Practical Techniques for Teaching Music
Composition
ASSESSMENT
Open Vs. Closed Assignments
Closed-Parameters defined
Good stepping off point for students
Use for concepts, notes on individual instruments or singing
1. EX. Using the melody provided, rewrite the melody by using
the sequence method. Play the original and play the sequenced
version.
2. EX. Compose 2-4 measure melody using the new note we
learned in class today. Play it several times. Be prepared to
play it in class tomorrow.
3. EX. Compose a 4-8 measure melody using this rhythm: (an
example of a rhythm to be used)
Open-Parameters less defined
Use for individual student composition projects to be put in their
composition folder.
1. EX. Write a piece using Theme & Variations.
2. EX. Write a piece using Song Form
3. EX. Write a piece based on how you felt when you first
received a gift from someone you love.
Rubric(Continuous Rating Scales)Vs Numerical Assessment
Rubric (Continuous Rating Scales)-deals with how the student actually did,
how they actually performed based on a standard. This method provides the
most feedback for students. In addition, the student can develop their own
rubric with teacher guidance. This is a preferred method to assess student
compositions.
Numerical. Assigning numbers to a composition is generally not acceptable.
This method provides no feedback to the student concerning their composition
and discourages students to create and be creative (Hickey, Gordon). This is
not a preferred method.
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Teacher vs. Student Assessment
Teacher
Verbal Feedback- always positive when dealing with full blown
student compositions (not simple assignments) but be honest with your
assessment. If a composition doesnt meet the 3 criteria, give
suggestions (not your own ideas) for what the student could do to
improve their composition. Encourage revision and saving sketches.
Rubric Scoring-- You give the suggestions, students are scoring
based on a rubric.
Peer
Rubric-not verbal (always) and in a survey or checklist format
(students do not know who is scoring them.) Give the students a rubric
or have them develop their own under your guidance and ask them to
score each student (since each student will perform their own work).
These surveys will be given to you to compile the students overall
rating along with your rating and comments. (Yes, this will probably
be a huge stack of papers for each student hence the simplicity of the
checklist ensures that this process will go quickly. A student aid can
help with this.) Composite peer score + teacher score= student
composite score.
How to Assess Compositions-As Objectively as possible.
Hickey Model
Aesthetic Appeal (Is it interesting to the audience? Is it effective?),
Creative (Unusual, Imaginative, Not Clich, manipulation of ideas,
explores musical elements),
Craftsmanship (complete music idea vs. incomplete, use of musical
elements to organize material, balance between unity and variety) in
addition to the other component line elements.
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Dimensions Mastery Proficient Developing Beginner
Aesthetic Appeal Strong appeal and Includes some music Includes at least one Does not present an
general impression. interesting music interesting musical effective general
Would be enjoyed by ideas. idea. Yet, the overall impression. Musical
many listeners. The general impression is not ideas do not hold the
Keeps the listeners impression is pleasant effective. listeners interest.
interested. and moderately
effective.
Creative Includes very original, Involves some original Musical idea is neither Musical idea is
unusual imaginative aspect(s) or familiar nor a clich. familiar or a clich. No
musical ideas. Explores manipulation(s) of However, there is no variety or exploration
and varies at least two musical idea(s). development, variety, of musical elements
musical elements. Explores and varies at or exploration of (range, timbre,
least one musical musical elements. dynamics, tempo,
element. rhythm or melody).
Craftsmanship Presents at least one Ending Feels final. Presents one complete Gives no sense of a
complete musical idea. Uses at least one musical idea. completed musical
Has a coherent and musical element to However, composition idea. Exhibits no clear
organized form with a organize the musical lacks overall beginning, middle, or
clear beginning, middle ideals and overall completeness. Fails to end section. Form
and end. Uses musical form. use musical elements appears to be random
elements to organize to organize musical rather than organized.
musical ideas or the ideas or forms. Musical elements
form. (range, timbre, rhythm
etc) do not connect
well or are not used to
organized musical
ideas or the form.
Other Component 4 3 2 1
Lines
Ostling/Gilbert Study-Quality of Compositions
Composition Has FormNot a Form but Form and reflects the
proper balance between unity(old material) & variety(new material)
Composition reflects shape and design, and creates the impression
of conscious choice and judicious arrangement on the part of the
composer. (How the composer controls and shapes the form, the
pacing of musical events)
The composition reflects craftsmanship in orchestration,
demonstrating a proper balance between transparent and tutti scoring
and also between solo and group colors.
The composition is sufficiently unpredictable to preclude an
immediate grasp of its musical meaning.
The route through which the composition travels in initiating it
musical tendencies and probable musical goals is not completely direct
or obvious.
The composition is consistent in its quality throughout its length
and various sections. (A Symphony- Quality is representive
throughout all movements, even a single movement work has to have
quality throughout its construction and between the various sections)
Practical Techniques for Teaching Music Composition
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The composition is consistent in its style, reflecting a complete
grasp of technical details, clearly conceived ideas, and avoid lapses
into the trivial, futile, or unsuitable passages.
The composition reflects ingenuity in its development, given the
stylistic contexts in which it exists
The composition is genuine in its idiom and is not pretentious
The composition reflects a musical validity which transcends
historical importance, or factors of pedagogical usefulness.
INSTRUCTION
Listen
What to Listen to:
Variety is the spice of life. (Start with what the student knows the bestRock or Country,
then progress to the more complex band, orchestral or choir stuff.)
What to Listen for:
Quality of Recordings, Quality in Compositions
o Ask the students why they like the stuff that they like. (Dont let them off the hook
withI dont know or I just do) They have to know whythis is an important
stepping off point for a more in depth discussion about any concept.
How to Listen:
Foreground vs. Background/Middle ground
Unity vs. Variety(Old material vs. New Material) (FORM)
Stability vs. Instability
o Harmony
o Rhythm
o Pitch
o Tempo
Rate at which information is presented.
o A lot of informationmeaning rapid changes in rhythm, pitch, dynamics, etc,
rapid rate at which the audience can barely process information
o Not a lot of informationmeaning a steadier rate of information or slow rate at which
the audience can process the information.
Progression
o Harmonic
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o Orchestral/Bandstrational(textural)
o Rhythmic
Balance
o Highs vs. Lows
o Thick vs. Thin Textures
Balance & Length
o The balance between sections of music Unity & Variety
o The greater the length the greater the contrast between the sections.
Teach the Tools
Step 1: Use melodies (foreground elements) that have already been composed. (America, Star-
Spangled Banner, etceither partially or fully)
Step 2: Manipulate those melodies using compositional techniques.
FOREGROUND ELEMENTS-Those elements that listener perceives as important at a
given time (Melody/Sometimes Rhythm).
Methods that Keep Both Pitch and Rhythm Intact
1. *Repeat the Motive Exactly-Not Too Useful
2. *Changes in Volume- A loud section vs. the same loud section played softlythis
doesnt really apply as true development
3. Changes in Timbre- a mild disguise
4. Change of Register-Octave Displacement/Change of Voice-Mild Development
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5. Change of Key-Better than nothing at all.
6. Addition of new counterpoint- Old and New Material Intermixed
*= in presentation.
Methods of Keeping the Rhythm Intact (Changes in Pitch but NOT in Rhythm)
1. *Sequence-One of the most useful devices in all musicused in development of
melodies.
Two Types: (Usually a fragment of the melody is developed this way. It is very rare to
find a whole melody using a diatonic sequence.)
A. Diatonic-Moving Up or Down by step in the key
B. Chromatic (Real)-Moving Up or Down by step but by chromatic notes to
preserve the exact intervalthis can change the key.
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2. A change one or more melodic intervals of the melody. A leap of 3rd can become 4th
and a skip of a 5th can become a 7th, etc
3. Mutation-Involves Changes between the Major and Minor Modes
4. *Melodic Inversion(Mirroring)-3 types
a. Free-Contrary motion that retains the basic interval identity but in the key.
b. Strict/Mirror/Chromatic-The interval identity is matched exactly-this also can
change the key.
c. New Melodic Outline(Two Types-Incomplete & Complete)
-OR-
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Methods of Keeping the Pitch Intact (Rhythm changes NOT the pitch)
1. *Partial Alteration of Rhythm
2. Rhythmic Alterationchanging of position of accents or change in meter.
-OR-
-OR-
-OR-
-OR- Whatever
3. *Augmentation-doubling the value of all notes(multiply by 2)
4. Diminution-cutting in half the value of all notes.(multiply by )
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Methods of Changing Both Pitch & Rhythm (Simultaneously-An application/combination of
any of the previous techniques)
1. *Gradual Metamorphosis-Motives are established early in the piece...the motives then go
through small changes to morph into a new melody.
2. Sudden Metamorphosis- The old motive suddenly moves to the new motive.
3. *Decoration-(Heterophony) taking the original melody and ornamenting it both by pitch
and rhythm.
4. Fragmentation and Extension-taking a part of the melody putting it through a sequence,
or inversion thus extending the melody as much as the composer desires.
5. Cadential Extension-Delaying the resolution of a melody by extending it through
sequence or other devices(much like fragmentation and extension)
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6. Interpolation-Internal Extension(variant on fragmentation and extension)
7. Truncation(starting of a motive but jumps directly to the end of the melody-leaves out the
middle of the melody)
8. Elision(overlap) Overlapping of a melody on itself.(much like a stretto but involving one
voice)
9. *Retrograde-Writing or Playing the melody backward
10. Retrograde Inversion (Free & Real)-Writing or playing the melody backward but also
inverting the melody at the same time.
&
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11. Condensation-Shorting of melody by stagesState the motive, repeat it, and then repeat
half of that, then a repeat a quarter of that, until the composer decides where else to go.
The rules for motivic developmentthere are NONE. New ones are being developed all the
time. Any of the above can be used in combination.
The Rule of 3State a melody, Repeat or Vary the Melody, Take the Melody in a different
direction or a different melody. (ABA or AABnever AAA too monotonous.) Bring the original
melody back either partially or fully/varied
Step 3: Discuss Scales and Guide Tones (Root, 3rd, 5th) and Tension Tones (2nd, 4th & 7th). Teach
Elementary Harmony (Middle School), Intermediate to Advanced Harmonies (High School)
Note: The elements of music all contribute to the organization (Form) of the piece (How the
pieces of the puzzle fit in the overall scheme)
Harmony
Basic Harmony
I, IV, V in all keys (Relate to Circle of 4ths/5ths)-Relate to
Band/Orchestra/Choir music whenever possible.
Basic tendencies. Major Scales
viio iii vi IV ii V or viio I
Progression
Regression
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All Major Scales All Natural Minor Scales
I, IV, V= Major Chords i, iv., v = Minor chords
iii, vi, ii= Minor Chords III, VI= Major Chords
viio=Diminished Chords iio, viio=Diminished Chords
Advanced Harmony(High School Level/College Level)
Inversions of Chords- 6, 6/4
Part Writing
7th Chords
Secondary Dominants
Modal Borrowing
Augmented 6th Chords/N6 chord
Median Chords
12 Tone Techniques
Modern Techniques-Planning, Non-Tertian Harmony (4th Chords,
etc) Set Theory, Jazz Harmony.
Composing
Step 4: Composing & Developing Motifs (Cornerstone to Melodies). Have students develop
motives (2 beats min & 2 meas. max.) by playing their instruments/singing or play on at a piano
(experimentation).
Suggestions: Have students develop melodies using a certain rhythm-leave the notes up to them;
OR you supply the notes to use (pentatonic scales-any major scale that leaves out the 4th and 7th )
and leave the rhythm up to them. Then proceed to have them develop both rhythm and pitch
motives on their own.
Note: when transferring from the cognitive/inspirational to the definitive, follow the steps:
Step 1: Students must have a steady tempo (pulse, beat) (usually the quarter note is the
pulse)
Step 2: Once a steady tempo is established the students must proceed to figure out what
rhythms they are trying to reproduce for their motifs (motives). If students do not know
how to subdivide the beat this is the perfect opportunity to teach that skill.
Step 3: Once students figure out the rhythm of the motif, then students go back to review
pitches on their instrument. Application of pitch to the rhythm is the main goal of this
step.
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Step 4: Revise, Revise, Revise. The revision process is an important process in
composition. It is this phase that an idea can be revised, rejected, or accepted. If a student
is not happy with a motive- the student can continue to experiment and revise the current
motive, start over with a new motive (this takes the student back to experimentation and
step 1) or keep the current version.
Step 5: Developing Phrasing and Composing Simple Melodies (Same process as above but
longer melodies)
Phrase Structures(Form)
Phrase, Period(Question/Answer-Echo Singing or Playing)
Theme & Variations AA1A2 A3etc(very good for a beginner)
AABA or ABA form-Song Forms-Simple Songs
AB songs(Binary Form)
Rondo, Scherzo, Sonata Forms
Step 6: Teach Middle & Background Elements (Texture) This is where orchestration and larger
ensemble writing takes place.
After melodic writing has been introduced it is a great idea for students to write for instruments
that they know welli.e. sax duets, trios, quartets or flute plus piano, or soprano with piano
etc this is so that they can get their pieces played by their friends. Performances of a student
pieces are crucial for feedback.
Teaching transposition, range and practicality of all instruments is an important step to larger
ensemble writing.
BACKGROUND ELEMENTS-Those elements that listener perceives as not as important
at a given time but contributes to overall character of the piece. To explain this better, it is
how the background enhances the foreground but doesnt get in the way of the foreground
and the form. This is the texture.
Middle & Background Elements(Texture)
Treble and Bass Only(Background(unison) and Foreground(unison))
Bass Only
Original and Ornamented Version Presented at the Same Time-Heterophony
Harmony Only (Very Rare)(Background Only)
Melody(unison), Countermelody(unison) & Bass Only(unison)-No Harmony
Full Accompaniment-Melody, Bass and Accompaniment Pattern or Harmony-
Homophonic (Foreground& Background)
Polyphony-2 or More Voices presented at the same time. (Foreground, Middle
ground, & Background)
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Inner Textures-Chordal Backgrounds representing the harmonynot the bass.
Sustained Chords
Detached Chords(Repeating Chords, Chordal Ostinatos)
Arpeggios
VampingBass plays one note on each new chord (sometimes not
sustained) the other middle voices or upper voices plays vamping
rhythm or accompaniment pattern.
ShimmeringTremolos or Trills.
WaveringSlow trills in quarters or eighth notes
OscillatingSimilar to slow trills but over an interval of a third.
Various figures-Alberti Bass, Lower and or upper neighbor tones,
syncopation.
Multidimensional-More than one type of the above presented at the same
time. (MORE COMPLEX) used in Tutti situations but to be used sparingly.
Pedals-Sustained tones in the bass while harmony and accompaniment
patterns change above. (ostinati in bass sometimes)
Semi-Polyphonic- Melody, Counter Melody, Accompaniment & Bass.
It is very rare that a texture holds throughout a piece or a section without changing to a different
texture. Remember variety is the spice of life (except for married/monogamous relationships
of course). If the foreground changes then it is a good to have the background change as well.
Textures should change as the form changes (EX: The A theme is going to have a different
texture than a B theme and so on but there are always exceptions.)
Textures contribute to moods. Inner textures should not be merely busy or filling in of the
harmony. Textures contribute to the overall form (structure) of the piece.
NOTE: Dont feel like that you have to teach this in one year. It is not meant to be taught in
one year. One or two concepts can be taught per year or semester if you like. I specifically
designed this so that a teacher, especially ensemble directors, can introduce concepts at
their leisure that complement their specific program over a long period of time. (Gr. 6-12)
What is important is that the students are exposed to the process of musical compositions.
Practical Techniques for Teaching Music Composition
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RESOURCES
Composition Resources
Harmony And Composition: Basics to Intermediate
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The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Composition
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Creative Music Composition: The Young Composer's Voice
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by Margaret Lucy Wilkins
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Basic Theory-Harmony: A Text and Work Book for the School
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Musician
By Joseph Paulson and Irving Cheyette
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The Art of Writing Music
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Musical Composition (Paperback)
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Paperback: 188 pages
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (December 3, 2007)
Techniques of the Contemporary Composer
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Paperback: 250 pages
Publisher: Schirmer; 1 edition (August 7, 1997)
Twentieth-Century Harmony: Creative Aspects and Practice
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(Hardcover)
By Vincent Persichetti
Hardcover: 287 pages
Publisher: W. W. Norton; 1 edition (February 19, 1961)
Jazz Composition: Theory and Practice (Berklee Press)
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(Paperback)
By Ted Pease
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Berklee Press (June 15, 2002)
Practical Techniques for Teaching Music Composition
~ 16 ~
Songwriting Resources:
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Songwriting
PRICE: $18.95 By Joel Hirschhorn
SERIES: Complete Idiot's Guide
CATEGORY: Textbook - Choral / Vocal
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EDITION: 2nd
Songwriting for Beginners
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Ultimate Beginner Series: Songwriting Made Easy!
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Alfred's Teach Yourself Songwriting
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CATEGORY: Textbook - Choral / Vocal
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