Pupils should decide how many beats they wish to have in a bar. They should complete the Counting row first.

On the Triads/ostinato row of their grid, ask pupils to write eight bars of triads, one in each bar, starting and ending on CEG. The triads will not actually be played in the final piece of music, but they should help pupils construct their tune. Ensure that pupils cross out the notes F and B whenever they appear in a triad, since these triads should be based on the pentatonic scale.

Pupils should choose a note from the triad in each bar to use as their start note. These notes should be written in the Tune row of their grid. Remind them that B and F are not available to use because of the parallel pentatonic scale.

Pupils should link the start notes in the Tune row together, based on the top parallel scale, using steps, jumps and same note. Remind them that E to G is a step (as there is no F in the scale), and A to C is a step (as there is no B in the scale).

Ensure pupils make each bar add up to the chosen number of beats.

Once the tune is completed, pupils need to add the correct notes from the parallel pentatonic scale, directly below their tune, in exactly the same rhythm. These notes can be written in the Parallel scale row. For example, below every C, add a G. Below every A, add an E, and so on. The tune may already have a Chinese flavour due to the pentatonic scale. The extra line below makes the flavour very strong.

The triads do not actually sound in the final performance of the music. Instead, pupils should write a bar or two of notes, using the basic pentatonic scale, as an ostinato, played throughout. The Triads/ostinato row can be altered accordingly.

A few percussion sounds can be added to complete the flavour. A simple repetitive rhythm usually works well. This can be recorded in the Percussion row of the grid.