1. Composing
Rhythm and Melody

2. Elements of Music
When we started first year we talked about the three main elements of music – melody, harmony and rhythm. Can you remember what these are?

3. Elements of Music Melody Harmony Rhythm
Melodies are tunes. They are created using high and low sounds.
Harmony
The way in which sounds are organised and played. Harmony uses chords and determines whether the music is happy or sad (major or minor!).
Rhythm
How long notes are held on for and how fast or slow they are played.

4. Composing
When a composer writes a piece of music, they have to consider these elements. We are going to focus on composing using melody and rhythm.

5. Rhythm
Invent a rhythmic pattern for your group by putting crosses in the boxes.
Your invention has 4 beats in the bar and is based on a rock rhythm.
Each person in your group should complete a different line.
It is important to create spaces (rests) in your pattern so only use 3-5 crosses.
Count: 1
& 2 3 4 A B C D E

6. Below is an example where all members of the group have composed different rhythms:
Count: 1
& 2 3 4 A X   X B X C D E

7. OSTINATO – A musical idea which is heard more than once.
Rhythm
Once you have decided on a pattern, try to clap the rhythm. Select someone in your group to count the beat to make sure everyone claps in time. Try repeating your rhythm several times, creating an ostinato
OSTINATO – A musical idea which is heard more than once.

8. Rhythm
Now in your groups decide on one of the rhythms created by your group and practice it together. We are now going to replace the clapping with animal sounds. Your teacher will give each group a different animal sound A-’oink’, B-’moo’, C-’quack’, D-’baa’

9. Extra Ideas Use different percussion instruments to play your piece.
Try performing your piece in different combinations e.g. A, then A+B, then A+B+C etc.
Try using only 3 beats in a bar (1+2+3+). This is called a Waltz rhythm.
For your information – The drum kit belongs to the percussion family (instruments played by shaking, scraping or striking)

10. Melody
We are going to compose a melody using the rhythm from one of the pieces we have been working on.
You will compose your melody using the notes from ‘Paparazzi’ – these are in the box below:
E F# G B

11. Melody
On a glockenspiel, use the rhythm for ‘Country Roads’ to compose your melody using the notes above. Every note should have a corresponding letter name. Here is an example of a first line:
E F# G B

12. Extra Ideas
Experiment with dynamics (volume)
Play two notes at the same time (harmony)
You could think of other ways to develop your melody! Keep experimenting!