Thinking Music

Notes on partimenti, musical creativity, improvisation, and learning to think in music.

These essays explore historical traditions of musical training, practical tools for improvisation and composition, and reflections on how musicians learn to create.

Teach, History, Sound Before Sight, Creative Practice Ian Campbell Teach, History, Sound Before Sight, Creative Practice Ian Campbell

COMING SOON! Forever-Free Workshop: Introduction to Partimenti

Many musicians who discover partimenti feel the same thing: curiosity, followed by confusion. Because partimenti was historically taught as an oral tradition, the earliest steps were rarely written down. This post explores why that gap exists and introduces a new, forever-free workshop designed to rebuild those missing first steps.

Read More
History, Sound Before Sight Ian Campbell History, Sound Before Sight Ian Campbell

A Music Lesson from Charlemagne, King of the Franks

Music notation feels fundamental to how we learn and preserve music today, but it began as a practical solution to a specific historical problem. Looking back to Charlemagne’s empire and the early development of notation reminds us of an important musical truth: sound comes first, understanding follows, and notation serves memory — not the other way around.

Read More