All information for the class will be listed on this site. Please be sure to check back daily.
Please have your headphones in class everyday!
Mr. Goldschmidt - mgoldschmidt@rolla31.org
vocalremover.org - Splitter: Take a track and break it up into Stems by Music, Vocals, Bass, and Drums.
https://splitter.ai/# - Audio Stem Splitter
In Audio Engineering and Music Production, Sampling is the reuse of a portion (or sample) of a sound recording in another recording.
Sample - taking a portion of a sound recording and reusing it in a different song or as an instrument
The most sampled music of all time
vocalremover.org - Splitter: Take a track and break it up into Stems by Music, Vocals, Bass, and Drums.
https://splitter.ai/# - Audio Stem Splitter
You will be listening to two different podcasts. The first one is linked here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1A6ZCMvH2APDZCiKhdCcKWa0tSMWBFcRt/view?usp=sharing
For the second podcast, choose your own podcast to listen to. You can find them using the websites below. Fill in the information for each one. Listen for form and flow. Find out what you would like to emulate in your own podcast.
Great Podcast Websites:
Radio Lab - https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/radiolab
Easily the most mind-blowing free podcast out there, RadioLab explores broad topics - like sleep, race and laughter - with shocking stories from scientists and laypeople. The episodes transport you to whole other worlds that are hard to step away from and even harder to forget.
This American Life - http://www.thisamericanlife.org/
Every week, this podcast (and award-winning NPR show) picks a theme - which can be anything from the ten commandments to unconditional love - and comes up with stories that fit with it. The show shifts in tone from hilarious to heartbreaking, often within the same episode.
The Moth - http://themoth.org/stories
In the mood to hear a good story? These often poignant (and usually hilarious) real-life stories are read in front of a live audience by anyone who's got one, including celebs like Ethan Hawke and Candace Bushnell. Once you hear one, you'll get hooked.
Stuff You Should Know - https://www.stuffyoushouldknow.com/
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Ear Wolf - http://www.earwolf.com/
Comedy site featuring many different comedians being interviewed and their shows.
All Songs Considered - https://www.npr.org/sections/allsongs/
Hosts/nerds Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton are your friendly music buddies with the week's best new music discoveries, including conversations with emerging artists, icons and more. Hear songs that can completely change your day, with humor, heart and (sometimes) a whole lot of noise. Directions for use: Morning commute, the gym, or alone time. (If rash persists, discontinue use.)
99% Invisible - http://99percentinvisible.org/
99% Invisible is about all the thought that goes into the things we don’t think about — the unnoticed architecture and design that shape our world. With 150 million downloads, 99% Invisible is one of the most popular podcasts on iTunes.
Copyright Law Group Project: You will be working with a small group of students to create a presentation over copyright law for musicians. Students will identify a landmark music copyright case and describe its importance to to musicians, producers, and consumers.
Your presentation should be created using Google Slides. You will present your Case on Wednesday and Thursday 10/30 and 10/31 .
Please include in your project:
At least 10 slides total
Title Slide
Introduce the case
A background on each side of the case
What is the issue? How did this case arise?
What was the verdict/how was it settled?
What are the impacts of the case on musicians, producers, and consumers?
References Page with your sources
Please add multi-media images, videos, and links, to better engage your audience throughout the presentation.
RIAA V. Napster
Pandora Media V. The American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers
Nelson V. Warner/Chappell
Lenz V. Universal Music Corp
Campbell V. Acuff-Rose Music, INC
The Verve V. The Rolling Stones
Fogarty vs. Fantasy Inc.
A different case may be chosen with permission from Mr. G
Today we will begin our discussion of copyright law as it pertains to musicians. This unit will also compose of a group project that covers landmark music copyright cases. We will be going over this presentation in class, but it is linked below for you to view on your own as well. Additionally, we will be reading the article "How Music Copyright Lawsuits Are Scaring Away New Hits".
Presentation Link - Copyright Law For Musicians
ASCAP Music License Agreements: https://www.ascap.com/music-users/licensefinder
Reading Link - "How Music Copyright Lawsuits Are Scaring Away New Hits"
ASCAP Link: https://www.ascap.com/help/my-ascap-membership
BMI Link: https://www.bmi.com/faq
SESAC Link: https://www.sesac.com/frequently-asked-questions/
Create with Soundtrap! Make A Beat, Record Lyrics, Write Music, Practice Backmasking, Have Fun!
Submissions for the Electronic Music Composition Contest?
Soundtrap Tutorials: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnRrlU_ooYvXYcbT5nUvVisS-jbWbOSWR&si=BpDzGZhpjq4y_O4R
What is Backmasking?
How Is It Used?
Backmasking Examples
Click the link above for more details. Contest Closes November 1st.
Over the past couple of weeks you have spent time learning about drum tracks, melodies and composing in Soundtrap. In this assignment you are going to put it all together. You will compose a 60-second ringtone.
We will listen to some ringtone examples. While listening ask yourself: Do they work? Why or Why not? What do you think makes a good ringtone? What is the purpose of a ringtone?
You will compose a 60 second ringtone
You will use your knowledge on writing melodies, chord progressions, and drum beats on this project.
You must have at least 5 or more tracks, 2 or more of them must be your own recorded with MIDI. Additional tracks can use loops or your own musical ideas.
Add Virtual Instrument Tracks and select the sounds you desire.
Use the Metronome and Quantize!!!!
Turn in your Project on Google Classroom:
Find a Chord Progression at https://autochords.com/
As the ringtone progresses add urgency – tempo, layer sounds
Don’t use an Introduction, ringtones are short...
Ringtone must grab the listener’s attention within the first 3-5 seconds
Double the melody in octaves on a different instrument
Create a parallel harmony by doubling the melody at an interval such as a 3rd or 5th
Add Compression to even out/bring out your Midi Recorded sounds
Be careful of using lots of bass! Phone speakers are small!
Be creative and Have Fun!
Sound Effects visit: Freesound.org and Soundbible.com or try NASA Sounds
Directions: Your task is to write a 60 second radio commercial for a subject of your choosing. Mr. Goldschmidt will approve all project subjects before recording. This is a very open ended assignment, so be creative.
STEP 1:
Listen to radio commercial examples. Listen for structure first, then content. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKB0rwlD01vKwC9fCECwrPbApfij1NJh4&si=C3cdT7YnvPd7AIlh
Commercial Form must be completed
Create Script of about 150 - 300 words depending on how fast you will speak. Think about using a slogan or catchphrase.
Try This - The Advertising Slogan Generator -
STEP 2:
Once your script has been written and you have proofread...
Open Soundtrap
Record Script slowly with microphone
Record dry and edit (remove breaths, pauses, breaks, mistakes, add effects and compression)
STEP 3:
Start creating musical bed (the background music). Can use loops or create your own.
Sound Effects - http://soundbible.com/
Freesound.org : Username - rhsaudioeng Password - bulldogs
Think about Audio Effects
Mix script with musical bed - Check levels
STEP 4:
Export as an Mp3 File to Google Classroom
•Interesting Main Idea or Subject of the Commercial
•Grab the listener's attention with your words
•Vocal Fluctuation. When recording, speak in a manner that someone would like to listen to.
•Music, background effects (create your own), Special Elements that make it interesting.
•Articulate and Simple. KISS
•Think about it as a listener: what's in it for me? How will it impact my life in a way that I think it will make my life better, happier, or easier?
•Anything else you can think of.
Listen to Scary Stories
You know 3 chords right now: I, IV, and V. We will learn the vi (minor 6) chord and create several popular chord progressions.
I - V - vi - IV
V - vi - IV - I
vi - IV - I - V
IV - I - V - vi
The order of the chords never changes ( I is always followed by V), but do change the chord that you start on. When writing a melody over these chords, feature a chord note in the melody when each chord is played.
The video below discusses the chord progressions.
Listen to 12 Bar Blues Assignments
We will be recording with microphones today.
Plug-in the microphone properly (or audio interface)
Test Levels (No clipping). Make sure nothing is too loud or too soft.
Record. Think about breathing, pacing, tone, and inflection.
Edit. Clean up mistakes, breathing. Add audio effects.
Scary Story Assignment Sheet Here
Click Here To Start The Project
Pick a story to record: Scary Story 1 Scary Story 2
Pick background music: Scary Music 1 Scary Music 2
(Click on music and hit download button)
Sound Effects:
Soundbible.com – Download Mp3 files and import them
Freesound.org - Username: rhsaudioeng Password: bulldogs
MovieSoundClips.net - Sound clips and audio from thousands of movies
Create your own with voice or record in sounds.
Today we are learning about chords on the piano and the 12 Bar Blues Chord Progression. Watch the first video below for information on the powerpoint if you need to review from class or were quarantined. The second video discusses the assignment listed below. The third video is a great blues chord progression example of Stevie Ray Vaughan's "Pride And Joy".
Today you will learn how to play a I Chord, IV Chord and IV Chord. Your Chords assignment is below. Please view the video below that discusses the 12 Bar blues assignment.
Click here to start the assignment: 12 Bar Blues Chord Progression - Project File
1. Record 12 Bar Blues Chords Progression (w/ Metronome) into Soundtrap with Piano
2. Change metronome to 120 bpm and add Blues Loops to create a song: Click Here for Blues Loops
3. Solo with the C Blues Scale and the I, IV, V chord notes on the instrument of your choice
C Blues Scale Notes: C - Eb - F - Gb - G - Bb - C
Today we will be learning about scales and their modes. These scales are the base we use to write melodies.
Visit this website to discover Scales and Modes: https://learningmusic.ableton.com/advanced-topics/modes.html
Your assignment is below. If you need additional help or are absent, I have a video outlining the assignment below.
Assignment: You will be composing two separate melodies using two different modes. Your First Melody will use one of the scale modes: Ionian (Major), Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian (Minor), Locrian. The Second Melody will use a different scale mode. Both of these scales should use only white notes on the piano. They are based on C.
Ideas to build a melody: Play around until you find something you like, take part of a favorite song and put a twist on it, combine multiple ideas, ask a friend.
Steps: Click here to get started: https://www.soundtrap.com/studio/assignment/1nqmVHKwRJmz1DlSAK961A
1. Add a Virtual Instrument Track and choose any instrument you want.
2. OPTIONAL: Pick a drum track loop or two that you want to create your melody with.
3. Set the metronome to 85 or slower if needed. You can always turn it up after you record.
4. Each Melody must be at least 8 measures long or longer. Record 1-2 measures at a time if that helps.
5. Stay in time with the Beat (metronome click and drums). Simple is better.
6. Quantize after you record.
7. Line the Melodies in Sequence (one after the other with a measure of space between). Feel free to add drums in the background to match your melody. Turn in on Google Classroom.
A Melodic Dictation is the ability to listen to a piece of music and then quickly write it down or play it back. You will develop listening skills and become more acclimated to the Midi keyboards.
Click Here for the Assignment File: https://www.soundtrap.com/studio/assignment/d1ebB15pTOGBXYMP_CGcnQ
Listen to the four melodies below. Recreate them in Soundtrap using the Midi Keyboard. You will only use the White Keys on the Keyboard.
Find the "Flute" Sound. Set your metronome to 85.
Listen Carefully to the Melody and find the note it starts on. Then, continue listening and figure out how to play the melody by experimenting with the notes on the keyboard. You may have to listen multiple times until it is correct.
Be sure to practice and use the metronome! QUANTIZE after you record. Quantize to the correct rhythmic value makes the recording perfect.
After recording all four melodies, line them up in sequence with 1 measures of space in between so they will play one at at time. Save, then download the Mp3, and upload to Google Classroom here
If you finish the melodies above, work on this extra practice that includes a melody and bass part that are played together.
EXTRA PRACTICE - MELODY PART , BASS PART
(Set Met to 120, Record Melody, then the Bass) Completed Music
The Musical Staff and Piano: http://www.musictheory.net/lessons/10
Accidentals and the Piano: http://www.musictheory.net/lessons/20
Identifying Notes on the Keyboard: https://www.musictheory.net/exercises/keyboard/y9dyyynyydb
Identifying Notes on the Staff: https://www.musictheory.net/exercises/keyboard-reverse/bgtyryybnydbyyy
Paste the verification codes for each practice exercise on Google Classroom:
Today and tomorrow, you will be working to create two different 60-second (or longer) drum beats. Use the following parameters:
Each should have a different tempo.
Create them in two different projects.
Please use different kits and instruments.
No loops please, only one shot samples.
Be sure to change something every 4 or 8 measures!
You can use the step sequencer or play on the keyboards to create your music.
Quantize, Quantize, Quantize
This is your chance to create!
Examples: Drum Beat 1, Drum Beat 2
When finished, upload both Mp3 files to the Google Classroom assignment. We will listen to them on Friday!
Listen to the file “Rhythmic Dictation” below. You will hear a brief two measure rhythmic pattern.
You are to re-create (record) what you hear in Soundtrap
Open this linked SoundTrap Project to get started:
New File https://www.soundtrap.com/studio/assignment/d6XqcW-KTCy3YG8973Whhg
Make sure the "Clean Red" Drum Kit is selected.
Set the metronome to 85.
Listen to the first example in the Rhythmic Dictation File.
Record the two-measure pattern on the drum track in Soundtrap
Record as close to the metronome as possible.
Record only the drum set sounds, not the metronome click in the background.
Quantize your recording.
Repeat for the other 5 examples in the Rhythmic Dictation file. Leave 1 measure between each recording. Keep them all in the same track.
Save the file when you are done and upload the Mp3 into Google Classroom
Finish writing in the drum rhythms from yesterday if you didn't get finished.
Disco/Ska Beat?
Changing Drum Kits
Step Sequencer Drum Patterns
Step Sequencer Drum Patterns - Drum Patterns for step sequencers
https://goodhertz.com/funklet/ - Online resource with famous beat examples
Today: Explore creating your own drum beats in Soundtrap using the step sequencer.
If you would like me to play your drum beat out loud, add me as a collaborator.
Finish Listening To Soundtrap Loops Project
Step Sequencer/Beat Maker/Pattern Maker
Rhythm Discussion - Quarter Notes, Eighth Notes, Sixteenth Notes, Rests
Drum Set Components: Kick, Snare, Hi-hat (Open and Closed), Toms, Cymbals, FX
Different types of rhythms for drum set - Practice creating these in Soundtrap
Step Sequencer Drum Patterns - Drum Patterns for step sequencers
Today we will be listening to Soundtrap Loops Projects
Be sure to share your mp3 on Google Classroom
Automation
Today we will be starting our first project! Click on the assignment sheet below for your instructions and rubric.
Soundtrap Loops Project Assignment Sheet
Click here to begin the project - Soundtrap Project Link (This will automatically share your project with me. Only use this link once, unless you want to restart completely!!!)
Downloading your Mp3
Review Sound Systems Components - Quiz Wednesday!
SoundTrap Loops and Interface Introduction
Snap, Grid Settings, Loop Settings
Loops, Loop Packs, Changing Key/Tempo, Metronome
Stretch, Loop, Edit Loops (Right Click)
Sound Effects
SoundTrap Audio Effects
Time Based vs. Gain Based
Hardware and Sound Sound Systems Presentation
Effects
Sound systems quiz on Wednesday
Video Tutorial - Soundtrap Basics
Today we will listen to some of your Incredibox Mixes. Make sure you have recorded and saved your mix.
If we have time: Soundtrap Set-Up
Music Behind The Technology Presentation
What is Music?
The Six Elements of Music
Today: Please arrange and record a mix using your choice of Incredibox loops. Incorporate: Layering, Arranging, Timing, Texture, Solo, Tutti, and Form.
Submit your Incredibox recording on Google Classroom
Finish Introductions
Incredibox
What you will learn or show:
Arranging, Remixing
Layering, Texture (Timbre)
Timing, Conducting Skills
Solo & Tutti
The Art of Looping.
1. Computer/Google Log-in:
Username: StudentID@student.rolla31.org
Password: Fl-mmddyy
2. Audio Engineering Google Site - Go here first thing everyday! Bookmark site.
3. Syllabus
4. Google Classroom - Audio Engineering
5. Google Drive Clean Up Last Year and Create Audio Folders
6. Get to know you activity - Padlet
8. Bring your headphones tomorrow!!!