Jingle Bells or Jungle Bells?

Task: Your new project will be to record, through MIDI, the chords of Jingle Bells and then choose a style or genre of music and add the sounds needed to match that genre. Then give the carol a new name that reflects your genre choice.

First: Check out this Canadian group making alternate versions of Christmas carols.
The Synchronics: A Synchristmas

Objectives:

• To understand and play the basic chords C, F and G.
• To further practice recording with a metronome.
• To utilize the split, copy, cut and paste tools in Mixcraft
• To choose a musical genre and choose instruments to match that genre of music.

Steps:

1. Choose a Genre from the list on this site.  You can pick a general genre (for example: Rock) or a sub-genre (for example: Hair Metal!) http://www.musicgenreslist.com/ 
2. Pick up the Jingle Bells Melody file from the Pickup Folder under Moynihan AMM2O1
3. In a different Virtual Instrument Track, record each Chord for one bar.  Use the piano, or input the chords manually through the piano roll. Record these in 1 bar chunks.  Quantize to 1/4 note.
4. Label the REGIONS with the chord name (C Chord)
5. Trim off the end of each chord REGION to make each 1 bar long by right clicking and using the "Split" function.  Then delete the unwanted regions.
6. Following the printed music, copy and paste the correct chords into the correct bars. 
7. Change your tempo to match the genre of music you chose. For example Soca music is very fast, while Pop Ballads tend to be slow. 
8. Choose instruments that match that genre and select them for the MIDI tracks.
9. Add drum parts using MIDI or Library loops as you wish.  make sure they don't clash or conflict.
10. Check levels and balance of each track.
11. Choose Master Effect Compressor and any other you wish. 
12. Set your end marker to the last bar. 
13. Turn off Metronome. 
14. Mixdown to MP3 and submit MP3 and Mixcraft file to Jingle Bells folder.

Due: Thursday, Dec. 18 by the end of class.

Here  is the Melody file for download.

Creative Extension Activities:

• Make up a rhythm for the chords or play the notes separately in an Arpeggio to match your genre.
• Add a rhythmic bass line with MIDI that uses the ROOT note of each chord (C for the C Chord, F for the F Chord and G for the G Chord).  Bass lines can also alternate between the ROOT and the FIFTH ( the note played by the 5 finger) in each chord. 
• Copy some or all of the melody using a variety of textures and add more instruments to your piece.
• Add tracks using loops or MIDI that compliment your song to make it original. 
• Double or triple the length of the song.  Make each repeat a little bit different.
• Add a creative intro to the song.
• Slightly change the rhythm of the melody. 
• Choose a totally different christmas carol and play that instead.

Independent Creative Project 2 - with MIDI drums

Your next assignment is to complete an Independent Creative Project that fulfills the following basic criteria:

1. Uses your own MIDI drum beat including minimum 3 drum sounds (bass, snare, cymbal)
2. Minimum Length 32 bars
3. Uses a variety of textures (i.e. not every instrument plays at the same time, all of the time.)
4. Uses a Master Effect of "Compressor" to give it a polished sound. 
5. All levels are balanced and no sounds go into the RED and distort.
6. All tracks are labeled.
7. Mixdown to MP3 and submit an MP3 and Mixcraft file to the folder Independent Creative Project 2.
8. Due: Wed. Dec 10. 

You may create your own song using Loops from the Library, your own MIDI creations, samples from other songs, audio recordings, and anything you can think of. 

MIDI Drumbeats assignment

We will be using a handout to complete the MIDI drumbeat assignment where we will use the MIDI keyboard to record the sounds of a drum kit playing a variety of styles of drum beats.

Objectives:

• To learn to read rhythms and understand beat division
• To learn to count and play rhythms accurately
• To learn the MIDI drum map
• To learn to record multiple parts in one MIDI track
• To learn to label recording regions

Instructions:

1. Practice reading rhythms and clapping together as a class. 
2. Use the Drumbeats Assignment handout and read instructions. 
3. Make sure each of your recorded rhythms are two bars long and follow each other in the same Virtual Instrument track.
4. Label each two bar "region" with the name of the drum beat from the handout.

Final Project should sound like this.

Learning to Play the Piano Keyboard

We will be learning to play the Piano Keyboards by using our MIDI keyboards, Mixcraft, and online resources.

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO HAND THIS IN!

Objectives:

• Learn left and right hand note reading and playing on MIDI keyboards
• Learn to set-up a MIDI keyboard and choose sounds in Mixcraft
• Learn to use the Metronome while practicing and recording.
• Learn to Arm a track and record MIDI 

Your final project should sound like this.

Steps:

Setting Up MIDI

1. Open up a new Virtual Instrument Project in Mixcraft and call it "Piano Practice 1"
2. Plug in your MIDI keyboard through USB
3. Choose the first Virtual Instrument Track and click on the Keyboard symbol.  Choose a keyboard or Piano sound from the selection of MIDI instruments. Click "Musical Typing" to try the sounds out before you settle on one.  Then close the musical typing window and the MIDI selection window.
4. On the Virtual Instrument Track, click the ARM button to prepare the track for recording.  Beside the Arm button is a downward arrow.  Click it to make sure the if Acorn 25 is selected as the input source. 
5. Now that your track is Armed, you should be able to hear your MIDI keyboard when you play the keys.
6. Try recording some sounds and playing them back AFTER turning the ARM button off.
7. Turn on the Metronome to 75bpm and try to play some notes at that speed.  Choose 2 Bars of count in measures in the metronome dialog box.  

Practicing Piano

1. Click on Exercise Page each link below and read and practice the piano music on each page.  
2. Record the pages with the word "Record" beside them.  Record all songs on the same project, but use different Tracks. Use the metronome when you record.
3. Don't worry about perfection, this is just an exercise for practice.  Listen to your recordings and play them for a classmate to get feedback.  Do not quantize for this assignment.
4. Place each of the three songs in their own Virtual Instrument Track, and start each where the last finished.  For instance, Ode to Joy ends at the end of bar 8, and Aura lee should start in Bar 9. 
5. Name your file "Piano Practice 1 Your Name" and submit it for completion marks.

Exercise Pages

1. Right Hand C Position Introduction

2. Right Hand C Position - Ode to Joy *Record

3. Left Hand C Position Introduction

4. Left Hand C Position-Aura Lee *Record

5. Grand Staff Introduction

6. Melodic Intervals 2nds and 3rds

7. Melodic Intervals 4ths and 5ths - Good King Wenceslas *Record

EXTENSION Activity: If you finish the above activity early, add 2 or three tracks of Loops that complement the songs in the KEY OF C! 

ADVANCED PLAYERS: If you have piano training, record this piece with left and right hands together.  If you do this and find it simple, please ask Ms. Moynihan for some extra challenge work. 

Challenge Piece

Cockles and Mussels *Record (Change your Time Signature to 3/4 time first!)
Extension Activity: Find drum or rhythm tracks in a 3/4 time signature and add it to your recording. 

Orchestral Compositions in Mixcraft

Tomorrow, the class will be seeing the Toronto Symphony Orchestra perform at Roy Thomson Hall. Grade 10s: Depart from the Rotunda at 9:45AM - Bring TTC Fare
Grade11/12s: Meet at Roy Thomson Hall at 10:30PM - Please travel with a buddy.
Click HERE for a map and instructions on TTC

Today, we will be learning about the Instruments of the Orchestra and composing a short composition using Orchestral Loops in Mixcraft.

Preparation:
Open this website from the San Francisco Symphony to learn the Instrument Families in the Orchestra: Strings, Woodwinds, Brass and Percussion and the seating arrangement for each instrument.

Orchestral Composition Project
Due: At the end of class Thursday, Nov. 6.

Objectives:

• Learn the instruments of the Orchestra
• Learn to use loops in Mixcraft 6
• Use a variety of TEXTURES in your composition. 
• Use Pan to represent the Seating Arrangement of the Orchestra
• Learn to use Master Effects to represent an Orchestra performing in a concert hall.

1. Open Mixcraft 6 and start a New Project
2. Name your project "Orchestral Composition Project" and select Build Loop and Beat Matched Music
3. Open the Library tab at the bottom of the screen and Sort By: Style
4. Select Orchestral from the list below.  On the right, you will have a selection of loops of instruments of the orchestra.  You can "Audition" the sounds by clicking the green play triangle or drag them into your Audio Tracks.
5. Create a composition using each of the following instruments at least once each.
1. Strings: Violins, Viola, Cello, Bass, Harp
2. Woodwind: Flute
3. Brass: Trumpet, French Horn
4. Percussion: Snare, Bass Drum, Cymbal
6. Your piece must be a minimum of 32 bars long but has no maximum length.  
7. TIP: In an orchestra, the strings play most of the time, while the woodwinds and brass play a little less and the percussion play the least.  Not everyone can play at the same time, ALL the time.  Consider using a variety of TEXTURES to create interest. 
8. Balance all your tracks volumes or automate volume. 
9. Pan your tracks to represent the seating arrangement of the orchestra found on the website above.  i.e. Violins on the left, Bass on the right, etc.
10. Under the Project tab, click on Master Effect : Select an Effect.  Listen to each effect and choose one that makes the piece sound like it is being played in a large concert hall.  
11. Complete the Checklist. 
12. Submit a .mx6 file to the Orchestral Composition Project Folder.  Ensure your name is in the title. 

Video Tutorials are available for Using Loops and Using Effects

Project 4: Building Textures and Layers

You will create a composition in Soundation that demonstrates your understanding of building texture in music.

Objectives:

• To understand the concepts of layers and texture in music
• To use layering of sounds to build tension and excitement in your composition
• Use your critical listening skills to identify the best order of instrument entrances in your composition
• Balance track volume using automation and use pan for final mixdown stereo effect

Process:

1. Use loops from the library that are all part of one folder (i.e. 95BPM).  This will ensure that all choices will be pitch matched correctly. You may use sounds from multiple folders if you ensure they match correctly.
2. When choosing melodic instrument (not drums or beats) use instruments that are in the same musical key. i.e. SynthArp C and AltoSax C are both in the key of C and will work together. BassLine A is in the Key of A and will not match with the loops in the key of C.
3. Start with one sound, then add another 4 bars later.  Repeat this process until you have at least 6 different tracks and 6 different sounds.  Keep each sound going until the end of the piece.
4. You must have (minimum)
1. drum or beat ( or a combination of several drum sounds that make up a drum kit)
2. bass
3. a combination of any 4 melodic instruments (synth, piano, guitar, instruments, etc
5. Additional tracks are your choice, but must not conflict with the drum tracks already chosen.
6. Your piece must be a minimum of 32 bars long.
7. Use the Automate Volume function to control the volume of your tracks and balance your sounds.
8. When you are done, use the "Pan" function to make your tracks fill the left and right ear to create a stereo sound. 
9. Optional: Drop the beat; add your own MIDI track; record a vocal on your phone and import it.  Be creative! 
10. Complete the Checklist.
11. Submit as a .wav file and a .sng file  (Project 4 Your Name.sng)

Due: End of class on Friday, Oct. 31

Preparation for Project 4: Texture and Layers in music

Texture in music is the way multiple voices interact in a composition.

Read this introduction to texture and listen to the audio examples on the page.

Consider these questions:
We have already created a composition that is "polyphonic." Which project was it?
We have created a project that was "homophonic."  Which project was that?

Using Soundation, we will be creating a song with a texture that starts very simple, or thin, and becomes increasingly more complex.  Before we do this, you will do some listening and analysis of examples of this kind of texture and layering of sound.

Texture Assignment: DUE Wednesday, Oct 29
Complete on word document and submit.

1. Analyse the song "Wonderwall" by making a list of the instruments or vocals that you hear in the order which they start to play or sing.
Wonderwall by Oasis

(For example:)
Wonderwall, by Oasis
1st -  Acoustic Guitar
2nd - Male Vocals
3rd -
4th -
etc.

2. Find the video for another song that follows this texture pattern.  The song should start with one instrument or vocal and slowly add more and more.  The song can be from any style or genre of music.  Remember to choose "Radio Edits" if you song has profanity.  Provide the name of the song, artist, and a link in the Word document.

3. Analyse the song you chose in the same way as you did "Wonderwall."  Make a list of the instruments or vocals in the song in the order in which they start to play or sing.

More Test Prep

First:

Complete these theory exercises and games about Rhythms

1. Rhythm Match
2. Rhythmic Hoop Shoot
4. Rhythm Math

Complete these exercises and games about the piano keyboard
5.  Keyboard Words
6. Keyboard Battle: Play in pairs

Next:
Complete the worksheet distributed by Ms. Moynihan about the Soundation program.

Test Preparation

We will have a test on Monday October 27. 

Today you will be preparing for the test by doing the following tasks:
1. Practice note reading by doing Exercise 1-3 on the theory page until you have 20 correct answers each.
2. Practice keyboard notes by doing Exercise 4-9 until you have 20 correct answers each.
3. Create a study sheet in Word with definitions and images (where appropriate) for the following terms:

MIDI:

• MIDI
• MIDI controller
• Event Data
• virtual keyboard
• Piano Roll

Soundation:

• Audio Channel
• Virtual Instrument Channel
• Solo
• Mute
• Play, Stop, Record
• Loop
• Metronome
• Sound Waveform
• Tempo
• Library

Project 3: Pachelbel's Loops

Your next project uses MIDI input by mouse and the Virtual Keyboard to create your own unique version of a famous 17th century "loop" by Johann Pachelbel.

Watch this video to listen to the original "Canon in D."

NEW - Listen to this completed version of the Pachelbel's Loops Project (without an added optional rhythmic track)

Objectives:

• Learn to identify piano keyboard notes
• Learn to record your own loops using MIDI
• Learn how to select instruments for MIDI
• Improvise your own melody
• Use the metronome, tempo and quantize tools.

NEW - Due: Wednesday, Oct. 15 by the end of class.

Preparation: Go to the Theory Tab on the top of the blog and practice keyboard key names.  Do exercise 4, 5 and 6 until you have 30 correct answers each.

This project is in three parts.  Please check with Ms. Moynihan once you have finished each part and before proceeding to the next. 

Part One: (Video Help: MIDI Clips)

1. Open up a new file in Soundation and click on the blue instrument channel.  Each blue Instrument Channel has a synth sound automatically.  
2. Choose the Edit Instrument menu with the word "Simple" and choose GM-2 (Beta).  This is General MIDI.  Choose a bass sound from these collections. 
3. Click on first bar of the Instrument Channel and the piano roll will appear.  Select the pencil tool. Using the pencil tool, make a note on the first beat of C4 and drag the right side of the note to fill the whole bar of 4 beats.  
4. Using only notes between C4 and C3, input the following notes for your bass line in this order. C4, G, A, E, F, C3, F, G.  Each note is one bar long and begins at the 1st beat of the bar. You should have 8 bars in the end. Play it back and listen.  Save.
5. In the Piano Roll, click the cursor tool.  Drag and select all the notes you made and click Quantize to 1/1 (Whole note). 
6. Turn on the Metronome tool.  You will hear that there are 4 beats in each one of your notes.  CHANGE THE TEMPO to a slower tempo (around 90bpm).  Listen again. 
7. Drag the bottom right corner of the loop to trim extra empty space, then drag the top right hand corner to repeat and extend the loop 5 more times till the end of bar 48 or the start of bar 49.  

Part Two:(Video Help: The Virtual Keyboard)

1. Create a new Instrument Channel.  Choose any piano sound. 
2. Turn on the metronome and turn off the loop button. 
3. Open up the "Virtual Keyboard" in the bottom right of the screen.  Locate and try out the Musical Typing letters ASDF GHJK.  (If there is a large delay between hitting the key and hearing the sound, there is Latency between the computer and the program.  Go to the Settings Menu and choose Edit Settings.  Choose a smaller number for the Buffer Size and retry.  Keep going lower until your delay goes away.)
4. While listening to the Bass line you created, improvise a new melody using two notes per bar  using the white keys on the piano (the ASDFGHJK keys on the keyboard).  Your new melody must be made of notes that are two beats long (half notes).
5. When you are ready, click the Record button and listen to the bass line for 8 bars, at the 9th bar, start to play your two beat note melody in bars 9-16.  When done, listen and fix notes on the piano roll or delete and try again.  Don't be hard on yourself, MIDI allows you to fix your mistakes.
6. When done, select all notes on the piano roll and Quantize to 1/2 notes.  You will have 16 notes in total from bar 9 to the end of bar 16. Listen to playback.  Save.
7. Select your new clip, trim it and drag it to extend and repeat it 3 more times to the beginning of bar 41. 

Part Three:

1. Open a new Instrument Channel and pick a new sound. Repeat the above process and improvise another melody line that has 4 beats per bar (1 note per beat of the metronome).
2. When ready, start to record at bar 17 for 8 bars.  You will have 32 notes.  Quantize all notes to 1/4 notes.  
3. Drag and extend your new clip one more time to the end of bar 32 (beginning of 33). Listen to playback. Save.
4. Optional: Now you can choose one or two Rhythm tracks (only drums or beats and no melodic instruments) to accompany your new piece.  Save. 
5. Adjust your volume levels to create good balance between your tracks.  
6. Consider a tempo change if you wish.
7. Have a peer listen and critique.  Adjust and tweak until you are satisfied. Save.
8. Export as .wav AND Export as .sng file named "Your Name Project 3" to the Project 3 folder. 
9. Complete the Checklist using your TDSB Google account through the school's AW Page.  If you complete the form using your personal email, I cannot mark it.  

*If completed, you may start work on your Independent Creative Project.  This project is a song composed by you with no restrictions.  Make anything you want and make it the best song you can.  This is an ongoing project that you can work on when you are done other class work.  Save your work frequently and be as creative as you can. 

Project 2: Beginning - Middle - End

Important: For your second project you will use a web-based software called Soundation.  You will be asked to provide an email address in order to sign up for a free account. If you are not comfortable providing this, please speak to Ms. Moynihan.

Project 2: Beginning, Middle, and End

Every good story has a beginning, middle, and end.  Every good song should have the same.

Here is an example of a completed Beginning- Middle- End project 

• You will be creating a short piece using Sound Loops that is 12 bars long. 
• Your beginning, middle, and end will be 4 bars long each.  
• You must use Drums, Bass, Piano or Guitar and 1 other instrument loop for each 4 bar phrase. In total this is 12 different sounds in your assignment. (3 drums, 3 bass, 3 Guitar/Piano and 3 other)
• Use a 4 tracks for your four different sounds
• Label you tracks Drums, Bass, Piano or Guitar, and other instruments as you choose them.  There should be no tracks left unlabeled. 
• Make your Drums, Bass, Piano/Guitar and other instrument change every four bars.
• Your 3 phrases should sound like they are all from one song, but distinctly different from each other.
• Any other instruments you add are your choice once your 4 basic tracks are created.
• As always, have a peer listen to it before you finish it.
• TAKE A SCREENSHOT to show me that your project is set up correctly. 
• Shrink your screen view so you can see all 12 bars and all four tracks. 
• Press ALT and Print Screen
• Go to the Start Menu and open Paint
• Click Paste
• Open the top left corner Paint symbol and Save
• Save this .png file as "Project 2 - Your Name"
• Complete this NEW Google Form Checklist before your are finished your project. 
• Export your completed song as .wav to the "Project 2: Beginning Middle End" folder in the dropoff folder.  Name your file "Project 2 - Your Name.wav"

Due Thursday, Oct. 2 by end of class.

If you are done ALL these steps, you may begin work on the MIDI Tutorial assignment in the blog post below. 

MIDI Tutorial: What is MIDI and how is it used?

Watch this quick video about MIDI, an important technology we will be using in this course.



Open a Word file on your computer and answer the following questions in full sentences.  Save the file as "MIDI questions - Your Name" and submit it to the Dropoff folder.



Questions on MIDI Tutorial:

1. What do the letters MIDI stand for?

2. What is "Event Data"?

3. Name two things that Event Data records.

4. What does MIDI not record?

5. Name two kinds of MIDI machines.

6. What is a MIDI keyboard?

7. What is the difference between Audio Signal and MIDI Event Data?

Sound Story Rubric and Assignment Requirements

Your Sound Story is due today in MP3 format.  Look at the previous post to discover how to do this. Name your file "Sound Story - Your Name".  I will not listen to any file that is not named correctly!

Here is the RUBRIC for the sound story.

You must write complete sentences answering the following questions in Word and submit it to the Drop Off folder labeled "Project 1:Sound Story" Label your file "Sound Story Questions - Your Name"

Questions:  ( 10 marks)
1. Describe your story in detail including the setting, characters, and action.  (2)
2. Explain why you made the choices you did in background music and sound effects. (3)
3. Explain, in detail, three audio editing skills that you learned while completing this project.  Use correct terms for the program and tools you learned. (3)
4.  Who was your "peer listener," and what, if any, comments did they make about your project? (1)
5. After listening to other student's work in class, choose a favourite and describe why your enjoyed it. (1)


When you are done, you may proceed to the previous post "MIDI Tutorial" and follow the instructions.

Sound Story Checklist

Today's tasks
Step 1: Watch the entire tutorial video about Audacity. (in the previous post)
Step 2: Restart your project as outlined in the previous post.
Step 3: Save immediately under "Save As" in your AMM2O1 folder on your Home Drive

Projects are due in the first 10 minutes of class on Wed., Sept 24
Projects will be presented to the class on Wednesday, Sept. 24.

How do you know if you are done your project?
Here are the details you need to complete before you can say your project is done.

Checklist:

1. Balance : the background music is softer than the foreground sounds.
2. Story: your story is clearly told with sounds. (at least 6 different sound effects)
3. Length: your work is between 30-60 seconds.
4. Ending: your work "fades" off at the end and does not end abruptly.
5. Peer Edit: you have played your work for at least one other student in the class and received feedback
6. Save As: your file is saved as "Sound Story - Your Name" in your AMM2O1 folder on your home drive
7. Export your work as MP3 by going to File - Export as MP3
8. Save your file as MP3 in your AMM2O1 folder using the same file name
9. Submit MP3 file to Desktop - Jarvis CI folder - Moynihan folder - Project 1 - Sound Story Folder

Create a Sound Story

Your next project will be to create a Sound Story that tells a narrative and sets a mood through music and sound, but without speech.

Purpose:

• Learn to edit sound using a multitrack audio software (Audacity)
• Use sound creatively to express your ideas and thoughts
• Learn to understand the concepts of background and foreground sound

Steps:

1. Make-up a very short scene or story to tell through your Sound Story (i.e. travelling to school, a wild party, a crime, a spooky haunted house, a sad moment, a happy celebration, an outdoor nature scene etc.)
2. Go to Incompetech and download Royalty Free background music to set the mood for your story.
3. Use SoundBible or FreeSound to download free sounds as foreground sound effects to tell the story.
4. Use Audacity to put the sounds together to tell the story.  Your total Sound Story should be 30 seconds to 1 minute long.  

Help:

Audacity Video Tutorial here.

Welcome to AMM2O1

Hello Music and Computers Students,
Welcome to JCI's first AMM2O1 course! This year you will be making music, analyzing music, and learning to read and understand music through technology.

Check this blog at the beginning of each class for instructions and assignments. 

For this course, you will need a USB key for each class to make a backup of your work.  Your school H drive can be unreliable and we don't want to lose any of your creations!

Headphones will be provided to you in class, but you may bring your own if you like.

A few basic rules:

• There is absolutely no food, drink or gum is allowed in the classroom.
• This is a shared lab. The room must be left in better condition at the end of each class than it was at the beginning. 
• Demonstrate respect for the equipment that you share with your classmates. 
• Any misuse or poor treatment of lab equipment may result in removal of lab privileges. 

Tasks:

1. First of all, I need to know a little bit about you.  Your first task is to complete this online survey.  The results will be kept confidential.
Student Information Survey

2. The "Soundtrack of My Life" assignment will give me an insight into your musical tastes and interests.  Complete the list of songs with artist names on the project sheet to be handed out.  Explain in a full sentence why you chose each song for each situation.  You MUST put the full and correct song name and recording artist name for each song.  You will be evaluated on the completeness of your assignment.  You may use online resources to complete this assignment in class.

3. Learning to read music is a very important element of this course.  You will complete written worksheets as well as online music theory assignments that can be found in the "Music Theory" tab at the top of the blog.  Complete each lesson and exercise before going on to the next.