In this lesson you will orchestrate your 8 bar melody to be playable on your instrument (or for someone else in class).

Preliminary Steps

1. Log into Noteflight
   
2. Open your completed assignment from Composing A Melody Part 2.
3. Select "Save a Copy" from the Edit menu.
4. Give your composition a new or modified title.

Part 1: Changing the Melody to be playable on your instrument (or the instrument of someone in class).

1. Select your entire melody (without the bass line) (Double click in the space between the Treble Clef and the 4/4 Time Signature)
2. From the Staff menu, select "Change Instrument..."
3. Depending on the instrument you selected, you may have to change the octave or range of your melody. For example, if you select Trombone, the music will be printed unreasonably high. Or if you select Flute, the music may be printed too low.
4. If your music is printed in the correct range (not too high, and not too low), go on to step 5. Otherwise, you need to Transpose your melody to the appropriate range and octave. Select your entire melody again (without the bass line). Then from the Edit menu, select "Transpose" > "Up Octave" or "Down Octave". This will move your melody up 8 notes (Up Octave) or down 8 notes (Down Octave). Check with your teacher if you're unsure of what to do.
5. Your melody should now be ready for your instrument, or the instrument of your choosing. Uncheck the box at the bottom bar of the screen next to "Concert Pitch" if you want to see how the part looks for your instrument. Click Here to see an example of Mr. Hall's Melody written for Alto Saxophone.
6. When you're finished, share your composition with your teacher. (Click on the SHARING menu. Select "Anyone can view this score". Then click the copy button to copy the web link for your composition. Paste this link into the Self-Evaluation/Reflection Form listed below.)
   

Part 2: Transposing your composition to a more friendly concert band key signature.
Your melody does not have to be transposed for it to be played on a concert band instrument, but the key of Concert C Major isn't generally the most friendly key for middle school band students. You might want to consider changing it to Concert Bb Major, Concert Eb Major, Concert F Major, or any other key you prefer. The instructions listed below will help you transpose your composition to Concert Bb Major.

1. Follow the 4 Preliminary Steps listed at the top of this page.
2. After you have created a new copy of your composition, you should read the information about Changing Key Signatures and Transposing Music on and the Noteflight Help page.
3. Change the Key Signature to from C to Bb by selecting "Change Key Signature..." from the Staff menu. Select the key signature for Bb with 2 flats.
4. Now select all of the music in your composition (click between the clef and the time signature of the melody, then hold the shift button and click at the end of the last measure of the bass line).
5. With all of the music highlighted, select "Transpose" > "Down a Scale Step" from the Edit menu.
6. Double check your work by playing your composition. It should sound pretty much the same, except lower by 1 whole step. If you made a mistake, you can select "Undo" from the Edit menu. Click Here to see an example of Mr. Hall's Trumpet melody transposed to Bb Concert. Tip: You must change the key signature 1st, then transpose the music for the transposition and key change to work properly.
7. When you're finished, share your composition with your teacher. (Click on the SHARING menu. Select "Anyone can view this score". Then click the copy button to copy the web link for your composition. Paste this link into the Self-Evaluation/Reflection Form listed below.)
   
8. Complete the Self-Evaluation form listed below.
9. IF YOU HAVE EXTRA TIME... You can try orchestrating your composition for your instrument, trombone, trombone and tuba. CLICK HERE See Mr. Hall's Example. I made several minor edits for my orchestration. Be sure to save your orchestration as a new copy so you don't change your assignment for this lesson. 1. I changed the key to Bb (to make it more playable). 2. I transposed the parts down a whole step (to make the parts fit the new key signature). 3. I modified the trombone/tuba parts just a bit to make them more interesting. (Hint: to create a tuba part, make a trombone part and change the name to tuba). Have fun!

This is the end of our composition project. Please complete this brief Music Composition Project Survey before leaving class. Your responses are anonymous and will help shape future composition projects. Thanks!

Please respond to the questions in the form provided below. You need to number your responses and use complete sentences.

1. Part 1: What is the web address to your composition for your instrument? Past your link from the SHARING menu.

2. Part 2: What is the web address to your composition after you transposed it? Past your link from the SHARING menu.

3. What steps or processes were the most difficult for you to complete? Why?

4. Do you like the way your composition sounds on your instrument? Why or why not?

5. On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 = poor, 10 = excellent), what score would you give your project? Why?