Category: Uncategorized

Summary

This project is based around melody, it’s about learning how melody works. W’re learning about tonic levels, and how to create tension in music, and resolve the tension.

My First HookTheory Melody

Link

I like how simple but catchy this melody is. I think the notes work very well with each other.

Notes from Howard Goodall’s Melody Video

• How Music Works with Howard Goodall – Melody

Cue	Notes
why are melodies so universal? why is distinguishing notes important?	melody conveys emotion music can bridge a language gap every music system in the world is connected to five notes (pentatonic scale) it’s not how many notes you have just what you do with them notes can have the same name and be different pitch different scales give different feelings

Summary: There are many different melody formations. These formations have been pulled from everywhere around the world, and changed to fit the time and how people are feeling, but the basic notes, and note format stay the same.

Melody Composition Terms and Definitions

• The terms and definitions below are from the Basic Concepts of Music Theory podcast by Jamie Henke at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • Her Basic Concepts of Music Theory video on YouTube

• Theme: A long, flowing melodic idea.
• Motive: A short, rhythmic idea (Beethoven’s 5th).
• Period: 8-12 measures or a musical sentence.
• Phrase: Usually 4 measures.
• Antecedent (Question) Phrase: First 4 measures of a period.
• Consequent (Answer) Phrase: Second 4 measures of a period.
• Scale Degrees (C Major Scale)
  • Tonic: C (1 , 8) – Stability and resolve.
  • Supertonic, Mediant, Submediant: D, E, A (2 , 3 , 6) – Moderate tension, useful for transitions and carrying on an idea.
  • Subdominant, Dominant, Leading Tone: F, G, B (4 , 5 , 7) – Causes the most tension, leads to the tonic.
• Steps: Any movement using half or whole steps.
• Leaps: Any movement using intervals larger than a whole step.
• Conjunct motion: Melody is built primarily out of steps.
• Disjunct motion: Melody is built primarily out of leaps.
• Repetition: Repeated material (i.e. motive) used to create a link between two phrases of the period.
• Contrast: Two phrases that contain contrasting material to create tension and interest.
• Variation: Halfway between contrast and repetition. The two phrases include some recognizable material and some varied material (i.e. taking ideas up an octave).

One of My Favorite Melodies

I chose this song mainly just because of the calm and happy vibes it gives off to me. It feel curious and almost wondrous, like he’s trying to figure out everyone around him. That and the song is just pleasant to listen to. The key for this song is major G, and the tonic is G. This song uses mainly mid-range cords in it’s song.

My Second HookTheory Melody

Link

I like the general flow of the melody, it feels very positive and kind of adventure-y? The raising tension was throughout the middle of the melody, and the resolving tension was just the ending. The melody ended and began on the same cord (?).

What I Learned & Problems I Solved

I learned what tonic levels were, and about the whole theory of melody so that was very interesting. I didn’t know any of the content that we were working with until we started so I was kind of coming in blind, I had to work around that.

Resources

Hooktheory

Howard Goodall’s Melody Video

Summary

For this project me and my team recorded different sounds in order to hear the difference between them, and hear how a change in environment can affect the sound.

Audio Terms and Definitions

• Sound Wave
  • A vibrational disturbance that involves the mechanical motion of molecules transmitting energy from one place to another.
• Compression
  • Reducing a signal’s output level in relation to its input level to reduce dynamic range.
• Frequency
  • The # of times per second that a sound source vibrates, is expressed in hertz (Hz).
• Hertz
  • Unit of measurement of frequency; numerically equal to cycles per second (cps).
• Infrasonic
  • The range below the frequencies is audible to human hearing.
• Ultrasonic
  • The range above the frequencies of human hearing.
• Pitch
  • The subjective perception of frequency – the highness or lowness of a sound.
• Fundamental
  • The lowest frequency a sound source can produce. In other words, it is also called the first harmonic or primary frequency which is the lowest, or basic, pitch of a musical instrument.
• Sound Frequency Spectrum
  • The range of frequencies audible to human hearing: about 20 to 20,000 Hz.
• Octave
  • The interval between the two frequencies that have a tonal ratio of 2:1.
• Bass
  • The low range of the audible frequency spectrum; is usually from 20 to 320 Hz.
• Midrange
  • The part of the frequency spectrum to which humans are most sensitive; is the frequencies between roughly 320 Hz and 2,560 Hz.
• Treble
  • The frequency range between roughly 5,120 Hz and 20,000 Hz, the highest two octaves audible to human hearing in the sound frequency spectrum.
• Equalization
  • A signal-processing device that can boost, attenuate, or shelve frequencies in a sound source or sound system.
• Amplitude
  • The magnitude of a sound wave or an electric signal is measured in decibels.
• Decibel (dB)
  • A relative and dimensionless unit to measure the ratio of two quantities.
• Wavelength
  • Distance between two peaks of a wave
• Velocity
  • Speed in a given direction
• Harmonic
  • Is a multiple of the fundamental frequency
• Phase
  • Factor in the interaction of one wave with another, either acoustically or electronically

– Audio terms and definitions from Wikipedia

Voice Recording

Voice

Outdoor/Environment Recording

Outdoor

Instrument Recording

Instrument

Feedback

What I Learned & Problems I Solved

I had never worked with an audio deck before so I had to figure out how to use one. Two out of the five people in our team were absent when we were recording, so we had to work with less people, which did not turn out to be an issue.

Resources

• Audio Recording Sound Safari Project – All The Resources
  • Sound Safari Team Directions and Forms
  • Zoom H4n Tutorial: The Three Keys to Great Audio for Video (Basic)
  • Zoom H4n Tutorial: Filmmaking 101 – How to Record High-Quality Audio on a Budget (Detailed)
• Hearing Test
• Music / Sound Terms in Quizlet
• Physics of Music Resources and Presentations
• Microphones and Recording Basics

Summary

• Using OnlineSequencer, I created six motives, using only three notes for each small piece. With a three-note limit, this exercise really helps the brain to not get overwhelmed, and it can bring on more creativity when the brain has limits and has to work around them.

Melody Terms and Definitions

In music, a triad is a set of three notes (or “pitch classes“) that can be stacked vertically in thirds.^[1] The term “harmonic triad” was coined by Johannes Lippius in his Synopsis musicae novae (1612). Triads are the most common chords in Western music.

When stacked in thirds, notes produce triads. The triad’s members, from lowest-pitched tone to highest, are called:^[1]

• The root
• The third
• The fifth

– Triad definition from Wikipedia

• Theme – a longer, more flowing melodic idea
• Motive – a short, rhythmic idea
• Period – 8 (ish/around 8) measures of music
• Phrase – 4 (ish/around 4) measures of music
• Antecedent (Question or First) Phrase – sets the music up and leads you to expect something
• Consequent (Answer or Second) Phrase – releases the tension built up by the first phrase
• Scale Degrees:
  • Tonic Scale Degree – the note that begins and ends the scale, the note that releases the tension, one scale degree that creates a feeling of stability and resolution.
  • Supertonic, Mediant, and Submediant Scale Degree – scale degrees with a moderate level of tension useful for transitioning and carrying on an idea
  • Dominant, Subdominant, and Leading Tone Scale Degree – the notes that build tension, several scale degrees that create a high level of tension/the need to resolve the tonic
• Steps – any movement using half or whole steps
• Leaps – any movement using intervals larger than a whole-step
• Conjunct motion –  melody built primarily out of steps that move smoothly (example: moving in a scale)
• Disjunct motion – melody built primarily using leaps
• Repetition (the god particle of music) – use repeated material to create a link between the two phrases of a period
• Contrast – write two phrases that contain contrast material to create tension and interest
• Variation – halfway between repetition and contrast. The two phrases include some recognizable material and some varied material.

Composition term definitions from Dr. Henke’s video:  How to Write a Melody

• Dr. Jamie Henke, artsdivision.wisc.edu/staff/jamie-henke-jamie-henke/

My Motives

NEW

Motive 1

Motive 2

Motive 3

Motive 4

Doesn’t go with the project but I made it anyways

OLD

Motive 1

Motive 4

What I Learned & Problems I Solved

• When the brain is forced into a box, it forces it to be creative inside of the box. I get pretty overwhelmed usually trying to work with infinite possibilities, this exercise allowed me to still be creative, but have limitations.
• I was worried that all of my Motifs would sound too similar, so to combat that issue I worked with different note ranges, some higher, some lower.

SUMMARY

Role

Vocals

Intention (SMART Goal)

By April 15th, 2022, as part of School of Rock, I will make a cover of Waiting on a Miracle by Lin-Manuel Miranda, by following this tutorial.

PRE-PRODUCTION – INQUIRY

Leader(s) in the Field / Exemplary Work(s)

Absolutely Smitten: Dodie

Interview

Albums: Build a problem, Human, You, and Intertwined

I actually saw her in concert and she has an absolutely amazing stage presence, and her voice actually sounds better live in my opinion. The tone of her music is something I love because it’s very slow yet still usually happy.

Training Source(s)

Notes:

0:00-0:39 Intro

0:39-1:27 Explaining recording

1:27-2:03– Equipment

2:03-3:40– Mics

3:40-4:30- Recording info/resources

4:30-6:03– Recording (uses different platform)

6:03-6:59– Ending

SMART Goal Schedule

Record starting point

Identify things to work on

-Practice specific parts-

Record final point

PRODUCTION

SMART Goal Starting Point Evidence

Starting Point

SMART Goal Ending Point Evidence

Ending Point

POST-PRODUCTION – REFLECTION

21st Century Skills

Ways of Thinking (Creativity, Innovation, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving)

I have a pretty weird singing voice, range-wise anyway, and it makes it hard to find songs that are really in my safe vocal range. My voice can go really high, and very low but it strains it a lot, so I try and pick songs that are in the middle, which can take quite a bit of time.

Ways of Working (Communication & Collaboration)

I did have to ask for help figuring out what I was going to do for the practicing and actual project details.

Tools for Working (Info & Media Literacy)

I had to learn (remember) how to export a sound file and place it in the blog, as well as navigate Youtube when I was taking notes on the instruction video. The skills I used could be useful in future projects.

Ways of Living in the World (Life & Career)

If this project helped me with life skills in any way, it’s helping me get over my anxiety a bit. I really don’t like singing in front of or around people, and the chances of me being alone every time I need to record are slim so, it’s helping with that. Since most jobs involve socializing, or customer service, getting over those social fears will definitely be helpful.

Self-Evaluation of Final Version

I’m actually really proud of the final version. I feel like my pitching could have been better, but I definitely sound better than on the first try. I felt more comfortable where I was recording to be loud, whereas I didn’t feel as comfortable the first time, so that definitely helped.

Grammar and Spelling

Edublogs spell check/Grammarly

Editor

Bella

Cue	Notes
contextual interference	trying to make it more difficult have to struggle -play as slow as possible and start speeding up zero in on things that you think will be hard
desirable difficulty	giving yourself a challenge to make it harder will not overwhelm, just enough to make challenging

Summary

Summary

For this project, I recorded my voice on different microphones to see how each one affected my voice and chose my favorite.

Microphone Audition Podcast

Microphone Test

My Favorite Microphone

Electro-Voice RE-20

• The RE-20 is a cardioid dynamic microphone
• It is designed for the radio and television broadcast market
• It is an end-address dynamic tailored for close-recorded vocals like podcasting, YouTube streaming, and close-up singing
• Read more: http://recordinghacks.com/microphones/Electro-Voice/RE20

Terms and Concepts

•  Microphones
  • Dynamic – The sound waves itself creates the electrical signal by moving the membrane diaphragm of the microphone. Very popular and very well known. It is good for the low and middle range, NOT the high range.
  • Condenser – The membrane has an electrical current that waits for sound. When the sound waves hit it, it responds instantly. They are all over the place, but they need an electrical charge {amplifier} from something {example – battery}.
• Polar Patterns
  • Omni – Picks sound up from all directions equally. This is used for interviews because it can pick up more than one person, without having to have two separate mics.
  • Cardioid – Picks up one half of the microphone, also known as a ‘directional mic’. Most sensitive in the front, about 180 degrees. Shaped like a heart.
  • Bi-directional – ‘Figure of 8’, picks the front and behind of the mic, but the 90-degree angle on both sides does not get picked up.
• Transduction – Converts one form of energy to another.
• Voltage – An electric force or a potential difference shown in volts.
• Phantom Power – Activates the condenser in a microphone. DC powered mostly between 12 and 48 DC voltages.
• Sensitivity – Voltage at its known sound level. Can be called by its voltage or decibels. A higher number means more sensitivity, everything is mostly in negatives. Sound pressure.
• Frequency Response – The range of sound the microphone can produce and how sensitive it is within the range. You want it nice and flat.
• Transient – A variation in current, voltage, or frequency.
• Placement – Placement of the microphone is key, depending on the sounds you want, it can just be the distance from you or the instrument from the microphone. This part of the microphone can affect others emotionally in a way to connect with the audience.
• Proximity Effect – Decreased sensitivity to low mics, which reduces background noise and vibration and counteracts when used very close to the source.
• Output – A place where the sound leaves the system.
• Characteristics – This is the Relative Response and Frequency measured in a Hertz graph to show how good or bad the microphone is. This can show the quality of the mic.
• Noise Rating – The signal (sound source) to noise ratio measured in decibels (dB). Noise is any sound in the background you don’t want. Electricity vibrates at 60dB so you want the ratio of the signal and noise to be higher than that. Preferably 90dB or higher.
• Hardware
  • Clips – A clip is something that you use to hold a microphone on something {for example – stand }, but, using the wrong kind of clips can affect the performance, make sure it is tight so it has the correct effect.
  • Stands – This ties in with a clip, this is what the clip will connect to. This keeps the microphone towards the object you want to hear without having to hold it or keep it still.
  • Windscreen – Something that covers and protects the microphone, mostly a foamy material.
  • Direct Box – A device used to connect an instrument directly into the audio mixer.

What I Learned and Problems I Solved

In order to edit out the mistakes I made when recording I put the audio file into Soundtrap. I didn’t really have any experience using Soundtrap for editing, so I had to figure out how to do that, those skills will be helpful if I need to use Soundtrap in future projects which I’m sure I will. This projects also really showed me just how much of a difference a microphone can make when hearing or recording your voice.

Summary

• Using OnlineSequencer, I created six motives, using only three notes for each small piece. With a three note limit, this exercise really helps the brain to not get overwhelmed, and it can bring on more creativity when the brain has limits and has to work around them.

Melody Terms and Definitions

In music, a triad is a set of three notes (or “pitch classes“) that can be stacked vertically in thirds.^[1] The term “harmonic triad” was coined by Johannes Lippius in his Synopsis musicae novae (1612). Triads are the most common chords in Western music.

When stacked in thirds, notes produce triads. The triad’s members, from lowest-pitched tone to highest, are called:^[1]

• The root
• The third
• The fifth

– Triad definition from Wikipedia

• Theme – a longer, more flowing melodic idea
• Motive – a short, rhythmic idea
• Period – 8 (ish/around 8) measures of music
• Phrase – 4 (ish/around 4) measures of music
• Antecedent (Question or First) Phrase – sets the music up and leads you to expect something
• Consequent (Answer or Second) Phrase – releases the tension built up by the first phrase
• Scale Degrees:
  • Tonic Scale Degree – the note that begins and ends the scale, the note that releases the tension, one scale degree that creates a feeling of stability and resolution.
  • Supertonic, Mediant, and Submediant Scale Degree – scale degrees with a moderate level of tension useful for transitioning and carrying on an idea
  • Dominant, Subdominant, and Leading Tone Scale Degree – the notes that build tension, several scale degrees that create a high level of tension/the need to resolve the tonic
• Steps – any movement using half or whole steps
• Leaps – any movement using intervals larger than a whole-step
• Conjunct motion –  melody built primarily out of steps that move smoothly (example: moving in a scale)
• Disjunct motion – melody built primarily using leaps
• Repetition (the god particle of music) – use repeated material to create a link between the two phrases of a period
• Contrast – write two phrases that contain contrast material to create tension and interest
• Variation – halfway between repetition and contrast. The two phrases include some recognizable material and some varied material.

Composition term definitions from Dr. Henke’s video:  How to Write a Melody

• Dr. Jamie Henke, artsdivision.wisc.edu/staff/jamie-henke-jamie-henke/

My Motives

https://onlinesequencer.net/2586123

https://onlinesequencer.net/2586170

What I Learned & Problems I Solved

• When the brain is forced into a box, it forces it to be creative inside of the box. I get pretty overwhelmed usually trying to work with infinite possibilitys, this exercise allowed me to still be creative, but have limitations.
• I was worried that all of my Motifs would sound to similar, so to combate that issue I worked with different note ranges, some higher, some lower.

SUMMARY

Role

My role was vocals, I studied the video, practiced, and in the end, successfully sang a decently steady harmony.

Intention (SMART Goal)

By March 2nd, as part of School of Rock, following “How to Sing Harmony” (Tutorial) by Tara Simons Studio, I will improve at singing harmony steadily for the session 4 project.

PRE-PRODUCTION – INQUIRY

Leader(s) in the Field / Exemplary Work(s)

Bo Burnham

Comedian and songwriter

Wrote What, Words Words Words, and Inside.

Training Source(s)

Notes:

0-2:00– Introduction

2:00-2:37– Tones

2:37-3:52– Separating the notes

5:12-5:35– Flat scale

5:35-6:08– Separate notes

6:08-6:45– Flat scale again (sing with them)

6:45-7:39– General instruction for practice

7:39-9:13– Dissonance explanation

9:13-10:02– Dissonance example

10:02-11:49– Conclusion

SMART Goal Schedule

– Record starting point

-Watch the video shown above

-Practice harmony

-Record finish point

PRODUCTION

SMART Goal Starting Point Evidence

First Try

SMART Goal Ending Point Evidence

Last Try

POST-PRODUCTION – REFLECTION

21st Century Skills

Ways of Thinking (Creativity, Innovation, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving)

I spent quite a big chunk of time trying to identify a song that would be good for me to try and sing the harmony of. I also needed quite a bit of creativity when it came to figuring out how I would record my singing.

Ways of Working (Communication & Collaboration)

I did have to ask for help exporting the audio file into my drive, I also attempted, granted horribly, to help the people around me.

Tools for Working (Info & Media Literacy)

I had to learn (remember) how to export a sound file and place it in the blog, as well as navigate Youtube when I was taking notes on the instruction video. The skills I used could be useful in future projects.

Ways of Living in the World (Life & Career)

For this specific project, I had to identify the harmony of She Wants Me (To Be Loved) by The Happy Fits. Harmony can be very difficult, especially with my limited skills and knowledge of it. Figuring out the harmony took some trial and error for me, these problem-solving skills, and independence could be helpful in the workplace.

Self-Evaluation of Final Version

My singing voice has never been my favorite thing, so I may be biased against the results in the first place. As for my actual ability to sing harmony, I would say it improved a fair amount, one thing about the first part of the project is that I didn’t know the lyrics fully so that definitely affected the way I sang. When I recorded the final part I actually knew the lyrics, and I had also watched the video and practiced, so, it sounded a lot better.

What I Learned and Problems I Solved

Singing harmony has always been hard for me since I usually struggle with singing anything that goes against the melody. It’s hard for my brain to separate the different notes and I’ll usually sing whichever is loudest. I really had to practice singing harmony in general, as well as the harmony from the actual song. It’s definitely still hard for me, but I think it got a bit easier.

Grammar and Spelling

Edublogs spell check/Grammarly

Editor

Bella

Summary

For this project, I followed the Produce Like a Boss tutorial. By the end of this project I had hoped to create a mid-level production, I think I succeeded. Using Garage Band’s instruments, and the structure of Cleopatra by the Lumineers, I created a song.

Audio File Formats and Definitions

AIFF (Audio Interchange File Format): stores standard CD-quality audio; similar to WAV (Higher Quality)

WAV (Waveform Audio File Format): CD audio; can be saved with different sampling and bit rates; similar to AIFF (Higher Quality)

MP3 (Audio File): Used to store audiobooks and music on a hard drive; Close to CD-quality sound; the higher quality sound comes from higher bit rates which also take up more storage space

MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface): music data: notes played, when notes are played, how long each note is played, and the velocity of each note played; used to be able to exchange and use information between software and hardware programs; no actual audio data

All the audio file format information is found at: fileinfo.com

Song Used As Template

This song is one of my favorites, it has simple beats which makes it easy to follow, and it doesn’t prompt much thought while still being beautiful. It has a simple structure which was nice for a beginner.

GarageBand Tracks

My Composition

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qqYuxpopxMJSvztoNC3QiRAMqK_LMIeB/view?usp=sharing

What I Learned & Problems I Solved

I learned how to navigate Garage Band, as well as learn about how different instruments and notes work and flow together. At first, I didn’t really know how anything in Garage Band worked, so it was a lot of Google searches, and clicking through videos. In the end, I have a stronger understanding of GarageBand, and music composition.

SUMMARY

Role

Intention (SMART Goal)

By January 28, as part of School of Rock, I will explore the drums by following a song, and will have created a drum part for said song.

PRE-PRODUCTION – INQUIRY

Leader(s) in the Field / Exemplary Work(s)

Training Source(s)

Project Timeline

Proposed Budget

PRODUCTION – ACTION

The (FILM, SOUND, or GAME Creation)

Skills Commentary

POST-PRODUCTION – REFLECTION

21st Century Skills

Ways of Thinking (Creativity, Innovation, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving)

Ways of Working (Communication & Collaboration)

Tools for Working (Info & Media Literacy)

Ways of Living in the World (Life & Career)

Reactions to the Final Version

Self-Evaluation of Final Version

What I Learned and Problems I Solved

Grammar and Spelling

Editor