Melody Research, Analysis, and Recording Project

Summary

  • This project is where in Mr Leducs school of rock class we are currently learning about melodies and how they work and the structure.

My First HookTheory Melody

My first melody

For this melody at the beggining I made it simple then decided to add some spice to it. My fav part about the melody is when it changed. For this melody it is composed of 8 measures.

Notes from Howard Goodall’s Melody Video

CueNotes
-how did people disover chords and music?
-Has music alwasys been powerful and causea big difference in life.		-Melody is musics most powerful tool.
-Even as babies we can recognize tunes.
-Tune are very powerful and can show love and other emotions.
-Sound around the world sound different from each other.
-All around the world back then songs are composed of 5 notes which are very fundamental. Its a fundamental building block.
-Pentatonic is the name for the 5 basic notes.
-An enormous tunes are based on the 5 notes.
-A lot of rock songs even use the pentotonic way.
-There are three main ingredients to melody’s
-Any frequency could be a note
-Notes can sound different but are the same note such as A it all depends on pitch.
-A whole tone is an intervel of two tones on a step
-People use tunes around the world to distinquish different words by pitch
-Modes can be rather complex
-In England back then they would sharpen the notes frequently
-Blue notes are when you bend them and flatten them
-Composers from Shakespeares time found that notes rather in flexiable
-Wherever you start your minor scale it will cope and it can start anywhere on the 12 semi tones
-All instruments have different languages and it can be difficult to have them sound nice together so they speak a new language.
-Happy music was a major scale and the minor is sad
-You can go between Major and minor scale easily
-Composers love to explore their explority between scales magnever
-Operas and sympyphonys have many melodies
-The guy in the video talked about if you try to find happiness you can find it in anything.
-He struggle with drugs but it seemed as thought music helped get him through
–

Summary: From this video series I’ve learned a lot and had a lot of deep thoughts about music and how it is used in everyday life. Therew was a lot of history from where it was used and learning about the 12 semi tones and major and minor.

Melody Composition Terms and Definitions

  • Theme: A long, flowing melodic idea.
  • Motive: A short, rhythmic idea (Beethoven’s 5th).
  • Period: 8-12 measures or a musical sentence.
  • Phrase: Usually 4 measures.
  • Antecedent (Question) Phrase: First 4 measures of a period.
  • Consequent (Answer) Phrase: Second 4 measures of a period.
  • Scale Degrees (C Major Scale)
    • Tonic: C (1 , 8) – Stability and resolve.
    • Supertonic, Mediant, Submediant: D, E, A (2 , 3 , 6) – Moderate tension, useful for transitions and carrying on an idea.
    • Subdominant, Dominant, Leading Tone: F, G, B (4 , 5 , 7) – Causes the most tension, leads to the tonic.
  • Steps: Any movement using half or whole steps.
  • Leaps: Any movement using intervals larger than a whole step.
  • Conjunct motion: Melody is built primarily out of steps.
  • Disjunct motion: Melody is built primarily out of leaps.
  • Repetition: Repeated material (i.e. motive) used to create a link between two phrases of the period.
  • Contrast: Two phrases that contain contrasting material to create tension and interest.
  • Variation: Halfway between contrast and repetition. The two phrases include some recognizable material and some varied material (i.e. taking ideas up an octave).

One of My Favorite Melodies

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kffacxfA7G4&t=22s
  • I like this melody because it is very easy. The chords are simple and fun to sing along to as its a classic. From this melody I notice that theres a similar pattern in it as at the beginning there is it goes red, blue, yellow, orange yellow then continues a bit but does change a litte bit. Overall to me is seems as it stays the same structure.

My Second HookTheory Melody

  • This melody I would say follows the structure of a melody and you can know what goes next as its repetive in a good way. I like this meldoy because its simple and sometimes simple is better than complex.
    • I raied tenstion in this meldoy when I went down and up in the pink purple and dar kblue. I resolved tenstion when I returned to tonic.

What I Learned & Problems I Solved

  • From this project I learned the structure of how a melody is made and how music works and more about music in general regaurding all aspects. One problem I had was figuring what sounded nice together and I solved this by trying different notes and just messing around in hook theory.

Resources

Audio Recording Sound Safari

Microphone head
“Microphone head” by sparetomato is marked with CC BY 2.0. To view the terms, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/?ref=openverse

Summary

  • In this project we tested sound quality in different areas. We look into the sound quality and what problems occured.

Audio Terms and Definitions

  • Sound Wave
    • A vibrational disturbance that involves the mechanical motion of molecules transmitting energy from one place to another.
  • Compression
    • Reducing a signal’s output level in relation to its input level to reduce dynamic range.
  • Frequency
    • The # of times per second that a sound source vibrates, is expressed in hertz (Hz).
  • Hertz
    • Unit of measurement of frequency; numerically equal to cycles per second (cps).
  • Infrasonic
    • The range below the frequencies is audible to human hearing.
  • Ultrasonic
    • The range above the frequencies of human hearing.
  • Pitch
    • The subjective perception of frequency – the highness or lowness of a sound.
  • Fundamental
    • The lowest frequency a sound source can produce. In other words, it is also called the first harmonic or primary frequency which is the lowest, or basic, pitch of a musical instrument.
  • Sound Frequency Spectrum
    • The range of frequencies audible to human hearing: about 20 to 20,000 Hz.
  • Octave
    • The interval between the two frequencies that have a tonal ratio of 2:1.
  • Bass
    • The low range of the audible frequency spectrum; is usually from 20 to 320 Hz.
  • Midrange
    • The part of the frequency spectrum to which humans are most sensitive; is the frequencies between roughly 320 Hz and 2,560 Hz.
  • Treble
    • The frequency range between roughly 5,120 Hz and 20,000 Hz, the highest two octaves audible to human hearing in the sound frequency spectrum.
  • Equalization
    • A signal-processing device that can boost, attenuate, or shelve frequencies in a sound source or sound system.
  • Amplitude
    • The magnitude of a sound wave or an electric signal is measured in decibels.
  • Decibel (dB)
    • A relative and dimensionless unit to measure the ratio of two quantities.
  • Wavelength
    • Distance between two peaks of a wave
  • Velocity
    • Speed in a given direction
  • Harmonic
    • Is a multiple of the fundamental frequency
  • Phase
    • Factor in the interaction of one wave with another, either acoustically or electronically

– Audio terms and definitions from Wikipedia

Voice Recording

Outdoor/Environment Recording

Instrument Recording

Feedback

  • Write a few comments from other students or advisory members
  • Cite the person who shared the comment
  • Only use first names

What I Learned & Problems I Solved

  • I learned that the sound quality with a microphone can differentiate depends what is going on.
  • One problem we had was that we forgot to take a picture that matched with the audio and we fixed it by taking a picture that coresponded with the audio.

Resources

Making Motives with Triads

PianoChord C image from Wikimedia Commons

Summary

  • For this project, I used https://onlinesequencer.net/ to help me create 3 Motive triads. During this, it was trial and error finding out what 3 chord sequences would sound nice together and what didn’t.

Melody Terms and Definitions

In music, a triad is a set of three notes (or “pitch classes“) that can be stacked vertically in thirds.[1] The term “harmonic triad” was coined by Johannes Lippius in his Synopsis musicae novae (1612). Triads are the most common chords in Western music.

When stacked in thirds, notes produce triads. The triad’s members, from lowest-pitched tone to highest, are called:[1]

  • The root
  • The third
  • The fifth

– Triad definition from Wikipedia

  • Theme – a longer, more flowing melodic idea
  • Motive – a short, rhythmic idea
  • Period – 8 (ish/around 8) measures of music
  • Phrase – 4 (ish/around 4) measures of music
  • Antecedent (Question or First) Phrase – sets the music up and leads you to expect something
  • Consequent (Answer or Second) Phrase – releases the tension built up by the first phrase
  • Scale Degrees:
    • Tonic Scale Degree – the note that begins and ends the scale, the note that releases the tension, one scale degree that creates a feeling of stability and resolution.
    • Supertonic, Mediant, and Submediant Scale Degree – scale degrees with a moderate level of tension useful for transitioning and carrying on an idea
    • Dominant, Subdominant, and Leading Tone Scale Degree – the notes that build tension, several scale degrees that create a high level of tension/the need to resolve the tonic
  • Steps – any movement using half or whole steps
  • Leaps – any movement using intervals larger than a whole-step
  • Conjunct motion –  melody built primarily out of steps that move smoothly (example: moving in a scale)
  • Disjunct motion – melody built primarily using leaps
  • Repetition (the god particle of music) – use repeated material to create a link between the two phrases of a period
  • Contrast – write two phrases that contain contrast material to create tension and interest
  • Variation – halfway between repetition and contrast. The two phrases include some recognizable material and some varied material.

Composition term definitions from Dr. Henke’s video:  How to Write a Melody

My Motives

https://onlinesequencer.net/2705908

https://onlinesequencer.net/2707897

https://onlinesequencer.net/2725282

Feedback

  • “It was good it sounded like kinda like a horror thing” -Austin

What I Learned & Problems I Solved

  • I learned that there are so many different sounds you can make even if it’s only a 3 chord sequence.
  • One problem I had was that it sounded too rushed and messy when so I decided I want some of the Motives to have a more calmer vibe than the other is more eerie feeling. In doing so figuring out what sounded good together I messed around with it more and made the notes longer which gave it a calmer vibe which was nice because that’s what I was looking for.
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJTggXbjVSo

March 2022 Goal Project

Guitar Grunge
“Guitar Grunge” by Big Grey Mare is marked with CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

SUMMARY

By March 15th, 2022 as part of School of Rock class, I will learn how to play guitar. By following the House of the Rising Sun guitar lesson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjNnsAY-ijc&t=73s and will have improved my playing of our Session 5 SMART.

Role

Guitarist

Intention (SMART Goal)

By March 15th, 2022 as part of the School of Rock class, I will learn how to play guitar. Following the House of the Rising Sun guitar lesson, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjNnsAY-ijc&t=73s and will have improved my playing of our Session 5 SMART.

PRE-PRODUCTION – INQUIRY

Leader(s) in the Field / Exemplary Work(s)

Niall Horan. I look up to Niall Horan anyways he didn’t make the song I am trying to cover he is a great guitarist and is in One Direction he did the guitar and he sang in the band. He’s really talented in several ways. He’s been doing that for years and his passion for music is really inspirational and makes me wanna learn more and more guitar.

This is Niall playing guitar and showing how to play a song in the second video

Training Source(s)

2:02 shows chords needed to play the song

5:38 strumming pattern

SMART Goal Schedule

Working on guitar every day for an hour for two weeks 5 days each week, and watching tutorials on Youtube to improve on the guitar.

PRODUCTION

SMART Goal Starting Point Evidence

I’ve been playing guitar mainly at home for at least an hour a day but its a different. The guitar is a bit thinner so easier for me to not mute the strings.

SMART Goal Ending Point Evidence

POST-PRODUCTION – REFLECTION

During this project, I think I have improved a lot over the week. it’s not perfect but it’s an improvement which is growth. This was a fun project. It was difficult in some aspects to find the best video to help and learn the strum pattern and chords.

21st Century Skills

Ways of Thinking (Creativity, Innovation, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving)

During this project, I used my creative side by trying different ways to play the song. I learned how to use guitar tabs and tried different videos. This was my critical thinking as well to try and find the most effective playing strategy.

Ways of Working (Communication & Collaboration)

Throughout this project, my classmate/friend Austin helped me learn how to play this song and how to do the chords correctly. I would often accidentally mute the strings but he helped me hold the guitar differently and mostly not mute the strings.

Tools for Working (Info & Media Literacy)

YouTube:

Guitar tabs on Tiktok:

Ways of Living in the World (Life & Career)

Possibly becoming a guitarist in a band.

Reactions to the Final Version

My dad said it was very impressive and I have improved since when I first started playing guitar.

Self-Evaluation of Final Version

Definitely sounds a lot better than I did in the beginning but still needs improvement. Depending on the guitar I sound better or worse. I need to work on that skill and get used to other guitars.

Grammar and Spelling

I used Grammarly to help me.

Editor

Austin

Musical Super Learning

Cue
How much more difficult does it have to be for it to fit in the desirable difficulty factor?		Notes
-Contextual interference is to change the pattern of the rhythm to make it more challenging.
-Start playing a song slower to make it sure is perfect
-Desirable difficulty is to make it a little more difficult not overwhelm just a little more of a challenge.

Summary

Contextual Interference and desirable difficulty

Microphone Auditions Project

Microphones
“Microphones” by Roadside Guitars is marked with CC BY-SA 2.0. To view the terms, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/?ref=openverse

Summary

  • I recorded my voice in front of several different types of popular microphones to see what sounded best with my voice, and I edited it in Soundtrap.

Microphone Audition Podcast

My Favorite Microphone

Blue Baby bottle

The Baby Bottle is a pressure-gradient cardioid condenser
Has a smooth and natural midrange and doesn’t have excessive high-end sizzle
Read more: http://recordinghacks.com/microphones/Blue-Microphones/Baby-Bottle

Terms and Concepts

  •  Microphones
    • Dynamic – The sound waves themselves create the electrical signal by moving the membrane diaphragm of the microphone. Very popular and very well known. It is good for the low and middle range, NOT the high range.
    • Condenser – The membrane has an electrical current that waits for sound. When the sound waves hit it, it responds instantly. They are all over the place, but they need an electrical charge {amplifier} from something {battery}.
  • Polar Patterns
    • Omni – Picks sound up from all directions equally. This is used for interviews because it can pick up more than one person, without having to have two separate mics.
    • Cardioid – Picks up one half of the microphone, also known as a ‘directional mic’. Most sensitive in the front, about 180 degrees. Shaped like a heart.
    • Bi-directional – ‘Figure of 8’, picks the front and behind of the mic, but the 90-degree angle on both sides does not get picked up.
  • Transduction – Converts one form of energy to another.
  • Voltage – An electric force or a potential difference shown in volts.
  • Phantom Power – Activates the condenser in a microphone. DC powered mostly between 12 and 48 DC voltages.
  • Sensitivity – Voltage at its known sound level. Can be called by its voltage or decibels. A higher number means more sensitivity, everything is mostly in negatives. Sound pressure.
  • Frequency Response – The range of sound the microphone can produce and how sensitive it is within the range. You want it nice and flat.
  • Transient – A variation in current, voltage, or frequency.
  • Placement – Placement of the microphone is key, depending on the sounds you want, it can just be the distance from you or the instrument from the microphone. This part of the microphone can affect others emotionally in a way to connect with the audience.
  • Proximity Effect – Decreased sensitivity to low mics, which reduces background noise and vibration and counteracts when used very close to the source.
  • Output – A place where the sound leaves the system.
  • Characteristics – This is the Relative Response and Frequency measured in a Hertz graph to show how good or bad the microphone is. This can show the quality of the mic.
  • Noise Rating – The signal (sound source) to noise ratio measured in decibels (dB). Noise is any sound in the background you don’t want. Electricity vibrates at 60dB so you want the ratio of the signal and noise to be higher than that. Preferably 90dB or higher.
  • Hardware
    • Clips – A clip is something that you use to hold a microphone on something {for example – stand }, but, using the wrong kind of clips can affect the performance, make sure it is tight so it has the correct effect.
    • Stands – This ties in with a clip, this is what the clip will connect to. This keeps the microphone towards the object you want to hear without having to hold it or keep it still.
    • Windscreen – Something that covers and protects the microphone, mostly a foamy material.
    • Direct Box – A device used to connect an instrument directly into the audio mixer.

What I Learned and Problems I Solved

  • I learned that even though there are many different types of microphones they all don’t do the same thing for sound. They focus on different aspects of sound quality. One problem I had was figuring out which microphone sounded the best with my voice as I listened closely I could hear a difference but was still had to decide which was the best. I figured it out by listening to them all over and taking apart what I liked and didn’t like.

February 2022 SMART Goal Project

File:Epiphone ET-270T Kurt Cobain's autographed @ HRC Pennsylvania.jpg
“File:Epiphone ET-270T Kurt Cobain’s autographed @ HRC Pennsylvania.jpg” by Michael Labowicz is marked with CC BY-SA 2.0. To view the terms, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0?ref=openverse

SUMMARY

During this February I have a couple projects to complete such as Music Composition, the practice of practice, and the microphone project.

Role

Guitarist

Intention (SMART Goal)

By March 2nd in School Of Rock, I will get better with guitar by using the How To Play Come As You Are by Nirvana quick riff video on youtube and will have a couple seconds of a cover of a song of choice in our Session 4 project.

PRE-PRODUCTION – INQUIRY

Leader(s) in the Field / Exemplary Work(s)

Kurt Cobain. I look up to Kurt Cobain because he’s a very influential guitarist and made great music in Nirvana.

Training Source(s)

How To Play Come As You Are by Nirvana quick riff

SMART Goal Schedule

Working on guitar every day and watching tutorials on Youtube to improve on the guitar.

PRODUCTION

SMART Goal Starting Point Evidence

SMART Goal Ending Point Evidence

POST-PRODUCTION – REFLECTION

Overall during this project, I think I did pretty good. I was more on task than in previous times. I worked really hard and I think my guitar skills got better which is always a plus.

21st Century Skills

Ways of Thinking (Creativity, Innovation, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving)

During this project, I was creative by exploring my options and I tried different styles but decided on Come As You Are by Nirvana. One problem I had was my nails were too long and in the way of the strings but now I know I can’t play with long nails this was my critical thinking. I had to innovate and change it up then I could play again.

Ways of Working (Communication & Collaboration)

During this project, I communicated with my friend/classmate Austin. He has helped me and given me feedback on my progress.

Tools for Working (Info & Media Literacy)

Youtube:

How To Play Come As You Are by Nirvana quick riff

Ways of Living in the World (Life & Career)

Possibly becoming a guitarist in a band.

Self-Evaluation of Final Version

During this project this month I felt good. It felt more relaxed which I always appreciate I worked hard and I think. I did well this month.

What I Learned and Problems I Solved

I learned new skills on a guitar that I couldn’t do before. The problems I had were not knowing how to play the song and finger placement. I solved this problem by watching tutorials on YouTube. After this, it all came together nicely.

Grammar and Spelling

I used Grammarly to help me.

Editor

Austin

Making Motives with Triads

Summary

PianoChord C image from Wikimedia Commons
  • For this project I used https://onlinesequencer.net/ to help me create 3 chord sequences. This was a long process trying to find what notes sound good together and how they can be arranged. Its kinda like a puzzle trying to find the right pieces.

Melody Terms and Definitions

In music, a triad is a set of three notes (or “pitch classes“) that can be stacked vertically in thirds.[1] The term “harmonic triad” was coined by Johannes Lippius in his Synopsis musicae novae (1612). Triads are the most common chords in Western music.

When stacked in thirds, notes produce triads. The triad’s members, from lowest-pitched tone to highest, are called:[1]

  • The root
  • The third
  • The fifth

– Triad definition from Wikipedia

  • Theme – a longer, more flowing melodic idea
  • Motive – a short, rhythmic idea
  • Period – 8 (ish/around 8) measures of music
  • Phrase – 4 (ish/around 4) measures of music
  • Antecedent (Question or First) Phrase – sets the music up and leads you to expect something
  • Consequent (Answer or Second) Phrase – releases the tension built up by the first phrase
  • Scale Degrees:
    • Tonic Scale Degree – the note that begins and ends the scale, the note that releases the tension, one scale degree that creates a feeling of stability and resolution.
    • Supertonic, Mediant, and Submediant Scale Degree – scale degrees with a moderate level of tension useful for transitioning and carrying on an idea
    • Dominant, Subdominant, and Leading Tone Scale Degree – the notes that build tension, several scale degrees that create a high level of tension/the need to resolve the tonic
  • Steps – any movement using half or whole steps
  • Leaps – any movement using intervals larger than a whole-step
  • Conjunct motion –  melody built primarily out of steps that move smoothly (example: moving in a scale)
  • Disjunct motion – melody built primarily using leaps
  • Repetition (the god particle of music) – use repeated material to create a link between the two phrases of a period
  • Contrast – write two phrases that contain contrast material to create tension and interest
  • Variation – halfway between repetition and contrast. The two phrases include some recognizable material and some varied material.

Composition term definitions from Dr. Henke’s video:  How to Write a Melody

My Motives

Feedback

  • “It felt like Billie Elish made smooth jazz” -Austin
  • “It felt really bassey and deep and smooth” -Austin

What I Learned & Problems I Solved

  • I learned how to make Motives with Triads and the process and time length it takes.
  • I solved one of my problems like not knowing what sounds good together by trying more than one sequence and trying and trying till it sounds good
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJTggXbjVSo

PUBLISHED BY

Megan Ripoli

DAW Audio Composition Project

Summary

  • For this project, I was working in Soundtrap. I am still fairly new to soundtrap so I was just working around in it. I also worked on the song structure for our previous project. For my composition, it mainly consisted of piano, vocals and other tools. 

Audio File Formats and Definitions

AIFF (Audio Interchange File Format): stores standard CD-quality audio; similar to WAV (Higher Quality)

WAV (Waveform Audio File Format): CD audio; can be saved with different sampling and bit rates; similar to AIFF (Higher Quality)

MP3 (Audio File): Used to store audiobooks and music on a hard drive; Close to CD-quality sound; the higher quality sound comes from higher bit rates which also take up more storage space

MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface): music data: notes played, when notes are played, how long each note is played, and the velocity of each note played; used to be able to exchange and use information between software and hardware programs; no actual audio data

All the audio file format information is found at: fileinfo.com

Song Used As Template

Soundtrap Tracks

Screenshot 2022-02-03 9.08.57 AM.png

My Composition

What I Learned & Problems I Solved

  • From this I’ve learned that making a song is a lot harder than it looks, especially digitally. It’s really difficult playing piano or guitar on Soundtrap, but if I took a while to get used to it, I think I could make a really good song.
  • The problem I solved while working on the assignment and making the song was not knowing how to use soundtrap very much, but I ended up learning some basic knowledge about it.
  • https://drive.google.com/file/d/1C0pGsE4_DtFjEUrO6RUWL-f5BKsEubhG/view?usp=sharing