Noteflight Learn Lesson Resources
This Noteflight Learn Lesson Resources database provides a valuable forum for teachers to share their lessons. Search below to find a lesson for your class. These lessons are ideal for Noteflight Learn, and you can always take advantage of our Free 60-Day Trial. Enjoy!
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First Composition Exercise
The goal here is to get students familiar with exploring the Noteflight editor, as well as dragging notes in a pre-written rhythmic pattern to create a new melody. This exercise is to get students feeling confident about creating, regardless of their familiarity with music theory or even written sheet music.
“Mock Band” – Composing in Teams
Have students collaborate on a short, simple composition assignment in teams of two, where one composes the melody and the other works on the lyrics. This is a great starter assignment if your students are still getting to know Noteflight; it encourages teamwork and gives a bit of framework so that the burden of creating from scratch isn’t an issue.
If you want your students to explore formatting options for score layout and adjust the size of their lyrics, title, or names, you can watch the video below for tips on how to adjust your text layout settings.
Bach to Basics – Sight-reading a Bach Chorale
Have 4 students sightread or prepare this Bach Chorale for performance in front of the class. If preferred, use Noteflight Premium or Noteflight Learn’s recording ability to have each student record their voice part directly into the score.
This is great for AP Theory or college level classes to reinforce sight-reading and to work on theoretical analysis. You can also create a two part exercise from this score where students initially complete Roman Numeral Analysis in the score, as well as analyze the dominant to tonic resolution voicing.
Creating a lead sheet and chord chart – Exercise 1
Students will gain an understanding of the purpose of a lead sheet and chord charts for use in contemporary music by completing exercises in Noteflight.
This activity is an excellent opportunity for students with little academic training, but good ears (ex. a guitarist who learns pop songs by ear) to work with students that have had good academic training on their instrument, including reading music, but little opportunity to learn contemporary styles and are not accustomed to learning by ear (ex. band and string students)
Creating a lead sheet and chord chart – Exercise 2
Students will gain an understanding of the purpose of a lead sheet and chord charts for use in contemporary music by completing exercises in Noteflight.
This activity is an excellent opportunity for students with little academic training, but good ears (ex. a guitarist who learns pop songs by ear) to work with students that have had good academic training on their instrument, including reading music, but little opportunity to learn contemporary styles and are not accustomed to learning by ear (ex. band and string students)
Creating a lead sheet and chord chart – Exercise 3
Students will gain an understanding of the purpose of a lead sheet and chord charts for use in contemporary music by completing exercises in Noteflight.
This activity is an excellent opportunity for students with little academic training, but good ears (ex. a guitarist who learns pop songs by ear) to work with students that have had good academic training on their instrument, including reading music, but little opportunity to learn contemporary styles and are not accustomed to learning by ear (ex. band and string students)
Creating a lead sheet and chord chart – Exercise 4
Students will gain an understanding of the purpose of a lead sheet and chord charts for use in contemporary music by completing exercises in Noteflight.
This activity is an excellent opportunity for students with little academic training, but good ears (ex. a guitarist who learns pop songs by ear) to work with students that have had good academic training on their instrument, including reading music, but little opportunity to learn contemporary styles and are not accustomed to learning by ear (ex. band and string students)
The Blues Form and Harmony Exercise 1
Students will gain an understanding of the blues form and its variants through harmonic analysis, written work, and performance. Using Noteflight, student musicians will also create their own blues forms for use with their own musical groups.
The Blues Form and Harmony Exercise 2
Students will gain an understanding of the blues form and its variants through harmonic analysis, written work, and performance. Using Noteflight, student musicians will also create their own blues forms for use with their own musical groups.
The Blues Form and Harmony Exercise 3
Students will gain an understanding of the blues form and its variants through harmonic analysis, written work, and performance. Using Noteflight, student musicians will also create their own blues forms for use with their own musical groups.
The Blues Form and Harmony Exercise 4
Students will gain an understanding of the blues form and its variants through harmonic analysis, written work, and performance. Using Noteflight, student musicians will also create their own blues forms for use with their own musical groups.
Active Tones in Jazz Improvisation #1
The goal of these lessons is to help students incorporate active tones in their improvisation. Active tones are an essential part of bebop vocabulary and give a phrase tension and release.
Lesson 1: Introduction and Chords
Active Tones in Jazz Improvisation #2
The goal of these lessons is to help students incorporate active tones in their improvisation. Active tones are an essential part of bebop vocabulary and give a phrase tension and release.
Lesson #2: Scales
Active Tones in Jazz Improvisation #3
The goal of these lessons is to help students incorporate active tones in their improvisation. Active tones are an essential part of bebop vocabulary and give a phrase tension and release.
Lesson #3: Etudes
Tritone Resolution in Major Key
Teach students to hear the dissonance of the tritone and how it should resolve in major keys.
Introduction to Figured Bass
Introduce students to triad inversion and how to express them through figured bass.
Tendency Tones
Teach students how notes within a major scale want to resolve. Help students identify stable and unstable tones within a key both aurally and visually.
Quarter Note and Rest Rhythm Practice
Students will improve their counting of quarter note rests and quarter note rhythms.
Students will sight read quarter note rhythms and rests as groups or as individuals to help develop better counting and sight reading skills.
Lesson can be used as a warm-up for any class, students can clap, count, or perform the rhythms on open strings, concert Bflat or percussion instruments one line at a time.
Students can be challenged to perform lines as solos or small groups for prizes.
For extra fun have students play along to a youtube beat (search “rock beat 110 bp) and select one for your ensemble to play along with. This works especially well with beginning band and string players and keeps them playing as a group when they maybe cannot read music notation yet.
Evil Songs, F Natural Practice
This lesson was designed to help beginning string players practice F natural fingering on their D string.
This exercise uses familiar songs and makes them minor or “evil” by having students change one finger.
This exercise can be played as a large group or as a solo. When practiced as a group students will enjoy the fun names and will be able to tell the difference between traditional versions of these songs and the evil versions of these songs.
Can be used as a daily warm up or exercise for string ensembles to practice alternate fingerings. Great for Halloween time also.
String Bowing Workout
A warm up for intermediate string ensembles wishing to work on their bowing styles.
This lesson allows all instruments to practice slurs, staccato, etc, while focusing on the D Major scale.
This lesson is perfect for intermediate strings who wish to work on bowing styles as an ensemble.
Students can work on intonation and uniformity playing as an ensemble.
Can be used in large music classroom or small group instruction.
Can be played together or individually.
Can also be used in small group or one on one lessons.
Note Name Practice, Beginning Strings
Beginning Strings students will work on writing note names under each note and figuring out the names of some familiar folk songs.
Students begin by filling in note names, students can work alone or in small groups.
Once finished with note names, students can practice playing the songs to see if they recognize the songs.
This lesson is perfect right after students have learned the notes in their D Major scale.
This lesson reinforces the notes on the D and A string (G string for basses) and teaches students some beginner folk songs.
Answers to Worksheet
1. Mary Had a Little Lamb or Rolling Along
2. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
3. Hot Cross Buns
4. Jingle Bells
5. Old MacDonald
Rhythm Round Up
Students will practice and improve reading different types of notes.
Whole Notes, whole rests
half notes, half rests,
quarter notes, quarter rests and
eighth notes and eighth rests.
This worksheet can be used with large or small groups. Perfect for a warm up or for reinforcing difficult rhythms and counting.
Blue Scale Melody Composition
The object of this lesson is to help students with an introduction to the Blues and the Blues Scale. While they might not be ready to improvise right away, they can start to try to compose using a basic scale. Students are given a C Blues scale and a blank 12 bar blues with accompaniment. They are to compose a melody over those 12 bars.
Create Parallel and Contrasting Periods
The student will be able to write the consequent phrase of a parallel or contrasting period when given the antecedent.
Question and Answer Worksheet
Students will compose question and answer phrases.
My First Melody
Students will be able to…
Use a set rhythm to compose a four to eight measure melody
Demonstrate dynamics in a composition
Use a tonal center in a composed melody
Solfege Labeling and Free Triad Harmonization
Students will be able to label all solfege tones in F major by single-letter abbreviations. Students will use movable do, as indicated in the annotation. Students will be able to identify octave sol leaps. Finally, students will create original triad harmonizations for the “coffee” round.
Adding a harmonic line
Creating a line in a musical score.
Trumpet Chromatic Exercise
This lesson is for trumpet players trying to learn their chromatic scale. This scale pattern goes up in increments of six notes at a time and goes all the way up and comes back down. This exercise also allows players to practice the scale in the sections that they are having trouble on.
Trumpet High Note Exercise
This is an exercise for beginner to intermediate trumpet players to increase there range. This exercise starts at A and goes up to F. This exercise also allows trumpet players to go past what is shown. They could continue to use this pattern to increase their range.
Trumpet Inverted Long Tones
This warm up consists of long tones that change by half steps. It starts by going down a half step, then up a half step and so on.
Trumpet Articulation
This activity is a trumpet articulation worksheet. This activity works down from whole notes to sixteenth notes. Players should endeavor to play the notes with a good onset and correct duration.
Trumpet Lip Bend Exercise
This is an exercise for trumpet players trying to fix the pitch of their playing. The point is to start the exercise playing a G and bend your pitch down and so on. So you play the first note of the slur, then bend it down, then back up.
Spain – Jazz Improvization Theory and Practice
Understand and demonstrate music improvisation in Lydian and Harmonic Minor.
Trumpet C Octave Jumps
This is a trumpet octave jump exercise. It starts on a low C and goes to a middle C. The rhythm also gets shorter to encourage players to jump octaves quicker.
Trumpet Low Note Warm-Up
The Lesson Plan is a good warm-up for trumpet players. This exercise starts on a C and works its way down to a G which is good for warming up their lips.
Trumpet Bb Scale Warm-Up
This is a good warm-up for trumpet players before you start playing. It gets your lips warmed up and also allows your brain to start working and counting when you first start playing in the day.
8 Bar Melody Composition Worksheet
Students will be able to compose and 8 measure melody in C major using the prompts and outlined notes.
Diatonic Triads and Common Chord Progression in the Major Mode
Students notate the diatonic triads in a Major key of their choice, and then, referencing content on Common Chord Progression, students compose a brief chord progression in that key.
Binary Form and Noteflight
To follow a score in binary form, to analyze sections in a score that uses binary form and to compose the B section to create binary form (after having been given the A section).
AP Music Theory: Species II Counterpoint – C Minor
The goal is to provide mid-year AP Music Theory students with the opportunity to write simple Species II counterpoint. The focal key is C minor. Staying in one key gives students the students the opportunity to get comfortable writing in (harmonic) minor and gain fluidity specifically in C minor. The third exercise offers students the chance to harmonize the leading tone of a secondary dominant (V/V).
Suspensions Lesson
In this lesson students will identify preparation, suspension, and resolution parts of different suspensions. Then students can label different kinds of suspensions (9-8, 7-6, 4-3, 2-3) with Roman numeral analysis and compose suspensions in a chorale setting.
Create and play your own composition
Using quarter and eighth notes, create a melody with fixed pitches then record yourself playing along.
Compose a 12 Bar Blues
Using the C Blues Scale, create your own 12 Bar Blues Melody.
8th Grade Theme and Variation Lesson
During this lesson you will be guided through three objectives. In the first objective, students will be able to play the song “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” on piano. Students will then know what the form Theme and Variation is and how it works. Lastly, students will be able to create their own variation of “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” using the form Theme and Variation.
Graduation Song – Melodic Composition
Collaborate to dictate melodic ideas for a chosen line from student-created lyrics.
Simple Melody Composition
Compose an original simple melody using repetition and step-wise motion.
“Write Your Own C Position Song” Keyboard Lesson
Students will be able to correctly perform treble clef C position notes, play simple rhythms and songs, and compose a simple melody using treble clef C position notes and basic rhythms on the keyboard.
Know Your Place!
Practice and record note reading and note placement on the guitar.
Treble Clef Practice
Students will be able to identify B, A, and G on the Treble Clef.
What I Didn’t Know
Create and notate a musical exercise involving rhythmic and pitch notation. Evaluate and critique a younger student’s playing and give constructive feedback.
Ding Dong, Diggy Diggy Dong
Review the melody of “Ding Dong, Diggy Diggy Dong” through singing or playing on barred instruments. Correct the mistakes (red notes) in the melody by moving the notes up or down on the staff.
2nd Grade Melody Composition
Students will be able to identify the notes F, G, and A on the treble clef, compose a simple melody using do, re, and mi in the key of F, play their compositions on Orff instruments, and record these performances on Noteflight.
Creating Harmony in 3rds and 6ths
Notate a harmonized line to a given melody, perform a partner duet using harmony a 3rd or 6th below the melody, and assess the difference in sound between a harmony line a 3rd below versus a 6th below.
F Natural for Orchestra
Students will mark fingerings, record an exercise, and compose their own exercise using F natural and F sharp on the D string in 1st position.
Harmonize Me
Harmonize a simple melody with dissonance and consonance.
Balinese Baris Dance: Compose your own Gamelan!
Students will be able to perform, from memory, parts of the Balinese Baris Dance, discerning the differences in instruments from another foreign culture. Students will then be able to input notation on Noteflight Learn, save, and share their work. Lastly, students will compose their own 2-measure Gamelan piece inspired by the Baris Dance.
Create a Recorder Song
Compose a song using a recorder in notes B, A, and G. Only use half notes, quarter notes, eighth notes and use quarter rests. After completing your song, record yourself playing it on the recorder.
Open String Composition
Beginning Orchestra students will become more familiar with the placement of notes on the staff and the open strings. Beginning Orchestra students will perform an original composition for class.
Orchestra Composition in D
Students will demonstrate their understanding of quarter notes and half notes both in composition and on their instruments. Then they will show their ability to identify the notes in the D Major scale both in their composition and on their instruments. Finally, students will create a simple 8 bar melody appropriate for their instrument.
Changing the Mood
Identify between major and minor. Add solfege syllables and “la” based minor. Manipulate the melody in tone and rhythm to represent different moods. Connect composition to writing for movie music.
‘A” Minor Study
Construct a natural minor scale, construct a harmonic minor scale, and construct a melodic minor scale. Identify the similarities and differences between natural, harmonic and melodic minor scales. Perform the three types of A minor scales on your instruments.
Guitar Chords — Strumming
The objective of this lesson is to critically listen to a piece of music, analyze the chord progression, input it into Noteflight, and practice the chords in the song to record into Noteflight.
Composition in ABA Form
Create an ABA composition including melody and provide accompaniments using Noteflight. Classmates can then provide useful feedback regarding their compositions.
Create Basic 8th Note Sight-Reading
Notate basic sight-reading melodies using simple 8th note rhythms. Once completed, you and your partner will both play each other’s excerpt. After playing your partner’s excerpt, leave a comment in the score as to the overall playability.
6th Grade Folk Song Composition
Take a short original text phrase and create musical phrases based on the text. Compose a melody with text.
ABA Composition
Students will write a melody in the Key of C Major, and compose a harmonic bass line to accompany the melody, while following the checklist listed below.
1.____ Melody uses Repetition, Sequence, or Inversion
2.____ Melody has ABA Form
3.____ Melody is in C Major
4.____ Composition is written in 4/4 time, 4 beats per measure
5.____ Bass notes support melody
6.____ Notation is written with correct stem up or stem down
7.____ Title for Composition
8.____ ABA Form are related in idea and sound
9.____ Composition sounds complete
Beginning Band 5-Note Melody Composition
Create a four measure melody using the first five notes the have learned.
12 Bar Blues Composition
Explain, identify and apply the 12-bar blues chord sequence. Create a melody that fits over the 12-bar blues chord sequence.
Compose Arrange Record Lesson
Write a four-bar composition with proper harmonic, melodic, voice-leading considerations. Arrange it for instruments (including transpositions), perform it, and then sync the audio.
Solfege Notation and Recording
Students will be able to notate music based on solfege and read a line of music using solfege.
Theme and Variations
Compose and perform a song using Theme and Variations. Students will change rhythms, transpositions, time signatures, instruments, dynamics and adjust tempos. In addition, students will add harmony using I & V7 chords.
Elementary band composition and performance.
Create an eight-measure rhythmic composition, apply a melody to it and perform it.
Compose an 8 measure melody
Students completing this worksheet will be able to compose an eight-measure long melody using the C major scale and prompts given in the worksheet.
Composition Activity
Students will demonstrate knowledge on the differences between steps and skips, they will generate music composition ideas within given parameters, and lastly students will combine music composition ideas into a short melody.
D Major Scale Worksheet and Playing Test
Students will be able to name the notes from and create an 8 measure composition using the D Major scale.
Recorder Karate: White Belt Mastery and Composition Unit
Students will be able to:
1. perform their White Belt Song on the recorder and record it for mastery.
2. compose a piece of music using the notes BAG and rhythms of quarter, half, and whole notes or rests.
Simple Composition Assignment for Band Students
1. Objective 1 – Students will be able to compose a piece for their instrument using the notes from their Eb concert scale and a given rhythm.
2. Objective 2 – Students will be able to record themselves playing their composition in Noteflight and reflect on their piece and performance.
3. Objective 3 – Students will reflect on their own compositions as well as the compositions of others.
Gettin’ The Blues – Intro to C Blues and Composition in 12 Bar Form.
Students will complete worksheet, labeling C Major and C Blues scales and perform both scales. Students will compose in 12 Bar Blues Form and perform and Record their compositions.
Low Notes for Clarinet and Bass Clarinet
1. Objective 1- Students will annotate note names and fingerings in Noteflight.
2. Objective 2- Students will be able to record a one octave major Scale, one octave minor scale, and the excerpt from the concert music.
3. Objective 3- Students will self-evaluate their recording.
Eighth Note Composition
Students will use this worksheet/lesson to create their own song using eighth notes and the first 5 notes on their band instruments.
THE BEAT GOES ON
Objective(s): as a result of this lesson students will know and/or be able to…
1. Identify and describe changes in elements and expressive qualities
2. Classify musical sound sources into groups
3. Read and interpret the traditional music notation of note values letter names
4. Describe the processes involved in composing, conducting and performing
Introduction to Composition
To get the students to use basic information from scales to create chords and then a short composition utilizing the tonic and dominant chords derived from the scale.
A Day In the Life of Jack the Cat – Compose using Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So
Students will be able to compose a short motif using known rhythms and pitches.
My Original Composition
Objective 1: Students will be able to create an original composition in ABA form following the requirements of the form as explained in the project.
Objective 2: Students will learn to play their original song on either guitar or keyboard and have the opportunity to make any changes to their composition they feel necessary.
Objective 3 : Once students are ready, they will perform their original composition for the teacher and be scored on it based on the performance rubric we use on a regular basis.
The Major/Minor Effect
Students will construct the C Major scale, A natural minor scale, and A melodic minor scale along with a 4 measure simple composition in either A natural minor or A melodic minor. Finally, students will use the recording themselves playing the scales and composition on their respective instrument. This lesson can be altered for different keys.
Construction of scales and identification of keys
Students will construct major scales using accidentals
Students will assign the appropriate key signature to a melody that only uses accidentals
Students will compose a melody in A major using accidentals
Clarinet Pinkie Alternation Worksheet & Composition.
1. Students will notate which pinkie (Right/Left) that they will use when given Line 1 excerpt when the notes B and C precede/follow each other.
2. Students will notate which pinkie (Right/Left) that they will use when given Line 2 excerpt when the notes B, C, and Eb precede/follow each other.
3. Students will create their own composition that utilizes the notes C, B, and Eb.
Pentatonic Melody Composition
1. Learners will compose a 4 measure melody using the pentatonic collection. (MU:CR2.1.6b, 9.1.8.A)
2. Learners will analyze their peer’s composition and explain how the pitches, rhythms, and structure either support or detract from the melody. (MU:Pr4.2.6b, MU:Re7.2.T.Ia)
3. Learners will demonstrate use of computer music notation to share their musical ideas. (9.1.8.J)
4. Learners will revise their melody based on peer feedback. (MU:Cr3.1.T.Ia)