i want to write a symphony, but i am not classically trained

>>74258299
become classically trained lol
there's no outcome where you write even a half-decent symphony without assloads of time and backbreaking effort

>>74258299
>want to write a symphony
>not classically trained
fucking retarded nigger piece of shit

>>74258299
whoa there tiger slow down a bit
a symphony is 30+ minutes of music involving multiple movements and a full orchestra and you don't know how to write a simple theme!

start with a basic 2 measure phrase then build both a sentence and a period off of it with keyboard texture. do this until you get good.
then research how 2 sonata form and study a shit ton of haydn and mozart and beethoven sonatas until you figure out their sicc strats of modulation and development.
then try to compose a simple 3 minute sonata form using what you have learned.
read up on other classical forms and how they are placed in a symphony, this should be a simple wikipedia search
now order the book "essential dictionary of orchestration" and read the fuck out of it
now study orchestral scores from symphonies of your choice and figure out how they elongate these structures into 4-10 minutes of music each
you should probably compose a simple ABA form in orchestral setting at least once or twice before you tackle a symphony btw

>>74258299
Go study music at college / university first.

Symphonies are a large scale work, you start small, writing solo pieces then string quartets, getting to know the instruments and how to write for them. You learn about counterpoint and form and most importantly orchestration. Then you can start thinking about writing a symphony.

>How do I start
First you need to be able to read sheet music. You can start here:
http://www.musictheory.net/lessons
Then read these books:
Gradus Ad Parnassum - Fux
Harmony & Voice Leading - Aldwell Schachter Cawdallader
Fundamentals of Musical Composition - Schoenberg
The Study of Orchestration - Samuel Alder (get the accompanying audio CDs or the book is somewhat worthless - as orchestration is all about color and how the notes on the page relate to what you actually hear from an orchestra. The examples are very important, learning how the written translates to the audible)

After you've read those and understand them, and written some small scale works and had them work shopped and/or performed, then you should start studying the scores of the symphonic and orchestral masters - Mahler, Tchaikovsky, Sibelius, Wagner, Dvorak, Beethoven, Mozart, Haydn and any 20th century composers you find interesting like Rautavaara or Penderecki. A lot has changed in the last 100 years and there are many tool you can use that weren't available to Mahler or Wagner.

Then you can start thinking about what you want to write and how you are going to write it.

Ideally college/university is the best way to start as you get a chance to have pieces played and workshopped and the entire learning curve is laid out for you - all you have to do is attend the lectures and pay attention.

Record something four times

>>74258299
Why would you even bother trying if you aren't classically trained? It seems like a huge timesink without making any progress. Try to go to university.