Technique and Composition in Music

That I might satisfy some unrest amongst my peers, what follows is the difference between technical ability and compositional ability in music, and how they interact with one another.

Technical ability is one’s ability to play different notes, rhythms, and other musical devices with ease, fluidity and accuracy. Technical skills are acquired primarily through the practice of etudes, scales, and rhythmic exercises designed to improve one’s playing ability. Examples of technical abilities include playing a series of notes quickly, learning to stretch one’s hand to attain certain tones, building up wrist strength to perform one-handed drum rolls, etc.

Compositional ability is when a musician understands either by theory or by intuition how to assemble tones and rhythms into a pleasing sequence. Composition is not limited by technical ability, in that a composer may imagine that which he cannot play - it is limited only by imagination.

These two facets of music are virtually unlimited, but must be combined to achieve any sort of recognition. Technical ability alone is soul-less, whereas composition is meaningless without the means to play it. Even if one possesses only one, and makes use of another’s skill, the best musicians make use of both to the best of their ability, and work very hard to increase that ability.

"Silence
Something about silence makes me sick
'Cause silence can be violence
Sorta’ like a slit wrist

If the vibe was suicide
Then you would push da’ button

But if ya’ bowin' down
Then let me do the cuttin'

Some speak the sounds
But speak in silent voices
Like radio is silent
Though it fills the air with noises
Its transmissions bring submission

As ya’ mold to the unreal
And mad boy grips the microphone
Wit' a fistful of steel"


- Zacarìas Manuel de la Rocha

"'It was easier when I lived inside a box,' he said. 'Being told what to do, what to think. Real life is too messy. People are too complicated. The real world isn't worth all the trouble.'
'Give it a chance,' she said"

- Gloria Skurzynski, Virtual War

"If Christ were here there is one thing he would not be -- a Christian."
- Mark Twain

"The Seven Blunders of the World:

Wealth without work.

Pleasure without conscience.

Knowledge without character.

Commerce without morality.

Science without humanity.

Worship without sacrifice.

Politics without principle."

- Mahatmas Ghandi