Beginner Songwriter Project

Task: To create a short song using a melody, chord progression, bass line and drum beat.

Objectives:

• To understand and use the primary chords of I, V, vi, and IV in C Major
• To understand the concept of the Pentatonic Scale
• To understand the concept of the Bass Line and how to write one.
• To create a melody using a Pentatonic Scale
• To import a MIDI file into a Mixcraft project.

Previous knowledge required:

• copy, paste and labeling of regions and tracks.
• creation of drumbeats.
• mixing, panning and Master Effect

This is how  your final project should be laid out:

Songwriter Diagram

Bar#

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

Track 1: Melody

Premade Melody A

Create your own B melody

End

Track 2:  Harmony RH

C

G

Am

F

C

G

Am

F

C

G

Am

F

C

G

Am

F

C

Track 3: Harmony LH

C

G

Am

F

C

G

Am

F

C

G

Am

F

C

G

Am

F

C

Track 4: Bass Line

Create your own A (see instructions)

Create your own B

End

Track 5: Drums (Cymbal, Snare, and Bass)

Create your own A

Create your own B

End

Steps:

1. Open a Mixcraft Virtual Instrument project and under the Sound menu, select "Add Sound File." Choose the MIDI file "Beginner Songwriter Melody.mid" from the Pickup folder. 
2. Begin recording your Harmony RH and Harmony LH in separate tracks.  Use whatever rhythms you like for your chords. 
3. Create your B part Melody using only the notes of the Pentatonic Scale.  It must be different from the given melody, but still sound like it  is from the same song.
4. Create the Bass Line for each chord using the instructions on the handout.
5. Choose appropriate instruments for each part by choosing a genre or style of music.  Choose your instruments wisely: 
1. Harmony parts are played by Keyboards or Guitars or a group of instruments like Strings or Choir.  Harmony cannot be played by Tambourine! 
2. Melody parts should be played by an instrument that will stand out from the rest of the sounds.  
3. Bass parts must be played by a Bass - not by a Flute!
6. Create the Drumbeat for the A section and then change it and create something different for the B section.
7. Create an ending that sounds intentional.  Don't just cut off the music!
8. ALWAYS QUANTIZE!
9. Add a Master Effect.
10. Pan, mix and balance.
11. Submit as MX6 and MP3 as :"Beg Songwriter Your Name:

Extension ideas for bonus marks:

• Create a 2 or 4 bar intro and outro
• Add drum "fills" to add interest to your drum part.
• Vary the TEXTURE in your assignment so that not every instrument is playing at the same time.  

Handouts: