Musical Wording- Great for Wall Art/Home Decor

"Listen to the MUSTN'TS, child,

Listen to the DON'TS

Listen to the SHOULDN'TS

The IMPOSSIBILES, the WONT'S

Listen to the NEVER HAVES

Then listen close to me-

Anything can happen, child,

ANYTHING can be"

-Shel Silverstein, from Where the Sidewalk Ends

I've been working on a system to show the music of poetry and I'd like to share that system here. I call it "Musical Wording".

Supplies Needed:

-PowerPoint

-Text from your favorite poem or story

-Black pen

-Optional: Nice printing paper (I prefer cardstock)

Step 1: Create Your Music Staff

Using Powerpoint, I created a template sheet music page that I can use for all of my Musical Wording projects. For the tremble clef, I was able to research and find a treble clef picture that I cut and pasted into the Powerpoint.

It's important to create a nice looking blank sheet music page as this will add to the beauty of your finished product.

Step 2: Type in the Text/Leave Blanks for A-G

Using the "Insert Text" button, type in the text of the poem/text you have selected.

*Important Note- For the letters A, B, C, D, E, F, G, leave blanks instead (two spaces). You will fill these notes in later with your black pen.

If your poem doesn't fill all the lines exactly, use rests to fill out the rest of the final line (you'll see that I used a four count rest to finish out this project).

Step 3: Create Notation and Frame

Using your black pen, create notes for the missing letters (ex. an E for e's, an A for a's, etc.). As you fill in the notes, keep in mind that you must follow the beats per measure that you've given your self. I have 4/4, so I must have four beats per measure. This is the fun part because it allows you the creativity to create quarter notes, eighth notes, sixteenth notes, etc. in order to meet the musical notation requirements.

*Optional: I like adding slurs for notes that are connected in the same word, to show that they are connected in that word. You can also include other music notation to give your finished project more flair (crescendos, grace notes, etc.)

Once you've finished creating your music, you're done! I like making copies of my music, so I don't lose the original. Once the copies are made, I cut and frame the original to be a constant reminder of the literature I love in this world.

This Musical Wording can be applied to all texts! On my bucket list is the full text of Romeo and Juliet. I better get started now!

These framed Musical Wordings make for amazing gifts, especially if you use a text you know that special someone loves!