Song

OBJECTIVE

Learn how to use various computer audio tools to create a song for a music video.

1. View the two videos in the MV project overview and then complete the MV ideas.
2. Follow the directions on how to create your lyrics
3. Decide what genre of music you are going to use. Check out the list of diverse genres if you need to. Post to posterous describing in a couple sentences the type of unique genre of music your song will be and try to be different.
4. Your choice of which instruments to use in your song is important. Watch the video to learn how to break down the instruments of a song. Then write a couple sentences in a separate abbreviated paragraph indicating the main instruments you will be using in your song.
5. Create a short intro (8-16 seconds) for your song. Save what you have completed on your USB by the end of class. Post to posterous and the spreadsheet.
6. Watch Mr. Linn's video in class and create the first part of your song's music for at least about the first minute to a minute and a half. Keep in mind when your chorus, verses, and bridge come in and need a music transition or change.
7. This is a draft so post whatever you have finished by the end of class and make sure you reach the time. Post one screenshot of the GarageBand tracks and send the original garageband file along with an exported MP3 file. Gmail does not attach GarageBand file types so you must control + click on the file icon after you have saved it and choose "compress." Then you can attach it to an email and send it. Post to posterous and the spreadsheet.
8. Audacity is a Free Opensource Program for Windows or Mac [download]. Watch the lesson on Audacity given in class to learn how to use it. Using Audacity (PC) or GarageBand (Mac), record your lyrics in the classroom, library, in a car, at your house, etc.
9. You can either sing it or say the words and record it again to music later when your song gets more developed. Remember, you can always change your lyrics and music. You can record your lyrics at one time or separately (e.g. chorus, verse 1). Export the entire song out as a WAV file. Post a screenshot of just your voice track in Audacity and bring the WAV file to class. If you want, you can apply effects in Audacity to your audio or wait and do it later in GarageBand. Always have a copy of your original recording in case you want to go back and add new effects. Post to posterous and the spreadsheet.
10. Create the beginning and middle part of your song's music up to about 2 - 2 1/2 minutes. Add your Audacity WAV file to GarageBand & adjust your instruments to your voice and the various lyric parts of the song. Make sure you read the requirements. Post to posterous and the spreadsheet.
11. Keep in mind when your chorus, verses, and bridge come in and need a music transition or change. This is a draft so post whatever you have finished by the end of class and make sure you reach the time. Post one screenshot of the GarageBand tracks and send the original garageband file along with an exported MP3 file.
12. View the video to learn about audio.
13. Create the rest of your song's music. The final song must be 3-4 minutes long. This is a draft so post whatever you have finished by the end of class and make sure you reach the time. Post one screenshot of the GarageBand tracks and send the original garageband file along with an exported MP3 file. Post to posterous and the spreadsheet.
14. Immediately after posting, ask two current CA students, one former CA student, and one person who has graduated high school to give the following comment on your posterous article with your song on how to improve it.
15. After reviewing comments, asking friends, and thinking deeply about what improvements you can make, go back to your song in GarageBand and make final improvments and edits. When you are finished, post your final song. Post one screenshot of the GarageBand tracks and send the original garageband file along with an exported MP3 file. Post to posterous and the spreadsheet.