ASSIGNMENT: In project 2.3 you are going to compose and record your very own drumbeat. You will need to first complete the drumbeats organizer, and then record the beat that you created.

Note: The attached worksheet asks you to complete three drumbeats, one for each subdivision. I only require two (I would recommend 8th and 16th notes).

Finally, a chance to flex your composition skills! Worried you don't have composition skills? No need to fear - we're here to walk you through this!

Let's get started...

However, there are some "best practices" that we will follow to help you understand the process, and will also allow you to be successful from the very start. Here are your best practices for this first composition:

1. Once you decide on your subdivision, your hi-hat should play all of the subdivisions.

2. The snare must play on beats 2 and 4.

3. The kick must play on beat 1. The kick should also play on one to three other beats (or subdivisions).

Below you find the drum beat organizer worksheet. This will help you keep track of your ideas.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE DRUM BEAT COMPOSITION ORGANIZER

PART 1: Completing the drum beat organizer worksheet

1. Download the drum beat organizer worksheet

2. Open in the Preview application on your desktop. (Note: filling out the PDF in chrome can lead to things getting lost)

3. Choose which subdivisions you wish to work in - you are composing two drum beat for this assignment.

4. Click on the boxes to turn the X's on or off for each subdivision. Remember our rules:

   1. Hi-hat plays every subdivision.

   2. Snare plays on 2 and 4.

   3. Kick plays on beat 1, and 1 to 3 more times in the groove.

5. Export your work by hitting PRINT and choosing PRINT TO PDF. 

6. Save the PDF as 2.3 LASTNAME

7. Upload the completed worksheet to Schoology.

PART 2: Recording your drum beats

1. Create a new logic file with a software instrument track.

2. Change the software instrument track to a drum kit of your choice.

3. Turn on the click and count-in buttons if they are not already highlighted.

4. Set the tempo to a comfortable performance tempo - I recommend the 60-90 range.

5. Record each part (hi-hat, snare, kick) 4 times in a row.

6. Quantize your recording after each recording.

7. Listen to your recording - does it:

   1. Line up with the click?

   2. Sound like what your wrote?

8. Save as 2-3 LASTNAME and upload to Schoology.

For this project to earn full credit, you must submit the following:

• A completed Drum Beat Organizer pdf with two drum beats filled out:

  • • hi hats on every subdivision

    • snare on 2 and 4

    • kick on beat 1 and 1-3 other subdivisions

• A logic file that contains 2 drum beats that:

  • • are quantized

    • match your uploaded organizer.