From Ideas to Music: Dive Into Music Composition With Musescore
This class offers a unique opportunity for young musicians to explore their creativity and learn the art of composition, even without a musical background.
What's included
8 live meetings
10 in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. Homework will be optional. The assignments will be to related to the daily activity with regards to improvements and trying to activity over again in a new project in order to reinforce what was learned as well as realizing questions for the next meeting.Class Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
Beginner - Intermediate Level
Welcome to "Creating Music with Musescore," an exciting and interactive multi-week course designed to guide young musicians through the fascinating world of music composition using the powerful tool, Musescore. This class is perfect for budding composers, music enthusiasts, and anyone eager to learn how to translate their musical ideas into beautifully notated scores. Class Overview: Over the course of 8 weeks, students will delve into the fundamentals of music notation and composition using Musescore, a free and accessible music software. Each week, we will build on our knowledge, exploring different aspects of creating music, from basic notation to more complex arrangements. By the end of the course, students will have the skills and confidence to compose their own pieces of music and share them with others. Class Structure: Each class session will be a blend of live demonstrations, interactive exercises, and collaborative projects. We will begin with a short lecture or demonstration, followed by hands-on practice where students will work on their compositions. There will be plenty of opportunities for students to ask questions and receive personalized feedback. Additionally, students will engage in peer review sessions where they can share their work and give constructive feedback to their classmates. Teaching Style: My teaching style is interactive and student-centered. I believe in creating a supportive and engaging learning environment where students feel comfortable expressing their creativity and experimenting with new ideas. I use a variety of teaching methods, including live demonstrations, guided practice, discussions, and multimedia resources, to cater to different learning styles and keep the sessions dynamic and enjoyable. Interaction and Engagement: Students will have ample opportunities to interact with me and their peers throughout the course. Each session will include time for questions and discussions. We will also use breakout rooms for small group activities and peer review sessions, allowing students to collaborate and learn from each other. I encourage active participation and aim to foster a community of young composers who support and inspire one another.
Learning Goals
Students will have a basic understanding of how to use the Musescore platform. They will also acquire (if they don't already have) a basic understanding of music theory. Mostly they will be more comfortable with tips and tricks of music composition.
Syllabus
8 Lessons
over 2 WeeksLesson 1:
Get to Know the Platform
Objective: Introduce students to MuseScore and its basic functionalities.
Topics Covered:
Navigating the MuseScore interface
Understanding the basic tools and menus
Creating a new score and saving your work
Activities:
Handson practice with creating and naming a new score
Exploring the toolbar and primary functions 75 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Exploring Time Signature and Instrument Options
Objective: Understand time signatures and explore instrument options in MuseScore.
Topics Covered:
Selecting and adding instruments to your score
Setting up the score layout
What are time signatures and how to choose them
Activities:
Experimenting with different time signatures
Adding multiple instruments to a score 75 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Music Notation and Theme Building
Objective: Learn basic music notation and begin building a musical theme.
Topics Covered:
Introduction to music notation: notes, rests, and measures
Creating a simple melody or theme
Activities:
Copying a basic melody in Musescore
Notating a basic melody in MuseScore 75 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Variations on a Theme Part I
Objective: Develop variations on the initial theme.
Topics Covered:
Techniques for creating variations
Activities:
Writing the first variation of the theme 75 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Parental Guidance Statement for Musescore
Dear Parents and Guardians,
In our upcoming music composition class, we will be utilizing Musescore, a free musical notation software, to help students create and understand musical scores. This tool is essential for our class as it provides a handson experience in composing and arranging music. Here are the details you need to know regarding Musescore's use:
1. Tool Overview:
Name: Musescore
Purpose: Musescore is used for writing, playing, and printing sheet music. It is widely used by musicians and music students for creating and sharing musical scores.
2. Access and Usage:
Platform: Musescore can be accessed as a free downloadable application or through its web version at [Musescore's official website](https://musescore.org/)
Account Requirements: While downloading and using Musescore for basic features does not require an account, certain features like sharing scores online or accessing premium content may require account creation. For our class purposes, creating an account is optional.
3. Privacy and COPPA Compliance:
Privacy Policy: Musescore’s privacy policy can be reviewed (https://musescore.org/en/privacypolicy). It outlines how user data is handled and protected.
COPPA Compliance: Musescore is generally compliant with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). However, to ensure full compliance, especially for learners under 13, we advise parental supervision when using the tool and suggest not creating an account unless necessary and with parental approval.
4. Guidance for Parents:
Supervision: We recommend that parents or guardians assist their children during the download and installation process of Musescore to ensure safety and adherence to privacy practices.
Use Without Account: For the scope of this class, students can fully participate without creating an account on Musescore. They can use the software locally on their devices for composing and viewing scores.
Safe Usage Tips: Discuss with your child the importance of not sharing personal information online. Ensure they understand the software's features and use it strictly for educational purposes as part of our class.
5. Educational Value:
Skill Development: Using Musescore will allow students to develop important music composition and notation skills. It encourages creativity and provides a practical understanding of musical theory and structure.
If you have any concerns or questions regarding the use of Musescore in our class, please feel free to reach out to me.
Thank you for your support and cooperation in making our learning environment safe and productive.
Best regards,
Jennifer Licko
sabasdesigns@gmail.com
Outschool Instructor
Pre-Requisites
Download Musescore for free
Supply List
1. Students need to download the free version of Musescore from Musescore's official website. 2. No prior experience in music composition is required, but a basic understanding of music notation is beneficial. 3. Access to a computer or tablet with Musescore installed is necessary for hands-on practice during class.
Joined May, 2024
Teacher expertise and credentials
I teach composition using musescore in my private piano classes and I compose my own music in musescore. Reviews
Live Group Course
$100
weekly or $200 for 8 classes4x per week, 2 weeks
75 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-14
3-9 learners per class
