Collaborating to Produce Virtual Music Videos

During the COVID pandemic, music productions have been few and far between. However, we have developed ways to create, collaborate, and produce virtual music performances. Using three applications, MuseScore (R), Audacity (R), and OpenShot Video Editor, I was able to create several instrumental and vocal pieces for church and music friends. This tutorial will walk you through the basics of each of the steps, but it takes patience and practice to get it right. Also, since many musicians are not accustomed to recording by themselves and no help from a surrounding ensemble or choir, it takes some hand holding. These eight videos provide a step-by-step process for working through a rather daunting process. It uses all open source or free software apps.

Video 1 - Introduction - This gives a general overview and introduction to the necessary apps and process.

Video 2 - MuseScore Basics - This provides basic information on how MuseScore works. This may be the most tedious part of the process because it requires keying in all music notations, tempos, articulations, etc. to be entered manually form the music score. This is because all music it copyrighted and as far as I know, there is no software app that can directly read a printed score.

Video 3 - MuseScore Extras - This video provides instruction specifically relevant to developing digital (MP3 or WAV) files or tracks for singers or instrumentalists to conform to while doing their own recording. The digital files produced from MuseScore provide specific tempos and necessary notes for each part.

Video 4 - Recording Individual Video or Audio Parts - This is a part that each participant or collaborator has to learn to do. It requires understanding what is expected of them in their recording. Items like microphones and computer devices are discussed.

Video 5 - Uploading and Sharing Individual Videos or Audios - This requires that the coordinator or video production person be familiar with a variety of devices for uploading large video files and sharing them with the coordinator. The video provides some options for doing this and instructions to each participant musician.

Video 6 - Introduction to OpenShot Video Editing Application - This is general introduction to the capabilities of OpenShot.

Video 7 - OpenShot for Creating Collaborated Videos and Editing Tips - This gives some instruction in how to receive and load individual videos into OpenShot.

Video 8 - Final OpenShot Tips and Creation of Final Combined Video - This provides the cleanup and editing process for a final video and the creation of the final combined video.