Do you want to incorporate composition into your lessons, but aren't quite sure how to start?
Guided composition can be a wonderful tool for introducing your students to composition and music notation in an accessible way.
Keep reading to learn more about how guided composition works and to find FREE printables you can use with students of all ages....
Guided composition can be a wonderful tool for introducing your students to composition and music notation in an accessible way.
Keep reading to learn more about how guided composition works and to find FREE printables you can use with students of all ages....
What is guided composition?
A guided composition activity is one in which some of the musical decisions have already been made for your students. For example, they might be asked to create a melody to fit a given rhythm, or to write a melody that fits a given chord progression. Students then notate their choices on a printed composition template to complete their piece.
How is guided composition beneficial?
Many students find guided composition activities to be less stressful than composing "from scratch" since some of the musical decisions have already been made and filled in on the composition template page.
The guided composition template can also serve as a model for students in learning how to make good choices in rhythm, melody, harmony, and form when they compose a piece. For example, a guided composition template might include:
Using a printed composition template can help make the notation process faster and easier for students, since part of the composition is already filled in. This means that students can complete their compositions without taking up a lot of lesson time.
In short, think of guided composition activities as functional music theory for your students! You are helping them to use familiar scale and chord patterns from their repertoire as building blocks for creating and notating their own music.
Can I use guided composition with more advanced students?
Yes! Guided composition can be worthwhile even for more advanced students. Use the composition template as a starting point, then flesh out the composition even more by:
Ready to give guided composition a try with your students? Below you will find printable templates that you can use with students of all ages!
Click on the images below to download your free PDF copies of any of these worksheets.
Melody only (more advanced students can choose to add harmony)
A guided composition activity is one in which some of the musical decisions have already been made for your students. For example, they might be asked to create a melody to fit a given rhythm, or to write a melody that fits a given chord progression. Students then notate their choices on a printed composition template to complete their piece.
How is guided composition beneficial?
Many students find guided composition activities to be less stressful than composing "from scratch" since some of the musical decisions have already been made and filled in on the composition template page.
The guided composition template can also serve as a model for students in learning how to make good choices in rhythm, melody, harmony, and form when they compose a piece. For example, a guided composition template might include:
- repeated rhythmic patterns in the melody and harmony.
- examples of well-constructed melodies.
- four or eight bar phrases that create a balanced form in the finished piece.
- examples of harmonic choices that flow well and sound complete.
- examples of left hand accompaniment patterns that are appropriate to the style of the piece.
Using a printed composition template can help make the notation process faster and easier for students, since part of the composition is already filled in. This means that students can complete their compositions without taking up a lot of lesson time.
In short, think of guided composition activities as functional music theory for your students! You are helping them to use familiar scale and chord patterns from their repertoire as building blocks for creating and notating their own music.
Can I use guided composition with more advanced students?
Yes! Guided composition can be worthwhile even for more advanced students. Use the composition template as a starting point, then flesh out the composition even more by:
- choosing articulations and dynamics appropriate to the mood of the piece.
- transposing the piece to a different key or mode.
- changing the accompaniment pattern in the left hand.
- adding an introduction and/or coda.
- adding a B section to make the piece longer, using the template page as a starting point.
- exploring forms such as ternary or rondo form to create even longer pieces.
Ready to give guided composition a try with your students? Below you will find printable templates that you can use with students of all ages!
Click on the images below to download your free PDF copies of any of these worksheets.
Melody only (more advanced students can choose to add harmony)
 |  |
Adding melody to simple harmonic intervals
 |  |
Adding melody to a chord progression
 |  |
 |  |
Templates for "reluctant composers"
If you have students who struggle with choosing notes for a melody line, these templates are a great place to start! Students build their melodies one measure at a time by choosing from the given options or rolling dice.
If you have students who struggle with choosing notes for a melody line, these templates are a great place to start! Students build their melodies one measure at a time by choosing from the given options or rolling dice.
 |  |
 |  |
What do you think? Do you use guided composition activities with your students? Let us know in the comments!
RSS Feed