@gugliel said:
Most of us would probably agree that one can write thoroughly boring or otherwise bad music despite following rules.
Most of us would probably agree that one can write thoroughly exciting or
otherwise good music despite breaking rules.
What gives me pause is the notion that the music is boring BECAUSE of following rules or exciting BECAUSE of breaking rules.
Rules of thumb are for beginners. Deeper principles underly most of these rules, if properly understood. The experienced musician needs the principles, not the rules.
E.g. : Conjunct voice leading is normal for VOCAL writing, and also because the ear follows conjunct lines more easily than disjunct ones. Leaps add interest, by opening new registers. That means that at certain places in a piece, conjunct writing is needed (e.g. for unobtrusive, background planes of tone), and at others, leaps are more appropriate.
As a a teacher of composition and "ecriture" for almost 30 years now, I've written a lot about this issue, on my website:
http://www.musique.umontreal.ca/personnel/Belkin/e.index.html
(see the links to my online books)
I hope this helps.
All best,
Alan