Be A Composer Worksheet

Give your beginning students a chance to be a composer with this worksheet! To strengthen reading notes for the kinesthetic learner without the instrument we can have them write. Even if it’s not the student’s primary learning style, I have found that having them write music solidifies their understanding of what is on the page. We all have a learning style, whether it is visual, kinesthetic or aural. One of these ways that we absorb information more quickly than other methods. When teaching note reading, we rely heavily on the visual aspect. And rightly so, we are learning to read notes. The other learning styles are present especially as we play (kinesthetic, aural) and read notes (visual) at the same time and we are incorporating all of them into the process.

There is a lot that is taught and learned when we have to write music on paper. What side do stems go on. Do stems go up or down. Which side to sharps go on? Where do I write the sharp on the staff? I find that even students who have been playing for years and have looked at music for hours ask these questions when they are required to write it down. So, why not include that paper and pencil from the beginning.

I Can Read Music, Vol. 1 – Violin by Joann Martin is a great book to teach note reading. This worksheet would fit any time after Lesson 11 – Pitch.

Students are asked to create a melody using quarter notes, first five notes of the scale. We will start and end on tonic. Laying out a structure for creativity might clip the wings of very creative students, but more often it gives the less confident a clear structure to work in and helps them be successful.

Skills needed to complete this worksheet:

- - - - Understand lines and spaces of staff.
        
        Know their instrument clef (treble or bass).
        
        Know what a quarter note is and draw them.
        
        Know what 4/4 time signature is and that there are 4 quarter notes in each measure.
        
        Violin – Know where A, B, C#, D and E are on the staff.
        
        Viola – Know where D, E, F#, G and A are on the staff.
        
        Know when to draw stem up or down.
        
        Know what side to draw stem on.
        
        Know how to draw a sharp.
        
        Know which side of the note to draw the sharp on the staff.
        
        Know where on the staff to draw the sharp.

Encourage them to do the extra credit and write words to at least one of their lines. This will challenge and allow them to be even more creative! You will also find out what kind of subjects and ideas are on their minds and your students can be a composer.