Melody Research, Analysis, and Recording Project TEMPLATE

Summary

  • In a small paragraph, write WHAT THIS PROJECT IS ABOUT. Your audience is someone who is not in the class. So, be specific.
  • DELETE ALL OF MR. LE DUC’s INSTRUCTIONS AFTER COMPLETING THEM

My First HookTheory Melody

  • Place a screenshot of your 8 measure melody from hookpad.hooktheory.com
  • Link to a .mp3 file of your first HookTheory melody that you exported from hookpad.hooktheory.com
  • Write a brief reflection about this melody. What do you like about it?
  • DELETE ALL OF MR. LE DUC’s INSTRUCTIONS AFTER COMPLETING THEM

Notes from Howard Goodall’s Melody Video

CueNotes
Write your questions here…
Write your notes here… 

Summary: Summarize what you learned from the video here..

Melody Composition Terms and Definitions

  • 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 really like this melody because it reminds me of playing Breath of The Wild and its very addicting to listen to. Its played in D Phrygian Dominant

  • In writing, describe why you like this melody, and identify the musical key, tonic note, and tension notes
  • What do you notice about the note structure/pattern of the theme of the melody?
  • DELETE ALL OF MR. LE DUC’s INSTRUCTIONS AFTER COMPLETING THEM

My Second HookTheory Melody

  • Place a screenshot of the melody notes on HookTheory
  • Link to a .mp3 file of your second melody from HookTheory
  • Write a brief reflection about this melody. What do you like about it?
    • Where did you raise tension or suspense in the melody?
    • Where did you resolve tension in the melody?
  • DELETE ALL OF MR. LE DUC’s INSTRUCTIONS AFTER COMPLETING THEM

What I Learned & Problems I Solved

  • Write what you LEARNED from the research, analysis, and melody creation parts of this project
  • Explain how you SOLVED AT LEAST ONE PROBLEM
  • DELETE ALL OF MR. LE DUC’s INSTRUCTIONS AFTER COMPLETING THEM

Resources

Melody Research, Analysis, and Recording Project

Summary

  • In a small paragraph, write WHAT THIS PROJECT IS ABOUT. Your audience is someone who is not in the class. So, be specific.
  • DELETE ALL OF MR. LE DUC’s INSTRUCTIONS AFTER COMPLETING THEM

My First HookTheory Melody

  • Place a screenshot of your 8 measure melody from hookpad.hooktheory.com
  • Link to a .mp3 file of your first HookTheory melody that you exported from hookpad.hooktheory.com
  • Write a brief reflection about this melody. What do you like about it?
  • DELETE ALL OF MR. LE DUC’s INSTRUCTIONS AFTER COMPLETING THEM

Notes from Howard Goodall’s Melody Video

CueNotes
Write your questions here…
Write your notes here… 

Summary: Summarize what you learned from the video here..

Melody Composition Terms and Definitions

  • 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

  • Find one of your favorite melodies at Hook Theory Tab Index of Songs
  • Embed a clean version of this song from YouTube
  • In writing, describe why you like this melody, and identify the musical key, tonic note, and tension notes
  • What do you notice about the note structure/pattern of the theme of the melody?
  • DELETE ALL OF MR. LE DUC’s INSTRUCTIONS AFTER COMPLETING THEM

My Second HookTheory Melody

  • Place a screenshot of the melody notes on HookTheory
  • Link to a .mp3 file of your second melody from HookTheory
  • Write a brief reflection about this melody. What do you like about it?
    • Where did you raise tension or suspense in the melody?
    • Where did you resolve tension in the melody?
  • DELETE ALL OF MR. LE DUC’s INSTRUCTIONS AFTER COMPLETING THEM

What I Learned & Problems I Solved

  • Write what you LEARNED from the research, analysis, and melody creation parts of this project
  • Explain how you SOLVED AT LEAST ONE PROBLEM
  • DELETE ALL OF MR. LE DUC’s INSTRUCTIONS AFTER COMPLETING THEM

Resources

Audio Recording Sound Safari

Sennheiser G3 W100 Wireless System including a Rode Reporter microphone
“Sennheiser G3 W100 Wireless System including a Rode Reporter microphone” by sridgway is marked with CC BY 2.0.

Summary

I worked with a group to record three different sounds while taking pictures of the sound sources.

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

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vE0h2wtLnC0fLecdrm-ggIY3s1SzkT5I/view?usp=sharing

Outdoor/Environment Recording

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QKBQ_xnk_K6HTBQuOa6gyOF-XaVYJcoY/view?usp=sharing

Instrument Recording

https://drive.google.com/file/d/10Pj6owR_Om0_5331Y0LSJ93vKAY7uc7C/view?usp=sharing

Feedback

Jackson said no typos.

What I Learned & Problems I Solved

I learned about microphones and teamwork.

Resources

Making Motives with Triads

Keyboard
“Keyboard” by oatsy40 is marked with CC BY 2.0.

Summary

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

My Motives

Feedback

  • Write a few comments from other students or advisory members
  • Cite the person who shared the comment
  • Only use first names

What I Learned & Problems I Solved

I learned how to use online sequencer and I learned how to make simple motifs using this tutorial.

March-April 2022 SMART Goal Project

Aria Pro II Bass

“Aria Pro II Bass” by the other Martin Taylor is marked with CC BY-SA 2.0.

SUMMARY

Role

bassist

Intention (SMART Goal)

By April 15th, on my own, I WILL learn the daycare theme from FNaF using a bass tab I copied down.

PRE-PRODUCTION – INQUIRY

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

Bobbi Fabulous

Josh from BassBuzz

Training Source(s)

0:00 – Why You Need to Know the Fretboard
0:59 – Why The Money Notes?
1:32 – Step 1: Musical Alphabet
6:12 – Step 2: Open Strings
7:21 – Step 3: The Money Notes
13:36 – Step 4: Sharps n’ Flats
16:03 – Put It Together
17:58 – Playalong

SMART Goal Schedule

I will practice every night for as long as I can until the first of April

PRODUCTION

SMART Goal Starting Point Evidence

yeah.

SMART Goal Ending Point Evidence

POST-PRODUCTION – REFLECTION

21st Century Skills

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

I got angry; low and behold I finally did something.

Ways of Working (Communication & Collaboration)

worked poorly for about an hour before I got to a place I liked; still mad so hopefully I’ll be able to get better.

Tools for Working (Info & Media Literacy)

  • bass
  • patience
  • tab from TikTok

Ways of Living in the World (Life & Career)

Need the motivation to do things whether they be good or bad.

Self-Evaluation of Final Version

It’s still pretty bad but it’s something

Grammar and Spelling

Grammarly

Editor

Microphone Auditions Project

Microphones

“Microphones” by Roadside Guitars is marked with CC BY-SA 2.0.

Summary

In this project I recorded my voice in front of several professional microphones, to see which one I liked best.

Microphone Audition Podcast

My Favorite Microphone

The AKG C1000S was my favorite microphone because you cant hear my lisp as much and it sounds very crisp.

AKG C1000S

Terms and Concepts

  •  Microphones
    • Dynamic – The sound waves themselves create 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 {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 this project I learned that different microphones do, in fact, have different effects on the voice. A problem I faced was that I hate my voice, and hearing it recorded so professionally made me feel sick, but I eventually got over it so it’s fine now.

February 2022 SMART goal project

2000 Squier Precision Special 5-string bass guitar“2000 Squier Precision Special 5-string bass guitar” by tawalker is licensed under

SUMMARY

Role

Bassist

Intention (SMART Goal)

By March 2nd in School of Rock, I will learn Daycare Theme from FNAF Security Breach on Bass using BassBuzz for knowledge on notes, and a picture of the Bass tabs from a video I found online.

PRE-PRODUCTION – INQUIRY

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

BassBuzz

Training Source(s)

  • 0:00 – Why you need to know the fretboard
  • 0:59 – Why the money notes?
  • 1:32 – Step 1: Musical Alphabet
  • 6:12 – Step 2: Open Strings
  • 7:21 – Step 3: The Money Notes
  • 13:36 – Step 4: Sharps n’ Flats
  • 16:03 – Put It Together
  • 17:58 – Playalong

SMART Goal Schedule

  • Copy down bass tab onto peice of paper
  • Practice sections slowly
  • Record audio and put it in my blog

PRODUCTION

SMART Goal Starting Point Evidence

SMART Goal Ending Point Evidence

POST-PRODUCTION – REFLECTION

21st Century Skills

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

Pessimistic thinking with this project.

Ways of Working (Communication & Collaboration)

Procrastination, mostly.

Tools for Working (Info & Media Literacy)

  • Bass
  • BassBuzz
  • Bass tab from online video

Ways of Living in the World (Life & Career)

Self-Evaluation of Final Version

I didn’t end up doing the project; oops.

What I Learned and Problems I Solved

I have a huge procrastination problem, and it’s my fault. hopefully, by the next project, I’ll be more in check.

Grammar and Spelling

Grammarly

Editor

DAW Audio Composition Project

Summary

I composed a song based off of the Undertale OST: 084 – AMalgam.

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

Before I picked this song to base my composition on I stumbled upon an instrument I liked in GarageBand, and it reminded me of this song.

GarageBand Tracks

My Composition

What I Learned & Problems I Solved

tutorial I followed

I learned more about GarageBand this session and figured out how to change the track colors. The main problem that I had was that I have no clue how to make a composition and I’m so horribly unoriginal that it’s painful to me and everyone around.

DAW Audio Composition Project – Tommy

Summary

In this composition project I made a song based off of the song “sans.” by Toby Fox. Personally I don’t believe that I’ve developed any skills, but I did better my understanding of GarageBand.

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


Originally I hadn’t chose this song for my composition; But the original one I chose proved to be a bit too difficult.

GarageBand Tracks

My Composition

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1w7GSJ__B3R9sceD862chtWk9J4Bqi3NN/view?usp=sharing

What I Learned & Problems I Solved

I learned how to find instruments that sound good together, and, I learned how to use GarageBand. One problem that I kept facing was not knowing how to actually compose a song; Since I’ve never had an interest in composing my own music it was difficult to stay on task. I eventually got over myself and just did whatever, and I think my composition turned out fine.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/1wXSqSDIvgaeO6XAgmQaZ65g246edM5VU/view