First & Last Name Project
For our first projects, we used the app, Garage Band, to record our first and last names. Then we added different elements like Smart Drums, bass loop, and Smart Strings to make a cool sound and beat. Garage Band seems pretty simple to follow. I've learned how to use it a little in the past, but now I feel much more sound in being able to use it.
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12 Sound ChallengeWe used the app, Mad Pad, to create different beats by recording several things around the room. we could then record ourselves using those sounds to make a rhythm pattern. I thought was a really entertaining project because we got free reign to use whatever was available to use in the classroom, which opened up opportunities for this project. This really gave a chance to be original and let my creativity shine though. (Plus I really LOVED getting to use a gong!)
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Found Sound RemixThis project we learned what a ostinato was and how to incorporate that into our 12 Sound Challenge. We used the app, Mad Pad, to create a loop that would play in the background, while I would record the other sounds tapped to give it a full sounding effect. Mad Pad is very easy to use and highly recommended by me. The only problem was I couldn't trim any unwanted sounds from the sounds I recorded, which made it very frustrating trying to get the timing correct. Overall I am very pleased with this project and hope y'all enjoy it.
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Spooky SoundIn this project, we tried to create our own creepy songs, like the theme song to Jaws, using GarageBand and Thumb Jam. We had to create 8 different sounds and layer them all together to make a song that told a story that would scare the crap out of us. First, we applied a layer of coughing. Then we learned how to use the cello to heighten the tension of the piece. Then we were given free reign to add whatever sounds would make it as creepy as possible. You can click on the QR code to the right and check out my creepy sound project or use a QR Code Scanner and get to it that way. Enjoy!
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App Smashing!We were given the chance to collaborate with some classmates to create a story. Our class was told to use several different apps, including GarageBand, MadPad, and Sonic Pics, and smash them all together to create the background music. We assigned roles to each person in our group to contribute to our project. These roles included the narrator, who read the story, the two musicians, who created the score for the story, and the sound effect specialists, who added the finishing touches with a few random sounds. I feel that the outcome of all of our group's quirkiness and creativity showed through with this project. Plus I really enjoyed the end result and was very happy to hear that Pritch not only found a sandwich, but also found love.
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Singing FingersToday we got to experiment with the app, Singing Fingers. It is one of the most ridiculous music related app I've used so far. This app utilizes our ability to draw and use our beautiful singing voices together. We told a story while drawing that story on the Singing Fingers. One of the most frustrating things is that we can erase or hit an undo button, so if you mess up, you have to restart the whole picture. It also doesn't pick up all of the things you say, which breaks it up and makes it hard to understand what you're saying. Overall I thought it was a fun app and would recommend it anyone who wants to do a mindless activity.
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Rock Star Drummers
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In this project, we focused in on our drumming skills. Ms. Chase introduced us to the different parts of the drums, and how to play a basic rock beat. We were told to use our new knowledge of the drums and our own creativity to make a cool sounding beat. Our class was taught a new skill called merge recording on Garage Band. It involved us recording eight measures of a constant beat, then using a different part of the drum to add another beat with a different count than the first. And finally, to repeat as many times wanted have a final project. A basic way to describe merge recording is layering. But the hardest part of this project was getting it to sound the way I wanted, which is why it was helpful when my teacher taught us how to edit our pieces in Garage Band, by tapping the piece and hitting "Edit." We were able to move around and delete the original work that we did to make it sound exactly the way want if we didn't get it right during recording. The process was really fun! I enjoyed learning a little about another instrument. I might even want to pursue it in the future. I feel that this project taught me a lot and pushed me to use my creativity skills and make something original. Looking forward, I will absolutely be using the editing tool to smooth out any future projects, since we're all humans and make mistakes. Enjoy!
ThingLink DrummerFor this project, we got to learn a little bit about the drums. We learned how play a basic rock beat, then we were told to teach people how to do it too. That's where an app, ThingLink, came into play. ThingLink is an interactive app that allows the presenter to label parts of a picture with words and/or a picture. I used a picture of the drums in GarageBand and labeled each part of the drums and put videos of me demonstrating how to play each part that contributes to the basic rock beat. I want to continue practicing how to play the drums because of this project. I felt good about my presentation portion of the project, but I want to improve on my knowledge of GarageBand drums and the features it offers. Click on the picture to the left to check out my ThingLink project!
Here's a link to learn little more about the history of drums- http://penz4.tripod.com/historyofdrums.html |
Transforming the BluesWe are starting a new unit in Music and the iPad, and to kick it off, we are learning about the blues. We listened to classics from legends, like Bessie Smith, B.B. King, and Louis Armstrong. This gave us an idea of how the blues are suppose to sound. We were then set out to create two 12 bar blues tracks. First, we chose a smart instrument on GarageBand, like the smart strings, smart guitar, or smart keyboard. This would give us a foundation for our blues song. Next, we added a smart bass to the mix, to continue adding fullness. Then we added the smart drums, using the hip-hop drum machine. The hip-hop drum machine shows us each part of the drums, and we would place the parts we want to hear onto a pad that lets us adjust the complexity and volume of each element we add. Finally, we would add a solo part to it, like on smart strings in the style of Minor Blues. We had to go through process twice in order to create two unique sections. Going into this project,
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I had a small bit of background on the blues from what I learned in my Pop Music class last year, but other than that, I didn't really know how to make a song on GarageBand or on any app for that matter. Though I knew little about of what I was doing, I felt that my end project came out well, but I would probably change strings solo part of it. I think it made it sound a little out of control. Of all the aspects of my project, I would want people to notice the amount of effort and editing it took to make chords and beats work with each other. If I could do it differently, I would have practiced it more and tried different string instruments to see how they sounded. I also would have tried to put more structure to it and use more strategy when playing the notes. My goal for the next time I use smart strings is to explore different types of stringed instruments and make it sound more complex by using several strings at once.
Click the photo to the left to learn how to play the smart strings on Garageband! |
Thumb JamThis project was a short, one day project, using the app ThumbJam by Sonosaurus. For this project, we were given only one instruction... create. We had an hour to discover the app and create some sort of piece to present at the end of class. I enjoyed using ThumbJam! There were a few things that I didn't like, however. Whenever I would try to record, a little mistake would make you have to re-record. It's lot less user friendly than the app GarageBand. GarageBand gives the option to edit after we record an instrument, but ThumbJam does not provide that luxury. If I were recommend either of the two apps, I would use ThumbJam if you were just looking for a fun music app, but not for any major project. If you are working on something important that you would like the chance to change without hours our recording and re-recording, stick with GarageBand. It's free and easy.
Click on the picture to the right to enjoy my newest project! |
Beat Boxing Session (ft. Loopy HD)During this project, we started to become experts on using the app Loopy HD. Loopy HD is an app that allows users to create up to nine repetitive loops, that play simultaneously, to create an awesome ostinato. With the touch of fingertip, Loopy HD allows users to record any sound and make it repeat to a rhythm. We were told to create something within the hour our teacher gave us. The only rule was that we were only allowed to use sounds that we create with our mouths. I wasn't too thrilled to hear that because of all instruments around me, my mind was running wild with ideas! But then I was told I can't use any of those things, and that made me have to think more outside the box. With going through all of that, I am very satisfied with my final product. It showed more of my personality, than just using a drum or a gong. I think for the future, I'm going to try out more of Ms. Chase's suggestions because they could make me push myself more than I thought I could and create some unbelievable.
Click on the picture to the left to listen to my rad beat boxing skills with the help of Loopy HD! |
Hip Hop-Techno Mash UpFor this project, we used the app DM1 to create drum beats. In the app, we would utilized the easy features of the app. DM1 allows its users to easily create drum beats by using the step builder. It is set to a minimum of 16 steps, but can edited to hold up to 32 steps. Once a first pattern is created, you can create another pattern and then use the song feature to arrange them in different ways to create awesome beats. You can create up to 25 different patterns for one song. If we were to compare the drum features of GarageBand to DM1, I would say that DM1 is more accurate and provides more options for drummers. But the great thing is that DM1 can connect to GarageBand, so we can experience the diversity of the drumming features DM1 offers, along with the recording, edit, and playing that GarageBand brings to the table. If you are debating which app to get, get them both. They both have great features that can be used to produce music.
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Making Music :: Part I (w/ Symphony Pro and NotateMe Now)
We are currently learning how to read and write musical notation, and we were introduced to two apps that are used to create musical scores. On the left, you will see a line of music I made with the app NotateMe Now. NotateMe Now gives its users the chance to not only make music, but to draw it! This app has you draw the notes you want and then translates it to sheet music, shown to the left. The lead sheet to the right was made with the app Symphony Pro. Symphony Pro lets its users create the notes by playing their instrument. Symphony Pro provides a piano and two guitars, but you can also connect your iPad to a separate instrument, independent of the tablet. If I had to give my opinion on which I think is better, I think Symphony Pro is more professional and allows for more accuracy when creating music since you are actually playing the instrument to create lead sheets. However, I would recommend both apps, because they are both effective and easy to navigate.
Making Music :: Part II (w/ ChordBot and iReal Pro)
So we are continuing to learn about writing music and the different apps that help us do that. This time we are looking specifically at apps that we can create lead sheets with. I am going tell y'all a little about two apps that can help accomplish just that: ChordBot and iReal Pro.
ChordBot is a simple app that is used to create lead sheets. Some of the things I liked about this app was that it was easy to navigate. I was able to find my way around my first time opening it. The settings were simple to find, and there were was a vast variety of chords to use. However, it took me a while to figure out to export my project. I found out that I could only export the song and not the lead sheet. I wasn't a fan of that because I would like to be able pull it up off of my iPad and have actual music to follow. Also I didn't like the options for song styles. Looking through the song styles was like picking the last kid in gym class... you don't want to, but you kind of have to. If you are looking for a quick easy way make a song, then use ChordBot. I would not use ChordBot for any other purpose. Click on the image above to listen to the song I created using ChordBot!
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iReal Pro is another app that is used to create lead sheets. This app is more widely recognized than ChordBot, because of its sophistication and wide range of options. iReal Pro provides its users with an output to create music. I would say that at first, it was difficult to maneuver the app because of all the features. People with a music background would have an easier time with the app than those without. Once you understand what you are doing, this app is time saver and makes producing music much easier. Plus it has a large variety of symbols to add to your music. It also allows you to export your work to a PDF to look at later, and a song file so you can listen to what you have done. The price of this app may be more than ChordBot, it is worth the money if you are interested in creating music. Check out my attempt at a Twenty One Pilots song above by clicking on the picture above!
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Collaborating w/ GarageBandFor this project, we learned how to create a Jam Session on GarageBand. Jam Session is a feature that allows users to add up to four musicians to a project through Bluetooth. The person who creates the Jam Session is the Band Leader. That person can allow people into the Session and collect and edit the recordings from the other members. We were given a chord progression and told to include four instruments using the Jam Session feature. I feel satisfied with our work after learning a little more about Jam Session. There was a Jam Session #1, but we aren't going to talk about it. It wasn't as good as this one to say the least. I would say I improved on my skills with GarageBand after this project. Check out the video to the left. Hope you enjoy!
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THE FINAL PROJECT
This will be a final collaboration of our music skills and technology resources we have been introduced to throughout the course of the semester.