Create-a-Composition
Author: Cheryl Nelson, Springville, UT
Grade Level/Subject: 2-6, music (basic knowledge of
musical scale and notes needed)
Overview: Expressing oneself creatively in the performing
arts media adds an extra dimension to one's creative energies. Composing a musical piece
will spark in the child a new found enthusiasm for music, and its value in his/her social
and effective learning development.
Resources/Materials: melody bells, one octave xylophones
(many children will have them in their homes and are more than willing to bring them to
school), tube bells, piano, electronic keyboards (many children will have the small
keyboards)
Each students needs one of the above items, musical staff paper, and a sharpened
pencil.
Activities and Procedures:
- 1. Provide several examples of simple, recognizable melody compositions, and demonstrate
on the musical instruments what they sound like.
- 2. Demonstrate how this melody is written on staff paper.
- 3. Create your own composition of eight to 16 measures which has the basic musical form
of AB (eight measures) or AABA (16 measures). The creative process is first hum, med (or
sung) into a likable melody, copying the melody onto the musical instruments, and then
transferred onto the staff paper. Corrections are then made.
- 4. Students create their composition, first humming or singing, then finding the sounds
on the instruments and then transferring those sounds onto the staff paper. Corrections
are made. (Don't stress that the writing has to be perfect or in perfect timing. With each
experience in composing students will improve those skills.)
- 5. Students practice their compositions and perform them for the class members.
Useful Internet Resources:
The Arts - Lesson Plans
http://www.inet-edu.com/lessons/links/artslessons.html#music
Children’s Music Web
http://www.childrensmusic.org/index.html
Classical Net: A Guide to Composer Data & Works Lists
http://www.classical.net/music/composer/
K12 Music Resources for Educators
http://www.isd77.k12.mn.us/resources/staffpages/shirk/k12.music.html
Kid’s Web - Music
http://www.npac.syr.edu/textbook/kidsweb/Arts/music.html
MUD Pie School of Music
http://www.mudpie.org/mudpie/
Music Education Online
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/2405/index.html
Music Educator’s Technology Resource
http://www.metr.com/
Worldwide Internet Music Resources
http://www.music.indiana.edu/music_resources/
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