Click here for the Course Outline
Chord Generator https://chordchord.com/
Start Up (SU) Assignments:
SU NEW -
How to Write A Song in 5 Simple Steps
SU1: Learning Music - Ableton.com
A friendly introduction to electronic music production concepts and techniques, including loops, drum programming, and MIDI sequencing. Work through each chapter up to and including The Playground. The Advanced Topics are optional but recommended (and fun).
Write at least 5 questions you have about this material. Your questions can be about something you didn’t understand, something you would like to talk about in class, or broader philosophical issues.
Write down what your favourite song is (OR any song that you find exceptionally wonderful), and explain why you like it. Then write down what your least favourite song is (OR any song that you find exceptionally terrible), and explain why you dislike it.
SU3: Novation Launchpad Intro
https://intro.novationmusic.com/viral-hiphop
Browser-based clip launcher. Try pressing keys on the keyboard.
Write at least 2 questions or thoughts you have about this material. Your questions can be about something you didn’t understand, something you would like to talk about in class, or broader philosophical issues.
http://www.ethanhein.com/wp/2012/song-structures/
Making music with loops is effortless, but making it well is hard. The challenge is to figure out the right balance of repetition and variation. The best source of inspiration for musical form, unsurprisingly, is actual music.
Write at least 2 questions or thoughts you have about this material. Your questions can be about something you didn’t understand, something you would like to talk about in class, or broader philosophical issues.
Write at least 2 questions or thoughts you have about this material. Your questions can be about something you didn’t understand, something you would like to talk about in class, or broader philosophical issues.
PART 1 Assignments List (from Start to Midterm)
TASK 1: SYNTHESIZER HANDOUT
TASK 2: Black Keys Assignments
https://soundfly.com/courses/theory-for-producers-the-black-keys
TASK 3: CALVIN HARRIS RECREATION in Abelton: up to 1minute 15 second mark, include piano, bass line, melody, guitar riff, "wind machine", etc
TASK 3: CALVIN HARRIS RECREATION in Abelton: up to 1minute 15 second mark, include piano, bass line, melody, guitar riff, "wind machine", etc
TASK 4: MARY J BLIGE RECREATION in Abelton. Make a remix and you can use the melody I recorded (in Teams under Files). Needs to be a minimum of 1min30seconds long.
TASK 5: DRUMMING (IN CLASS)-new to music show me pattern 1, experienced musician show me Level 10 plus funk groove
TASK 6: EAR TRAINING (IN CLASS)-new to music show me 1 3 4 5 6, experienced musician show me chromatic scale
TASK 7: THE WHITE KEYS AND MAJOR MODES
The purpose of these first projects is to increase our technical abilities with Abelton, to exercise our ear training to better hear all of the different components in a song, and to actually play around with real music from the radio. Try to catch as much detail as you can in each song. Feel free to talk to other people in the class about which sounds they are using, effects, or general questions (part of the fun is talking with other people!). Ultimately, each student needs to hand in their own individual work though. I highly recommend reviewing and watching the videos I've posted in the "Ableton Tutorial Videos" tab on my blog to keep building your technical chops.
PROJECT #1: Feel So Close (Calvin Harris)
Try to create your version of this song as close as possible up to the 1minute 15 second mark of the original.
It's 4 chords over and over again:
PIANO
Amin = A C E
Emin = E G B
G = G B D
C = C E G
Bass Line (these are the individual notes - you need to figure out the rhythm by listening to the song):
AAAA BBBB EEEE EEF#F# GGGG DDDD CCCC CBAG
MELODY (don't have to sing... just play these notes...and find a sound that you like..... the small caps means it's a sliding note into the capital letter note)
E A aB A G E D G, G E gA E
E A aB A G E D G, G E gA E
GUITAR RIFF: GCGCGCGCGBGBGBGBEBEBEBEBCGCGCGCG
PROJECT #2: Family Affair - Mary J Blige
Try to create your version of this song (feel free to make your own creative decisions with it)
It's 2 chords over and over again:
Dbmin = Db E Ab
It's 2 chords over and over again:
Dbmin = Db E Ab
Abmin = Ab B Eb
Bass Line: (these are the individual notes - you need to figure out the rhythm by listening to the song)
Db Db Db Db Db Db B B Db Db Db Db Db Eb E Eb B
Ab Ab Ab Ab Ab Ab Gb Bb Ab Ab Ab Ab Ab B Eb B
Top Violin: = E E Gb Ab Gb E Eb
Bottom Violin: = Db Db Eb E Eb Db Eb
Melody: Click here to download a midi file of the melody that I recorded. You will need to choose a sound you like to go with it. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_OLqhydfW-9gIeYFoeDjF8F62GMvGnEJ/view?usp=sharing
PROJECT #3: We Found Love
KEYBOARD LINE: how do you play the cool introduction? See the table below. The Top Note and Bottom Note are played at the SAME TIME. You need to figure out the rhythm by listening to the song)
Melody: Click here to download a midi file of the melody that I recorded. You will need to choose a sound you like to go with it. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1t6bj08-AR_Hw6Kq4X_1vwCkX7Q9onTBf/view?usp=sharing
CHORDS It's 4 chords over and over again:
Ebmin = Eb Gb Bb
Bmaj = B D# F#
F#maj = F# A# C#
Dbmaj = Db F Ab
BASS (these are the individual notes - you need to figure out the rhythm by listening to the song)
Eb Eb Eb B B B F# F# F# G# G# G#
ONE MORE TIME-DAFT PUNK
This song never resolves to it's key of Dmajor.
Gmaj, Amaj, Amaj/F# (or F#min7) plus other variations on this.
Melody is shaped like a Bmin pentatonic (notes are B D E F# A), which is relative minor of Dmajor. But it adds in that G note on top which is super crunchy.
ASSIGNMENT
Please read carefully:
-Each assignment number below is based directly on a specific lecture. For example, Assignment BK2.3a is based on the lecture entitled “Play with Superstition” from the NYU Theory For Producers website
-Each assignment number below is based directly on a specific lecture. For example, Assignment BK2.3a is based on the lecture entitled “Play with Superstition” from the NYU Theory For Producers website
BK2.3a PLAYING TEST: You will need to do this in class in front of Mr. Wilson: YES you can play it slowly. Play the Superstition riff using aQWERTYon and/or on a midi keyboard.
ASSIGNMENT BK2.3b: Pull the midi file given in the lecture of Superstition into Ableton and put some cool sounding drums to it.
(HOW TO Import a MIDI file from the Finder: Drag the MIDI file you want to import from the Finder to a software instrument track or to the empty area below the existing tracks in the Tracks area. The MIDI file appears on one or more software instrument tracks. YOU choose the software instrument used to play the MIDI file in the Library.)
ASSIGNMENT BK2.4 Now that you know about the minor pentatonic scale, it's your turn to use it in Abelton. Your challenge is to create a two-bar groove using only the black keys — E♭, G♭, A♭, B♭, and D♭ — the E♭ minor pentatonic scale. Add a drum groove to it (loop or your own creation) and have your song be at least 2 minutes long.
Note that the black keys all have two names:
E♭ = D♯
G♭ = F♯
A♭ = G♯
B♭ = A♯
D♭ = C♯
ASSIGNMENT BK3.3 PLAYING TEST: You will need to do this in class in front of Mr. Wilson: Play the “Latch” riff using aQWERTYon and/or on a midi keyboard WITH the original song playing in the background (use the F minor pentatonic scale. The main melody kicks in at 1min12sec or so. (Also, if you're listening extra close, you can notice that the plucked synth sound in the breakdown at 0:41 is just the notes of the same scale played in a row! Pentatonics everywhere! (Reminder: aQWERTYon only works on a Chrome browser.)
ASSIGNMENT BK3.4 Now that you know about how to transpose a melody, it's your turn to do it in Abelton.
1)Download the "Latch" chorus melody (HOW TO Import a MIDI file from the Finder: Drag the MIDI file you want to import from the Finder to a software instrument track or to the empty area below the existing tracks in the Tracks area. The MIDI file appears on one or more software instrument tracks. YOU choose the software instrument used to play the MIDI file in the Library.)
2) Step 1: Transpose the melody into a different key — any key you want — using Abelton
3) Once you've got it in a new key, write down what notes are in the pentatonic scale in that new key
4) USING the notes you wrote down in Step 3, write a short continuation of the melody that uses the pentatonic scale of that new key. By the end you should have a new melody crafted from the "Latch" melody!
5) Add a drum groove to it (loop or your own creation) and have your song be at least 2 minutes long.
ASSIGNMENT BK4.3: Download the MIDI file given in the lecture of “Electric Feel” ("Electric Feel" — Lead Synth Riff) into Abelton and put some cool sounding drums to it. You can add whatever else you like too.
ASSIGNMENT BK2.3b: Pull the midi file given in the lecture of Superstition into Ableton and put some cool sounding drums to it.
(HOW TO Import a MIDI file from the Finder: Drag the MIDI file you want to import from the Finder to a software instrument track or to the empty area below the existing tracks in the Tracks area. The MIDI file appears on one or more software instrument tracks. YOU choose the software instrument used to play the MIDI file in the Library.)
ASSIGNMENT BK2.4 Now that you know about the minor pentatonic scale, it's your turn to use it in Abelton. Your challenge is to create a two-bar groove using only the black keys — E♭, G♭, A♭, B♭, and D♭ — the E♭ minor pentatonic scale. Add a drum groove to it (loop or your own creation) and have your song be at least 2 minutes long.
Note that the black keys all have two names:
E♭ = D♯
G♭ = F♯
A♭ = G♯
B♭ = A♯
D♭ = C♯
ASSIGNMENT BK3.3 PLAYING TEST: You will need to do this in class in front of Mr. Wilson: Play the “Latch” riff using aQWERTYon and/or on a midi keyboard WITH the original song playing in the background (use the F minor pentatonic scale. The main melody kicks in at 1min12sec or so. (Also, if you're listening extra close, you can notice that the plucked synth sound in the breakdown at 0:41 is just the notes of the same scale played in a row! Pentatonics everywhere! (Reminder: aQWERTYon only works on a Chrome browser.)
ASSIGNMENT BK3.4 Now that you know about how to transpose a melody, it's your turn to do it in Abelton.
1)Download the "Latch" chorus melody (HOW TO Import a MIDI file from the Finder: Drag the MIDI file you want to import from the Finder to a software instrument track or to the empty area below the existing tracks in the Tracks area. The MIDI file appears on one or more software instrument tracks. YOU choose the software instrument used to play the MIDI file in the Library.)
2) Step 1: Transpose the melody into a different key — any key you want — using Abelton
3) Once you've got it in a new key, write down what notes are in the pentatonic scale in that new key
4) USING the notes you wrote down in Step 3, write a short continuation of the melody that uses the pentatonic scale of that new key. By the end you should have a new melody crafted from the "Latch" melody!
5) Add a drum groove to it (loop or your own creation) and have your song be at least 2 minutes long.
ASSIGNMENT BK4.3: Download the MIDI file given in the lecture of “Electric Feel” ("Electric Feel" — Lead Synth Riff) into Abelton and put some cool sounding drums to it. You can add whatever else you like too.
(HOW TO Import a MIDI file from the Finder: Drag the MIDI file you want to import from the Finder to a software instrument track or to the empty area below the existing tracks in the Tracks area. The MIDI file appears on one or more software instrument tracks. YOU choose the software instrument used to play the MIDI file in the Library.)
ASSIGNMENT BK4.4 PLAYING TEST: You will need to do this in class in front of Mr. Wilson: Play the first and second half of BAR ONE ONLY of “Electric Feel” riff using aQWERTYon and/or on a midi keyboard WITH the original song playing in the background. For bonus marks, learn how to play all of bar one AND bar two together.
ASSIGNMENT BK4.5 The major pentatonic scale is truly one of the most ancient and ubiquitous musical concepts, universally recognized as sounding "good." Now that you know about the MAJOR pentatonic scale, it's your turn to compose with it in Abelton. Your challenge is to create a two-bar groove using a B major pentatonic scale (the notes are B C# D# F# G#). Once you've got a groove you're proud of, try writing a short melody over the top that uses the same pentatonic scale! You'll have a fully pentatonic song! Add a drum groove to it (loop or your own creation) and have your song be at least 2 minutes long.
ASSIGNMENT BK5.3 PLAYING TEST: You will need to do this in class in front of Mr. Wilson: Play the “Flashlight” riff using aQWERTYon and/or on a midi keyboard WITH the original song playing in the background.
ASSIGNMENT BK5.4
Step 1: Now that you know about the BLUES scale, download (or if you want to, re-create the "Flashlight" blues riff on your own) the MIDI file given in the lecture of “Flashlight” (""Flashlight" — Basic Chords and Bassline) into Abelton.
Step 2: choose a great synth bass sound for the bass (obviously!)
Step 3: choose a great sound for the chords (probably something electric sounding, not an acoustic piano!)
Step 3: Compose a second layer over the top of the riff that utilizes the blues scale (C Blues scale = C Eb F F# G Bb)
Step 3: Improvise a melody over the top of your song so far that utilizes the blues scale. By the end you should have a song of three different layers built on the "Flashlight" groove but employing your own melodies.
Notice that many times when the blue note is used, it's slurred, bent, or dipped into, rather than "landed on." This is one of the fascinating things about the blues — playing with these notes between the notes, and noticing how those pull different emotive qualities out of the music.
Step 4: Add a drum groove to it (loop or your own creation) and have your song be at least 2 minutes long. You can add whatever else you like too.
Step 3: choose a great sound for the chords (probably something electric sounding, not an acoustic piano!)
Step 3: Compose a second layer over the top of the riff that utilizes the blues scale (C Blues scale = C Eb F F# G Bb)
Step 3: Improvise a melody over the top of your song so far that utilizes the blues scale. By the end you should have a song of three different layers built on the "Flashlight" groove but employing your own melodies.
Notice that many times when the blue note is used, it's slurred, bent, or dipped into, rather than "landed on." This is one of the fascinating things about the blues — playing with these notes between the notes, and noticing how those pull different emotive qualities out of the music.
Step 4: Add a drum groove to it (loop or your own creation) and have your song be at least 2 minutes long. You can add whatever else you like too.
PART 2 Assignments List (from Midterm to Final)
PROJECT #1: YOUR CHOICE OF SONG:
with the help of Mr. Wilson, recreate YOUR choice of a song in Ableton
with the help of Mr. Wilson, recreate YOUR choice of a song in Ableton
PROJECT #2: UNIVERSE FLY THROUGH VIDEO
Universe Fly-Through Video Composition Project
PROJECT #3: CHROMELAB COMPOSITION 1
Open SongMaker
"Click on Settings:
Choose Length: 4 bars, Beats per bar 4, Split beats into 4, Scale: Pentatonic, Start On: Low G
Range: 2 Octaves
-You have just loaded Gmajor Pentatonic (G A B D E). But this assignment is in the relative minor which is Eminor pentatonic (E G A B D). These are the same notes, but I want you to think in Eminor Pentatonic -Compose your piece by clicking in notes from Eminor pentatonic.
-When finished, click on "Save" and then click on "Download Midi"
-Drag your Midi file into Ableton and put a sound to it that you like
-Next, add a bass line by playing it in with your midi keyboard. Your bass line can use any notes from Eminor pentatonic. Remember, the note "E" is your home note, so you probably want to. begin with that note.
PROJECT #4: CHROMELAB COMPOSITION 2
Follow the same process as ChromeLab composition with the following changes:
Your piece will be 4 bars of Eminor Pentatonic followed by 2 bars of Cminor pentatonic. Leave your whole composition on repeat to make it approximately 2 minutes long.
Minor Pentatonic = 1 b3 4 5 b7
Emin pentatonic = E G A B D (for 4 bars.... can repeat 2 bars twice)
Cmin pentatonic = C Eb F G Bb (2 bars)
PROJECT #5: MODAL GROOVES: MIXOLYDIAN
We have spent quite a bit of time on the pentatonic scale... the black keys on a piano are one
example of that 5 note scale. Now, let's turn our attention back to MODES, in particular
the Mixolydian.
Please login here and proceed through the tutorials. You will be creating a MIXOLYDIAN
GROOVE, a LYDIAN GROOVE, and an IONIAN GROOVE. Each with a 4 or 8 bar melody.
MIXOLYDIAN GROOVE- MR. WILSON'S "RESTRICTIONS":
-everything must be in G mixolydian (notes are G A B C D E F or 1 2 3 4 5 6 b7)
-MELODY: 4 bar melody needs to use these notes (G A B D or 1 2 3 5) AND you must decide to use 1
of the following inversions as your shape:
from bottom up: G A B D, or A B D G, or B D G A, or D G A B
-MELODY SOUND: up to you, or can use "Old School Roads"
-BASS LINE: 2 bars or 4 bars long on repeat. Bass line needs to be "punchy", and include the notes G and F. Recommended to also
include an A.
-BASS LINE SOUND: up to you, or can use "Synth String"
-DRUMS: totally up to you. Play something in, or use an audio clip
PROJECT #6: MODAL GROOVES: LYDIAN
We have spent quite a bit of time on the pentatonic scale... the black keys on a piano are one
example of that 5 note scale. Now, let's turn our attention back to MODES, in particular
the Lydian.
Please login here and proceed through the LYDIAN tutorials. You will be creating a LYDIAN
GROOVE with a 4 or 8 bar melody.
LYDIAN GROOVE- MR. WILSON'S "RESTRICTIONS":
-everything must be in F Lydian (notes are F G A B C D E F or 1 2 3 #4 5 6 7)
-MELODY: 4 bar melody
-MELODY SOUND: up to you, or can use "Old School Roads"
-BASS LINE: 2 bars or 4 bars long on repeat.
-BASS LINE SOUND: up to you, or can use "Synth String"
-DRUMS: totally up to you. Play something in, or use an audio clip
PROJECT #7: VIDEO GAME/MOVIE TRAILER COMPOSITION
Using the "Moods and Modes" handout, design a soundscape for a video game/movie trailer of your choice.
ALTERNATE ASSIGNMENT: write an original composition with lyrics.
_________________
TERM 2 SUMMARY OF ASSIGNMENTS - FINAL DUE DATE IS
FEB 19 for project 1, 2, 3, 4. AND the THEORY
FEB 19 for project 1, 2, 3, 4. AND the THEORY
THEORY
You must complete the Term 2 project for either Level 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 (whichever is the appropriate
challenge level for you). Take screenshots and show me your work.
challenge level for you). Take screenshots and show me your work.
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TERM 1 SUMMARY OF ASSIGNMENTS
Start Up WRITTEN assignments (all must be kept together in three-ring binder):
Garageband Essential Training WRITTEN assignments (all must be kept together in three-ring binder):
Intro, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7
Garageband Essential Training COMPUTER assignments (all uploaded - mp3, screenshot, typed description)
1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3a, 2.3b
NYU Theory for Producers WRITTEN assignments (all must be kept together in three-ring binder):
The Black Keys: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1. 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4
NYU Theory for Producers COMPUTER assignments (all uploaded - mp3, screenshot, typed description)
The Black Keys: 2.3a, 2.3b, 2.4, 3.3, 3.4, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 5.3, 5.4
Music Theory Online - Level 1*-Term 1 http://musicmrwilson.blogspot.com/p/theory-tests.html
(*you may be assigned a higher level depending on your experience)
In-class Tests: Ear Training Tests, Rhythm Dictation Tests, etc
In-class tests given throughout term (note: these can only be made up if you have an EXCUSED absence)
In-Class Test: Drum-kit Parts (you will label a diagram of a drum kit)
PROJECT #5: