Miss Donna 4 Music

Composing is when you write your own music. It can be challenging and difficult but it can also be made simple and fun. It all depends on how you approach it. Anybody at any age can learn to compose. Think about a toddler who makes up their own songs as they play. An elementary student learning how to play recorder and only knows 3 notes, rearranging those notes using simple rhythms to create their own recorder song to play. A teenager or college student in band or orchestra. An adult composing just for fun or even for a career. Composing comes in all forms and all levels.

Here I’m sharing a composing activity that I found on Teachers Pay teachers for kids to enjoy while sheltering at home during this pandemic. It’s fun and only requires minimal music knowledge. There are two versions: spring items and music instruments. The picture sheet shows 20 different pictures with corresponding rhythms. The composing sheet shows 16 empty boxes. The student chooses 16 of those pictures to place in the empty boxes in whatever order they choose to create a “rhythm song”.

They can cut and paste the pictures in place or just write the words and rhythms. Once their composition is complete, they can clap the rhythms, speak the words in rhythm, or find an instrument around the house to play the rhythms. Remember, just about anything can become a rhythm instrument…the table, a stapler, tissue box, oatmeal container, coffee can, some rice in a jar…get creative! Have fun!