Grade 7 - NoteFlight

What is NOTEFLIGHT?

Noteflight is an online app that allows users to compose, view, and share music notation from any web browser. However, rather than basic composition software, Noteflight allows users to edit, print, and playback written music from any connected device. With a free account you become part of a global network of musicians who are able to write music directly on their computers, tablets, and smartphones. But, in addition to the free access, students have the option to enroll in a premium subscription that includes many other features that really stimulate creativity.

These are the steps to take:

• Go to this website: http://www.noteflight.com/login
• Click on "sign up" at the top of the page if you do not have an account.

Fill out the next page with your details. You need to give your email address and an email will be sent to you with a link to finalise your registration. You will have to click on the link in the email you will be sent, then you will have access to this great site. It does not cost any money, so don't worry!

Here is a link to a little piece of music as an example: Grade 7 Activity 

It's only simple, but it shows how nice the score looks and you can listen to it played back by clicking the orange playback button which appears when you move your curser above the bars!

Here is your activity using Noteflight

• Click on 'New Score'
• Click on 'shared' in the drop down box that appears
• Click on the 'sharing' tab and then check the square box 'Allow others to discover this score by searching and browsing'. Close the tab.
• Click on 'edit title' and type the name of your piece.
• Click 'edit composer' and type your name.

We'll just keep this first piece simple and leave it as a piano score in C Major scale. The 8 bars are ready for you to put notes in. 

• Write a melody in the top line by clicking the notes into the stave with your mouse. 

You can change the pitch of a note by typing a letter on your keyboard A - G or by clicking the note head in. You can move a pitch up and down by using your arrow keys too. You can choose the length of your note by using the orange menu which appears when you click on the stave.

The best way to learn is to experiment yourself and see what you can come up with.

• Make a melody in C major scale for 8 bars. Start your melody on C or G and make sure you finish on a C. Try for interesting rhythm and keep it mostly stepwise.
• Next, write a simple part in the left hand (bass line) as well, if you have time.
• Click the orange playback triangle which appears above each bar in your score and have a listen to your composition. Make changes to improve it.

If you want, you can add all sorts of things to your score, like dynamics and slurs. Check out the 'help' menu or just experiment.

• When you have made your piece, go to the 'sharing' tab (over on the right side of the page.) 
• Click the check box 'Allow others to discover this score by searching and browsing'. 
• Copy the link (there is a copy URL button in the 'sharing' tab) 
• Paste the link in to a page (use Pages) - save the file with your name on it!
• Upload it to me in Google Drive on your folder. 

By the end of two periods period, I want to see something from each of you produced by using Noteflight

Don't worry if your composition is not as good as Mozart! It is the first time you are trying this. You will learn a lot about composing just using the notation tools. Have fun!!