How to Compose a Song

1. How to Compose a Song By Joanna Brehaut EDU 505 Summer 2009

2. Introduction Everyone listens to music, but have you ever wondered… • How a good melody is created? • How the song fits together? • What makes a song make sense and not just sound like random notes? • If YOU could ever compose a song? …WELL YOU CAN!

3. Task It is the end of the year and it is time that we combine EVERYTHING we’ve learned about in Music Theory. You will each be writing your OWN song in AABA Form using the Finale Notation Software we have learned in class. Your song MUST include: • A title • A variety of rhythms and pitches • 4 sections that are 8 measures long each (this will equal your 32 measures) • Question and answer phrases • The appropriate markings that you would see in music (ex. clef, time signature, barlines, double barlines, etc.) • Dynamics • Lyrics

4. Process-Set Up In order to create a good sounding song you will need to follow this process step by step. Open up Finale and be sure to save your work as you go! First you need to set up your song. Use the tools you have learned in Finale to begin creating. • Step #1: Determine the clef you would like to use. • Step #2: Determine the time signature you would like to use. • Step #3: Determine the key signature you would like to use.

5. Process-Begin Composing Now that your piece is set up you may begin composing… • Step #1: Start composing by beginning on the pitch that aligns with your key signature. Ex. If you chose the key signature of D you must begin your song on a D. • Step #2: Create 2 question phrases and 2 answer phrases for your “A” section. Each phrase should be 2 measures long. You may use the phrases in any combination you’d like. • Step #3: The very last note of the “A” section should also end on the pitch that aligns with your key signature. (It doesn’t matter which octave) Tip: While composing, use a variety of rhythms and pitches that align with your time signature. Remember that good melodies don’t necessarily need several skips.

6. Process-Composing (Cont’d) • Step #5:Compose your “B” section any way you’d like! The “B” section should use different rhythms and pitches than the “A” section and does not need to follow the question and answer phrase structure. • Step #6: Recopy the “A” Section you have composed into your 2nd and 3rd “A” Sections. You may wish to vary the rhythms or pitches slightly, but they should be mostly the same melody as the 1st “A” section. • Step #7: Place a double barline at the end of the song to indicate the song is over. • Step #8: Add dynamics where you see appropriate. Please use a variety of dynamics to make your song interesting.

7. Process-Lyrics It’s time to move to the next process in creating your song: Lyrics. Notice that your 3 “A” sections are your verses with “B” acting as the bride. • Step #1: Create lyrics for your verses and bridge that fit with the pitches and rhythms of your song. • Step #2: Look over your words and melody and create a title that best represents your song.

8. Resources If you need help… • Remembering all of the musical elements we’ve learned about in class, please revisit your Music Theory Workbook. • Remembering all of the tools we’ve learned using Finale, please watch the Demo Video once again. • With background information about AABA form, please visit this website: AABA Form Information • Coming up with lyrics for your song, visit these websites to see lyrics to 2 other famous songs written in AABA form: "Over the Rainbow“ & "Blue Moon“

9. Evaluation

10. Conclusion After you have completed your song you may listen to it using the Play Back tool in Finale! Here are a few questions to ask yourself: • Does it song like a “real” song? • If yes, why does it sound like a “real” song? • Do the parts in my song that have a lot of skips sound better or worse than the parts in my song that move stepwise? • What could I add to my song in the future to make it sound even better? • If I were to create an accompaniment to this song, which instruments would I want to use? By answering these questions, you will be able to make your next song even better! Congratulations! You have just composed your very own song in AABA Form!