LINWOOD HIGH SCHOOL

Scottish Composition

Guidance

Name: _________________________

Rhythms

Your Scottish composition will have two contrasting sections:

A Jig and a Reel.

Each dance has different rhythmical features so you will need two separate rhythm banks

Jig Rhythm Bank

A jig is in compound time.

This means that each beat is divided into three quavers.

TASK

Extend your rhythm bank by adding 2 more bars of rhythm.

Each bar must add up to 6 quavers.

Rhythm 5	Rhythm 6

Reel Rhythm Bank

A reel is in simple time.

This means that each beat is divided into two quavers.

TASK

Extend your rhythm bank by adding 2 more bars of rhythm.

Each bar must add up to 4.

Rhythm 5	Rhythm 6

Here is a reminder of your note values to help with this task:

Constructing a Melody

You now have 6 different bars of rhythm for each dance to use in your melody line. These can be mixed up or repeated.

Once you have picked a rhythm for your first bar, you must then decide on what notes to use.

TASK	You will use a pentatonic scale for your melody.		
	Check with your teacher which notes you can use with		
	your chosen key!		

You must make sure to match your notes with whatever your first chord is. Using your composition sheet, which should now contain a chord progression, follow these steps:

Step 1: Work out the triad for that chord. Check this with your teacher, as depending on the key you have picked, your triad may contain a sharp or flat.

Remember to cancel out any notes which do not belong in the pentatonic scale.

Step 2:   Only use these notes to begin with.

You may mix them up in any order and repeat any.

Step 3: Use a keyboard to experiment with the order of the notes.

Step 4: Once your bar is complete, move on to the next bar but this time, you will be using a different chord so the three notes will be different.

Step 5: Continue until you reach your first cadence. Round your melody off with a long note at each cadence point.

Adding More Detail to Your Melody

TASK	Return to the original booklet and complete		
	the tasks on passing notes and sequences.		

Once you have typed your melody into Sibelius, read the tips on how to write a countermelody and bass line.

TOP TIPS!

Scottish music often uses ornamentation to decorate the music. Find 6 places that you could add a grace note to. 

Music for dancing should have a good beat! Add a percussion part.