‘Smart’ Composing for Students

Tracey DeGrace
musicat12@yahoo.com
Dudley Middle School

TI:ME Technology Areas Addressed:

Electronic Musical Instruments
Notation
Multimedia/Digital Media

Level:

All Levels

Class:

General Music

Equipment:

Computer loaded with Notation software
In Focus Projector
SMART Board

Duration:

4: 30 minute class periods Minutes

Prior Knowledge and Skills:

Students must have a knowledge of music note values, and note names.

NAfME standard of 1994 Addressed:

NAfME standard of 1994: Improvising melodies, harmonies, and accompaniments.
NAfME standard of 1994: Composing and Arranging Music within specified guidelines.
NAfME standard of 1994: Reading and notating music.

NAfME 2014: Creating 

Materials:

SMART Board (not required for this lesson to work)
In-Focus Projector
Electronic Keyboard
Notation file of 8-bars with a simple chord progression accompaniment.

Objectives:

Overall objective: Students will successfully compose their own eight-bar piece of music (Within specific guidelines).

Students will be able to manipulate a Music Notation program and use an electronic musical instrument. Students will be able to compose a melody to fit a set chord progression accompaniment.

Procedures:

Day 1:

1.Teacher will introduce the lesson, and explain and demonstrate the use of the computer program.
2.Teacher will enter notes into notation software by touching the notes in on the SMART Board. Play back music.
3.Students can volunteer to try entering notes into the music through the SMART Board. (Try to allow every student to try.)

Day 2:

1.Teacher will enter notes into notation software through the musical keyboard. Play back music.
2.Students can volunteer to try entering notes into the music through the keyboard. (Try to allow every student to try.)

Day 3 & 4:

Prep: Teacher must set up a file of 8-bars with a simple chord progression accompaniment.

(Each student will compose their own 8-bar piece of music. Students may use either SMART board or keyboard to enter notes.)

Restrictions: Music must begin and end with the tonic of the key. Tonic note should be used to begin a measure with a new chord.

1.Students, one at a time, will create an 8-bar piece of music.
2.Students can type in their name in the composer slot.
3.Teacher will print out 2 copies of final product (1 for teacher, 1 for the student to take home).

Evaluation:

Students will be evalutated on their completed product for proper use of directions.

PE=Participated in assignment. Followed directions completely. Showed creativity and variety in note choices.
P=Participated in assignment. Followed directions completely.
F=Did not participate positively or at all in assignment.

Follow Up:

Expanded composing assignments.