Here are the steps I typically use with my students when they are creating a song.
- Start with one (relatively short) musical idea: This step can take some time to develop, especially if the student is particularly creative. There may be 10 - 20 ideas presented before landing on one to begin the song with. The idea works best if it is about 4 measures long and the student should be able to reliably repeat it. This step should not be rushed! The experimentation and exploration at this stage is very important to help the student come up with a song idea they really like. Get them thinking about how their music is sounding - is it smooth, is it staccato, is the song happy or sad or some other emotion?
- Expand the idea with repetition and different endings: This next step usually happens pretty quickly after choosing the musical idea. Mostly it is repetition of the main idea with some different endings and possibly some octave changes. Relate this step to any other songs they have learned that have similar structure to them.
- Go on to idea #2: This step can also take some time to happen! Often to get a good idea #2 it helps to have the student think about what the song is about and come up with a title. Then idea #2 will continue the story of the song and the ideas will flow pretty well. If the student is really stuck here I will suggest to use the same notes but contrast the rhythms from the main idea.
- Go back to idea #1 and decide if there should be an introduction or and ending to the song: After idea #2 return to idea #1 (possibly changing something here and there like octaves or transitions into or out of the different ideas). Also, many songs will have a 4-measure or so introduction that is different from the other ideas in the song. Likewise at the end of the song. The student can decide if their song would fit with an introduction or ending.
- Play, play, play! and pick dynamics and refine articulations: This final step is either you or the student or both of you playing the song to each other and discussing what could be better or adjusted. This is also a good time to put in the dynamics and finalize articulations. Often the student will be playing their idea in a very specific dynamics and articulation style.