Composing How do I get started?

Step 1 Select your form AB two contrasting sections ABA three sections, the first and third sections are the same, the middle section is contrasting Call and response question and answer being repeated throughout the composition

Pick your tonality Major-bright happier sound –Keys of C, F(1b), G(1#)major Minor- dark melancholy sound –Key of a minor

Selecting Your Meter Select your meter signature 4/4 or 3/4 4/4 has four beats (parts) to a measure (whole). Otherwise it takes 4 quarters(1/4) to make a whole (dollar). 3/4 has three beats (parts) to a measure (whole). Otherwise it takes 3 quarters(1/4) to equal 3/4.

Step 2 Getting Started Draw four boxes – each box creates one measure Create your first four measures of a rhythmic question (using lots of repeated patterns) You can use half 1/2, dotted quarter 3/8, quarter 1/4, eighth 1/8, and sixteenth 1/16 notes and rest Keep in mind that each box has to equal either 4/4 or 3/4 depending on your meter signature

Sample 4/4 1/2+1/4+1/8+1/8 =4/4 3/8+1/8+ 1/4+1/8+1/8=4/4 3/8+1/8+ 1/4+1/8+1/8=4/4 1/2+1/4+1/8+1/8 =4/4 The same Notice the 1/4 +1/8+1/8 pattern that is in each block

Step 3 Create Your answer Follow the same steps to create four measures of a rhythmic answer (using lots of repeated patterns) Copy the whole thing over to create sixteen measures You have finished the rhythm for the A section

Step 4 Repeat Repeat the same procedure that you did in step 2-3 creating a new rhythm pattern. Draw four boxes – each box creates one measure Create your first four measures of rhythmic question (using lots of repeated patterns) You can use half 1/2, dotted quarter 3/8, quarter 1/4, eighth 1/8, and sixteenth 1/16 notes and rest Keep in mind that each box has to equal either 4/4 or 3/4 depending on your meter signature Follow the same steps to create four measures of a rhythmic answer (using lots of repeated patterns) Copy the whole thing over to create sixteen measures

Congratulations You now have the rhythm for both the A and B sections of your song If your form is AB then you can continue on with step 5 If your form is ABA copy your entire A section over to create the ABA structure

Melody Lets review Major-bright happier sound –Keys of C, F(1b), G(1#)major Minor- dark melancholy sound –Key of a minor

Melody These are the notes that you will use –Key of C – (B)C D E F GA –Key of F – (E)F G A Bb CD – Key of G – (F#)G A B C D E –Key of a minor – (G#)A B C D EF

Step 5 Creating our Melody You will use only the notes for the key that you pick. Your phrase will begin and end with the key tone (1 st note) Add your pitches (notes) one at a time Create patterns that follow your rhythmic patterns

Step 5 Melody Questions start on a low pitch and end on a high pitch Answers start on a high pitch and end on a low pitch

Sample Question 1/2+1/4+1/8+1/8 3/8+1/8+1/4+1/8+1/8 1/2+1/4+1/8+1/8 C + E + D + F E + F + G + F + E D + F + E + GG + F + E + F + G

Sample Answer 1/2+1/4+1/8+1/8 3/8+1/8+1/4+1/8+1/8 1/8+1/8+1/4+1/2 F + D + E + C E + F + G + F + E G + E + F + DG + F + E + F + G

LET’S COMPARE

Step 5 Continue to follow the rules Finish your melody

Lets Add Harmony Harmony is created by playing two or more notes together Chords are created by playing three or more notes together Triads are three note chords Primary triads are the I, IV and the V chords

Check out this table I(C)CEG IV(F)FAC V(G)GBD I(F)FAC IV(Bb) BbDF V(C)CEG I(G)GBD IV(C) CEG V(D)DF#A i(a)ACE iv(d)DFA V(E)EG#B

Step 6 Triads Select the table that matches the key that you picked Match the notes in each measure with the primary chord

Sample I(C)CEG IV(F)FAC V(G)GBD Most of the notes fit the I(C) chord C + E + D + F

Step 7 Finish adding triads to the rest of your song

Sample