LemonEtudes
A FLEXIBLE MUSIC-COMPOSITION CURRICULUM
LemonEtudes is a new curriculum supplement you can use in music classes, ensembles, private studios, and more! It’s geared toward high school and college students.
By the end of 4 weeks, each student will compose a short (24- to 36-measure) etude for their instrument/voice and record a performance. (I write and perform one, too — it’s like we’re composing together!)
Why is this so cool? Well, it:
engages students’ creativity,
keeps them practicing and making music, and
helps them learn how music is put together and how to do it themselves.
“As a composer and educator, I created LemonEtudes for music teachers, directors, and students navigating the unknowns of the 2020-21 school year in the hope that it will save you time and provide a rewarding music-composition experience for your students.”
Why Lemons?
LemonEtudes is about creating something positive during a trying time. As I brainstormed name ideas for this curriculum, the idea of lemons and lemonade popped into my head and I remembered the classic saying, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”
And I thought, “LemonEtudes sounds kind of like lemonade!”
The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly brought everyone challenges, and that includes our students.
I think LemonEtudes is a chance to remind our students that we can create something positive, even in such a difficult time as this.
Is this for online teaching or in-person?
Both! This project-based curriculum supplement can be used whether you are meeting in-person, online, or in a hybrid model.
This 4-week curriculum can be repeated as many times as you’d like and students can simply choose a different technical/musical skill to focus on.
Who is this for?
This supplement is geared toward high school and college students. The musical concepts involved in composing a short etude may be a bit advanced for middle school students. But if you feel differently, feel free to use this with younger students!
Why did you create this?
Right now, many teachers are planning for an uncertain time ahead. I’ve heard friends say they aren’t sure what they will teach if students aren’t able to gather in person.
My hope is that this curriculum supplement gives you an opportunity to work with your students to create something really fun and positive during this time.
What’s included?
FREE version
4 weeks of written activities and assignments
Connection to National Core Arts Standards
Written learning objectives for each week
Improvisation tip sheet
UPGRADED version - $65*
4 weeks of written activities and assignments
Connection to National Core Arts Standards
Written learning objectives for each week
Improvisation tip sheet
1 hour of video lessons taught by me
Embedded links to additional resources to aid student learning
Student assignments you can copy/paste into your online-learning platform
6 ready-to-use rubrics for grading assignments each week
* for use with any number of students at ONE institution
Which version is right for me?
The FREE VERSION is a good fit if:
You have experience arranging and composing and are comfortable explaining related concepts
You want to use some of my ideas for the project but create your own resources, videos, and instruction
The UPGRADED VERSION is a good fit if:
You want to give your students an opportunity to work with me directly, to learn about the compositional process and compose their own piece, step by step
You want assignments, rubrics, links, and videos already designed and ready to give to your students, instead of preparing these items yourself
What topics are covered in your videos?
In a series of four videos (1 hour of content), I guide students through the process of improvising motives and composing an etude.
In the videos, I:
share insights into my own compositional process
discuss and demonstrate tips for improvising musical motives
analyze a 19th-century flute etude and the compositional tools used
discuss some basic music-theory concepts, including: scale degrees, chord tones, tonic and dominant, Neapolitan 6th
discuss and demonstrate several compositional devices: form design, repetition, sequencing, motivic development, inversion, diminution, and augmentation
illustrate how to set up staff paper for an etude
compose an etude alongside students and perform it for them at the end
HERE’S A PREVIEW OF THE VIDEOS:
What do the 4 weeks look like?
Below is a simple outline of the project (you could certainly do this in a shorter or longer time frame, as well).
Week 1: Learning and listening, planning your new etude
Week 2: Improvising on your instrument, developing motives to use in your etude
Week 3: Learning about compositional devices, turning your motives into music
Week 4: Finishing your etude, reflecting, and recording a performance
Are you available to interact with my students virtually?
Yes! If you’d like me to speak with your students, provide feedback, etc., I’m able to do that via Zoom, Skype, or FaceTime. Send me a message and we can discuss more details.
Have another question not answered here?
Feel free to reach out to me directly at steve [at] stevedanyew [dot] com.