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.