8 Imaginative Ways to Notate Your Musical Masterpiece

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Get away from the screen and still be creative!

Photo of Scott Welcomme

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I'm Scott

You have what it takes to be a Superstar and my job is to help you on your way.

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It's time to raid the arts & crafts- and get outside!


Sometimes you need some extra inspiration to create a memorable masterpiece. When you take a break from the norm. New ideas flurry in.

 

These 8 imaginative ways will give you the perfect head start. You’ll be able to notate new timeless classics- while you connect with nature and have great fun at the same time.


It's also a great chance to inspire little ones to take an interest in the world of composition. Playful, positive effects that will give a great start for future superstars!

1. Wave Format

Wave Format

Step 1

Draw a long, wavy line across your music stave. Then plot your note heads like a graph. Either on the lines or in the spaces. Decide the values, add the note stems. Dependent on the pitch- remember to have your stems the correct way round. If it's 'B' or above, have the stem point down. Then add your bar lines to finish.


Step 2

Play your new creation. if you like it- keep it. If you think it needs a small alteration. Add some flats or sharps

2. Chopsticks & Frozen Peas!

Chopsticks & Peas 2

Oh what fun!


Practice your technique & fine motor skills. At the same time as the creation of a masterpiece! All whilst focussed. Like Daniel Larusso when he caught a fly in Karate Kid.


Lay the chopsticks out as the 5 lines of the stave. Then with precision like a master. Place your note heads (peas) where you would like them. Place them close together for quavers (8th notes). Or single for Crotchets (Quarter notes). If you have extra chopsticks. Use them for barlines.

Take a snap of each bar you create for later fun using your favourite photo edit software.


Keep calm and have a ton of laughs with this one.

Good luck!

3. Sketch it!

Sketch it 2

Use what you can see around you- buildings, hills. Your view is your musical palette to represent pitch and dynamics. Tall building or steep hill? High pitch and loud dynamic. Use the shape of your landscape as the shape of how your melody looks on the stave.


Sketch it 1

Similar to Wave format. You could use telephone wires & birds! Wire for your stave & birds as the note heads.

4. Go Avant Garde!

Avant Garde

Join the greats of Schoenberg, Berg & Cage. In the destruction of traditional composition methods. Plot your notes forwards, backwards. Then invert and go upside down. Group them in pairs. Go all out and go against what you would do as 'the norm'. Invent your own musical symbol. Anything goes!


Who knows. You could be the composer of the world's greatest piece!

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5. Chalk it Up

Calm before the show by Scott Welcomme

Take your mind off things and allow you to feel a moment to be calm. 

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Chalk it up

Grab your chalks and decorate the pavement- or wall with your beautiful melody. Make sure you get permission first!!


You'll also need to check the weather before you start your masterpiece. As you don't want the rain to change the key from major to minor.....


This is a fab way to escape the screen. And get outside for some inspiration from nature. If you happen to have different colour chalks then even better- Create a piece for Boomwhackers!

6. I do like to be beside the seaside!

Seaside

Spot the wave format again? How cool to compose at the beach huh?!


Get your fingers in the soft, wet sand. And draw your stave. Or sink your toes in and drag from left to right. Then go on a hunt for the finest shells for your note heads. You could choose different shells for different values. Or draw your stems with your fingers or toes.


For a cleaner version- without sand everywhere. Collect your shells. Position and add cocktail sticks. If you have panels or boards available. You could copy the picture here and have a stave too!

7. Use different textured materials

Textured Materials

Get ready to raid the craft cupboard! Have hours of fun as you experiment with a range of textured materials. From sand and stones to sandpaper and slime! The sky's the limit with this messy time notation adventure. Why not go all out and dare to add a small sparkle to give that glam look?......


(Disclaimer..... I'm not responsible for any mess made from this one.... especially glitter! If you choose to use it- it's yours to clear up afterwards!)

8. Make the rain sound beautiful!

Make the rain sound beautiful

Ever wondered what the rain sounds like as music?! Well it's your chance to find out!

Assign different note values and pitch to different raindrops. You could even assign instrument sounds if you like.


See how creative you can get- Once you start...... Which one's will you make sharp or flat? Will you divide your raindrops into sections for a longer piece? Where there's a cluster. Will this become a chord or the crunch of dissonance?! The choice is yours- go ahead and make the rain sound beautiful.

So which imaginative way of notation will you be brave enough to explore?


Sandpaper, glitter, salt? A great sense of humour, and a want to break away from the conventional way of doing things.


I'd love to hear your thoughts. And which ones you've had a play with. Leave a comment below and let me know. Share as much detail as possible in your reply- Remember, your takeout moment may help someone else spring into action. And change their life for the better. If you have any pictures you'd like to share- you can email them in to me too.


Important: Thoughts and ideas are to be shared directly in the comments. Links to other posts, videos, etc. will be removed.


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Don't forget, you can get even more inspiration to feed your mind as a composer. When you click the BOOK NOW button below.

Stay determined and strive to look after yourself and inspire others with your own unique way of notation.   

Write, sing and play your way to new confidence.

Get away from the screen- & still be creative

Best wishes

Scotty

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