To: Vocalist <vocalist>
From: Naomi Gurt Lind
Subject: re: 3 questions
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

>3) And finally, I'm interested in writing music. I know this is a very
>general question...but I thought I would ask......Where do I start? I'm
>interested in arranging music for concert type bands. What do I start with?
>I know that is a really general question, but any help would be appreciated.

It's like they say for writing prose: write what you know. Start writing
for instruments (including voice) you are familiar with and see what
happens. One practical point: the smaller the forces, the easier it is to
get them together to read your pieces. It's when you hear your stuff
played/sung that you really start to learn as a composer. Don't be
embarrassed about being a beginner, either: even Mozart was a beginner
once! And if you have access to a professional (or more advanced)
composer, you might ask him/her for lessons or at least to look at your
scores and give you some pointers.

The more you know about music theory, the better. And the more listening
you do, the better. Open your ears to the possibilities and go for it!

Have fun!
Naomi