Progress and Reflections

These are the reflections along the way. Journal prompts, exciting discoveries, research, speedbumps, feedback and reflections, etc. Promps may be assigned by instructors and you may choose to add additional prompts beyond these

LINK YOUR TRELLO BOARD?

Reflection #5:

What are your themes?

Keep up! high school students! Share experiences and emotions for being students.

How are you making decisions?

My topic will be based on a survey that I will prepare for high school students. I want to focus on the problems that high school students are facing. So I will make decisions by sharing a survey that is working with Carli. This will give us more ideas about the theme of each song and help us with lyric writing. Also, by learning about people's problems, I can create music that is more sympathetic to people's feelings.

-What is your first task?

My first task is to listen to the problems of high school students as much as I can. By listening more deeply to their experiences and feelings, I can create music that will touch their hearts.

What do you need most right now? What do you need to move your work ahead?

The thing I should do the most is to learn how to make a song. In particular, I will learn how to organize the chords, music structure, and basic skills for the song. I also need to learn how to write a song in order to put both English and Japanese lyrics. I also need to get as much information as I can from the students in order to know what will be the problem for them in their life. I would like to get feedback on my work from my teacher, classmates, sister, friends, and family so that I can have different perspectives on music. This will give me something to reflect on and help me improve.

Reflection #6:

-What challenges are surfacing as you approach the November 23 deadline for a "project deliverable?"

My challenge will be to record the first song I write. I will record my guitar sound and singing separately and try to find any mistakes. I want my first original song to be impressive and passionate.

-What good work has been accomplished on your song?

I could finish my first song which I have been working from 1 year and a half. It was my first time actually making a song only using a guitar and my voice. It was very difficult to put lyrics but I enjoyed doing it. I want to keep going with my work.

Reflection #7:

This week, I had a guitar lesson by Mr. Ray McGrath and I learned so many skills such as scale, chords, melody.

In considering my songs, putting in more technics allows me to be more creative.

What is one question or application about which you have an inquiry?

Learn more about chord progressions so I can create more structured songs.

Reflection #8:

Question: In considering your "product"(song/album)

a. What are you most excited/ provide about?

I'm most looking forward to finishing and providing my own music, including percussion and background sounds. I also look forward to collaborating with people in the class.

b. What are you most nervous about?

I always feel nervous when I perform in front of people, but I would like to continue to do so because performing a song not only gives me a chance to gain new experiences, but also I can have some ideas and feedback from my friends, family, and teachers.

c. One actionable item before Tuesday:

Finish writing the lyrics in both English and Japanese into documents so that people can listen to my song and annotate it.

Reflection #9: A reflection on your work

Status of each song: 1st song done. 2nd, 3rd, need to record. 4th working for the chords

List every song Like a dream/ The flower has fallen/ Tears /4th(not sure yet)

list what's missing: Need to record both 2 songs, the flower has fallen and tears (need to record piano, voice)

List what's here:

1. Like a dream, I have finished all of my work for my first song (lyrics, recording, adding instruments sound)

2. The flower has fallen, Finished lyrics and chord progression,

3. Tears, Finished lyrics, and chord progression, decided to use piano

4. Song with Carli

Reflection #9: A reflection on your work

A reflection on my work: I have been working on creating original songs, and it was an enjoyable process. I've written three songs in Japanese, and each song is very meaningful to me. Learning more and digging deeper into the music was both difficult and fun work as it was my first time. The most difficult part was creating the actual song using the technology. So I've decided to corroborate with someone who can record and edit the music. My next plan for the few weeks is to finish up my album. I like the pictures on the music album covers because it shows that I like music and that I enjoy playing the guitar.

- provide detailed reflections on the status of each song in your album-provide detailed reflections on the work yet to do for each song in your album.

1. For my first song, like a dream, I have written and finished lyrics that I had from 2 years ago. I'm glad that I could finish my first song. It is because being able to complete the first song is very important in the making of an album. Also, I corroborated with Kim to record and he helped me add some instruments and percussions. It has made it become a real song that I was wishing for. So I consider it to be the best first song for my first album and I'm happy that I'm done with all of my work for this song.

2. This is my second song, the flower has fallen. I have created lyrics and structures during class time. For the next step, I have to work on the instrument and recording. It might take some time to finish it, but I can finish it before the spring break starts.

3. I have created the song called, tears. I have made it using the guitar as usual, but I ended up using the piano because I wanted to try something new. I plan to add a cello, trumpet, or other instrument that will be the melody part. I am also thinking of a melody for the piano itself. I really like the rap part, the chords are almost the same, but the melody of the song is very unique, and each section has a different sound. I still need to record and finger the music background, but the song itself is also complete.

Reflection #10: A reflection on your work (update) 8/2/2022

1. What can remain/stay? (20 points)

My structure of the song, lyrics will remain the same. The only change I will make is the piano. With feedback from friends, I decided to make the piano quieter, add other instruments, and focus on vocals.

2. What needs to be completed? (40 points) Second song need to be completed as soon as possible.

3. What is your plan of attack on the work that remains? What will you get done first, second, third, etc?? BE SPECIFIC (40 points)

My friend and Ms. Flores are going to help me with the process mentioned below.

Firstly, I need to have the Piano Scores for my song, so it allows someone to play my song.

Secondly, I need to record both piano, vocal, trumpet, and cello.

Third, I will finally be able to edit and complete the song.

Reflection #11: In Considering my second song 17/2/2022 "The flower has fallen"

1. I am most happy about...

Firstly, I'm happy about being able to finish my song on time. It went really well just like how I planned. Also, I'm satisfied with my recording because Kim helped me to work with me at the studio. I have recorded my voice for the higher parts as well so there is harmony.

2. I am most concerned about...

I don't really have any concerns about the song, but I would like to ask for some suggestions or ideas from my classmate. So I can improve more and make it better. One thing I'm wondering about is how listening to my song on a larger speaker will be different from the studio. So my next step is to show people and get some feedback.

Reflection #12:

1. Whatʻs one thing youʻre most proud of in Song #1

What I'm proud of about the first song is that I have done a lot of collaboration with people in the class. Firstly, I asked Flores to convert it from guitar to piano for me. After that, I offered to have Kosuke play the higher parts of the piano to create layers. By doing so, the song became more varied and the sound became more like a song. For the recording, I asked Kim for help as we have worked together before. Also, he is a professional in recording and other music technology. After that, Shuntaro gave me some advice that I should add more background and other instruments, and after more editing by him, I was finally able to complete the song.

Whatʻs one actionable item do you need still to accomplish on Song #1

I don't think there's any need to add more to the first song since I've already put so much effort into it. Also, I have still things to work on for song #2 and song #3 so I will continue making some progress.

2. Whatʻs one thing youʻre most proud of in Song #2

For the second song, I made harmonies and sang two parts for the first time. The recording was a very enjoyable process and I'm happy with my singing. I'm proud of how I could my song really fast and it is still good quality.

3. Whatʻs one actionable item do you need still to accomplish on Song #2

I still need to think about the mixing, because it is a kind of simple structure. I feel like I can still add more instruments behind the song.

Reflection #13:

1. Spring break work: During spring break, I tried to stay in touch with music. So, I played the guitar in my free time and often went to karaoke to practice and improve my musical skills. Also, because I was always listening to music, I was able to get inspiration and new ideas from different artists. One of the most wonderful experiences I had during my break was going to concerts and live performances. I went to two different performances and both were extremely enjoyable and overwhelming. What I learned from the performances is that the most important thing is to enjoy the music. Furthermore, each person has his or her own feelings, and it is very passionate to see how each person conveys these feelings through music and through singing. This allowed us to think more deeply about music, gaining new ideas and new perspectives. Finally, communicating with my friends, I completed all three songs!

Reflection #14:

1. In order to complete song #1, I have finished my recording and mixing, so what I have to do for the next step is to upload it on apple music, and Spotify. I will upload it once I learn how to do it!