9 Tips for Working With Music Composers

1. Plan for music

Don’t wait until the last minute. Music is an integral part of your program’s message. It is critical that the music and the visuals work together. You need to bring in the composer at the earliest possible moment. This allows you to communicate what you need regarding the music’s role in your presentation. You need to define the role of music in your show. Is it to signal an idea change? Establish a mood? Support a character’s action? When planning for music be up front with the composer decide what you want the music to do.

2. Think sound. Sound involved many aspects.

There is ambient sound, sound effects, dialogue and natural sounds. The addition of music will give you a fuller more rich sound.

3. Budget for music.

As with other elements of your media project you need to treat the allotment of money for music seriously. Good music is critical to the overall success of your project. It is best that you provide enough capital to get what you want. You should budget between 7% to 10% of your overall budget.

4. Know what you want.

As the producer or director you should have a general idea of the type and style of music for your final product. It is important that you communicate to the composer what you want. You will need to keep an open dialogue in order to get the best possible solution to your music needs. Let the creativity of the composer work in your favor.

5. Offer samples that are similar to what you want.

You may have a general idea of the style of music you want in your piece. Bring a sample of the music you would like the music to emulate. This gives the composer a place to start when composing music for you.

6. Make sure the music complements the message.

Depending on the final product, the music must reinforce the idea you are trying to convey. The music should always be appropriate to the story, images, narration, and pace of your presentation.

7. Listen to the composer’s music.

You will need to listen to the composer’s music. Listen for a range of styles that the composer can write in. Get a feel of the style of music and determine if it will fit with your project. Note the range of styles, then match the composer with the job. Use a composer whose skills and sound best match the feel and message of your me project.

8. Allow time to do the project.

The more time you give a composer, the better your music will be. As with any creative project the more time an artist has, the more texture, detail, creative energy, and attention your project will receive. If the composer you choose is extremely busy, do not compromise your project by forcing the composer to do your project. you should look for another composer or delay your project.

9. Know the composer.

Each composer will have a distinctive sound. Understand their strength and weaknesses. Never try to force someone into creating a sound that is different from their own unique style. It is best to use someone that will be able to give you a product based on their best abilities.