music composer

Writes orchestral pieces

A music composer creates original musical works, writing the melodies, harmonies, and arrangements that performers bring to life.

The term distinguishes those who originate music from those who perform, conduct, or arrange existing pieces: She studied under a renowned film composer.

In classical contexts, composer alone suffices; music composer appears more in popular and commercial settings.

Related
  • pianoKeyed percussion instrument
  • grand pianoLarge horizontal keyboard instrument
  • harmonyAgreement or musical blend
  • melodyPleasing sequence of notes
  • scoreNumerical standing in competition

Ravel · Bach · rhythm · musical score · orchestration · notation · opus · sound · counterpoint · film scoring · Tchaikovsky · Beethoven · motif · minor key · classical · Chopin · libretto · electronic

Categories
Opposites
creative role

music composerperformer

One who entertains audiences

instrumentalist · musician · singer · vocalist · conductor

relationship to musical work

music composerconcert-goer

One attending live music

fan · music critic

construction vs. destruction of music

music composerphilistine

Art-dismissing ignoramus

Family

music, compose, composition, composer, musical composition

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G