I would like to begin composing for acoustic piano but don't really know where to begin. I have composed a few post rock and abstract pieces using guitars and ambient chords on keyboard. I would now like to turn to composing new age, chord based piano music. Any sugestions on starting? And also do you have to be at a certin level in your playing to start composing?

Hi grantg5. I wrote an article about my own composing process that you may find helpful. Find it at http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/none/how-i-compose-a-piece-of-music-571934/

Hi grantg5,

A warm welcome to Piano World!!

Seeing that you're already composing on other instruments, I would guess that you have developed your own style/voice to a certain extent.

Now, do you already label your style as "New Age"? If so, then the process of "porting" it to the piano shouldn't be too difficult. I take it that you play some piano/keyboard instrument?

If you're new to New Age, then I wouldn't even consider trying to compose a piece at the moment. My suggestion is listen, listen, and listen, then play, play and play. One day, you'll notice that you "improvise" on something you're playing, but it still falls within the style. That would be an indication that you begin to develop a natural sense for that particular style.

This has always been my reply to someone asking how to compose things in a certain style. But one size doesn't fit all: it would be helpful to hear some of the things you've composed, as well as what sort of "example sounds" you're looking at, so we know about more about you musically and able to say better which avenues are worth exploring.

Tar