The Joy of Composing Today: Why It’s Never Too Late to Start
- Diana Mascari
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Where It All Started
When I was twenty, sitting in a college music theory class, my professor gave us an assignment that seemed simple at the time: compose a piece using the principles we were studying. My jazz quartet included a flutist who also played classical music, so I wrote a short trio for flute, cello, and piano. To my surprise, my professor joined in on cello.
That small experiment changed me. For the first time, I realized that composing wasn’t only for the “great masters.” It was something I could do, something within reach. The desire to create music—real, original music—stayed with me for decades.
From Jazz to Classical
For twenty years, I wrote jazz pieces for my ensembles, but I longed to step into the world of concert music. Eventually, with the guidance of composer William Thomas McKinley, I did. I completed the trio I had started as a student, now a nearly one-hundred-page score. Hearing professional musicians perform it was thrilling. My dream of becoming a classical composer had finally come true.
But here’s the reality: composing wasn’t always easy. With jazz, I could hear my music immediately by sitting down at the piano or gathering the band. With classical composition, I often had to wait months to hear my work performed. Sometimes it sounded magical; other times, it fell flat. That waiting, and not knowing, could be discouraging.
The Breakthrough of Technology
Then came music notation software. At first, I was reluctant—I wasn’t computer savvy, and pencil and paper felt familiar. But when I discovered Sibelius, everything changed. Suddenly, I could hear my music as I wrote it. I could adjust tempos, dynamics, and articulation in real time. It was like having a rehearsal at my fingertips.
The more I worked with software, the more confident I became. I reached out to performers, wrote new pieces, and accepted commissions. For a few years, this was thrilling—new works were premiered, and I felt momentum building.
But then reality set in. Some of the performers I was writing for faced setbacks of their own: one suffered a hand injury, another dealt with illness, and others became overextended with teaching and concert schedules. Little by little, the performances I had been counting on slipped away. None of this was in my control, but it was disheartening. Eventually, I stopped writing altogether.
For many years, I poured myself into teaching, performing jazz, and directing music at church. Yet even during that pause, I never lost the pull toward composing. The creative spark simply went underground, waiting for the right moment to reemerge.
Rekindling the Spark
That moment arrived unexpectedly in early 2023. I happened to hear Chick Corea’s Children’s Songs and was so captivated that I bought the music to study his style. Almost without realizing it, I began writing again—short piano pieces I called Excursions. And once I started, the ideas flowed. Soon I was reimagining these pieces for different instrumentations: clarinet and bassoon, flute and guitar, saxophone quartet, a trio for violin, cello, and piano.
Here’s the part that matters most for you: with notation software, I could immediately hear these combinations, refine them, and bring them to life—all without waiting for a rehearsal or depending on live musicians. That’s the beauty of composing today. You don’t need an ensemble, a concert, or a career in music to enjoy the process. The software itself becomes your orchestra or chamber group, giving you instant playback and letting you shape your ideas as they unfold.
And if, at some point, the opportunity arises for a group to perform one of your pieces—wonderful! Hearing live musicians interpret your work is a special experience. But that’s the exception, not the rule. The real joy comes from the act of composing itself: exploring sounds, following your imagination, and watching your music come alive right before your ears.
Why This Matters for You
Composing is no longer reserved for the young, the prodigies, or the computer experts. It’s for anyone with curiosity and the desire to explore sound. Today’s tools make it easier than ever to take a musical idea, however simple, and turn it into something real.
You don’t need a stage. You don’t need an audience. Your music is valid the moment you create it.
If you’ve ever wondered what it might be like to write your own music, know this: you can. The composer within you is waiting to be awakened.
Ready to Begin Your Own Composing Journey?
I specialize in helping adults—whether you’re returning to music or starting fresh—discover the joy of writing your own music. Through step-by-step guidance, I’ll show you how to take your ideas, however small, and shape them into real compositions you can hear, share, and be proud of.
🎶 If this story has sparked something in you, I’d love to help you start your own journey. Click here to set up a free consultation and let’s explore how you can awaken the composer within you.
When you take composition lessons with me, you won’t just learn how to create your own musical works—you’ll also gain insights that make you a stronger, more confident pianist. Composing and playing naturally enrich one another, opening new possibilities at the keyboard and beyond.
It’s time to explore your creativity! [Find out more]
her Whether you’re returning to the piano or coming from another instrument, you don’t need to be an expert to begin. All it takes is curiosity, patience, and the right guidance. That’s where lessons make the difference. I’ll help you build confidence, use the metronome with ease, explore accompaniment patterns, and discover ways of playing that feel both natural and musical.
Why not give it a try?
Piano lessons with Diana Mascari are created specifically for adults like you—curious, motivated, and ready to enjoy music on your own terms.
Let’s get started!
Whether you’re just beginning or returning to music after years away, I’ll help you transform understanding into creativity and confidence. Together we’ll talk about piano lessons, composition lessons, and your personal musical interests and goals.
Schedule your free 30-minute consultation with Diana Mascari.
About Diana Mascari
American Composer &. Jazz Pianist
Teacher of Piano & Composition for Adults
Diana Mascari
American Composer, Author, and Jazz Pianist
Teacher of Piano & Composition for Adults
For more than 47 years, Diana Mascari has taught piano to hundreds of students, enriching their lives by supporting each person’s unique musical voice. She created the Transformational Approach to Piano (TAP), a flexible system that helps students go beyond traditional methods to gain colorful insights, confidence, and joy in their playing.
Diana holds two Master of Music degrees from the New England Conservatory, taught keyboard harmony to music majors at Boston University, and served as music director of a multicultural Presbyterian Church for four decades.
As a performer, Diana has appeared as a solo jazz pianist and with her ensembles at colleges and jazz clubs throughout New England—often featuring her own compositions. As a composer, she explores the intersection of jazz and classical traditions, weaving together structure with the spontaneity of improvisation. Her works have been performed across Europe, Japan, and the Eastern United States, moving audiences with their timeless sense of beauty and emotion.
Diana’s vibrant personality infuses everything she does—teaching, performing, and composing—while inspiring her students to reach their musical goals and enjoy the piano on their own terms.
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