Composition Assignments

You must use Sibelius Music Notational Software (or the equivalent) when it is assigned. These assignments will be grades on your ability to follow instructions. These are Pass/Fail assignments. An A means all the requirements were met. An F means they were not.

Assignment I: Using Sibelius Music Notation Software, write the Bb major scale, in 4/4 time twice. The first time use only and the second time . Write the scales both ascending and descending.

Assignment II:

Come up with 4 motives (short melodic or rhythmic ideas (4-6 notes) that could be used as the basis for a longer composition). One must be primarily melodic, and based primarily on steps. One must also be melodic, and based primarily on chord degrees. The third must have a strong rhythmic character. The fourth may be anything you want to come up with. Write these out by hand.

Assignment III

Copy corrected motives into Sibelius Notation Software Program (or the equivalent) and hand them in.

Assignment IV:

Select 2 of your strongest motives. Develop each one into 2 eight-measure Periods* (4+4)

Write them out by hand

Assignment V:

Copy both of your corrected Periods into Sibelius Notation Software Program and hand them in.

Assignment VI:

Write a “song” (with or without words, in this case) that consists of 4 four-bar phrases (2 periods). Your form can be aaba, aa’ba’, or abab, If you wish you can expand it into a full ABA form. (In any case you MUST be able to identify the structure of your song). You are to write the entire song on Sibelius Notation Software Program. Prepare to hand in for correction.

Assignment VII:

Hand in a final, error-free copy of your composition.

*Period (or Sentence): “a portion of a composition usually ending with a full cadence and divided by one or more middle cadences into at least two parts.” Prout, Musical Form. Scholarly Press, C. 1970, p.35