1. Teaching Music Composition Using Notation Software
Thomas Rudolph, Ed. D.
Director of Music
School District of Haverford Township
Sponsored by SoundTree

2. What is Notation Software?
A computer program used to print out parts and scores.
A notation program is to music what a word processor is to the printed word.
Play Srgt. Peppers track…..
David Schrader's article in the February, 1981 issue of the Instrumentalist, "Microcomputers Come to Music", my first course
- remember spending $175 for an expansion card for my Apple II a 16k language card
- 20 years around technology - wow! Do I look that old?
story my Middle School kid doing an age study - Dr. Rudolph when were you born kid says WOW!
- Dr. Rudolph - when I get old like you will learn to like the beatles
Read page 16 of the article - and the summary.
- Kids do keep us honest..the other day I overheard my daughter on the phone....
My dad is the type of Doctor who doesn’t do anything.
My daughter asked - Dad what kind of Doctor are you. I answered - an education Doctor. She though a minute and responded - I think I get it - when kids are sick of education - you have to teach them!!

3. Recommended Notation Software
Finale ($250)
PrintMusic (low-end version of Finale) ($60.00)
NotePad (basic use - similar to PrintMusic and Finale) FREE
Sibelius - ($250)
Available from SoundTree ( )
- 1. I got interested in technology when electronic instruments could help students learn and improve ensemble performance - I bought an Arp Odyssey - used it in I still use it today
2. Interest in computers - declining enrollment - we used technology to reinstate a course
3. Fascinated by what I heard - Don Muro’s performance

4. Resource materials & lesson plans
Strategies for Teaching Technology (MENC)
Sibelius Teaching Tools
Vermont MIDI web site
Joke: jazz improve materials - no longer need to use the CASE OF BEER method
TI:ME courses - teachers are asked to:
Conservatively indicate the percentage of increase in your teaching effectiveness that you forsee as a result of taking this course - from 0% to 100%. With over 1,000 teachers, the average predicted increase in effectiveness is 52%.
Take technology training - to increase your effectiveness by more than 50%
Peter Webster quote:
In his research, Dr. Peter Webster reviewed the current state of music technology and in his summary of research on music education states:
“So, is music technology effective and is it worth the trouble?  On balance and on a very basic level, the answer to this question is yes.  Does music technology hold the key for solving all our music teaching problems?  Of course not.  Are there abuses in its use?  Absolutely.  Does it always improve learning?  No, much depends on the context--especially the teacher and its use instructionally.  Is it worth the trouble to keep studying its role in music teaching and learning?  Unconditionally, yes.”15

5. Start with the basics Do not just start composing…
Do develop a vocabulary using Theory texts books, Computer-Assisted Instruction software and so forth.
Master Theory (
Alfred Basic Theory Software (
Music Ace (
(show slide)
- Dr. Ken Raessler - Performers and the Consumers....
- Dr. Tim’s comment - under 10% play in a performing ensemble - if all schools are included, less than 1%.

6. Start with the basics… Music Theory Background
Use notation software to write assignments
Use music notation software to compose scales and chords
Transcribe a familiar melody by ear into standard notation (Strategies for Teaching – page 56)
(show slide)
- Dr. Ken Raessler - Performers and the Consumers....
- Dr. Tim’s comment - under 10% play in a performing ensemble - if all schools are included, less than 1%.

7. Editing and Modifying Existing Pieces
Drag or transpose given notes to new locations
Copy and paste patterns to create a melody
Add expressive elements to compositions
Arrange excerpts enhancing the expressive effect of the music (Strategies for Teaching page 135)
Add chords – tonic and dominant to a given melody (Sibelius and Finale will play back chords selected)
Transpose tonality of an existing exercise (Sibelius Teaching Tools page 102)
The National Standards for Arts Education
Which ones are the most difficult to teach?
Look to see if technology can assist.....

8. Arranging Compositions
Sibelius Teaching Tools:
Arrange a piano piece for 2 instruments (pg. 106)
Arrange an SATB score for 4 instruments
Compose a canon for 4 voices (Frere Jacques)
Transcribe an instrumental piece for SATB voices Strategies for Teaching – page 116.
Transcribe a duet or trio for three instruments – Strategies for Teaching – page 90

9. Adding melodies, chords and accompaniments to existing songs
Rounds
Copy/paste melody - Frere Jacques
Add percussion parts
Add an original accompaniment
Question/answer (Tension/Release) Strategies for Teaching, page 46
Theme and Variations projects – Vermont MIDI
The Strategies book by Rudolph, Richmond, Mash and Williams
TI:ME an exciting organization that I am proud to be one of three directors.

10. Adding melodies, chords and accompaniments to existing songs…
Create an accompaniment – fill in the blank measures
Sibelius Teaching Tools page 118.
Compose a blues melody using the blues scale over the 12 bar blues in C
Sibelius Teaching Tools page 136
Composing melodies to existing chord changes
Sibelius Teaching Tools page 128.
The Strategies book by Rudolph, Richmond, Mash and Williams
TI:ME an exciting organization that I am proud to be one of three directors.

11. Composing Original Compositions from Scratch
Select an existing song such as Lightly Row
Analyze it
Compose a song using the same chord progress and melodic movement.
Select another song, perhaps more difficult. Analyze it and then compose a song in this style.
Replace Acoustic instruments:
- Story about the marching band and the big kid carrying the CPU instead of the bass drum
Replace missing instruments:
- Story about the Esto Festival - 35,000 voices, full orchestra and MIDI timpani.

12. Composing Original Compositions from Scratch…
Compose a duet basing the melody and harmony on a Korean Folksong style (Pentatonic Scale)
Strategies for Teaching – page 114
Composing a song in a specific form such as ABA, Rondo, 12-Bar Blues and so forth.
Replace Acoustic instruments:
- Story about the marching band and the big kid carrying the CPU instead of the bass drum
Replace missing instruments:
- Story about the Esto Festival - 35,000 voices, full orchestra and MIDI timpani.

13. Teaching Strategies
Use one or a several computers in the music classroom
Take the class to the computer lab – use free software or purchase a site license
Teach in the Music Department MIDI lab
Encourage students to download free software or purchase software and compose at home.
I read a fascinating book, When Things Start to Think, by Neil Gershenfeld who is the co-director of the MIT Media Laboratory Things That Think Research Consortium. In this book he states:
“It used to be that people played music, because that was the only way to hear it. When mass media came along, society split into a small number of people paid to be artistically creative and a much larger number that passively consumes their output. Reducing the effort to learn to play an instrument… points to the possibility that far more people will be able to creatively express themselves. Improving the technology for making music can help engage instead of insulate people.” page 43.

14. Training and Support
Seek out training in the use of computers and technology
Technology Institute for Music Educators (
Join Music Education Technology Organizations:
TI:ME (
ATMI (
TDML (