Anyone who can pick up a pencil can draw. Anyone who can sing or play aninstrument can compose. Following the successful formula of The Compose rŒÍs Handbook, The Pop ComposerŒÍs Handbook is a step-by-step guide to thecomposition of melody, harmony, rhythm and structure and covers styles and song-writing techniques from rock, reggae and salsa to bhangra, cluband steel band.
The book is aimed at composers aged 11 to 18 and beyond. It includes games and warm-ups, whole-class projects, works heets and schemes, projects for the more advanced and advice on recording and producing.
Bruce Cole studied composition at the Royal Academy of Music with Sir Harrison Birtwistle and has pursued a joint career as a composer and teacher.
He has taught at most levelsfrom pre-school to postgraduate, including teacher training, working wi th young people with special needs and prison education.
Hiswork as a composer has included orchestral commissions, scores for film , television, theatre, dance and new circus as well as collaborations with The Rolling Stones, Squeeze, Joan Armatrading and Asian Dub Foundation.
Bruce Cole is currently Fellow in Community Music at the University of York and Chief Examiner of a national examination board.
