We are currently learning meter and time signatures.
1. Duple, Triple, and Quadruple = what the conductor is beating
2. Simple Meter is when the beat is divisible by 2
Compound is when the beat is divisible by 3
Eg. Compound Triple is be 9/8 time.
1. Duple, Triple, and Quadruple = what the conductor is beating
2. Simple Meter is when the beat is divisible by 2
Compound is when the beat is divisible by 3
Eg. Compound Triple is be 9/8 time.
COMPOSITION: Nursery Rhyme Melody
Simple Songwriting 101:
Simple Songwriting 101:
- Draw a nursery rhyme from the hat.
- Say the nursery rhyme silently to yourself at least three times
- Say it out loud with your partner. Do it a number of times until you settle on the rhythms.
- Figure out if you are chanting in Simple (subdivision by two) or Compound (subdivision by three) meter.
- Underline the syllables that are accented. These are downbeats. From this you can figure out if your nursery rhyme is in duple, triple, or quadruple meter.
- Look at the accented syllables again. If there is a word before the underlined syllable, it is probably a pick-up (anacrusis). Remember to subtract this amount from the previous beat (probably the last word of the last phrase).
- Notate the rhythm of the nursery rhyme.
- Compose the melody
- Start on Tonic
- End on Tonic (On a strong beat)
- Use primarily conjunct motion
- Notate the rhythm of the nursery rhyme with the lyrics underneath. For a more polished look, try one of these free notation software websites:
- Practice your Performance many times. You can sing with or without accompaniment.
- Have fun!

Nursery Rhymes to Choose From |
The composition will be due Tuesday, October 2nd. You will have all period this Friday (Sept. 28th) to work on it.