Piano Composition - One-On-One Course With PDF and Professional Audio Recording
In this 4-week one-on-one course, learners will create an original piano composition of at least 16 measures in length and receive a PDF and professional recording of their work upon completion. No music experience needed to participate!
Amanda Vallejos
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(38)
What's included
4 live meetings
3 in-class hoursProjects
1 hour per week. Learners will receive a PDF and professional recording of their composition to share with family and friends. The PDF will be shared within 1 business day and the recording within 4 business days of course completion to allow time for a recording session.Certificate of Completion
A certificate of completion is available with your learner's name and the class title upon request.Class Experience
Beginner - Intermediate Level
Uncover your inner composer! In this interactive composition class, learners will create an original piano composition of sixteen measures in length using motives, scales, chord progressions, sequences, voice exchanges, rhythmic manipulation, and inversions. Previous piano or music experience is helpful, but not necessary. We will explore the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Frédéric Chopin, Johann Sebastian Bach, and Clara Schumann to identify the compositional techniques these great composers used to create masterpieces. Learners will discover that composers fill their music with every emotion for humor to heartache and they can too! After the completion of the course, learners will receive a PDF copy and a professional recording of their piece. Students will need access to a keyboard or piano during class.
Learning Goals
Create an original melody of at least 16-measures in length.Compose harmonies to compliment the melody line or offer contrast.
Syllabus
4 Lessons
over 4 WeeksLesson 1:
Melody Creation
-Learners will use a motive or a story to create a melody of two to four measures in length. We will expand on this melody over the next three weeks as we develop contrasting themes.
-We will listen to excerpts from well known compositions by JS Bach and identify key elements of his compositional style. 45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
"A" Theme Completion
-Learners will manipulate their melody and expand it to at least eight full measures using compositional techniques, like: sequences, scales, and inversions.
-We will listen to excerpts from Mozart's "12 Variationen" to identify how he manipulates a familiar melody to create new material. 45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Create a Contrasting Theme
-Learners will build a contrasting theme using rhythm and tonality that lasts eight measures. If time allows we will add harmony to their contrasting theme.
-We will listen to excerpts of Clara Schumann's works to explore rhythm and transitions. 45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Add Chords or Counterpoint and Dynamics
-Learners will choose chords or contrapuntal ideas to create an accompaniment for their melody.
-We will listen to excerpts of Frederic Chopin's works to see how he integrates his accompaniments into the melody and changes the mood of his music. 45 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Supply List
Access to at least a 61-key piano keyboard for class.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
We will use MuseScore to notate the composition in real time and YouTube and Spotify for audio clips of music by the classical composers listed above.
Joined September, 2020
5.0
38reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Miss Amanda is a professional opera singer performing in Toronto and New York. She has over twenty years of teaching experience and has helped her students compose over 100 original pieces. The music in the class video was composed by one of her students in her Toronto studio and shared with parent and student permission!Reviews
Live Private Course
$50
weekly or $200 for 4 classes1x per week, 4 weeks
45 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 7-12
