Cookie Cutter Composing
Cookie Cutter Composing
Here’s a recipe for built-in success with occasions for creative decision making along the way.
Some of the best cookies I’ve ever tasted had few ingredients: flour, sugar, vanilla and lots of butter. It doesn’t take much to make a really good cookie. That being said, I’m not opposed to chocolate chips, oatmeal, sprinkles, molasses, cinnamon, frosting, butterscotch chips or peanut butter added to a cookie, just not all at once.
The point being, a good cookie starts with a few quality ingredients with maybe a few extras for flair and flavor. The same is true with composing. A good composition starts with a few quality ingredients or elements. Extra touches add variety and contrast.
The Cookie Cutter Composing Resource gives you all the necessary ingredients to inspire composers in private and group settings.
If you’ve baked something and it flopped, it’s probably because you didn’t follow the recipe or forgot an ingredient. Baking is a science that demands attention to detail. When it calls for a teaspoon of salt and you add a tablespoon instead, your cookies won’t taste very good. The same goes for those who are learning to compose—following specific instructions of tried and true “recipes” will guarantee a stronger composition.
Why cutout cookies?
As much as I enjoy oversized and ooey-gooey chocolate chip cookies, this resource parallels the process of making cookies where the dough is rolled out, and then shaped by a cookie cutter. The shape and height of each cookie are precise.
After the cookie is baked and cooled, the fun and originality kick in when the decorating begins. Using cookie cutter-like formulas when you first begin composing helps you learn the basics and keeps you within clear boundaries. It avoids choice overload. As you become more equipped as a composer, then you can branch out to “chocolate cookie” compositions where the size and the elements are not so tightly regulated.
Taste test first
Before you bake your own cookies, it’s natural that you try various cookies baked by your mom, your neighbor, your grandpa or other favorite baker. Once you find your favorite cookie, it’s hard to stop at just one, right? That’s when you ask for the recipe so you can make the cookies yourself.
So it is with writing your own piece. Before you start from scratch with composing, you need to play and listen to compositions of others first. Once you know what you like, you listen to more like it and inspiration begins.
You don’t have to look far to find inspiration.
First, check out Get Inspired! Episode 19 that unlocks the cool chord progressions of pop songs. The episode includes the chord symbols and how to play the chords on the keyboard. In addition, it offers a special tip on how to slow down and play along with the YouTube videos!
Next, use the 321 Challenge to explore chord progressions and patterns. Once you find a winning combination, then it’s easy to begin your Cookie Cutter Composing. [The 321 Challenge is not required to use this resource but comes highly recommended. ]
BONUS!
Brief videos explaining how to create each section are included.
Because online lessons are a must and because I offer Off Bench time with my lessons, I include Off Bench plans in this resource. Along with the bingo card you see below, you get a full list of plans that integrate music history, pitch reading and Cookie Cutter Composition activities.
What makes Cookie Cutter Composing ideal for Off Bench time at home is that notation of compositions is completed in Noteflight.com, an online notation program that students can use at home.
Groups, too!
Use this resource for an online group class curriculum. Students can share ideas, play for each other learn how to notate their compositions and end with a virtual world premiere of everyone’s composition.
Below is a compilation of compositions of my students. All of their composing was completed during online lessons. Of course the resource works well in person, too.
