The purpose of this book is to provide insight into the compositional process to enable listeners, interpreters, and creators of music to advance their skills through a series of guided activities. Listeners can use this book to increase their musical understanding and appreciation. Developing performers, educators and conductors can use this book to gain valuable insights to assist them with interpreting music beyond what is printed on the page. Developing composers can use this book as a beginning text or to help refine their compositional techniques. Free downloadable mp3 files at http: //www.cooppress.net/composers_guide.zip contain MIDI performances of most of the examples used in the chapters. Purchase of the book entitles the reader to join a free on-line discussion group that is moderated by the author. You can share experiences, comments and questions regarding subjects that are covered in the book and to respond to other reader's posts. The author will also contribute to the discussions