Download How to Compose a Song

How to Compose a Song
By Joanna Brehaut
EDU 505
Summer 2009
Introduction
Everyone listens to music, but have you
ever wondered…
• How a good melody is created?
• How the song fits together?
• What makes a song make sense and not
just sound like random notes?
• If YOU could ever compose a song?
…WELL YOU CAN!
Task
It is the end of the year and it is time that we combine
EVERYTHING we’ve learned about in Music Theory.
You will each be writing your OWN song in AABA Form using the
Finale Notation Software we have learned in class. Your song
MUST include:
• A title
• A variety of rhythms and pitches
• 4 sections that are 8 measures long each (this will equal your 32
measures)
• Question and answer phrases
• The appropriate markings that you would see in music (ex. clef,
time signature, barlines, double barlines, etc.)
• Dynamics
• Lyrics
Process-Set Up
In order to create a good sounding song you will need to
follow this process step by step. Open up Finale and
be sure to save your work as you go! First you need to
set up your song. Use the tools you have learned in
Finale to begin creating.
• Step #1: Determine the clef you would like to use.
• Step #2: Determine the time signature you would like
to use.
• Step #3: Determine the key signature you would like
to use.
Process-Begin Composing
Now that your piece is set up you may begin composing…
•
Step #1: Start composing by beginning on the pitch that aligns with
your key signature. Ex. If you chose the key signature of D you must
begin your song on a D.
•
Step #2: Create 2 question phrases and 2 answer phrases for your “A”
section. Each phrase should be 2 measures long. You may use the
phrases in any combination you’d like.
•
Step #3: The very last note of the “A” section should also end on the
pitch that aligns with your key signature. (It doesn’t matter which
octave)
Tip: While composing, use a variety of rhythms and pitches that align with
your time signature. Remember that good melodies don’t necessarily
need several skips.
Process-Composing (Cont’d)
• Step #5: Compose your “B” section any way you’d like! The “B”
section should use different rhythms and pitches than the “A”
section and does not need to follow the question and answer
phrase structure.
• Step #6: Recopy the “A” Section you have composed into your
2nd and 3rd “A” Sections. You may wish to vary the rhythms or
pitches slightly, but they should be mostly the same melody as
the 1st “A” section.
• Step #7: Place a double barline at the end of the song to
indicate the song is over.
• Step #8: Add dynamics where you see appropriate. Please use a
variety of dynamics to make your song interesting.
Process-Lyrics
It’s time to move to the next process in creating your
song: Lyrics. Notice that your 3 “A” sections are your
verses with “B” acting as the bride.
• Step #1: Create lyrics for your verses and bridge
that fit with the pitches and rhythms of your song.
• Step #2: Look over your words and melody and create
a title that best represents your song.
Resources
If you need help…
• Remembering all of the musical elements we’ve learned about in
class, please revisit your Music Theory Workbook.
• Remembering all of the tools we’ve learned using Finale, please
watch the Demo Video once again.
• With background information about AABA form, please visit this
website: AABA Form Information
• Coming up with lyrics for your song, visit these websites to see
lyrics to 2 other famous songs written in AABA form:
"Over the Rainbow“ & "Blue Moon“
Evaluation
Criteria
Three
Two
•An appropriate clef is
chosen
•Time signature aligns
perfectly with rhtyhms
written.
•Key signature aligns
perfectly with starting and
ending pitches.
•An appropriate clef is
chosen
•Time signature fits
with nearly every
rhythm written.
•Key signature aligns
with nearly all starting
and ending pitches.
•An appropriate clef is
chosen
•The time signature
doesn’t align with
several rhythms.
•Key signature doesn’t
align with several
starting and ending
pitches.
•No clef was chosen
•There are several
incorrect rhythms
based on the time
signature chosen.
•There are several
incorrect pitches
based on the key
signature chosen.
Composition
•Includes correct amount of
question & answer phrases.
•The B section is very
diferent than the A section
•The correct amount of
measures are used for each
section.
•All dynamics and musical
markings are used correctly.
•Question & answer
phrases are used
mostly correct.
•The B section is
different from the A
section.
•The amount of
measures in each
section is mostly
correct.
•Dynamics and musical
markings are used
mostly correct.
•Question & answer
phrases include
several mistakes.
•The B section is not
very different from
the A section.
•The amount of
measures in each
section is not correct
for all sections.
•Dynamics and
markings are used
infrequently or
sometimes incorrectly.
•Question & answer
phrases used
incorrectly.
•The B section shows
no change from the A
section.
•The amount of
measures in each
section is incorrect
for all sections.
•Dynamics and
markings are not used.
Lyrics
•Lyrics a creative and fit
the melody of the song.
•The Title is appropriate and
fits well with the lyrics.
•Lyrics fit mostly with
the melody of the
song.
•The Title is
appropriate and fits
•Lyrics don’t
completely fit with the
melody of the song.
•The title is
appropriate.
•There are no lyrics or
lyrics do not make
sense.
•There is no title or
the title is
Set-Up
Four
One
Conclusion
After you have completed your song you may listen to it using the Play Back
tool in Finale!
Here are a few questions to ask yourself:
• Does it song like a “real” song?
• If yes, why does it sound like a “real” song?
• Do the parts in my song that have a lot of skips sound better or worse
than the parts in my song that move stepwise?
• What could I add to my song in the future to make it sound even
better?
• If I were to create an accompaniment to this song, which instruments
would I want to use?
By answering these questions, you will be able to make your next song even
better!
Congratulations! You have just composed your very own song in AABA Form!