Music is created for different purposes, in different spaces, by different actors, and in processes where a variety of methods, materials, technologies, and forms of dissemination are used. Creative practices may involve music as score or writing, music as recorded or live sound, or music as performing, improvised, embodied action. But what actually characterizes the ways music is created in Norway today? In twelve articles, When Music Takes Shape: On Creative Practices in Music investigates how and within what contexts music is composed, created, and produced today. In particular, three themes stand out across the creative music practices addressed: (i) development, expansion, and exploration of understandings and working methods, (ii) co-creation and collective creative processes, and (iii) music-technology practices. The articles study music both within and across different music fields, academic traditions, and genres, including folk music, improvisation, pop music, music technology, contemporary music, early music, score-based music, electroacoustic music, and post-acousmatic music. Detailed descriptions of working methods and compositional strategies are combined with studies and discussions that examine overarching perspectives on conceptual understandings, development trends, traditions, and cultural and societal conditions. When Music Takes Shape: On Creative Practices in Music stems from the research program Creative Practices in Music (2021–2024), initiated by the Norwegian Arts Council.