Music is a universal language. Whether your students enjoy listening to music, love to sing, or are learning to play an instrument, there’s something about music that “strikes a chord” with young teens. That said, these middle school music writing prompts can be used with kids of all ages.
1. Master Musician
Would you rather be an accomplished singer or play an instrument well? What would you do if you had immense talent in creating music with your voice or instrument?
2. Conductor’s Crisis
The sweeping sound of an orchestra is created by many parts working as one. String, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments perform together to create the movie score for Star Wars or a Broadway overture for Beauty and the Beast. Imagine that you are a famous conductor, and your string (or brass or woodwind or percussion) section has gone on strike just before an important performance. The curtain is supposed to rise three hours from now! How will you save the show?
3. Make Me An Instrument
Personification is when you make an object think and act like a human. Use descriptive words and personification to write about what it’s like to be a musical instrument such as a piano, violin, guitar, or drum.
4. Timberland Band
Imagine you are trying to start a rock band, praise band, or string quartet in the middle of a wild forest or jungle. What kinds of natural materials will you use to make instruments? What sorts of interruptions will you encounter during rehearsals? Write about how you will overcome these challenges and reach musical success.
5. Music’s Charms
William Congreve (1670-1729) was an English playwright and poet who wrote, “Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast.” Write about a time when music helped soften your anger or improve your grumpy attitude.
6. Keeping Time
While practicing their instruments, musicians often use a device called a metronome to beat a steady rhythm or “keep time.” A metronome can beat faster or slower, depending on how it is set. If someone asked you to invent a new metronome, what would it look like? What would it sound like? Think creatively, and write as descriptively as you can.
Be sure to check back each week for more Writing Prompt Wednesdays! Once a month we feature prompts especially for teens.
