Welcome!
When it comes to writing music there are some basic elements that can be used to quickly bring the piece together. The first and foremost is to have a scheme of notes, melodic content, or rhythmic content.
One of my composition professors at Metro State gave me some great ideas that really helped bring continuity to my compositions. His plan was simple. ABAC | BACA | ACAB | CABA So what does this mean? Well, try coming up with one plan of notes like 0126 in a set theory type of motive. Then make a melodic line from those notes by using various note values i.e., quarter note, half note, whole note, eighth note - but don't forget about using rests as music too!
Once you come up with a melodic line that seems to work for you then you'll have the "A" part done. The next step is to retrograde those notes - now you have the "B" part! Then repeat "A" part. Then invert the "A" part and you'll have the "C" part.
Now you're on your way to composing! You now have a melodic line that alters itself a little and should sound pretty good. You may also alter the notes at this point and use your ear to mold it. Once you have done that then you can expand the parts by switching them around like above. ABAC | BACA | ACAB | CABA. By the time you do this, you will have enough material to start harmonizing your lines. The beautiful thing about this method is that you can apply it to all kinds of musical aspects; rhythm, harmony, melody, solo, instrumentation, counterpoint, and even symphonic composition.
Next time I'll go into ideas about how to harmonize.
Later, Thanks for Reading
John
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