Music | Graded Assignment | Composition: Introduction to Music Appreciation

Name: Rain Kirk

Date:

Graded Assignment
Composition: Introduction to Music Appreciation
In the composition assignments, you will use Finale NotePad . For this first assignment, follow the basic
instructions for composing a piece in Finale NotePad to walk through the process. This document contains your
three-part Composition: Introduction to Music assignment, but you will use these same basic steps to notate
music scores in your composition assignments throughout the course.
Note: These instructions are intended for use with Finale NotePad 2014. If you use a different version of Finale
NotePad, you may have to adjust accordingly.
(7 points)

Part 1: Mystery Tune

1. Open Finale NotePad and title your composition.

Score

In the Document Setup Wizard for Title, type Mystery Tune.

Under Composer, type your name.
Choose Landscape under Page Size.
Select Next.
2. Select an instrument.
In the Document Setup Wizard, choose Keyboards.
Choose Piano.
Choose Add.
Choose Next.
3. Select Time and Key Signatures.
In the Document Setup Wizard, select 4/4 for the Time Signature.
Leave the Key Signature as C major.
Choose Finish.
You have now opened your blank score. Get familiar with how to use Finale NotePad.

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Music | Graded Assignment | Composition: Introduction to Music Appreciation

For this assignment, you'll use the following icons from the Simple Entry Palette. The icons may look slightly
different from these, but they should still be recognizable.
Icon

Description
Eighth Note tool
Quarter Note tool
Half Note tool
Whole Note tool
Eraser tool

You'll also need these icons from the Main Tools Palette.
Icon

Description
Selection tool
Repeat tool
Articulation tool
Smart Shape tool (used for
slurs, crescendos, and
decrescendos)
Expression tool
Text tool

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Music | Graded Assignment | Composition: Introduction to Music Appreciation

If some or all these tools aren't visible when you open Finale NotePad, select different palettes from the
Window menu until you have what you need.

Use this chart to help you place notes on the staff during this practice exercise.

4. Start writing some music by entering notes on the treble clef.

Measure 1
(a) Select the Quarter Note tool. You will need to select the treble clef staff to place your first note, which will
be purple until you finalize it. You may place a note using three different methods:

Use the arrow keys to move the purple note up and down the staff, and select the Return on your
keyboard when you have the note you want.

Once you have placed the note on the staff by selecting the staff, select and hold the purple note
to drag it up or down.

Select the place on the staff where you want to place your note.

Whichever method you choose, a new note will appear right after you've placed your note, and you can
move the new note to its desired location.
(b) Enter a quarter note on the middle C line (the ledger line just below the treble clef).
(c) If you make a mistake, use the Eraser tool. Your cursor will turn into an arrow with an eraser attached to
it. Use the arrow to erase any note you want to get rid of. When you're ready to write music again, select
the note tool (in this case, the Quarter Note tool) that you want.
(d) Use the Quarter Note tool to enter C again, to the right of the first note.

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Music | Graded Assignment | Composition: Introduction to Music Appreciation

(e) Use the Quarter Note tool to enter two quarter notes on the G line (the second line from the bottom in the
treble clef).
You should have four quarter notes in this measure: C, C, G, G.
Measure 2
(a) Enter two quarter notes in the A space (second space from the bottom in the treble clef).
(b) Select the Half Note tool.
(c) Enter a half note on the G line.
You should have two quarter notes and one half note in this measure: A, A, G.
Measure 3
(a) Select the Quarter Note tool.
(b) Enter two quarter notes in the F space (first space from the bottom in the treble clef).
(c) Enter two quarter notes on the E line (bottom line in the treble clef).
You should have four quarter notes in this measure: F, F, E, E.
Measure 4
(a) Enter two quarter notes in the D space (the space right below the bottom line in the treble clef).
(b) Select the Half Note tool.
(c) Enter a half note on middle C.
You should have two quarter notes and one half note in this measure: D, D, C.
(d) At the top of the page, select the Play arrow to play back what you have written. Do you recognize the
tune? Select the Stop square (next to the Play arrow) after you've heard the whole piece.
5. Keep writing.
Measure 5
(a) Select the Quarter Note tool.
(b) Enter two quarter notes on the G line.
(c) Enter two quarter notes on the F space.
You should have four quarter notes in this measure: G, G, F, F.
Measure 6
(a) Enter two quarter notes on the E line.
(b) Select the Half Note tool.
(c) Enter a half note in the D space.
You should have two quarter notes and one half note in this measure: E, E, D.
6. Copy some of what you already have.
Measures 7 and 8
(a) Select the Selection tool.
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Music | Graded Assignment | Composition: Introduction to Music Appreciation

(b) Drag Measures 5 and 6 across to copy them into Measures 7 and 8.
You've now created two new measures (7 and 8) that are the same as the previous two measures (5 and
6).
Measure 9
(a) Choose the Selection tool if it is not still selected.
(b) Drag the first four measures down to Measure 9 so Measures 912.
You've now created four new measures (912) that are the same as the first four measures (14).
7. Start adding chords in the bass clef.
Measure 1
(a) Select the Whole Note tool.
(b) Enter a whole note on the C line below middle C (second space up from the bottom in the bass clef).
(c) Enter a whole note in the E space (third space up from the bottom in the bass clef). The E should be
stacked right on top of the C in this first measure. You will hear both notes sound together.
(d) Enter a whole note in the G space (fourth space up from the bottom in the bass clef). The G should be
stacked top of the two other notes. You will hear all three notes sound together as a chord.
This chord is called a C chord, because the bottom note is C. This chord is the only thing you will have in
this measure.
Measure 2
(a) Select the Half Note tool.
(b) Enter a half note on the F line below middle C. (Remember, this note goes between the two dots on the
bass clef.)
(c) Enter a half note on the A line below middle C, directly above the F (the top line in the bass clef). The A
should be stacked right on top of the F.
(d) Enter a half note on Middle C in the bass clef, directly above both notes (the first ledger line above the
bass clef). The C should be stacked right on top of the other two half notes, F and A.
You should hear all three notes sound together.
This chord is called an F chord, because the bottom note is F.
You still have two beats left in this measure.
(e) Again in the bass clef, enter a half note on the C line below Middle C (second space up from the bottom in
the bass clef).
(f) Enter a half note directly on top of the C in the E space.
(g) Enter a half note directly on top of the E in the G space.
You should have two half note chords in this measure: an F chord followed by a C chord.
Measure 3
(a) Choose the Selection tool.

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Music | Graded Assignment | Composition: Introduction to Music Appreciation

(b) Drag the two half note chords in the bass clef of Measure 2 and copy them in Measure 3.
You should have two half note chords in this measure: an F chord followed by a C chord.
Measure 4
(a) Select the Half Note tool.
(b) Enter a half note on the lowest G line on the staff (in the bass clef), which is the bottom line.
(c) Enter a half note on the B line directly above the G (second line from the bottom).
(d) Enter a half note on the D line directly above the B (third line from the bottom).
This chord is called a G chord, because the bottom note is G.
There are two more beats left in this measure.
(e) With the half note icon, enter a C chord. (If you need help, refer to the instructions for the second chord in
Measure 2.)
You should have two half note chords in this measure: a G chord followed by a C chord.
8. Keep adding chords to the bass clef.
Measure 5
(a) Select the Half Note icon and enter a C chord.
(b) Using half notes, enter an F chord.
(c) If you need help, refer to the instructions for the chords in Measure 2. The first chord in Measure 2 is an F
chord. The second chord in Measure 2 is a C chord.
In this measure, you should have a C chord followed by an F chord.
Measure 6
(a) Using half notes, enter a C chord.
(b) Using half notes, enter a G chord.
(c) If you need help on the G chord, refer back to the instructions for the first chord in Measure 4.
9. Copy some more chords.
Measures 7 and 8
(a) Select the Selection tool.
(b) Drag and copy all four chords in Measures 5 and 6 into the bass clef area of Measures 7 and 8. Refer to
Step 6 of this assignment if you need directions on how to copy and drag chords.
Measures 912
(a) Select the Selection tool.
(b) Draw a dotted box around all seven chords in Measures 14.
(c) Drag and copy these chords into the bass clef area of Measures 912.Now listen again. How does it
sound?
10. Put repeat signs in the score to show it should be played twice.

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Music | Graded Assignment | Composition: Introduction to Music Appreciation

Measure 1
(a) Select the Repeat tool.
(b) Select Measure 1. A pop-up box appears.
(c) Choose Select to choose the icon on the left (the sign with the two dots on the left).
The blue repeat sign will appear in at the beginning of the first measure.
Measure 12
(a) Select the Repeat tool.
(b) Select Measure 12.
(c) Select the icon on the right.
The blue repeat sign will appear at the end of the last measure.
11. Add some expressions to your piece.
Measure 1
(a) Select the Expression tool.
(b) Position the tool over the first note (C) in the treble clef in the first measure.
(c) When the pop-up box appears, select the box with mf in it.
(d) If the expression ends up in the wrong place, drag it to wherever you wish.
Measure 5
(a) Select the first note (G) in the treble clef in Measure 5.
(b) When the pop-up box appears, select the box with p in it.
Measures 7-8
(a) Select the Smart Shape tool, and then select the Crescendo tool. (Both tools will be selected or
highlighted at the same time.)
(b) Select Measure 7, and drag the crescendo to adjust its size. Make the crescendo extend to the end of
Measure 8.
(c) To adjust the width or length of your crescendo once it has been created, select your existing crescendo,
and then select any of the little boxes that appear that match the size of the crescendo you wish to create.
Measure 9
(a) Select the Expression tool.
(b) Select the first C in the treble clef in Measure 9.
(c) When the pop-up box appears, select the box with mf.
(d) Play back what you have so far. How do you like it?
12. Think about the tempo.
For a Faster Tempo
(a) Look for the Tempo Control. It looks like a quarter note followed by an equal sign and a number.

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Music | Graded Assignment | Composition: Introduction to Music Appreciation

(b) Select the quarter note in the Tempo Control. A pop-up appears that displays different rhythm values.
(c) Select the half note.
(d) Listen to your piece played at twice the original speed.
For a Slower Tempo
(a) Select the half note in the Tempo Control. The pop-up box again appears.
(b) Change the half note to an eighth note for a very lazy tempo.
(c) After experimenting a bit, choose a tempo that you feel is appropriate.
13. Note that this tune repeats the first part entirely. The song, therefore, is in three parts: A, B, A. Label the score
with this form.
Measure 1
(a) Select the Text tool.
(b) Select the space over the first note of the first measure in the treble clef and type A. An A should now
appear just above the staff.
Measure 5Select the space over the first note of Measure 5 in the treble clef and type B. A B should
now appear just above the staff.
Measure 9Select the space over the first note of Measure 9 in the treble clef and type A. An A should
now appear just above the staff.
14. Select the Play arrow in the playback control at the top of the page. Listen to your creation.
15. When you are satisfied with your creation, save your Finale NotePad file (Mystery Tune), which you will
submit to your teacher along with the other parts of this assignment.
(7 points)

Part 2: Original Composition

Apply your new skills as an original composer. Create a new piece of music following the
guidelines in Part 1.

Score

1. Decide on a theme and name your original piece with an appropriate title of your choosing.
Choose any single instrument as your instrument for this piece. Select time and key
signatures.
2. Include at least 8 measures in your composition. Write the music with the treble clef and include a variety of
notes and rests. Your piece should have a distinct melody line with some repeating patterns. (It may be
helpful to review Part 1 as you work on this new piece of music.)
3. Choose an appropriate tempo for your piece and add expression marks. Use the Finale NotePad playback
mode to listen to your piece as you go along. Adjust as needed for desired effect.
4. Use the playback mode and consider how well your original piece conveys the message and effect you
intended. Make final adjustments and save your composition.
5. When you are satisfied with your creation, save your Finale NotePad file (original composition), which you will
submit to your teacher along with the other parts of this assignment.

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Music | Graded Assignment | Composition: Introduction to Music Appreciation

Part 3: Reflection Questions

Now that you have followed directions to compose a familiar song and create an original piece of music, answer
these questions about your experiences.
(1 point)

1. What is the name of the familiar song you put together in Part 1? Identify the song by its title.

Score

ABCs or Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

(1 point)

2. What are your impressions of Finale NotePad? Did you enjoy using it? Why or why not?

Score

I enjoyed using Finale Notepad. It was easy to use and learn.

(1 point)

3. What was the most fun and exciting aspect of using Finale NotePad? What was
challenging?

Score

I liked listening to the song when it was done and changing the Tempo. It was
challenging trying to remember where to put the notes.
(1 point)

4. What feature of Finale NotePad surprised you the most?

Score

I think that using the expressions was the most interesting and surprising tool
that we used.
(1 point)

5. In what ways did you experiment with the familiar piece of music in Part 1? How did these
changes affect the sound of the music?

Score

I experimented with the tempo and different expressions. The Tempo changed
the speed of the song and made it sound different depending on if you made it
go faster or slower.
(1 point)

6. Now that you have composed an original piece of music with Finale NotePad in Part 2, do
you think this program makes it easier or harder to be musically creative? Explain your
response.

Score

I think that Finale Notepad makes it easier to be musically creative, because you
can test and hear your music as you go on. It makes it easy to change and edit your music as
you create it.
Save your responses to these questions. Submit your mystery tune file from Part 1, original composition file from
Part 2, and responses from Part 3 to your teacher by the due date.
Your Score
___ of 20

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