6.
Small assignment: Invent a scale of your own with 5 to 8 notes
Everyone has played scales given by the teacher. Now it is time to come up with a scale of your own!
Assignment author
Tapio Lappalainen
Basics
Minimum time required
Goal and output
Pedagogical goal
Exploring the nature of scales through invention.
The purpose is to inspire students to explore the scales they play in instrument lessons.
Concrete output
Scale invented by the student
Work progress
• Invite students to come up with a scale of their own with 5 to 8 notes. Instruction: Use tones and semitones.
• Students may work on the scale at a keyboard (wearing headphones) or using their own instrument. They may also enter it directly into notation software.
• Write down the scale on music paper, either one note at a time while inventing, or all at once when the scale is finished.
• Have the students play the scales they invented.
• If you want to have the students invent another scale, they may use thirds in addition to tones and semitones.
Topics in the assignment
Musical structures and analysis
Playing an instrument & singing
Notation & music terminology
Arranging & parts
Music technology
Styles & techniques
Imagination & other arts
Tools
Detailed description of tools
If this assignment is done in class, keyboards are recommended.
Further assignments
Assignment suitable for further study
