Year+11+Music

How to approach your composition:
1. Give your composition a title and write your name as the composer.

2. Select the __instruments__ you wish to compose for.

3. Select the key area you wish to work with - major or minor?

4. Create a __theme__, which will become the __main melody__ and basis of your composition. DO NOT leave this step until you are happy with your melody. Trial and error is key. Compose and play it back constantly. Use notes of the main scale of the key you chose. **Make sure your melody has a smooth contour.**

Eg, If you selected C Major to be your key area at the start, use the notes of the C Major scale in your theme/main melody. These are the notes:

C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C - always start your first note of the composition on this note.

Mix around the order of notes and use a variety of rhythms. Remember, trial and error is the key. 5. Consider a __musical conversation__ between the main melody you have composed and another instrument/part. Construct this conversation in the form of a call and response.

6. Complete the notes of any other melodies you wish to compose for by composing a counter melody, a melody in unison or filling in parts with the scale. Ensure your notes do not **clash** as you play them back. Notes which are a 2nd apart will often sound dissonant.

7. Create a __harmony__ throughout your compsoition. This can be a 3rd, 4th or 5th away from the main meldoy and should follow the melody line in order to harmonize and compliment the main meldoy.

8. Create your __accompaniment__. This should consist of chords that include the notes you used most in that particular bar OR you can plot your chords out first.

These steps should help you create the back bone of your composition. After this, you can add various parts, notation or make changes based on what you and play back..

GOOD LUCK. Email me if you get stuck on t.benjamin through the school server.


 * Daily Process Questions. These are only ideas/prompts to help you...**


 * Today I achieved...
 * I found the following difficult
 * I achieved the following
 * Today I composed the main melody/accompaniment/harmony, which...
 * I encountered thr following issues...
 * Here is a copy of what i composed today (paste into process diary)

Discuss how you composed your work using the 6 concepts of music in your composition. You can use the questions below (which were listed to guide you with your powerpoint).
 * Concept Analysis**


 * What is the tonality of this piece? (major/minor/blues/pentatonic/atonal)
 * In what register is each instrument generally playing?
 * Is the melody narrow or wide?
 * What is the contour of the melody?
 * Name the instrument that plays the main melody/theme/riff (vocals are an instrument)
 * Does your piece incorporate a harmony?
 * Does your piece use dissonance?


 * What is the time signature of this piece? What does this mean?
 * What is the tempo of your song? Use Italian terminology such as lento, moderato, presto
 * Is there an ostinato pattern? If so, which instrument plays this?
 * Can you notate a rhythm?
 * Is syncopation used? If so, by which instrument?
 * Does your song have an anacrusis? If so, explain this function.
 * Does your piece use polyrhythms? Counterhythms? Explain.


 * What are the various textures used in your song? (polyphonic/monophonic/homophonic) Show where using a musical example.
 * Does your song use a call and response? Between which instruments?
 * Is repetition used in your song? If so, where and by which instrument/s?
 * Do any instruments play in unison? (same thing, same time)
 * Is imitation used?


 * List the instruments used in your song
 * Are these instruments acoustic and/or amplified? Label each instrument.
 * What family does each instrument come from? (aerophone, electrophone etc…)
 * List 10 adjectives that describe your song.
 * Is technology used in your song? If so how? Name the technology.


 * What volumes are used in your song? E.g. p, mp, mf, f, ff etc…
 * Does the volume change? If so, when?
 * List expressive techniques used by each instrument. (eg, guitar is strummed)


 * What is the structure of your song? Name each section (intro/verse/chorus etc).
 * Count the bars in each section. Eg, 4 bar intro, 16 bar verse etc..

ENTER MUSICAL EXAMPLES INTO YOUR POWERPOINT TO SUPPORT YOUR STATEMENTS

BE SURE TO USE 2 CONTRASTING SONGS AND SHOW THE COMPARISON IN YOUR PRESENTATION.