Lead Sheet Composition
This composition was created for my "Music Theory Workshop" module's graded exam assignment.
We were first given a brief stating that we have to compose a notated music arrangement of 3-minute duration based on our individually assigned lead-sheet which provides us a starting point to the composition.
Besides that, they also required us to include the following instruments in our composition:
• Standard Drum Kit
• Piano
• Bass
• One Chordal instrument e.g. pop keyboard or guitar
• One Melodic instrument e.g. Saxophone, trumpet or clarinet
This is the lead sheet that I was provided with:
Then, I put the score into a music notation software known as Musescore and found that this lead sheet piece alone already lasted for 1 minute 30 seconds. Hence, I decided to duplicate the score such that the entire piece would be around 3 minutes long. This ensures that the entire piece would not be unique throughout and has a repeat such that people will be able to remember it better. However, considering that it is a duplicate, I applied some of the concepts that I learnt such as step up modulation to help add variation to the piece and keep the listener's attention from start to finish.
As for the instruments, the Alto Saxophone is my main lead instrument, while the Electric Guitar is my main chordal/supporting instrument. The keyboard is there to add an extra layer of harmony and the bass and drums help to build the foundation, giving the composition its rhythm and structure.
I made use of dynamics and arpeggios to emphasize certain parts of the composition and to build the energy throughout.
Besides this, I did some light mixing of the levels such that the main instrument - the Alto Saxophone - would stand out from the others and this will give the listeners something to focus on.
This is the PDF of my score and the audio of my final work: