Composing a Song for a TV Show

Musical Futures

Aswel

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Task 1 Aim: To be able to read and article and summarise the text
in your own words.

Extended Writing Literacy Task

1. Read the following article from Music Connection Magazine.

2. Use the planning template to plan a 66 word summary.
3. Use the 66 word grid to summarise the article in 66 words.

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 Who or what is the What key facts does
main subject of the the text tell you about
text? the subject?

List unfamiliar words in the text.

Word
Definition

Any other notes:

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How to write a TV theme song Summary

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Task 2 Aim: To create a Title and write the Lyrics for your TV theme.

You are working on TV shows in Drama this term and you are going to write a
song that would be suitable for a TV show in Music. It would make sense for
you to link your song to your Drama work but you don’t have to. However, you
must start by creating a title for your TV show and song.

When you have created a title, brainstorm words that are linked to your title and
write them in the template below. Write your title in the centre circle and words
in the outer circles. You can add circles if you want to.

Now that you have a title and keywords use them to create a chorus (which
should contain the title of the show/ song) and at least 3 verses. Each sections
should be 4 or 8 lines long.

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Title Here

Task 3 Aim: To compose a chord pattern to go with your lyrics.

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When you are writing a TV show theme it should be catchy and memorable so it
is a good idea to use only a few chords. The chord pattern may be the same for
the verse and the chorus or it may use different patterns for the verse and
chorus.

Typically the pattern would use one chord per bar and they will be mainly the
primary chords (I, IV and V) plus less often chords ii and vi. These don’t have
to be the only chords you use though. The table below shows you the chords in
a range of different keys. You can use these chords or work out chords in a
different key if you want to. Try to stick to chords in one key only (1 row)

Key I IV V ii vi

C major C (CEG) F (FAC) G (GBD) Dm (DFA) Am (ACE)

G major G (GBD) C (CEG) D (DF#A) Am (ACE) Em (EGB)

D major D (DF#A) G (GBD) A (AC#E) Em (EGB) Bm (BDF#)

A major A (AC#E) D (DF#A) E (EG#B) Bm (BDF#) F#m (F#AC#)

E major E (EG#B) A (AC#E) B (BD#F#) F#m (F#AC#) C#m (C#EG#)

A minor Am (ACE) Dm (DFA) E (EG#B) Bdim (BDF) F (FAC)

E minor Em (EGB) Am (ACE) Bm (BDF#) F#dim (F#AC) Caug (CEG#)

The notes in brackets are the notes you would play on a keyboard for the chord.
If you were playing bass guitar you would play only one note from the chord,
normally the first note (tonic). If you are playing a guitar then you can find out
the chord fingering by looking online - www.chordfind.com is a good site or if
you are playing a chord but don’t know what it is called
www.jamplay.com/tools/guitar-chord-finder is good too.

Try out different chord patterns for the verse and chorus ( sections are usually 8
or 16 bars long) and when you have got a good pattern for each section write it
on the table on the next page.

You could use the virtual instruments in Garageband to do this if you want to -
you can use Garageband to create the whole song if you want to!

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Task 4 Aim: To put the chords and the lyrics together, by adding a melody, and
to add instrumental parts.

There is no writing to do for this part of the assignment as the easiest way to
create a melody is to experiment singing your words in different ways over the
chords. Before you continue to the next step, below, MAKE SURE that you
have melodies to go with your chords and lyrics for the verses and choruses.

To help remember your melody you may

want to record it. You can use the iPads for
this but if you ask your teachers
permission you may be able to record it on
your mobile phone so that you can practise
at home. YOU MUST NOT USE YOUR
MOBILE PHONE FOR ANY OTHER
PURPOSE DURING LESSONS OR IT
WILL BE CONFISCATED.

You have created the skeleton of the song by making up the words, melody and
the chords. Now is the time to start adding the instruments and experimenting
with what sounds good. Don’t just settle for the first outcome refine it until it is
really, really successful!

Remember the song should be catchy and tell the audience what the TV show is
about so, if it is and it does then you have been successful. However use the tick
sheet on the next page as you progress to make sure.

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You have created a title telling the audience what the TV show is about.

You have created lyrics which are catchy and memorable.

You have created a chord pattern for the verses and the chorus.

You have created melodies that fit with your chord pattern,

You are able to play or sing your part in time with a steady beat.

You are able to play or sing your part in time with others in the group.

You are able to play or sing your part accurately (correct notes)

You have added expression e.g. loud and quiet (Forte and Piano)

You have created and know the structure/ plan of the song.

You have added instrumental parts such as guitar, drums

You are satisfied that your song is the very best it could be.

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