Keep a notebook with you at all times to record ideas. Whenever an idea comes to you, write it down immediately so you don’t forget. [1] X Research source
Try to listen to a wide cross-section of different symphonies. Different composers have different styles and use different techniques. Listening to a lot of different styles of symphonies will help you become inspired to write your own. Check out the list of symphony composers on Wikipedia. [3] X Research source The list is reasonably complete dating from the Baroque era to present and most composers on the list aren’t well known. [4] X Research source
Try to pick contrasting themes, like good versus evil.
In your outline, list out everything you want to pin down about your symphony. This can include your inspiration, emotions, form, key and themes. List these out for each of your individual movements. Don’t be afraid to make the form your own. If you want to create something different than the traditional four-movement symphony, do that. Sometimes composers swap the second and third movements. There have been three movement symphonies, usually omitting the minuet. There are five movement symphonies, often adding a March, or maybe another Scherzo or Minuet between the third and last movement. There are some with more than five movements, taking inspiration from Beethoven’s 9th; the best known of these including the Romeo et Juliette symphony by Berlioz and Mahler’s Symphonies. Rarer still are some with two movements, like Schubert’s 8th ‘Unfinished’ Symphony, and Sibelius’s 7th Symphony, which is a single-movement symphony. Often symphonies since the Romantic era have had a “theme”, which ties all of the movements together, and which may stay the same or vary as well. [7] X Research source Think outside the box and have fun with it.
Some examples of music writing software include: Sibelius First, Finale and MagicScore Maestro. [9] X Research source For free music writing software, try MuseScore and Lilypond. If you play or have access to an instrument, you can try playing your melodies using your instrument to hear how they sound before writing them down.
Dynamics Rhythms Intervals Harmonies Theme development Counterpoint Voice leading Orchestration
You don’t, however, have to stick with traditional instrumentation. If the instruments are available and there are players to play them, feel free to use other instruments in your symphony either adding them or using them like different colors (eg. replace one traditional instrument with one non-traditional one). For example, Adolphe Sax, the inventor of the saxophone family, designed his instruments for the orchestra (built in the keys of B♭ and E♭) as well as the military band. You could also include an instrument that’s been revived like one of the recorders, the viola da gamba or the oboe da caccia for example. Some symphonies also have vocal accompaniment. [11] X Research source Try giving the same melodies to different instruments at different times to create a motif within the piece. [12] X Research source Pay attention to layers and texture. There should never be any more than five layers happening at one time. [13] X Research source
Try playing through your symphony on the piano. Even if you’re not a skilled pianist, you should still be able to play the melodies. As a composer, playing through your music will help with making sure your piece isn’t too muddled. It will also enable you to see what is in every register at all times. [15] X Research source
Do not get defensive about their suggestions: they are only trying to help and you are not bound to utilize any of their feedback if you don’t agree with it. [16] X Research source
