What is a Composer?

A composer is a person who creates original music by writing melodies, harmonies, and musical structures. Composers may write music for songs, orchestral works, film scores, video games, television programs, and other forms of media.

Unlike a songwriter, who often focuses on songs that include lyrics, a composer frequently writes instrumental music or music designed for specific ensembles such as orchestras, bands, or electronic instruments. Composers may use musical notation, digital audio workstations, or other tools to develop and arrange their compositions.

Composers hold the copyright to the musical composition they create, which allows them to control how the music is used and to receive royalties when the work is performed, recorded, broadcast, or licensed for use in films, games, or other productions.