This in-depth, hands-on class explores an easy song-writing process for young beginner musicians of any instrument.

First, we will review melody-making using motives as students learned in the Part 1 class. Then, I will teach some basic rules for harmonizing using easy-to-play chords. We will then conclude the course with an introduction to the reading and writing on the staff using Noteflight and use this free, online composing tool to generate professional-looking sheet music.

The class is structured so that the majority of the learning happens with discussion and hands-on work. Students will be need to be willing to share their work and discuss it with me and their fellow classmates.

Students will also be given homework to practice and expand upon the concepts that we discuss in class. Written homework assignments will be due before class each week so that I can provide feedback and guidance.


Pre-requisites: 
This class is not limited by instruments or genres. The concepts we will work on can be used in any kind of song! 

This class is geared towards beginner song-writing students who can:
 * Understand and read basic rhythm (whole notes/rests, half notes/rests, quarter notes/rests, eighth notes/rest, dotted quarter notes/rests, and dotted half notes/rests)
 * Be able to name the notes on their instrument of choice (Letter names like C-D-E or Solfege like Do Re Mi are OK.)

*** Students do NOT need to be able to fully read understand sheet music to take this class. We will learn some sight-reading basics later in the class; the technology (Noteflight) will help with this as well. ***


Day 1
Review Melody-making with Motives and Motive Transformations
Harmonizing with Simple Chords
AABA Form

Day 2
Introduction to Noteflight and Writing on the Staff

Day 3
Reading on the Staff and Trouble-shooting in Noteflight

Day 4
Opportunity to perform final works
Brainstorm new ideas for future song-writing


External App:
Students will be creating their final work in Noteflight, an external internet app for music composition. Noteflight helps students generate sheet music and allows students to share their work. I will show students how to use this program to write music on the staff and how to export their work in PDF form to send to me or to print for their own use.

Parents will need to create and verify a FREE account on Noteflight.com when registering for the course. No need to give away personal information nor sign on to a "trial" version. When we begin using Noteflight, young students may need assistance logging into Noteflight. Parents, please make sure your student is logged into noteflight at the start of class so we can start on time.

#creative