Step 1: Improve This Composition with Silent Notes
Today, you get to fix and improve three of my compositions. Since you already know how to erase and replace notes as well as replace notes with silence (Modules 4 and 5), this should be fun.
Assignment 1:
Listen to and record the first composition I have made for you. Take a piece of paper and write this melody down like so: C E C E | D F D F | B D B D | C E C
Did you know that all famous composers wrote their music on paper?
To help you get started, I have improved the above melody by replacing some of the notes with silent notes. Listen to the melody and then, it's your turn.
Please don't rush this exercise. When you make changes, listen to them. Listen to how much one silent note can change a melody. Silent notes are very powerful. When done, press STEP 2 to continue.
Step 2: Finish My Melody
I have made a new melody. This one is not finished. Your job is to finish my composition. Because you know the three rules of composition and you also know the tricks we composers use to make our melodies sound good, I am sure that you can finish my melody nicely.
Assignment 2:
Try to memorize this melody which has six notes and four silent notes. It's ok to write it down because composers always write music down so that they don't forget what they composed. Now record the notes and finish the melody for me.
Hint! Instead of using erase and replace to enter silent notes, you can just press the X button above the piano keys because it is faster. When finished, go to Step 3.
Step 3: Which In-Between Note Is Best?
This composition is almost finished. Look at the in-between notes. Do you notice how the notes before them got erased? Can you fix this composition?
This sounds quite strange. But as soon as you fill in some notes and listen and compare, you will feel which notes to use. Remember, you are the composer. You know the three rules of composition and because of that, you can fix my melody.
Assignment 3:
Take a piece of paper and write my unfinished composition down. Then, pencil in the notes you think might sound good and record the melody. Listen to it and as you listen, follow the notes you drew on the paper. Make some changes and erase and replace the notes you think can be improved. When done, go to Step 4 to finish.
Step 4: Let's Summarize Today's Lesson
Today you fixed three of my compositions. You did this using everything we have learned so far:
- You replaced notes with silent notes to make a melody sound different.
- You finished my compositions by adding missing notes.
- You fixed every melody like a real composer.
Every composition needed your help and thanks to you, each one is now finished and much better than they were before. Thank you for helping me and finishing my compositions.
Now rest up for tomorrow, when you make your best composition ever. You never know. I might even get to see it.
Supplemental Info
Dear mentor, we have one module left and if you started this course with doubts, you now know that composing music is achievable by following a few very basic rules.
If you have ever seen a guitar player strumming along to some well-known song, you saw something profound. When a guitar plays a chord, it changes all six strings. In simple terms, once the fingers are on the right strings, the strumming pattern that follows is always right. Change the chord and the six strings sound different, but still right. That formula is exactly what we are copying. We started this course with two chords, and if all went well, the child you inspired and mentored now has a pretty good understanding of those two chords and much more.
Whatever doubts you carried into day one, set them aside. One lesson at a time turned a hesitant beginner into a child who can read, write, and improve their own music. Tomorrow, they make their final masterpiece. Be proud of what you have built together.