You learn composition by composing.
The canvas is waiting.

Fux didn’t teach composition by lecturing about it. He had his students write. Every lesson, every species, every exercise — you produce something. Gradus is built on the same principle: the composition studios are not an afterthought. They are the center of the curriculum. Three environments, each matched precisely to where you are in the course.

Beginning students write their first complete melodies in the Beginner Sketchbook — hearing them play back immediately, building the connection between notation and sound that every ear training session will deepen. Advanced students move to the Counterpoint Workshop, where every parallel fifth, hidden octave, and voice-crossing is caught in real time as you write. The same rules Haydn drilled into Beethoven. The same exercises Fauré gave Ravel. Validated live, measure by measure.

The Master Sketchbook is a professional-grade multi-staff score editor. Start from an ensemble template — piano, SATB choir, string quartet, full orchestra — write directly on the staff with up to four voices per stave, shape the music with dynamics, hairpins, and performance markings, and hear it played back instantly. Export MusicXML, MIDI, or an MP3 of the performance. When a piece is ready, request a critique: Maestro reads the score and answers with what works, what needs attention, and one technique to try next.