Day 30: Finish Your 32-Bar Melody
Friday, May 1st, 2026
Objectives
- I can arrange chords, drums, and an original melody into a complete 32-bar (AABA) form.
- I can use the AABA form diagram to check that all four sections are present and distinct.
- I can export my finished project as an MP3 from GarageBand or MuseScore.
- I can submit my MP3 to the CTLS discussion post before the timer goes off.
Warmup — Open Your Project and Make a Plan
You will finish a 32-bar form project today with chords, drums, and an original melody. The project you started yesterday is your starting point — you will build on it and finish it today.
You may use any combination of Musescore or GarageBand to complete your project. The requirements are the same regardless of which software you use.
Open your GarageBand or MuseScore project from yesterday. Your GarageBand project is saved in the GarageBand folder inside your Music folder (~/Music/GarageBand/). Your MuseScore file is wherever you saved it — check your Desktop or Documents folder.
Listen through the whole thing from the beginning.
Then answer these three questions before you start working:
- Is every section of the AABA form present and clearly 8 measures long?
- Does the B section sound noticeably different from the A sections?
- Does the melody follow the same AABA pattern as the chords and drums?
Remember at least one thing you want to finish or improve.
Work Session — Complete Your 32-Bar Melody
You have the entire class period to finish your project. Use every minute. Do not stop working until the timer on the TV goes off.
Key Vocabulary
- AABA form (32-bar form)
- A four-section structure — A (main idea), A (repeat), B (bridge/contrast), A (return) — with 8 measures per section for a total of 32 measures.
- Bridge
- The B section of AABA form. It provides contrast with the A sections — different chords, a different mood, a higher or lower range, or a different instrument sound.
- Tonic
- The “home” note of your key. In C major the tonic is C; in A minor it is A. Starting and ending your melody on the tonic makes it feel settled and complete.
Requirements Checklist
Your finished project must have all of the following. Use this list to guide your work throughout the period — come back to it before you export.
AABA Form Diagram
Your project should follow this structure. Each colored block is one 8-measure section.
| Measures | Section | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1–8 | 🟦 A | Main idea — your chord progression and main melody |
| 9–16 | 🟦 A | Repeat of the main idea |
| 17–24 | 🟩 B | Bridge — contrasting chords, sound, or feel |
| 25–32 | 🟦 A | Return of the main idea |
Where to Get Your Chords
Your chords must come from one of these two sources:
Option 1 — Chord Progressions ZIP (from Day 29)
Open the ZIP, browse the MIDI files organized by key and mood, and import your chosen file into GarageBand. If you are working in MuseScore, open the MIDI file in MuseScore directly (File → Open) or enter the chords manually.
Option 2 — Hooktheory
Go to Hooktheory and search for a song you like. Click on the song to see its chord progression listed below the sheet music. Use those chords as the basis for your project.
Drums Must Follow AABA
Your drum part should reflect the form, not just loop straight through without any change:
| Section | What to do |
|---|---|
| A sections | Use your main drum loop or pattern |
| B section | Change something — swap to a different loop, add a fill, thin out the drums, or use a different style |
Even a small change (like dropping out the kick drum or switching to a brush kit) is enough to make the B section feel distinct.
MIDI Controllers for Melody (GarageBand Only)
If you are working in GarageBand and want to record your melody with a physical keyboard, the MIDI controllers are available to use.
Melody Guidelines
- Your melody should have the same AABA structure as your chords — the melody that plays over the A sections should come back in the final A section.
- Stay in your key. If your chords are in C major, use the C major scale: C D E F G A B. If your chords are in A minor, use the A natural minor scale: A B C D E F G.
- Start and end your A melody on the tonic (the root note of your key).
- The B section melody should be different — use different notes, a different rhythm, or a higher/lower range.
- Use the Piano Roll at any point to fix notes that sound out of place.
Exporting as MP3
When the timer goes off, export your project.
From GarageBand
Step 1
Go to Share → Export Song to Disk.
Step 2
In the dialog box, set the format to MP3 and the quality to High (192 kbps) or better.
Step 3
Name your file with your name and the assignment (for example: JaneDoe-Day30Melody.mp3). Save it to your Desktop.
Step 4
Open CTLS and submit the MP3 to the Day 30 discussion post.
From MuseScore
Step 1
Go to File → Export… (the menu item will say “Export” followed by three dots).
Step 2
In the format dropdown, select MP3 Audio (.mp3).
Step 3
Name your file with your name and the assignment (for example: JaneDoe-Day30Melody.mp3). Save it to your Desktop.
Step 4
Open CTLS and submit the MP3 to the Day 30 discussion post.
Checkpoint: Work Session
- Chords — 32 measures of chords following AABA form. Chords come from the chord progressions ZIP or from Hooktheory.
- AABA form — All four sections are present, each 8 measures long (see the diagram above).
- B section contrast — The B section sounds clearly different from the A sections.
- Drums — A drum part that also follows the AABA pattern (the feel or loop changes for the B section).
- Original melody — A melody on its own track that follows the AABA form.
- Playback check — I have listened to the full 32 measures and fixed any obvious problems.
- Exported — I exported the project as an MP3 and submitted it to the Day 30 discussion post on CTLS.
Closing
Submit your MP3 to the Day 30 discussion post on CTLS when the timer on the TV goes off.
After submitting, listen to at least one classmate’s post and leave a reply. Use one of these sentence stems:
- “Your B section stood out to me because…”
- “I noticed your melody [came back / didn’t come back] in the final A section — it sounded like…”
- “One thing I would try to change is…”
If classmates haven’t posted yet when you submit, come back to CTLS tonight and leave your reply then.
Standards
- MSMTC8.CR.1 — Generate musical ideas for various purposes and contexts (creating an original melody and drum pattern in AABA form).
- MSMTC8.CR.2 — Select and develop musical ideas for defined purposes and contexts (choosing chord progressions and developing them into a complete 32-bar composition).
- MSMTC8.CR.3 — Evaluate and refine selected musical ideas to create musical work that meets appropriate criteria (listening back, fixing pitch and timing issues, and ensuring AABA form is clear before exporting).
- MSMTC8.CR.4 — Share creative musical work that conveys intent, demonstrates craftsmanship, and exhibits originality (exporting and submitting a finished MP3 that demonstrates AABA form with chords, drums, and original melody).