Aspiring Musicians!

Read this WHOLE page before you start so you understand the big picture.

Download Parts and Master Recording

Go to this folder and download everything

PW: PTGVGP

When ready, you can choose from the Smooth Talkin parts and folders what sheet music you need (and then some).

The "MIX MINUS Project" folder has a GarageBand project (for Mac users) if you want to play with missing key parts... mix minus melody, mix minus bass, and mix minus drums. Have fun!

(A teacher noticed the GB project doesn't seem to work on iPhones. You can always start a new project and drag in the mix minus tracks to play with).

If you have Audacity or some other DAW, feel free to use that. Drag the separate mp3 tracks into the timeline. Play with the original first then drop your main instrument.

The separate mix-minus tracks can also be used individually in any mp3 player.

Available Parts List for ALL Instruments

All of these parts are in the download folder - use what you need.


Melody Parts:

C Melody (flute, vocals, oboe, violin, viola)

Bb Melody (soprano and tenor sax, trumpet, clarinet,

Cbc Melody (trombone, bass to play melody)

Eb Melody (alto and bari sax)

F Melody (French horn)


Rhythm Section Parts:

Piano Melody

Piano Comping

Guitar Melody (w/TAB)

Guitar Chordal (w/TAB)

Guitar Rhythm (w/TAB)

Vibes Chordal

Vibes Melody

Bass

Drums

Percussion

Release Needed From ALL Participants!!

Regardless if you're 13, 19, or 48... we need a signed release from you to be a part of the video.


If you are currently 17 or under, your parent or guardian needs to sign the release.


If you are 18 or older, you can sign it yourself.


Please include the RELEASE when submitting your video.

Friday, April 17th Commitment Date!

Missed the Friday date? Have a decent reason? Are you up to doing more in less time? If so - OK. Delivery deadline stands. Let us know.


We are requesting that YOU email if you are planning on committing to participating in this project and send a video. Why? We need to plan the post phase of logging and editing and need to see how many are contributing.

PLEASE - send an email. Subject Line: First Name_ followed by a 3 digit number. For example: Avery548.

This can come from you OR your parent's/guardian's account.

Send to PlayTheGrooveMusic@gmail.com and say, "I'm in! I play _______________"

**We really want to include your video, but we WILL prioritize those that adhere to this commitment date**

Practicing Directions

There is no one way to learn a song. But we do want to stress listening. Emulating your part (closely matching) the original is the goal so all of the individual grooves (any instrument playing) will fit more succinctly "in the pocket."

  1. Start by listening to Smooth Talkin' - add it to your favorite player and just listen - over and over and over. Don't even look at the music. Just listen.

  2. If you read music - find the part that fits your instrument. Not sure? Ask your teacher or send an email to PlayTheGrooveMusic@gmail.com. PRINT the part if you can to make notes.

  3. With your instrument in hand, play it again (melody - always play the TOP note) - until the solo section - and just finger your part (just lightly, no sound). Repeat playing very quietly. Keep repeating getting louder each time while stressing listening to the main track.

  4. Repeat up to the 2nd "B" section five times or more daily to get the feel.

Note 1: Steps 5-6 pertain to soloing (if not skip to #7) and follow the form when recording your part.

Note 2: We need your video of the whole song . Not doing a solo? We'd like you to TRY, but OK if you don't/ Use a shaker or some homemade percussion instrument (keyboard sound OK!!).

  1. Play the whole tune. Solo where the soloist is playing now (or layout). Percussionists can solo over this section too. (Drummers, you have your 8 bars at the Coda).

  2. Soloing (optional but try), there is a 4 bar break at "C," followed by 16 bars of groove. Do NOT solo over "B" when it repeats. If you choose not to solo, just layout and come back in at B.

  3. Always play the melody at "B" for this virtual recording.

  4. Ending: Length is to the recording, NOT the sheet music ending.

Play the 8 bars at "D" and then sparsely add solo fills till the song fades. Rhythm section players -- just keep the groove, don't go crazy. We'll fade out on this end.

Lighting Tips

  1. Look at this video on lighting -try a few things to get your lighting better than a darkly lit bedroom. The better the lighting, the better YOU will look in the end.

  2. Again, start early and test to get comfortable with the tech and process.

Recording Directions

Most of you will be recording using your smartphone mic which is totally cool. However, there are a number of things you can do to help you get your sound as good as possible.

  1. Be sure you know the tune as well as you can. You know, listen-practice-temp record... listen-practice-temp record. Now do it!

  2. Position your smartphone - Turn your voice recorder on and play your instrument. Either move around it to see what sounds right, or if a drummer, move the smartphone.

  3. During your practice sessions, practice recording - do it often to get over your jitters and to learn from hearing your playback. Use video - selfie camera - experiment with different things besides playing.

  4. You can initially play with the full recording playing through speakers. But then, graduate to wearing headsets so ONLY your instrument is heard (players often cover only one ear to hear yourself better).

  5. Ending: - length is to the recording, NOT the sheet music ending.

  6. For the real recording. Tap with the click track somehow so we can line up the tracks–at least beats 3, 4, 1, 2 -- OK to say out loud (I'll delete from final edit).

  7. Take a few deep breaths, get centered, put on headsets, start the smartphone, and Go For it! Do this a few times, it's only 4 minutes. :)

If you are not soloing, just let the time pass - keep the camera rolling - after the section play "B" and Coda. OK to be really creative in solo section.

Woodwinds of all kinds can play too: Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon...

Submitting Directions

Terrific! You've created a video you are really happy with. NOW - you need to follow some directions... (and you wonder what schools is for):

  1. Remember, you need to send us a SIGNED RELEASE with your video. A scan or photograph of the release will do.

  2. On your Dropbox or Google Drive, create a folder. Name it - use YOUR First Name followed by a 3 digit number. For example: Avery548

  3. Drag your Release and Video files into this folder. *Note: You will NOT be included without a release.

  4. Rename your release, for example: Avery548.pdf or Avery548.png or Avery548.jpg (use the extension of the file).

  5. Rename your video, for example: Avery548.mp4 or Avery548.mov (use the extension of the file).

So far so good?

  1. Create a link to the folder with just those 2 files in it.

  2. Open a blank email - this can come from you OR your parent's/guardian's account

To: PlayTheGrooveMusic@gmail.com

Subject: Avery548.pdf Release and Video Link

Body: Hi PTG -- Please use this link (make a hyperlink or just add) to download Avery's release and video file.

We would appreciate your feedback on the experience)...

  1. When the editing is done, I will send a YouTube link of the video to your submission email address.


I can't wait to see how this all comes together! This is our very first virtual performance video and we are super excited to have you a part of it!!


OK? Any questions, please email: PlayTheGrooveMusic@gmail.com.

Thank you for your participation!!