Staff Paper
The following link will take you to a website where you can print free staff paper in just about whatever form you could want: Staff Paper
If you would like to consider purchasing a bound book of staff paper, here is an example, though there are certainly many different kinds out there: Bound staff paper book

The second post:
We discussed Friday the philosophical attachments we have to major and minor keys. Some music researchers have conducted studies that seem to suggest that our sense of what is pleasing or beautiful is trained, and not innate in us when we are born. It’s fascinating research. You can read a short article from the Boston Globe about the study here: Musical Taste Study

The third, and longest, post:
We discussed a general timeline of music history. You can divide musical periods roughly into eras such as those in this image:
Image result for music history timeline
We went further in depth into the Medieval period and discussed the church modes. Start on the initial note and play only the white keys on the piano to hear what each mode sounds like:
A–Aeolian (a natural minor scale)
B–Locrian
C–Ionian (a major scale)
D–Dorian
E–Phrygian
F–Lydian (would add the Bb to avoid the tritone, also known as musica ficta [false music])
G–Mixolydian

We discussed chant, which is one vocal line sung in unison. An example can be found here: Pentecost hymn “Veni Creator Spiritu”

Organum was an early form of polyphony and harmony. Often one voice would be the melody over essentially a drone note, like this one: Haec Dies

Other types of organum got more creative with the voices.Alleluia: Angeles Domini

The craziest type could have multiple texts going on at the same time. Start this video at 4:50 for a French example: Trop sovent

Your assignment this week: You have options!
a) Choose either the major or minor melody that you have already written and add accompaniment to it. You may add chords, or treat it like organum and add either a drone note(s) or another independent line.
b) Choose a church mode and compose an original organum with at least two voices.

As always, be prepared to both perform your composition and give feedback to your colleagues. If you need another player to help with the harmony, please arrange for that in advance.

Sincerely,

Dr. Heather R. Nelson, PhD
Singing Voice Specialist
Voice Teacher
heather.nelson.svs@gmail.com
(417) 319-7735