Cornerstone 4
Performing
Ensembles
Arranging
Day 1
Objective:
Student will choose a song of interest that
has a distinct verse and chorus in order to
analyze the piece to confirm the formal
structure and style in which it is written.
Materials Needed
1
2
3
Computer, Laptop, CD or MP3 Player
Headphones (Students can bring their own from home)
Worksheet
Agenda
1
2
3
4
5
Select a song
Bring in or find a recording (MP3, CD, Youtube)
Identify the genre of music
Identify the form (AABA, ABA, etc.)
Identify the number of measures needed for
your Verse & Chorus
Work Period
Fill out your WorkSheet:
● Choose your song
● Listen to your MP3, CD or
find your song on YouTube
● Identify the form
A = Verse
B = Chorus
C = 3rd Section (Optional)
● Count along with your
recording the number of
measures for your verse
and chorus
Day 2
Objective:
Student will listen to their musical
selection in order to identify Band
Instruments or Voices that will best
compliment their new arrangement
based on stylistic characteristics and
mood of the song they chose.
Materials Needed
1
2
3
Computer, Laptop, CD or MP3 Player
Headphones (Students can bring their own from home)
Worksheet
Agenda
1
Identify the Instruments/Voices you
want to use for the following parts in
your arrangement.
-Melody
-CounterMelodies (Harmony lines)
-Rhythmic lines (i.e Drum beats)
-Foundation (Bass lines)
Day 3-5
Objective:
Student will finalize their
instrument/voice parts, choose a key,
and listen to their recordings in order to
begin writing out the melody in the
verse.
Materials Needed
1
2
3
4
5
Computer, Laptop, CD or MP3 Player
Headphones (Students can bring their own from home)
Worksheet
Staff Paper
Keyboard/Piano
Agenda
1
2
Finalize instrument / voice choices
Choose a Key (1. new key or 2. original key of the song)
3
Use Band Instruments, Sing, and/or
Keyboard/Piano to figure out the melody for the
VERSE.
4
Notate drafts of the verse on staff
paper (use correct instrument range and transposition Instrument/voice
chosen)
Work Period
● Finalize your choices
● Find the tonal center, Tonic
(Teacher confirmation
required), then the scale.
● Use instruments/voice to
transcribe the verse to staff
paper.
● Transcribe verse to staff
paper.
● (Teacher confirmation
required for submission
drafts of verses)
Day 6-7
Objective:
Student will listen to their recordings in
order to begin transcribing the melody
for the Chorus.
Materials Needed
1
2
3
4
5
Computer, Laptop, CD or MP3 Player
Headphones (Students can bring their own from home)
Worksheet
Staff Paper
Keyboard/Piano
Agenda
1
Use Band Instruments, Sing, and/or
Keyboard/Piano to figure out the melody for the
CHORUS.
2
Notate drafts of the chorus on staff
paper (use correct instrument range and transposition Instrument/voice
chosen)
Work Period
● Use instruments/voice
to transcribe the
chorus to staff paper.
● (Teacher confirmation
required for
submission drafts of
verses)
Day 8-10
Objective:
Student will begin harmonizing the
melody and creating countermelodies
in order to add dimension to the piece
and create the mood.
Materials Needed
1
2
3
4
5
Computer, Laptop, CD or MP3 Player
Headphones (Students can bring their own from home)
Circle of 5ths & Chord Progressions
Worksheets & Staff Paper
Keyboard/Piano
Agenda
1
2
Identify the Roman Numeral Chords for the
melody in the verse and the chorus
3
Begin creating 2 to 3 part harmony of the Verse
and the Chorus using the notes of the chord
and following the melody (Students will create
harmony using same rhythms as the verse or
can create counter melodies.)
Create a Chart identifying the triad for each
Chord (i.e. I, IV, V)
Work Period
● Begin identifying the
Roman Numerals for
Chords
● Create a chord chart
based on the key of
the song for Major or
Minor.
● Harmonize and create
a bass line for your
Day 11 (Optional)
● Finalize work get
feedback from
teacher and revise.
● Brainstorm
rhythmic
accompaniments or
use basic drum
beats.
Day 12-14
Objective:
Student will create their rhythmic
accompaniment using Finale (or other)
in order to begin adding ones Melody,
Harmonies, and Bass line.
Materials Needed
1
2
3
4
Computer, Laptop, CD or MP3 Player
Headphones (Students can bring their own from home)
Flash or USB Drive
Worksheets & Staff Paper
Agenda
1
2
Explore Finale (or other) after teacher
demonstration
Transfer music notation from their arranging
drafts on staff paper to computer.
(Students may download finale notepad for free at home)
http://www.finalemusic.com/products/finalenotepad/resources/
3
Save work frequently to student flash/usb
drives.
Work Period
-Save Finale document and MP3 or WAV file. Print Paper
arrangement.
-Convert arrangments to MP3 for student copies.
Day 15
Objective:
Student will present original songs and their
arrangements to class in order to demonstrate
how they executed their vision as an arranger.
Materials Needed
1
2
3
4
Laptop
Projector
Flash or USB Drive
Speakers
Extension
Students may continue to work on their
arrangements and arrange the entire
song. This will involve changing their
form slightly to include other sections C
& D. Basic Song Form is AABA or ABA