Guide to Music Composition

This is a scheme of work in one powerpoint (217 slides) that is around one or two terms worth (Depending on ability of group). It surrounds the requirements in composition units, can be transferrable to Edexcel or RSL or any other course. The same motif is repeated throughout to tie all learning together. The pack also includes zoom mini tutorials that show how to achieve the compositional techniques in Noteflight. Learning follows a cycle of tasks and examples.
It explores the following:

• How to use noteflight
• Basic reading notation/ notes on a stave/ notes on the piano

Chance composition and Motif’s (How to get started on your motif/ composing)

• What is a motif/ leitmotif?
• How to compose a motif
• How to develop a motif with worked examples from original motif and audio clips (Retrograde, Inversion, Modulation, Augmentation, Diminution).
• How to structure a motif to be able to create ABA or AB Or exposition, development and recapitulation.

Tonality:

• How to find out what key a piece of music is in from the stave (Explores different ways), Flat and Sharp tables with tasks and worked examples

• Roman Numerals

• Major and Minor keys (Degrees of the scale- for all natural, harmonic and melodic minor with worked examples from C Major and formulae)

• The relative minor.

• Modes (Examples, task, and handy table for students to never get a mode or scale wrong again).

• Harmony:

• How to build a chord (Chord formulas)

• Building a harmony from the notes of the scale (Both major and minor)

• Inversions (with worked examples)

• Harmony composing tips

• Dominant 7th

• What chords work with what notes.

• Common Pop chord progressions

Rhythm:

• Different types of rhythms, rests and dotted rhythms and ties.
• Difference between beat and rhythm (Listening)
• Rhythm generator
• How to analyse rhythm and how it is effective
• Group performing activity and composing opportunities

Texture:

• Monophony
• Homophony
• Polyphony
• Listening and hearing. What is the effect with examples.
• How you can use textures in your composition (Use of silence).

Tips for success in composition:

• Ranges of all instruments for composing on noteflight

Assignment brief with assessment rubric (Ungraded, Pass, Merit Distinction).
Peer feedback and response to feedback with peer feedback card resources.