Music theory worksheet · Listening and composing
Write Your Own Melody
Write a melody of eight measures using the notes C, D, E, F and G, then give your song a name.
- Grade level
- Grades 3–5
- Time
- About 30 minutes
- Answer key
- Not needed: answers vary
- Kids practice
- Describing what you hear, Using music vocabulary, Composing a short rhythm or melody, Sharing an opinion with a reason
What kids do
Printed on the sheet:
- Your five notes:
- Use quarter notes (1 beat), half notes (2 beats) and whole notes (4 beats).
- Every measure needs 4 beats. Try ending on C so your song sounds finished.
- Write your melody.
- Circle when done:
- 4 beats in every measure
- I used at least 3 different notes
Teacher tip
Suggest starting and ending on C so the song sounds finished, and moving mostly by step. Play each melody on a xylophone or keyboard for its composer.
How to use it
- Tell kids there is no wrong answer about how music makes them feel.
- For composing, clap or play every child’s finished line so they hear their work.
- End by clapping, singing or playing something from the sheet, so the page turns back into music.
Watch for
Measures with too many or too few beats. Count each one before moving on.
Talk about it
- Was the music fast or slow, loud or soft?
- Where have you seen or heard this in a song we know?
Take it further
Trade compositions with a partner and perform each other’s music.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
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Listen to a piece of music two times. Write what you hear, what it reminds you of and what you think of it.
Grades 1–3
Compose a Four-Beat Rhythm
Pick notes and rests from the rhythm bank to fill four beats in every measure. Clap what you wrote.
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