Duration

2 hours

Level

Difficulty

About this course

Have you ever listened to a melody only to find that you’re still humming it hours later? Do you wonder why some tunes are so memorable whilst others are heard and gone in an instant? Perhaps you have tried composing your own melody only to find that it lacks character and sounds a bit boring.

In this course I’ll show you how to create a simple motif and develop it into a catchy melody through my Defining Feature Approach®. This approach works because it is simple, adaptable and works for any level, so is suitable for KS3, 4 and 5 students (or equivalent levels).


Who is this course for?

This 2-stage tried-and-tested-in-the-classroom approach has three levels and starting points, so is suitable for secondary students from 11-18 years.

Teachers may wish to use this course to inform their own lesson planning or to display in class and work through with students.

Alternatively students can work through the course at their own pace as part of our Classroom Access Plan.

Do I need to be able to read music?

It is helpful but not essential to be able to read staff notation. If you are not a confident notation reader you may wish to focus on the first two defining features (rhythm and melodic interval).

All the musical examples are presented as notated excerpts with audio clips. There is also video content to watch and listen to.

Book

In my book How to Teach Composition in the Secondary Classroom: 50 Inspiring Ideas (HarperCollins) I share the Defining Feature Approach® as a starting point for melody-writing. This course explores the process in more detail and provides listening material, practical tasks and working examples of how to effectively compose a memorable melody.

Course Summary

In this course we will look at:

  • What techniques composers use to make melodies memorable
  • Introduction to melodic intervals
  • Including intervals to create a particular mood or atmosphere
  • Using rhythm effectively
  • Establishing a clear sense of key
  • Using the 2-stage Defining Feature Approach® to compose a successful melody
  • Composing a short idea and developing it into a longer phrase
  • Creating a longer melody with emotional impact
  • Exemplar listening material to underpin the main teaching points

Access all courses for a single price with an I Can Compose Access Plan. Find out more…