I have just started working on (paid link) Composing Music: A New Approach by William Russo.

It looks like it will be an interesting book and is very exercise oriented.

There are many, many exercises and it is a learning by exercises approach.

In order to emphasize the point oof the exercises there are a number of restrictions imposed upon the student, so that they can concentrate on the object of the lesson rather than being overwhelmed by having to make decisions that are unrelated to the point of the exercise.

They are not all restrictions, but there are a lot of rules, including:

• Melodies with no harmony should start and end on the first tone of the scale
• Use 2nds and 3rds freely.
• Write for Strings or Woodwind
• Specify tempo and dynamics
• Use an actual title – not ex1 or the like
• Use only 4/4 or ¾
• Use only the following notes, note combinations, and rest

The idea of this is that control and restrictions lead to creativity and expansion.

I like the approach and have been enjoying following through the exercises.

Unfortunately, writing this I realize I have broken one of the rules and have been using a piano. Oh well, I guess I will have to switch now that I know that.