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Learning Intention:
You will understand what MIDI is and how it can be used to compose music on many different instruments, regardless of whether you can play them or not.
Success Criteria:
I Can...
Describe what MIDI is and how it works.
Understand how to connect a keyboard using MIDI
Identify and describe how to use software instruments
Understand the concept of selecting software instruments in BandLab
Interactive composition content for the week:
What is midi?!
What is midi?!
MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument, Digital Interface. It is one of the most versatile, useful pieces of music technology when it comes to composition and production. This is because although MIDI does not create any sound, it can be used to control many different instruments through the use of software instruments!
Lets discuss how a regular bluetooth computer keyboard works and how it provides information to a computer...
A MIDI instrument works in a very similar way, by transferring data and 'instructions' to the DAW and software instrument to perform a pre-recorded sound when a key is pushed down on a MIDI keyboard.
Modern MIDI technology simply works through a USB cable with your DAW generally automatically identifying the device and applying it to the software ready to go!
Here is a great video outlining how midi works and how you can make music with ANY instrument using a midi keyboard.
Click on this link to answer a few reflection questions:
INSERT LINK
Here is a quick tutorial showing you how to connect a midi keyboard to your computer and use it in BandLab!
Connecting a midi controller to your computer
Connecting a midi controller to your computer
When midi was first created, you needed a recording interface and a special midi connector like the image to the right. These would only work if you had the correct software downloaded (or on CD) and if you had a recording interface with MIDI capabilities (not all interfaces do).
New technology and innovation has allowed midi controllers to be more accessible and easier to connect to your computer. Now, there is no need for a recording interface or an expensive DAW. Instead, you can connect a midi controller using a USB cable or USB C cable like the image to the left. You then simply open BandLab, select a software instrument channel, click on the instrument you would like to use and start composing!
Interactive composition task for the week:
This week you will be creating a 16-bar piece of music using a MIDI instrument. You will need to create a new BandLab session and will need access to a MIDI controller. You will be working in pairs for this task and must use your first names as the name of the composition.
Your short composition must include:
1x drum part performed using a midi controller
1x loop of your choice
1x melodic instrument (loop or midi)
Once you have written your composition, you will be required to 'bounce' your composition and hand in the audio track to google classroom using the assignment "16-bar midi composition".
END OF WEEK CHECKLIST
END OF WEEK CHECKLIST
I have:
Watched all required videos and taken notes either on my device or in my music book
Applied a midi instrument to BandLab and used it to create a drum track
Understood how midi connects to a computer and DAW
Handed in the 16-bar midi composition using google classroom
EXITING THE CLASS - LAST 5 MINUTES
NO ONE leaves until:
All equipment is wiped down, tidied up and packed away safely as instructed by the teacher.
Rubbish off the floor, white board cleaned, doors and windows locked.
Tables and chairs reset.
Classroom is tidy.
Wait for teacher instruction
THANK YOU in advance for this.
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