The Song

All right everyone -- here it is. The song we are going to be working on for the remaining 4 weeks of classes. (By the way -- class is canceled today, March 30). You can download the file below, print it, and begin working on "fleshing it out." Here are some things we will need/want for this song:

1. Harmonization (chords)
2. Structure (form -- verses, choruses, intros, bridges, interludes, etc.)
3. Instrumentation

The list could go on. For example, we could have a drum loop going on. We could have an ostinato in the treble or bass. We could have an a capella section. We could have a bridge featuring a string quartet. The song could be for a soloist, or an ensemble, or a choir, or a combination of any of those. We could use the idea of a canon to have counter-melodies (descant) going on. The options are endless.

So put some thought into it and bring all your ideas to the next class. This is our song -- don't let it be written without your thoughts put forth. Thanks and God bless!

Josh

Here is the song

Class 4a

Sorry for not posting last class. For now, this class post is for the composition assignment. Here are the lyrics to the "hymn":

1 Jesus, lover of my soul,
let me to thy bosom fly,
while the nearer waters roll,
while the tempest still is high.
Hide me, O my Savior, hide,
till the storm of life is past;
safe into the haven guide;
O receive my soul at last.

2 Other refuge have I none,
hangs my helpless soul on thee;
leave, ah! leave me not alone,
still support and comfort me.
All my trust on thee is stayed,
all my help from thee I bring;
cover my defenseless head
with the shadow of thy wing.

3 Wilt Thou not regard my call?
Wilt Thou not accept my prayer?
Lo! I sink, I faint, I fall-
Lo! on Thee I cast my care;
Reach me out Thy gracious hand!
While I of Thy strength receive,
Hoping against hope I stand,
dying, and behold, I live.

4 Thou, O Christ, art all I want,
more than all in thee I find;
raise the fallen, cheer the faint,
heal the sick, and lead the blind.
Just and holy is thy name,
I am all unrighteousness;
false and full of sin I am;
thou art full of truth and grace.

5 Plenteous grace with thee is found,
grace to cover all my sin;
let the healing streams abound,
make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the fountain art,
freely let me take of thee;
spring thou up within my heart;
rise to all eternity.


There you are. So here the rules again:

• The song must have a melody. It would be nice to have a harmony (parts, chords, Roman numeral, et al.).
• You can use part or all of the lyrics. You may change, take away, or add to them. I'm more interested in a concept than a total dedication to every word.
• I would like to see the melody written out. If you have any other parts (instrumental, bridge, etc.) it would also be nice to see them written out.
• You do not have to have everything written out in publishable form. Just a sketch will do.

If you have any other questions, feel free to email. We will continue to look at the Bach Prelude soon and compare it to an old pop song. Thanks for your dedication. God bless-

Josh

P.S. Here is a link to the homework.

Class 2a

So here's the homework assignment:

transcription1

Click on the link above to listen to the song. There is 1 verse followed by 1 chorus. The song is in 4/4 and has a pick up beat. Oh, and it's in the key of Db (the first note is also a Db). Email me at jstewart@bellevue.org if you have any questions.

More about today's class to come . . .

Josh

Class 1a

Welcome back everybody! I'm excited about this coming semester, and I hope you are too. This is going to be the time where we put to use all the information we've learned so far. So let's get to it.

In this week's class we reviewed the main points of last semester: key sigantures, scale degrees and functions, and chords. If you are unsure about any of those topics, scroll down and review.

We then talked about the primary chords of any key: the tonic (I), dominant (V), and subdominant (IV). These three chords make up the bulk of modern music, especially pop, rock, country, and contemporary Christian. Other genres, like jazz, still use them, but add to them or substitute for them (we will be talking about substitutions next class). For now, we're interested in adding these three chords to a melody. To do that, pay attention to the strong notes of the melody, or the notes on the strong beats. A lot of times melodies will suggest their own harmonies. Also, make sure that the notes of the melody don't clash too much with the harmony. If your melody has a passage of the notes "E F G C" and you try to use a G chord to harmonize those notes, there will be a lot of dissonance with the C and, to a lesser degree, the E.

There are some "rules" for harmonizing this way, but for now I'm going to trust your ears. If I see some odd sounding harmonies, I may start imposing more rules -- but if you don't know be now, I'm not a big fan of rules in music. The structure of the musical language (order and propriety) imply its own guidelines (in my humble opinion), so I try to steer away from dogmatic lists of rules when the obvious is obvious. Enough said about that.

Don't forget your assignments: analyze the chords on the homework sheet (see below) and write an 8-bar melody using the pentatonic scale. The pentatonic scale is a five note scale using notes 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 (for any key). Please email if you have any questions. Thanks!

Josh


P.S. Here is the homework.