Your Song

Pop song composition using I, V, vi, iv

Okay guys, so now that weve analysed the I, V, vi, iv (1, 5, 6, 4) chord structured song Happy Ending, you should have a good understanding of; song structure (eg; intro -verse-chorus), chordal notes, passing notes, motif and melody with in a singable range. By the end of this lesson you should have input your 8 bars of chords (one chord per bar of 1,5,6,4 times by two) into your piano part using smooth voice leading (in other words, invertin g the chords so it doesnt sound clunky). You should then be starting to create your Bridge using the same method but with a different chord pattern.

Some other chord patterns:

1, 6, 2, 5 - 1, 4, 5, 1 - 1, 6, 4, 5 1, 4, 1, 5 1, 5, 2, 5 1, 5, 1, 4 - 4, 1, 2, 5

Following this you should create and input your; Melody (remember that we talked about establishing the tonic (first scale degree) and using the fifth scale degree. Use chordal notes with passing notes (refer to sheet given). Lyrics (refer to sheet given).

When you have done this, well done(!), if theres time you can create a; Bass line Verse and/or intro (if you feel it will balance/suit your piece) Add interest to your basic chord structure by turning it into a ballad accompaniment (or another style that suits your piece look to your analysed piece for inspiration, perhaps a motif will be re-used or found here). Harmony to the melody line An additional instrumental part (perhaps a motif will be re-used or found here).

Remember your finished product as outlined in your Summative Task Sheet should: Have a Chorus-Bridge-Chorus structure (extended to include Verse and Intro if time) using Sibelius. Is due Tuesday; Week 3 at the end of lesson: 29/10/13

Will include a 250 word reflection giving an informed description of the progress made from the beginning to end, areas of difficulty and considering feedback. To be emailed along with Task 1 (it would be very useful to take notes as youre working).

Lyrics
It may pay to have a look at some of these lyrics before starting your melody for inspiration. Some people will get an idea for a melody by looking at lyrics first, others work better the other way around. If nothing strikes you, move straight onto working out your melody by establishing the tonic, using the fifth, passing notes etc as we learnt and you will find inspiration through simply starting your melody. Some of the best pop song lyrics are very repetitive, with the lyrics not even making a great deal of sense or convey a very simple idea. Eg: Cant read my, cant ready my, no you cant read my poker face po-po-po-poker face, my po-poker face. Youre beautiful, youre beautiful, youre beautiful, its true. Which lyrics would create more of a power ballad? Longer note valued melodies? Or vice-versa? Some ideas for lyrics: (use and extend these, change them even, unless you have your own ideas! Im sure yours would be better! If youre still stuck, think to your favourite songs.) Love: - Going away; how could you ever leave me? - Just met each other; What a dream come true that Ive met you - Finding each other: Never thought I would find that one of a kind - Spending time: Here together we lie, counting stars in the sky - Trust: My gift is my heart, here I give it to you. Careful, careful: my trust is in you World peace: - War; Must we kill lives and spirit, theres so much to fear-so much fear it-almost burns. - Working together; We can make a difference if wed only try - Third World countries; How can I bear to recline in my chair when there are people to feed so many in need? Bullying: - Being an outcast; Would they even know if I didnt show? - Friendship; If theyd only see the girl I see, inner heart counts, not superficiality Having fun: - The weekend; worked to the ground the whole week long, come Saturday Im like King -Kong. - Friends: My crew and I we know where to go, let loose, shake caboose, where the party flow - Party: Were gonna dance, gonna party like we aint got a care, got our hands in the air Faith:

- Feeling cared for: And as I continue through life the more I see, hell always be there and watch over me - Differing opinions: how can we create more hate from a faith that sprung from love? We need peace, observe, to serve, to pay, to pray. A white dove.