Skill Levels: Whether you're a budding composer or an experienced musician, this course caters to anyone with a passion for music and a grasp of music notation.

Lesson 2: Tintinnabuli Technique and Aesthetics 
(Included in the Free Preview, try it out!)

Harmony & Melody: A New Perspective

What You Will Achieve:

  • Portfolio of Original Works: By the end of the course, you will have created a personal portfolio that includes an arrangement and a two-part tintinnabuli composition.
  • Deep Understanding of Tintinnabuli: Immerse yourself in the study of tintinnabuli, and you'll learn to appreciate the delicate balance between the tintinnabular voice and the melodic voice, and how they work together to create a serene and contemplative soundscape.
  • Skillful Tintinnabuli Part Writing: Master the art of part writing with a focus on the tintinnabuli technique. You'll gain the ability to write parts that are both technically sound and emotionally resonant, using voice role-switching and advanced harmonic principles to enrich your compositions.
  • Contemporary Harmonic Techniques: Explore ways to enhance the harmonic color and contrast in your compositions. Learn to replace the t-voice chord and employ nuanced part-writing techniques to add depth and complexity to your music while maintaining its meditative quality.
  • Innovative Melodic Creation: Develop techniques for creating melodies that captivate and move your audience. Through the use of symmetry, numeric sequences, and strategic withholding of notes, you'll craft melodies that are both intellectually engaging and deeply expressive.
  • Lifelong Composition Skills: The knowledge and skills you acquire will not only enable you to compose in the tintinnabuli style but will also enhance your overall compositional technique, providing you with tools that can be applied to any musical genre.

Instructor

Who is the handsome, knowledgable and extremely modest chap who will be teaching me?

George Marshall

Composer, Instructor & Founder

George is a seasoned composer and educator, who boasts a decade-long career in music composition, spanning diverse mediums like film, video games, and concert halls. Holding a Bachelor (2013), Masters (2014) and PhD in Music Composition (2020), he specialises in mid-20th-century and contemporary composition techniques and has accrued over 50 project credits. Notable achievements include winning the 21st Century Classical Music's Piano Composition contest and contributions to award-winning video games showcased at EGX. Their orchestration skills shine through published arrangements and compositions for various ensembles, including the University of Hull Orchestra, Severn Duo and solo artists including Anna Heller and Graziana Presicce. With a teaching experience of over two years, their approach revolves around practicality, emphasising continuous learning and portfolio building. Grounded in contemporary creative theory, they advocate a balance between theory and application, acting as a guiding coach for aspiring composers to thrive.

Reviews

5 star rating

Simple technique with profound results

Robin Willis

I couldn’t be happier. I started the course with only rudimentary composition skills. Now I know through George’s class and the work of one of my musical heroes that beauty is not complex and the divine is always close by, you just have to open yo...

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I couldn’t be happier. I started the course with only rudimentary composition skills. Now I know through George’s class and the work of one of my musical heroes that beauty is not complex and the divine is always close by, you just have to open your eyes, ears and heart.

Read Less
5 star rating

Excellent course!

Carmine Pastore

I really enjoyed the course. It is very well structured and full of interesting compositional concepts. I find Arvo Part’s music and compositional techniques very unique. I highly recommend this course to composers of all levels. Thanks again. Car...

Read More

I really enjoyed the course. It is very well structured and full of interesting compositional concepts. I find Arvo Part’s music and compositional techniques very unique. I highly recommend this course to composers of all levels. Thanks again. Carmine Pastore

Read Less

Course curriculum

    1. Course Welcome

      FREE PREVIEW

    2. Introducing your tutor

      FREE PREVIEW

    3. Your Course's Structure

      FREE PREVIEW

    4. Things you will need

      FREE PREVIEW

    5. Finding and accessing additional support during the course

      FREE PREVIEW

    6. Discussion Section Rules & General Guidelines

    1. Tintinnabuli Introduced

      FREE PREVIEW

    2. Course Bibliography

    3. Aesthetics and Tintinnabuli as a composition technique

      FREE PREVIEW

    4. Rules of Counterpoint: The Two Voice Types

      FREE PREVIEW

    5. Quiz: Tintinnabuli Aesthetics

    6. Relationships between the two voice types: 1st, 2nd, inferior and superior

      FREE PREVIEW

    7. Quiz: the voices of tintinnabuli technique

    8. Tintinnabuli Technique in Practice

      FREE PREVIEW

    9. Exercise 1: Creating Tintinnabuli Harmony/Counterpoint

    10. 2.5c [Worksheet Answers]

    1. Section Introduction: Arranging a Tintinnabuli piece and the rules of the game

    2. Sketch #1 - introducing the melody with simple/standard harmonisation

    3. [Help sheet] Sketch #1: simple harmonisation in the home key

    4. Sketch #2 - Harmonic Expansion and Juxtaposition

    5. [Help sheet] Sketch #2 - Harmonic Expansion and Juxtaposition [Task]

    6. Sketch #3 - Switching Roles (Part 1)

    7. [Mini Quiz] Sketch #3 - Quick Quiz (2-questions)

    8. Sketch #3 - Switching Roles (Part 2)

    9. [Help Sheet] Sketch #3 - Switching Roles

    10. Arranging task: my response

    11. [Help sheet] Arranging Task

    1. Section Introduction: composing a Tintinnabuli piece and the rules of the game

    2. Sketch #1 - Numeric Sequencing

    3. [Help sheet] Sketch One - Numeric Sequencing

    4. Sketch #2 - Withholding Notes

    5. [Help sheet] Sketch #2 - Withholding Notes

    6. Sketch #3 - Symmetry and Music Composition Techniques of Symmetry

    7. [Help sheet] Sketch Three - Symmetry and Music Composition Techniques of Symmetry [Task]

    8. Composition Task: my response

    9. [Help sheet] Composing Task

    1. Course Close

    2. Share future Tintinnabuli inspired compositions.

Tintinnabuli Composition

  • 38 lessons
  • 2 hours of video content
  • Multiple learning resources
  • Help & feedback forums
  • Self-paced

How to buy Rule-Based Music Composition: Tintinnabuli

If you have a student account already, please skip point 5 (you will not need to create a password).

(1) Click the "Enrol now" button below. (2) Enter your email, first name and last name. [Alternatively you can create an account via a Facebook, Gmail or Linkedin account. Please follow their instructions.] (3) In the payment section enter your card number, expiry date and security number. (Payments are currently powered by Stripe and are secure and encrypted.) (4) Click "Complete purchase". (5) Create a password and click "Complete Set up". (6) Either click to review your receipt, which will also have been emailed to you and saved to your student account under "Order History", or "Start Learning". (7) Clicking "Start Learning" will take you to the course dashboard and the first lesson, where you can begin the course!
Looks easy. Let me Enrol Now!

Requirements...

What will you need? What might you need to know?

  • You should be able to read Music Notation to a reasonable standard.

  • Approximately an intermediate and above level of music theory knowledge. E.g. Intervals; Scales/Modes; Basic Chords/Triads;

  • You should have access to engraving software (Sibelius, Dorico, Musescore etc.) or pencil and manuscript paper

  • An explosive appetite for music composition.

Any Old Music (100% Money Back) Guarantee

No matter how much of the course you complete in 30-days: 10, 20, 100%, if you remain unhappy with the progress you make as a composer in completing our courses, we will provide a full refund.

Wow. What have I got to lose? Take me to the course!

FAQs

8 of the most Frequently Asked Questions

  • What if I get stuck during the course/a lesson? / What if I have any questions?

    Every lesson has a text-based discussion section and we encourage their use. Share your ideas and ask questions. ***Asking a question in these sections is actually one of the best ways you can help us improve the course. If a question is asked then we know we might need to improve how we have explained something. Alternatively, you can get in touch privately via email at [email protected].

  • What do I need to know to take this course?

    There are no formal requirements. However, we recommend students be able to read and understand music notation to a good standard. We also approximate intermediate-level music theory and recommend that you try the free previews.

  • What is your returns policy?

    We're confident our courses deliver. If you buy and complete the course within 60-days and are unsatisfied by the progress you have made as a composer, email George ([email protected]) and request a refund. George checks emails daily and once the refund has been granted the money should be back in your account within 3 - 7 working days. Please hold on to your purchase receipt. While this is not essential to grant a refund, it will make it easier for everybody!

  • How do I make a purchase? / What payment options do you offer?

    Click the "enrol"/"enrol now" button at the top, middle or bottom of this page. You will then be taken to a secure Stripe** payment checkout where you will be asked for your soul. Just kidding. We only want your card details. **We cannot currently take PayPal payments, but we hope to in the future.

  • Do I need to create an account for free previews?

    Yes. However, this is only so that your progress can be tracked. Alternatively, the Any Old Music YouTube page has the first two lessons uploaded for streaming. No account is required to view these, however, your progress will not be recorded should you purchase the course.

  • What happens after I make a purchase?

    After purchase, you will gain full access to the course, its lessons and forums. If you had created an account to complete the Free Previews then these will be stored and applied to your full course progress bar.

  • How long do I have access to the course?

    You have access to the course for as long as you have an account on the site.

  • Is this a one-time payment?

    Yes. If you would like to discuss the possibility of spreading a payment for the course, then please get in touch via email at [email protected].