production through performance

music technology curriculum

 

5.3 lesson plan // multi-voice Melody

objective

Students will be able to play and record a multi-voice melody that uses smooth voice leading and melodic rhythm.

Resources

Voice Leading →

Assessment

5.3 Project Rubric →

preparation

  1. Create multi-voice melodies together as a class. 

  2. Transcribe the melodic pitch of pop songs and analyze which voices are being used against the harmony.

Process

  1. Write a chord progression, and create a chord part with a pads + punches, ostinato, or riff rhythmic role. 

  2. Write a drum groove and create a bass line with octave jumps and leading tones. 

  3. Compose a melodic rhythm with syncopation, repetition, and space. 

  4. Use the notes from multiple voices (bottom, middle, or top) inside each measure and between measures. CHECK STUDENT ANSWERS 

  5. Record four measures of the drum, bass, and chord parts as separate tracks in Soundtrap.

  6. Add a synth track and choose an appropriate sound for the song. 

  7. Record a performance of the melody, trim the clip, quantize the attacks, and snd snap the releases to the correct subdivision.

Remediation

  • Supply the repetition letters for the melodic rhythm.

  • Keep the melody on the same voice when moving from chord to chord.

Enrichment

  • Open the project up to 16th note and/or 8th note triplet subdivisions. 

  • Add a second four measure phrase of bass, drums, and chords with a new melody that is connected by a drum fill.