mms 172:
assignment 2: midpoint blog
Extended Version of "End Of Beginning" by DJo (Cover)
Extended Version of "End Of Beginning" by DJo (Cover)
Now that weāve crossed the halfway point of the trimester, it feels like a good time to breathe, reflect, and take a step back from all the technicalities of the project to really think about how things have been going in MMS 172 so far.
Back when I wrote my self-introduction at the start of this course, one of the expectations I shared was my hope to better understand how to create emotional impact through music. I mentioned that I donāt just want to play music, I want to tell stories with it. That desire hasnāt changed. In fact, this course has pushed me to face that goal more directly than I expected.
Working on Assignment 1 has already been an intense learning experience, especially as I started developing my project. I chose to cover Djoās song, which originally runs for about 2 minutes and 39 seconds:
Itās a song I feel strongly connected to, and Iām collaborating with my family to produce it from scratch. That alone has been meaningful, the process of sharing this creative space with people Iām close to has made the experience personal.Ā
Weāve already started practicing the version weāve been working on, and itās become something Iām genuinely proud of. I extended the original 2-minute song to about 3 minutes to better meet the earlier requirements while still preserving the songās natural structure and emotional arc. (Note: This is just a reference track I edited for practice purposes itās not the final cover yet):
But there have also been some unexpected turns. Just as we were starting to settle into a rhythm with our project, after a few weeks, the required length was updated to a full 4 minutes. While I understand that course requirements can shift or make mistakes, the sudden change admittedly caught me off guard. Itās not that Iām unwilling to adjust, but the version of our cover weāve been working on already feels complete and emotionally grounded. Extending it further, just to meet the time requirement, might disrupt the flow and overall feel that weāve been carefully trying to build, and I'd fear it might start feeling like a drag, both in sound and execution.Ā
On top of that, re-extending the track would mean weād need to rehearse again, when Iād rather spend that time learning more about production, since this is my first time trying to produce a full song.Ā
Every part of the arrangement so far was planned with intention, and I've carefully shaped the pacing so that the track builds and ends naturally.Ā
And now, so far, weāve recorded guitar and drums, and this week weāre aiming to get the bass and vocals done. Thereās still a lot of work ahead, but Iām excited about how itās coming together.
Browsing through some of my classmatesā pre-production plans has also been encouraging. A lot of them are working on song covers too! And itās exciting to think about how everyone will interpret their chosen pieces. Most of us are beginners in production, and in a way, that makes the process feel more exciting. Thereās a kind of shared energy, a quiet understanding that weāre all learning as we go. Iām really looking forward to seeing (and hearing) what everyone ends up creating.
As for the face-to-face session, I sadly wasnāt able to attend since Iām based in the UAE. I wouldāve loved to join in person, though! Nothing beats that in-the-moment energy of learning together. Still, I hope there are more chances to connect, maybe through Google Meet or even by organizing something locally here with fellow UPOU students who live abroad. I know a person or two who are also here in the UAE, and Iād definitely be open to collaborating more closely with others in the future.Ā
Looking ahead, I feel a mix of things. A little anxious, honestly,Ā because time is ticking and thereās still so much I want to refine in the production. But Iām also motivated. I want my final output to reflect both where I am now and how much Iāve grown. I know I might not produce something āperfect,ā but if it resonates with others the way it resonates with me, thatās more than enough.
In the end, this course has given me more than just technical lessons. Itās made me more intentional with my creative decisions. Itās forced me to listen more closely, not just to the music, but to myself.Ā
What story am I trying to tell?Ā
Why does this matter to me?Ā
Those questions have stayed with me since Day 1, and I think theyāll keep guiding me until the final project is done.