Introduction
This is a guest post by one of our teacher-authors, Jennifer Jenkins.
With the shift of teaching toward digital, many of you have probably tried out different online notation programs to use with your students; I use Flat for Education, but they all work in similar ways. Now that you found the one you like, you may wonder: “I have this notation program, now what do I do and how do I use it with my students?”
Some web-based Notation Programs are available. Check out thisPodcastto hear more!
Songwriting Lesson - learning the layers
Whatever program you have chosen, the bones of this lesson can be completed using any of the notation options out there. Best of all, you can take any part of the lesson and adapt it to various levels to meet your students where they are. Before the students work with their groups in any step, do each step as a class to demonstrate the process. Do one activity or layer all of them together to build a whole song. The choice is yours!
Step 1: Building rhythms
Students build a 4-beat rhythm with any medium that is 3-dimensional with the notes they have learned. I used Legos or Strictly Briks with base plates that I had purchased, but you can always ask around to collect those lost Legos (we all have them). Legos not an option? No worries! Use anything from popsicle sticks and pom-poms to Play-doh and clay. The goal is to be hands-on!
Lower Elementary: Give the students the rhythm to copy when building.
Collecting work: Students can upload a photo of their work into your LMS (Learning Management System) or into a Google Form.
Step 2: Adding different sounds to the rhythm
For this step, the students learned the hand clapping game Boom Snap Clap (an expanded lesson is available in the Midnight Music Community). The students used the sounds of Boom (chest), Snap, and Clap and applied it to their rhythm in the order of their choosing. These sounds are then related to the parts of the drum set. Students practice performing their drum loop as a group or individually.
Easier variation: give students the rhythm and BSC pattern to write and perform.
Check out these YouTube resources for Boom Snap Clap!
Step 3: Notating drum set
Now that the students have explored, created, and performed their “drum” loop, they preserve their idea in the notation program! Using the class demo that has been created so far, show the students how to notate their rhythm with a drum set instrument. We made 8 measures, but you can adjust to your age group and ability. Remember to have them title the song. They will be returning to this same score later in the process.
Step 4: Bass on Boomwhackers or Orff Instruments
Listen to various songs that use the I V vi IV progression then introduce the concept of the bass or root pitch. Katie Argyle has provided a great playlist on Spotify to use. Students of any age can play the bass notes on Boomwhackers (or any other melodic instrument you have available) using 2 half notes in each measure. Once they recognize the sound and can play it smoothly, it is time to notate!
Boomwhacker colors in Flat.io
Step 5: Notating the bass line
Students open the same score from step 3. Demonstrate how to add an instrument (I used vintage bass HQ in Flat.io), reorder them so drums are on the bottom, and how to input pitches (explore keyboard shortcuts!) that are each a half note. If you are using 8 measures, show them how to copy and paste the first 4 measures.
Step 6: Building chords
Using any manipulatives, such as Boomwhackers, show the students how to build a chord by skipping a note. This is important to understand as they transfer this idea to the staff. Click the pictures for links to activities.
Step 7: Notating block chords
Continuing in their score, students stack the pitches on each bass note to create block chords. Review that they should all be line notes or space notes when building the chord in root position.
Step 8: Adding variety in the accompaniment
Explore various ways to play the chords: block, broken, half broken, etc. Practice hearing and playing the accompaniment styles with whatever means you have, such as mallet instruments, Boomwhackers, virtual instruments, etc. Be sure to play examples they can either listen to or play along with.
Step 9: Notating accompaniment
Demonstrate how to notate each accompaniment style. Building on the same score, students choose the accompaniment style and notate it. They can stick with one throughout their song, or you can give them the creative license to mix up the accompaniment styles for variety.
Step 10: Beyond the Score
Take it to another level! Download the mp3 and upload into a Garageband or Soundtrap project, add a live melody on an instrument of their choice, or notate a melody directly into the score. What else can you do with this score?
Final Thoughts
This lesson can be as in-depth as you and your students want it to be! What activities do you see yourself doing? What other activities would you do to prepare for notation? How would you approach songwriting with your notation program? We would love to hear about your ideas! Leave a comment below!
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About the Author
Jennifer Jenkins holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education degree from Montclair State University (Montclair, NJ) and a Masters of Music Education from Rutgers University (New Brunswick, NJ). She has 23 years of professional musical experience as a music educator and conductor.
She is currently employed by the Scotch Plains-Fanwood School District at Nettingham Middle School, where she teaches 5th & 6th General Music, 5th-8th Grade Chorus, and serves as a district tech coach. In May 2022, she conducted the New Jersey ACDA Jr. High Honor Choir after waiting 2 years through the pandemic. She enjoys creating with the Cricut and discovering new wines!
Looking for More Resources for Music Teachers?
Hello! I’m Katie Argyle – an Australian music technology trainer and consultant with a passion for helping music teachers through my business Midnight Music.
I’m a qualified teacher but no, I don’t currently teach in a school. I help teachers through my online professional development space – the Midnight Music Community – where there are tutorial videos, courses, links and downloadable resources.
I like to focus oneasyways to incorporate technology intowhat you are already doing in your music curriculumthrough a range of creative projects. I also run live workshops and have presented at countless conferences and other music education events.
If you want simple, effective ideas for using technology in music education, I would LOVE to help you inside theMidnight Music Community.
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