Embedded Files
How do you make song maker play a song that someone has already written?
How do you make song maker play a song that someone has already written?
There are a couple of ways.
There are a couple of ways.
First, you could do it by ear, placing the notes where you think they should go, then listening and adjusting until it sounds right.
First, you could do it by ear, placing the notes where you think they should go, then listening and adjusting until it sounds right.
Another way to do it is to look at a piece of music and use the notes to put the song into song maker.
Another way to do it is to look at a piece of music and use the notes to put the song into song maker.
That is what we are going to learn how to do now.
That is what we are going to learn how to do now.
To do this, the first thing we need is some music. Let's use Beethoven's Ode to Joy as our example.
To do this, the first thing we need is some music. Let's use Beethoven's Ode to Joy as our example.
Ode to Joy
Ode to Joy
The first thing we want to do is make sure that our settings are all correct.
The first thing we want to do is make sure that our settings are all correct.
One of the most important settings is the length. We need to find out how many bars of music there are.
One of the most important settings is the length. We need to find out how many bars of music there are.
If you count the vertical lines in the music for this version of Ode to Joy, you should find 16. That means that it is 16 bars, or measures, long.
If you count the vertical lines in the music for this version of Ode to Joy, you should find 16. That means that it is 16 bars, or measures, long.
That is lucky, because 16 bars is the most that you can use in Song Maker.
That is lucky, because 16 bars is the most that you can use in Song Maker.
So the first thing we need to do is go into settings, and change the length to 16 bars.
So the first thing we need to do is go into settings, and change the length to 16 bars.
Next, we need to figure out how many beats per bar there are. Usually, there is a time signature that will tell you. All you need to do is look at the top number. If you look at the beginning of Ode to Joy, the top number of the time signature is 4, so we need to set our beats per bar at 4. That is easy, because Song Maker automatically sets the beats per bar at 4.
Next, we need to figure out how many beats per bar there are. Usually, there is a time signature that will tell you. All you need to do is look at the top number. If you look at the beginning of Ode to Joy, the top number of the time signature is 4, so we need to set our beats per bar at 4. That is easy, because Song Maker automatically sets the beats per bar at 4.
After we figure out how many beats per bar there are, we need to figure out if any of the beats are split. This can be tricky.
After we figure out how many beats per bar there are, we need to figure out if any of the beats are split. This can be tricky.
Look at the rhythm of Ode to Joy. Are there any eighth notes? I see a couple! That means that the beat is split in 2. We don't need to change anything because Song Maker automatically splits each beat into 2 parts.
Look at the rhythm of Ode to Joy. Are there any eighth notes? I see a couple! That means that the beat is split in 2. We don't need to change anything because Song Maker automatically splits each beat into 2 parts.
If there were any 16th notes, we would need to split the beat into 4. If there were only quarter notes, we wouldn't need to split the beat at all.
If there were any 16th notes, we would need to split the beat into 4. If there were only quarter notes, we wouldn't need to split the beat at all.
Once are settings are fixed, we can program in our rhythm.
Once are settings are fixed, we can program in our rhythm.
Remember-each bar alternates in color between white and gray. Every beat except the 2nd to last in the first 4 bars of Ode to Joy is a quarter note. That means that we will put a note in the first part of each beat except the 2nd to last one. Since that is an eighth note by itself, it will go on the 2nd part of its beat.
Remember-each bar alternates in color between white and gray. Every beat except the 2nd to last in the first 4 bars of Ode to Joy is a quarter note. That means that we will put a note in the first part of each beat except the 2nd to last one. Since that is an eighth note by itself, it will go on the 2nd part of its beat.
I like to alternate between circles and triangles when I put the beat in. Here is what the first 4 bars of Ode to Joy looks like if we just program in the rhythm:
I like to alternate between circles and triangles when I put the beat in. Here is what the first 4 bars of Ode to Joy looks like if we just program in the rhythm:
I like to put the rhythm of the song in first, so that I know where the pitches will go.
I like to put the rhythm of the song in first, so that I know where the pitches will go.
As you can see, the rhythm does not stay the same throughout the song.
As you can see, the rhythm does not stay the same throughout the song.
In the 4th measure, there is a dotted quarter note followed by an eighth note followed by a half note.
In the 4th measure, there is a dotted quarter note followed by an eighth note followed by a half note.
Since we have the 1st 4 bars of our rhythm filled in, let's review how song maker handles different pitches.
Since we have the 1st 4 bars of our rhythm filled in, let's review how song maker handles different pitches.
In song maker, each pitch is a different color:
In song maker, each pitch is a different color:
To figure out which color to use, look at which line or space each of the note heads is on. If you can't remember which is which, here is a picture with the lines and spaces labeled:
To figure out which color to use, look at which line or space each of the note heads is on. If you can't remember which is which, here is a picture with the lines and spaces labeled:
If you need a more help with how to read pitch, there are more resources at this web page: HOW TO READ PITCH
If you need a more help with how to read pitch, there are more resources at this web page: HOW TO READ PITCH
When I put all of the pitches in the correct places, my finished product for the 1st 4 bars looks like this:
When I put all of the pitches in the correct places, my finished product for the 1st 4 bars looks like this:
As you can see, I put a color for a pitch above each note in my rhythm.
As you can see, I put a color for a pitch above each note in my rhythm.
That is because I programmed the rhythm in earlier to help with knowing where all of the colors go
That is because I programmed the rhythm in earlier to help with knowing where all of the colors go
I will change the rhythm to make it sound better after I am finished. Or I might leave it. Or I might delete it.
I will change the rhythm to make it sound better after I am finished. Or I might leave it. Or I might delete it.
Hopefully, you notice that the shape of the melody in song maker basically matches the shape of the melody in the written music. Here it is for comparison:
Hopefully, you notice that the shape of the melody in song maker basically matches the shape of the melody in the written music. Here it is for comparison:
You can even add extra notes to make it more interesting.
Now it is your turn to try!
Now it is your turn to try!
Here is a link to Song Maker: SONG MAKER
Here is a link to Song Maker: SONG MAKER
Option 1: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Option 1: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Turn in your version of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star here: TURN IN FORM
Turn in your version of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star here: TURN IN FORM
Listen to students' versions of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star here: TWINKLE TWINKLE LITTLE STAR SHOWCASE
Listen to students' versions of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star here: TWINKLE TWINKLE LITTLE STAR SHOWCASE
Option 2: Mary Had a Little Lamb
Option 2: Mary Had a Little Lamb
Turn in your version of Mary Had a Little Lamb here: TURN IN FORM
Turn in your version of Mary Had a Little Lamb here: TURN IN FORM
Listen to students' versions of Mary Had a Little Lamb here: MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB SHOWCASE
Listen to students' versions of Mary Had a Little Lamb here: MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB SHOWCASE
Report abuse