Learn Listening Online

Composing

Composing

General Information

Mac users: Choose one of the styles of music below and click once to select the file. A media player will appear on the screen but do not select play. Go to File and Save as, save the file to your Desktop. Import the MIDI file into your sequencer or music-writing program on your computer.

PC users: Choose one of the styles of music below and right click on the file you want and choose Save target as, save the file to your Desktop. Import the MIDI file into your sequencer or music-writing program on your computer.

Using MIDI files

You should find that you have accompaniment parts and space for a melody.

Ensure that your quantize is set at 1/8 note or semi quaver.

Baroque period - a simple ground bass

Choose your rhythms and drag and copy them to the melody line. Then just move melody notes to match the chords below and construct your own melody. Copy the work as many times as you like and change the melody as often as you like. You can often copy the melodies as well and build up a longer composition.

Classical period - a simple Alberti bass

Choose your rhythms and drag and copy them to the melody line. Then just move melody notes to match the chords below and construct your own melody.
Make up the first eight bars, then the second, which are in a minor key, and when you have finished, copy the first eight bars to the end to make a piece with the shape ABA.

Late romantic - A simple accompaniment in Erik Satie style on a well-known chord structure.

Choose your rhythms and drag and copy them to the melody line. Then just move melody notes to match the chords below and construct your own melody. Copy the work as many times as you like and change the melody as often as you like. You can often copy the melodies as well and build up a longer composition.