REWIRE MUSIC THEORY 

Project A

Final: Original pop song

A full pop song has phrases that are repeated to create sections and the sections are organized to create the song. Now that you know how write phrases with original drum grooves, bass lines, chordal parts, and melodies; you can write a full pop song. Use a combination of your ear and your knowledge of music theory to write a complete pop tune.

You can view a copy of the song that was written in the walkthrough video below to help with seeing its organization.

UPDATE: New Page On Verse/Chorus Songwriting

Use the new page to help write your song instead

  • Complete the Original Song Organizer →

  • Create a new track and map out the form using a blank regions

  • Write a chord progression, bass line, and chordal part for the VERSE | CHORUS | BRIDGE

  • Record one repetition of each phrase for the verse, chorus and bridge

  • Extend and loop the drums, bass, chordal parts to match the form track

OPEN IN SOUNDTRAP

 

Project B

final: pop song cover

The best way to get better at the connection between your ear and the DAW is to copy a song. Creating a cover using Soundtrap is a great way to develop your ear for chord structures, melody, drum patterns, bass lines, and production techniques. Covering a tune will help you assimilate the style of the original recording as well. The more covers you make, the better you get at it until it becomes easy to write and record in different styles.

  • Choose a song (or song section) that would you like to cover

  • Purchase a digital copy of your song and bring it into Soundtrap

  • Line up the reference track with the correct tempo

  • Complete the Pop Song Cover Form Page →

  • Copy the drum groove, bass line, chordal parts, and melodies to the best of your ability

 

Project C

FINAL: POP CHART ARRANGING

Arranging for different types of ensembles is an avenue that you can use to develop your ability to write bass lines, chordal parts, and harmonies using standard notation. In this final project, you will take the pre-existing melody and chord and arrange it for a group consisting of bass, guitar, piano, a melody instrument, and a harmony instrument.

  • Listen to the Warm Blanket score

  • Create a narrative for your arrangment

  • Write a bass line that matches the kick drum rhythm using the rules of bass line pitch

  • Write chordal parts for the guitar and electric piano lines

  • Alter the harmonic texture by changing the rhythmic roles of the chordal instruments in repeated sections

  • Harmonize the melody in at least one section

  • Record an instrumental solo, write a melody, or write a soli for the bridge section

OPEN IN NOTEFLIGHT

  • Horn Band Arrangements:

    Now that you can do a basic arrangement from a lead sheet, you can start arranging tunes for pep bands. These can be ensembles at your school or ensembles you put together outside of school. These groups are a great way to have fun and make money over the weekends. Work on your arranging chops by picking a tune you and your friends want to play, get the lead sheet for the melody and chords (transcribe them if you can’t find them), figure out the instrumentation, and start arranging. Have your friends play your charts and get feedback.

    For more info on some advanced horn arranging topics, check out Evan Rogers’s Blog →