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 strategies students learned in the Part 1 class and my guidelines for harmonizing using chords learned in the Part 2 class. Students will then create several song melodies using larger song forms and experiment with various ways to express chord using rhythm patterns. Then we will experiment with writing songs starting from chord progressions first and lyrics first. Each song will be written as professional-looking sheet music using Noteflight, a free online composing tool.

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 need to be able to read sheet music at at least primer level, even though the technology (Noteflight) helps. 
** Please message me if you are unsure whether your learner meets these criteria. **


Day 1
Review Melody-making with Motives, Song Forms, & Harmonizing
Create a Binary Form song
Create a Sonata Form/ Ternary Form song - **if time**

Day 2
Experiment with Chords: Inversions, Arpeggios, Alberti Bass, & Rhythm Patterns

Day 3
Create a song starting with a 4-Chord Progression & Improvising the melody

Day 4
Create a song starting with Lyrics
Opportunity to perform final works


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