Lesson Plan

Creating a Girlie Pop Track – Beat, Bass, and Harmony

Year Level: Stage 5
Lesson Duration: 50 minutes
Software/Resources: Soundtrap, headphones, student laptops, internet access
Instructional Videos:

  • Video 1: Intro & Making a Beat
  • Video 2: Build the Bass
  • Video 3: Filling out the Harmony

Learning Objectives

Students will:

  • Identify key musical features of the girlie pop genre
  • Create an original beat, bassline, and harmonic texture using Soundtrap
  • Apply loop-based and MIDI techniques in a DAW environment
  • Work independently and make creative decisions based on listening and genre conventions

Resources Required

  • Soundtrap accounts and internet-enabled devices
  • Headphones (essential for independent work)
  • Access to the three instructional videos
  • Speakers for whole-class starter playback

Starter (5 minutes): Genre Tropes in Girlie Pop

Play a 30–60 second excerpt of Espresso by Sabrina Carpenter. Ask students:

  • What sounds or textures immediately signal “girlie pop”?
  • What kind of groove, instrumentation, or mood do you notice?

Record answers briefly on the board or screen to reference throughout the session.

Main Activity: Guided Independent Creation (42 minutes total)

Students will work independently through the three videos using headphones. Encourage them to move through each stage at their own pace, while aiming to complete all three within the session.

Step 1: Make the Beat (Video 1, approx. 12 minutes)

  • Open a new Soundtrap project
  • Set tempo to 105 BPM
  • Add drum loops or create a custom rhythm pattern
  • Layer claps or additional percussion for genre style

Differentiation:

  • Provide rhythm loop suggestions or beat templates for those who need more structure
  • More confident students can sequence from scratch

Step 2: Build the Bass (Video 2, approx. 12 minutes)

  • Add a bass instrument
  • Use the I–V–vi–IV progression to build a groove
  • Sync it with their rhythm to reinforce the overall feel

Differentiation:

  • Offer chord charts or reference MIDI files
  • Encourage more advanced students to experiment with syncopation or texture

Step 3: Add Harmony and Texture (Video 3, approx. 15 minutes)

  • Add a synth pad or electric piano track
  • Play or draw in simple chords to support the bassline
  • Optionally add a countermelody using a lead or bell pad sound

Pedagogical framing:
 This phase reinforces listening as a compositional tool. Students should use their ears to guide balance, layering, and stylistic decisions.

Plenary / Reflection (3 minutes)

Wrap up with a brief written or verbal check-in:

  • What was the most fun or surprising element to work with?
  • What would you like to add or change next time?

You may also preview that next lesson could involve structure, form, or topline writing.