# data[].attributes.body
Start with an outline for a new song (verse chorus verse chorus bridge chorus etc)

# data[].attributes.body
I have started my song with Clarinet, French Horn, and Trombone. I am starting to add in dynamics, that I learned from research. I learned some cool chords that I would like to apply in my song. I finished all of my learning goals for today.
3/30/18

# data[].attributes.body
-how to make song flow
-how to add in articulation
-what articulation sounds good will a certain style
-dynamics
-minor keys

# data[].attributes.body
I finished researching about chord progression using both websites. I have started my first lesson for the MOOC. I shall compose a song for Clarinet, French Horn, and Trombone since I have already created two other ones. Next, I will create a song for an entire band.
3/28/18

# data[].attributes.body
Music Theory Academy gives me a lot of answers to my questions to chord progression, so I will start adding a circle progression into my song. I still want to find out whether or not a key change will differ which chord progression I should use. I also need to figure out whether you have to start with a first chord.

# data[].attributes.body
The number below means what solfege the bottom note is. The I means that the bottom note is Do. IV is Fa, V is Sol, and the VI is La.

# data[].attributes.body
The continuation from one chord to the next. Always start and end with the I chord(do mi sol).

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The term chord progression simply refers to the order in which chords are played in a song/piece of music.
Play a few different songs/pieces and you will see that there are various different ways in which composers order chords.
However, the good news is that there are a few simple guidelines which will help you massively when writing your own chord progressions.

The 5 basic rules of Chord Progressions

There are 5 basic rules to follow when writing a chord progression.
Follow these and your chord progression will definitely "work":

1. Choose a key to write in (if you are just starting out the C major, G major, A minor and E minor are good keys to start with)

2. Work out the primary chords (I, IV, V). Start to build your progressions with these. Then move on to using secondary chords (II, III, VI) to develop your chord progressions further.

3. Always start and end your chord progression on chord I

4. Try using some common progressions (see below)

5. Try adding some circle progressions (see below)

The Common Chord Progressions

There are some chord progressions which are used in lots and lots of different songs/pieces - they have been tried and tested in many different styles and will "work".
Learn these and you will be able to play lots of different songs and easily use them in your composing.
They will work in both major and minor keys.

Start with the following 4 progressions. (I have done an audio example in both a major key and then a minor key for you to listen to)

The Circle Progressions

Circle Chord Progressions are progressions where the chords seem to naturally follow on from one another.
You will find the following 2 circle progressions really useful.
Have a listen to the audio examples for each (again, each recording contains an example in a major key followed by an example in a minor key).

Circle Progression 1 Circle Progression 2

Quick Reference Chord Progression Sheet

I have put together this cheat sheet to give you the basic chord progressions in every key!
Feel free to screenshot it/print it out for quick reference.
You will see that some of the keys are really complex with lots of sharps and flats. If you are just starting out I suggest you choose one of the following keys to write in:

Major - C, G, D

Minor - Am, Em, Bm

Major Key Chord Progressions

Minor Key Chord Progressions

In the next lesson we are going to look at Chord Inversions.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Chord Progressions - Music Theory Academy

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The term chord progression simply refers to the order in which chords are played in a song/piece of music. Play a few different songs/pieces and you will see that there are various different ways in which composers order chords.

# data[].attributes.body
Chord Progressions, Music Theory Academy, https://www.musictheoryacademy.com/understanding-music/chord-progressions/
Music Theory Academy describes, in more depth than Pianoscales, chord progression and how to make a chord. This website splits it into primary chords, secondary chords, and common chord progressions.

The primary chords are, in roman numerals, I, IV, and V. These are the basic ones that appear in every single song. They are the base chords, or the structure that you can build off of. After you put in the basic chords, you can apply the secondary chords in between.

The secondary chords are II, III, and VI. These chords can make the song more interesting and complicated. Both of these types of chords make up some of the common chord progressions.

A common chord progression is in every pop song. They have a circle progression, which loops throughout the song. Music Theory Academy emphasizes that, "There are some chord progressions which are used in lots and lots of different songs/pieces – they have been tried and tested in many different styles and will “work”.
Learn these and you will be able to play lots of different songs and easily use them in your composing.
They will work in both major and minor keys." Some of these progressions that have been tried are I - IV - VII - III - VI - II - V - I, I - IV - V - I, and I - V - VI - IV.

I can use this by applying these progressions in my song. There are many different progressions which can work, but I will start using these. I started looking into this website once I knew that Pianoscales didn't know enough about this topic. This one has greater knowledge and digs deeper into the meaning of music theory.

# data[].attributes.body
I finished dissecting the website, and have started writing two songs. One is a rough draft and the other one is a full piano piece.
3/26/18

# data[].attributes.body
¨Pianoscales: Major, Minor, and other keys,¨Pianoscales,
https://www.pianoscales.org/compose-music.html

Pianoscales describes the basic needs that have to appear in a song. This website breaks down these fundamentals to Melody and Harmony, Chords, and Harmonic Progression.

The melody and harmony are the most basic parts of the song, and they are the parts people remember. They are in every song that has ever been created, and I will implement these in my own song. To create these necessary parts of a song, I need to have knowledge and experience with chords.

Chords help the melody flow and blend, but you cannot use chords without the knowledge of harmonic, or chord, progression. This idea is what actually makes the song flow, but chords make up this progression. The chords will either continue the mood, or drastically change it. This is why we need harmonic progression, to make the song flow.

The progression continues from start to finish, but is mainly used for the end. He explains this by stating, ¨When you reach the end of the song, a common method is to shorten the interval between chords. This accomplishes a breaking effect. The name that is often used for the chord progression at the end of a phrase or song is cadence.¨ Unfortunately, Pianoscales does not explain what the breaking effect actually is, which means I will have to dig deeper into other resources. Further research will happen, considering that this website does not hold all of the answers.

I would use, mainly, the knowledge of harmonic progression, since I already knew a lot about the harmony and melody. Harmonic progression is also really important because it is what gives the mood to a song.

# data[].attributes.body
I have finished researching the fundamentals of music and have stated digging deeper into band pieces that I can write. I will start small, and write a song for only trumpets and trombones.
3/22/18

# data[].attributes.body
I made connections with my research. I finished analyzing the website. Now I have to work on the book.
3/20/18

# data[].attributes.body
Do the scale degrees make up a harmonic progression?

# data[].attributes.body
Are arpeggios still do, mi, sol, do' in a minor key?

# data[].attributes.body
Using the scale degrees, can I still implement them into a minor key?

# data[].attributes.body
Should I start composing the harmony or the melody first?

# data[].attributes.body
Can I create my song with a key change from a major to a minor key?

# data[].attributes.body
These are in all of the keys, and are do, mi, sol, do'

# data[].attributes.body
They have a flat 4th and a half step up to the 8th

# data[].attributes.body
They have a flat 3rd and 6th. The 7th is also a whole step up to the 8th. Not a flat 4th. Usually more complicated to play than a major key.

The formula is 1-b3-5

# data[].attributes.body
WHWWHWW

# data[].attributes.body
WWHWWWH

# data[].attributes.body
Acts as the partner to the melody. Makes pieces sound better. Can put in treble or bass clef

# data[].attributes.body
Tonic (I): the first note of a scale that the scale is based upon, sometimes called the root.
Super tonic (II): second scale degree, one step above the tonic.
Mediant (III): third scale degree with a position halfway between the tonic and the dominant.
Subdominant (IV): fourth scale degree, a fifth below the tonic and next to the dominant.
Dominant (V): fifth scale degree
Submediant (VI): sixth scale degree and sometimes called supermediant.
Subtonic (VII): seventh scale degree which is also referred to as leading tone because it musically "leads" back to the tonic.

# data[].attributes.body
The main tune of a song. The part of a song most people remember.

# data[].attributes.body
Two fundamental elements in composing music are scales and chords. Then creating a piece of music the knowledge of scales is indeed helpful, although is possible to create by going away from them.

# data[].attributes.body
I finished my Research Gathering, and have started my MOOC.
3/14/18

# data[].attributes.body
3/12/18 Finish Statement of Work

3/14/18 Create a checklist

3/14/18 Put checklist on padlet

3/18/18 Analyze the video

3/20/18 Start to read/analyze The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Music Composition

3/20/18 Write down research from book

3/20/18 Analyze styles of The Greatest Showman and La La Land

3/20/18 Create an annotated bibliography

3/22/18 Do the MOOC

3/23/18 Analyze website

3/25/18 Practice writing song with the styles

3/27/18 Start editing the piece

3/29/18 Synthesize ideas into the notes

3/29/18 Synthesize the styles into the rhythms
4/1/18   Finish book
4/2/18   Write down research and findings
4/4/18   Research the types of articulation
4/8/18   Finish articulation
4/10/18 Research how dynamics affect your song
4/12/18 Finish dynamics
4/30/18 Finish research writing
5/10/18 Finish first song
5/12/18 Finish second song. Start writing piece with different instruments

5/12/18 Finish 3rd song with Clarinet, Horn, Trombone, and Snare Drum

5/12/18 Write the papers for the presentation

5/14/18 Find a way to let people write their own song in my presentation

5/18/18 Present

# data[].attributes.body
The basics and fundamentals of music theory

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The order in which harmony and melody are created can vary between composers. The art of combining harmony and melody is done with talent, experience and some guidelines. This article cannot offer talent or experience, but it can give you basic guidelines. Two fundamental elements in composing music are scales and chords.

# data[].attributes.body
Scale and harmonic progression

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to Compose Music - Lesson 1 - How to Write a Melody