Assignment #6: Composing Phrases withMotifs
What is a Phrase?
A phrase is a complete musical idea.
It is different that a motif as it is usually longer, usually lasting four to eight measures.
Think of a motif as a few words and a phrase as a whole sentence.
Creating a Musical Phrase from Motifs
For this assignment you are going to create two ideas (motifs) and then decide whether and when they should repeat.
1. Click the link to Soundtrap below. It should open up into the assignment. You will hear a bass, keyboard, and drum part.
2. Click on the loop bar above the tracks (it will be purple or gray). Shorten the loop bar to one or two measures length.
3. Click on "Add New Track" and pick an instrument that you think would sound good with the background music.
4. Press "play" and use the computer keyboard (iPad and phones have touchpad keyboards) to come up with a simple idea. You will use only the white notes of the keyboard (row z and row q on the computer). Any white note should sound like it fits.
5. Once you play something that sounds decent, you are ready to record it.
6. Turn the metronome on.
7. Press the red circle. You will be given a count in and then you will play the motif you created. (You can repeat this as many times as necessary until you play it the way you want.)
8. Once you have your first idea down, click on the loop bar and drag it so it starts at measure 3 and goes to measure 5).
9. Repeat Steps 4-7 and to create your second motif (musical idea).
10. Once you have two motifs you can arrange them how you want them by copying and pasting or moving them.
Requirements:
You need two motifs.
They should repeat in some way.
The song should last for 4 measures (ending at measure 5).
Once complete, save and export your song to Mp3.
Attach the Mp3 to the assignment in Google Classroom.
For example, you can look at structure of "Frere Jacques" where the first and second motif are played and then repeated:
First motif:
Which repeats
A new motif:
Which repeats
Extra Help
If you need some help getting started, you can compose a motif that only uses the keyboard keys z, c, b, and x.
Go Further
To further challenge yourself, add a third and fourth motif.
You can also end the first 4-measure phrase on the notes "B" or "D" (keyboard: x or m) and then end the second phrase on "C" or "G" (keyboard: z or b).
This is called an antecedent and consequent phrases. One is considered weak or unfinished (antecedent), and the other is considered strong or finished (consequent).
To read more, click here.