5 Classroom Composing Activities to try in 2023

If you’re looking for some new activities for your KS3 Music or GCSE Composition lessons or seeking to refresh your existing ideas for learning to compose, here are five ideas to try in the new term…

1. Stick to the Rules

Getting students started with composing isn’t easy – “I can’t think of anything to write!” can be a common cry. This activity provides rules that remove some of the decisions that need to be made and gives a point of focus.

Below is an example of a ‘Musical Rule Card’. You can put anything on these cards – the rules can relate to a topic / SOW you have already covered, and they can be handed out either randomly or given to particular students to differentiate the task.

How it works:

• Hand out the cards
• Give students 5 minutes to create a musical idea using the rules.
• Invite students to share their ideas and reveal the rules on their assigned cards.

2. Composition Speed-dating

Peer-assessing composition is a great way for students to share ideas and give helpful feedback. This activity can be used as an extended plenary when students are working at computers.

How it works:

• Give out a blank speed-dating sheet to each student (to write 2 positive points and one point for improvement on). This stays at the computer.
• Everyone moves round to the next computer, in the same direction and listens to the composition, filling in the sheet.
• Students move round again.
• Repeat this a few times and return to the original workstation to read the sheet of comments. There’s usually quite a buzz in the room at this point!

As well as boosting confidence levels, the feedback can be used to form some targets at the start of the next lesson and provide some structure for working on the composition.

3. Musical Consequences

This activity gets students composing collaboratively and is based on the game ‘Consequences’ where a piece of paper is passed round a group and individuals contribute different elements of the story, folding the paper over each time so that the full story is only revealed at the end.

How it works:

This activity can be adapted for using a DAW, notation programme or pencil and paper. Outlined below is how it works for a DAW:

• Each student records a chord sequence on track 1 (in time to metronome).
• Move round to the next computer, listen to what has been recorded and add a drum beat.
• Move again and add a bass riff.
• Move once more and add some melodic material.
• Finally, return to the original computer and listen to all that has been added to the first chord sequence.

4. One-pitch Composition

Starting with a one-pitch composition might seem a bit simple and unexciting. However, through removing some elements, such as tonality, harmony and melody, space can be created for pupils to focus on other aspects for example: rhythm, structure and dynamics.

How it works:

• Play Ligeti’s Musica Ricercata as a starting point for discussion and ask pupils how the composer has created a whole piece using just one pitch.
• Follow this by choosing a note on an instrument and demonstrating how different elements such as dynamics, tempo, rhythm and structure can be applied to create a short piece.
• Invite students to create their own short one-pitch composition.

5. Soundpainting

Soundpainting gives students the opportunity to improvise, perform and explore sound. It is a live composing sign language, created by American composer Walter Thompson, and includes over fifteen hundred gestures.

How it works:

• The soundpainter (composer) stands at the front of the group, (who are seated with instruments / voices ready), and gestures to students to play. It doesn’t matter what notes they choose to play/sing.

You can start by learning a handful of the gestures, teaching these to students one by one, and speaking as little as possible. Once the class have had a little experience of soundpainting, why not get a student in the role of soundpainter?