Key Stage 3 Music - Song Writing

Lesson 4

Lesson Objectives

Focus on writing a melody by...

  • Learning what a scale is
  • Learning to describe a melody
  • Learning write a melody using a scale that fits with a chord progression.



Starter

What is a scale?

How does a melody move...?

....up, down or stay the same pitch....?

...by step...?

...by leap...?



  

Pentatonic scale in the key of C

  

  

Pentatonic scale in the key of G

  

Practical - Class Task

Listen to Katy Perry - Firework

(G Am Em C)

What key is this chord progression in?

Describe the melody in the verse

How do we describe a melody?

  • What is the scale that fits with the chosen key?
  • Does it start with one of the notes of the first chord?
  • Does the melody go up, down or stay the same pitch?
  • Does it repeat at all?
  • How many words are in the first bar?
  • Are the words syllabic (one note per syllable) or melismatic (many notes per syllable)?

   

Practical - Pairs

First choose which lyrics you'd like to use. Then create a melody that fits with the chord progression you composed last lesson. This could be the verse for your pop song.

Be prepared to share your melody and chords with the class.

How do we write a melody (worksheet)?

  • Choose a scale that fits with your key (worksheet)
  • Start with the note of your first chord 
  • Play a rhythm on the chord note whilst your partner plays the chord accompaniment
  • Follow the rhythm of the first line of your chosen lyrics
  • Each time the accompaniment changes to a new chord in the progression change your melody note to match the new chord


Fancy a Challenge?

  • Chord Progression - Create a new four bar chord progression that could be used for the chorus
  • Add a Melody to fit with the new Chord Progression
  • Structure - Develop your chord progression(s) & melody  into a verse/chorus pop song structure
  • Instruments - can you select an appropriate instrument on the keyboard to play your melody along with the accompaniment
  • Instruments - can you play the melody along with the accompaniment on your instrument (e.g. ukulele)
  • Can you record your backing to playback and perform chords or riffs or melody on top?
  • Can you record your melody onto the recorded accompaniment?

Plenary

Share your melody, lyrics and chords with the class.





Lyrics

[Example lyrics worksheet]                                        [More lyrics worksheet]

Example 1

Salt, sweat, sugar on the asphalt.

Our hearts littering the topsoil.

Tune in and we can get the last call.

Our lives, our coal.


Example 2

You've bled me dry but I'm still breathing

I swear I'm sucking dry the sky

And you won't ever find us kneeling

Or swallowing your lies


Example 3

Nothing

Oh sweet nothing

Today we're doing nothing at all

Example 4

I got love, I got so much love

Love in my heart and this feeling I can't let it go

I got love, I got so much love

Love in my heart and this feeling I can't let it go


Katy Perry - Firework


Lyrics         

Do you ever feel like a plastic bag?
Drifting through the wind
Wanting to start again
Do you ever feel, feel so paper-thin?
Like a house of cards
One blow from caving in

Do you ever feel already buried deep?
Six feet under screams, but no one seems to hear a thing
Do you know that there's still a chance for you?
'Cause there's a spark in you

You just gotta ignite the light
And let it shine
Just own the night
Like the Fourth of July

'Cause, baby, you're a firework
Come on, show 'em what you're worth
Make 'em go, "ah, ah, ah"
As you shoot across the sky

Baby, you're a firework
Come on, let your colors burst
Make 'em go, "ah, ah, ah"
You're gonna leave them all in awe, awe, awe