Composition Workshop
February 2025
Course Introduction
I’m very excited to be offering a 3 part course in composition! I began developing this as an inquiry in to my own writing process: where does “inspiration” come from and what forces guide all the micro decisions along the way in executing an idea? Asking these questions has been a necessary step in my growth as a composer and I hope this workshop will excite new ideas, and deepen your relationship with music too.
In this three-part workshop, we’ll explore the creative process of composition. While the process itself has many channels that work in parallel, I’ve structured the workshop in to three linear categories: Catching the Idea, Principles in Balance, and Writing What You Mean.
Each session includes an hour long lecture followed by a conversation period. In the conversation period students are invited to share their work for group analysis through the lens of that days topic, but are not required to do so.
Who will Benefit from this Course
This course is best suited to people who play an instrument and have the urge to write but don’t know where to start, or who have been writing and want to revitalize their creative process. If you are a composer, this course will help you express your ideas with more impact, and if you are a singer-songwriter this course will give you tools to strengthen the musical component of your song writing.
Our conversations will not be genre or instrument specific- we will look at broader ideas of balance, development, and inspiration, drawing on examples from various media including music, painting, photography, and cinema.
Sign up
Lesson Topics
Lesson 1: Catching the Idea (Tools to Unblock the Flow of Creative Energy)
Lesson 2: Principles in Balance (What we find beautiful and Why)
Lesson 3: Writing What You Mean (Identifying the Crux of Your Work to Inform Decisions)
Requirements
Knowledge
Being able to read music and a basic understanding of music theory is helpful for understanding the musical examples, but is not required.
Software
Zoom
Further Reading
Free Play - Stephen Nachmanovitvch / The Artists Way - Julia Cameron Writing Better Lyrics - Pat Pattison / The Writing Life - Annie Dillard.
Details
Sessions held over Zoom on the last 3 Wednesday’s of February
7:00pm-8:30pm CST. (02/12, 02/19, 02/26).
*Subject to change according to group availability
Workshop price is $120 USD for all 3 lessons, payable via Zelle or e-transfer to contact@harrybartlettmusic.com
*Student/industry pricing available
If you miss a meeting, you will have access to a video of the session for 2 months
Private MUSic Lessons
Guitar/COmposition/Improvisation
I am a Canadian born Nashville based guitarist, composer, and educator offering online lessons. I have made a career teaching public workshops, touring, and recording across North America for the last 10 years and am excited to be integrating more private music instruction! As a teacher I hope to richen your relationship to music and help you develop a personal voice on the instrument.
Most of my playing experience is in jazz and bluegrass but as a teacher I tend to focus on the underlying musical concepts that support an informed approach to making music.
These include but are not limited to: Learning Music by Ear, Reducing Tension while Playing, Improvisation, Sight Reading, Music Theory, Jazz Harmony, Flatpicking, Arranging, Listening, How to Practice, and Developing Artistic Voice.
CREDENTIALS
Harry holds Bachelor of Music degree with honours from the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Music (2016-2020) and attended the School of Improvised Music in Brooklyn, New York (2019). He is the recipient of multiple grants awards including the Suba Institute Award for Performance Excellence, the Mary Alice Stuart Jazz Scholarship, the TD Niagara Jazz Festival Jazz for the Ages Award, 2nd place in the Appalachian Music Festival’s Neo Traditional Category, and grants from the Canada Council for the Arts and the FMUA.
“Harry has helped me move beyond following tabs and chords online. Playing the guitar for me is now musical. His teaching is engaging, easy-to-understand, and structured. A person like me with no prior musical background can follow his lessons and progress each week in guitar techniques, music theory, and even improvisation and composition.”
“Harry teaches music and theory concepts without being stuffy. I leave my lessons feeling inspired which is the mark of a great teacher.”
“Harry is a passionate knowledgeable teacher. He takes an individualized approach and makes sure that learning the guitar is an enjoyable progress. I have not only become a better guitar player but I have also learnt so much about music as a whole.”