Creative Composition

Introduction (10 minutes)

Objective:
Introduce Year 7 students to the basics of composition and songwriting, with a focus on rhythm, pitch, and using technology to enhance creativity.

Australian Curriculum Reference:
The Australian Curriculum: The Arts, specifically Music for Years 7 and 8—students develop skills in listening, performing, and composing music. This lesson aligns with the curriculum by emphasizing the learning of rhythm, pitch, dynamics, and structure as part of composing music.

Materials Needed:

• Laptops or tablets with GarageBand pre-installed
• Headphones
• Whiteboard and markers
• Projector

Activity:
Begin with a brief discussion about what music composition involves. Highlight the importance of rhythm and pitch in creating melodies. Discuss how modern technology like GarageBand can aid in composing and experimenting with sounds.

Core Activity (25 minutes)

Writing Rhythms and Melodies

Objective:
Guide students through the process of creating rhythms and melodies using syllables, then transition these onto GarageBand.

Steps:

1. Rhythm Creation (10 minutes):

   • Hand out sheets with simple rhythmic patterns.
   • In groups of two, students clap the rhythms.
   • Transform rhythms into a musical phrase using syllables (e.g., "ta-ta-ti-ti-ta").

2. Melody Crafting (10 minutes):

   • Use the whiteboard to demonstrate translating syllables into pitches (e.g., "ta" on middle C, "ti" on D).
   • Students create a short, 4-bar melody using solfège (do, re, mi, etc.).

3. GarageBand Melody Input (5 minutes):

   • Demonstrate how to input their melody into GarageBand using the MIDI interface.
   • Students input their melodies, using the provided equipment.

Adding Layers (20 minutes)

Drum and Guitar Tracks

Objective:
Enhance the composed melody by adding a drum track and guitar accompaniment.

Steps:

1. Drum Track (10 minutes):

   • Demonstrate using GarageBand to add a simple drum loop.
   • Encourage students to experiment with different drum sounds to find one that complements their melody.
   • Students add and adjust the drum track on their project.

2. Guitar Track (10 minutes):

   • Introduce basic guitar strumming patterns within GarageBand.
   • Show how to layer these patterns over the melody and drum track.
   • Students select a guitar sound and create a suitable strumming pattern to enhance their composition.

Conclusion (15 minutes)

Sharing and Reflection

Objective:
Allow students to present their compositions and reflect on the composition process.

Activity:

1. Sharing (10 minutes):

   • Students present their compositions to the class.
   • Use the projector and speakers to play each composition.

2. Reflection (5 minutes):

   • Facilitate a class discussion on what students found challenging and enjoyable.
   • Ask students to think about how the technology-assisted them in their composition process.

Wrap-Up:

• Collect feedback on the lesson via a quick exit survey on what they learned and what they would like to explore next.
• Encourage students to explore GarageBand further at home, experimenting with different instruments and sounds.

Assessment

Formative Assessment:

• Observe student collaboration during group activities.
• Assess understanding through the complexity and creativity of student compositions.
• Use reflective feedback to gauge student engagement and comprehension.

Notes for Next Lesson:

• Consider expanding the use of technology by introducing additional GarageBand features.
• Introduce more complex musical concepts, such as harmony and counterpoint, in future lessons.