Music Night:

Make your own song!

With Joey Morrow and Erin Dixon

Simple Overview​: Using the Launchpad

app, you will compose and create your own
song consisting of a bass line, beat, and
melody, then perform it live together.

Novation Launchpad by Ableton:

Though this app might look scary-it’s
actually easier to use than you’d think!
You’ll notice that certain squares are lit up
while others are not...if the square is lit up,
then there is a sound attached to it. Sounds
that are green can be labeled ‘Percussion’.
Blue sounds are bass, red sounds are
melodic, and yellow sounds are special
effects. Play around to experiment with the
different sounds in each row, and square.

Creating a Chord Progression:

The chords that are available for you to use are C, F, G, and A minor (these will be played by
Erin and are numbered 1-4 on the separate handout). These chords can be rearranged in any
order to create the classic chord progression of I-IV-V-vi in C major, or, DO-FA-SO-LA. An
example can be found in the Carly Rae Jepsen’s ‘Call Me Maybe’.
Hey, I just met you (I/DO), and this is crazy (vi/LA), but here’s my number (IV/FA), so call
me, maybe (V/SO)
Music Night:
Make your own song!
With Joey Morrow and Erin Dixon
Like it is mentioned above, these chords can be rearranged and played in any order you’d like
to create your song. So: ​I-vi-IV-V​ or vi-IV-I-V. Before picking a chord progression to run with,
try experimenting with different arrangements of the progression--Erin will play through each so
you can choose which one sounds best to you. You can also begin the creation of your song by
setting a rhythmic foundation: beginning with a percussion sequence rather than chords.

Creating your Melody:

Once you’re satisfied with the Launchpad’s musicking, it’s time to move on to the most creative
portion of this experience: your melody! Your melody can be completely lyric-free, or you can
make up your own text to accompany the melody. To create your melody, there is little
instruction that is needed. Use the next five minutes to invest in a collaboration of ideas of
rhythm, pitch, and repetition. Please do not hesitate to ask any questions you may have
regarding a melodic line. Once your melody has been created to coincide with what you’ve
already created on the Launchpad, we will perform it live all together! Feel free to improvise as
much as you’d like during your performance--you are not at all bound by what you’ve previously
created...feel free to try new things and take some creative risks.

Ideas for extending your experience:

Things to do at Home:

● Try downloading one of the recommended apps (see below) and play around
with it.
● Try adding different harmonies to your melody
● Music making doesn’t have to occur at a specific time or place--try making
different melodies together while making dinner or doing homework.
○ Add different beats, or rhythms, too.
● Check out some of the YouTube tutorials (see below)
● Look into recording your song and sharing it via YouTube and other forms of
social media

Recommended Apps(free):

● Beat Maker App- A customizable drum machine designed for both casual
creation and live performance.
● Falling Stars by Trident Vitality Gum- An app that allows you to create a musical
composition consisting of melody, beat, and time by drawing leaves representing
“beats”, and dropping rain as the notes
● LaunchPad App--just like we used today!
Music Night:
Make your own song!
With Joey Morrow and Erin Dixon

Additional Resources:

● https://www.ableton.com/
● https://www.apple.com/mac/garageband/
● https://www.soundtrap.com/
● https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/lessons/chords/what_are_i_iv_v_1_4_5_chords_
and_why_should_you_care.html​ - Read and discover more about the I IV V
chord progression here!

Our Portfolios--feel free to reach out to us!

● Erin’s: erindixon.weebly.com
● Joey’s: josephmorrow.weebly.com

Thank you so much for your participation and exploration!