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"Create Your Own"

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Step 1 - Choose a Major scale.

For your composition, you will use only the notes that are contained in one major scale.

Step 2 - Create a Short Melodic Phrase.

Choose three to six notes from your major scale. Using a simple rhythm, create a short melodic phrase for the piano - right hand. This will be bar 1.

Step 3 - Add Harmony

For the left hand part, add one or two notes that complement the right hand melody. Usually, these will be the root notes of your harmony. Keep the rhythm simple, preferably a whole note or two half notes.

Step 4 - Develop the Melody

Move on to bar 2. Make the melody grow from bar 1 through bar 2. Think of this as a musical journey. Add a simple left hand part in bar 2.

Step 5 - Further Development

Extend these first two bars into a four bar phrase. Refer back to Lesson #1, Steps 6 through 7 for ideas about melodic repetition and harmony.

Step 6 - Finish the Composition

Create another four bar phrase for bars 5 through 8. This second phrase should feel like a logical extension of bars 1 through 4.