Course+Syllabus,+in+progress


 * Projects Overview **


 * __ Week 1& 2—Intro __**

 Class Wiki--everyone needs to join. There will be discussion questions after every project.

The Development of Electronic Music --Learning via research, and hands-on project/presentations

Assignments: Group collaboration via GoogleDocs, diagrams, audio/visual presentation,test (set up a notebook view document in MS Word--take notes on the presentations)

How to use GarageBand (review) --podcasting w/ vocals --enhanced podcast w/ pictures --recording live instruments --adjusting sound --fade in/out/adj. dbl level

How to use Midi keyboards with GarageBand --setting up and operating the hardware --interfacing with the software instruments in GarageBand

Assignment: Research a music software product and describe it in an enhanced podcast (with pictures). Include background audio throughout. 1-2 min. length

Assignments:

(all individual projects; everyone does all of them)

a. Create an audio “scene” using sound fx. Suggestions: beach, baseball game, picnic, birthday party, etc.

b. Create a drum loop by editing from four different drum loops provided in GarageBand

c. Create a “dialog” using only your voice, but changing the sound properties of your voice for each character.

d. Create a 30-second musical “composition” using only two notes, but using ten different software instruments.

e. Create a thirty-second background loop by combining your drum loop with jingles from GarageBand. Part 2 of the project: Choose ONE of the mini-projects above. Students get 2 days to revise/complete.

 Making a Mashup
 * __Week 3 & 4 __**

Using __GarageBand,__ combine portions of at least 4 songs to create one musical piece. You may string them together in a seamless medley, OR create a multi-track mashup.

 Week 3-4--Notation software--

Intro/review notation of pitch in bass and treble clefs Intro/review notation of simple rhythm patterns, meter signature Assignments--worksheets, quizzes, composition, skills testing, notation test

Try MuseScore and Noteflight--assignment--choose the one you like best-- compose a simple 16-measure “piece” using notation software--save as .pdf

Try Sibelius demo and Sibelius Scorch--assignment--compose a 16-measure piece in a different meter than in the assignment above. Save as a Scorch file.

Discussion: On the class wiki, rate these four products from 1 to 5, with 5 being the best. State specific reasons for your rating.

Supplementary Activities:

a. Mario Paint Composer (free, online) b. Groovy Music

 __**Week 5 & 6**__ - More advanced editing in GarageBand, intro to Audacity, Jam Studio

 Watch tutorials on using software instruments. More on using software instruments in the app.

Assignments:

a.“Compose” a simple 16-measure piece in ¾, 4/4 or 6/8 meter, combining the software instruments and jingles from GarageBand (or a non-royalty mp3 site). Use at least 4 background songs.

b. Compose a 16-measure ringtone using GarageBand and a midi keyboard. Using Audacity—

Explore this free online software as a class or in small groups.

Assignment:

a. Describe the features of Audacity in a 1-2 minute vocal podcast with pictures/screenshots/music background. Compare/contrast to GarageBand and Jam Studio.

OR

b. Describe the features of Jam Studio in a 1-2 minute vocal podcast with pictures/screenshots/music background. Compare/contrast to GarageBand and Audacity.

OR

c. Create a musical composition OR original composition/mashup using Audacity.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000080; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Using <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000080; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">[|__Jam Studio__] <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000080; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">--

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000080; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Explore this free online software as a class or in small groups.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000080; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Assignment: Compose a 16-measure piece using at least 2 loops, 2 different instruments and correct notation.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000080; font-family: Arial; font-size: 130%; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> __**Week 7 & 8**__ - Sound Systems

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000080; font-family: Arial; font-size: 130%; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> --Components --How to set up (demo for class, have students demo to instructor) --What to look for in purchasing --Types of microphones --Brands available --Room acoustics to consider

Assignments:

a. Use the reproducible “markup pages” from the Soundcraft User Guide to label specific controls on a sound mixer.

b. Take notes and study class materials for quizzes and test.

b. Construct a virtual performance venue (concert hall, gymnasium, auditorium, theater, etc.) and choose sound equipment for that venue. Create a PowerPoint or Keynote presentation that shows the development of your performance venue. Hint: The “shapes” feature is very helpful in creating floor plans. Identify brand name, model number, current pricing of each piece of hardware you would need. Use the “blueprint” for the sound system in the school gym as an example.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000080; font-family: Arial; font-size: 130%; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> __**Week 9 & 10**__ Editing sound for film—use GarageBand and iMovie.

Assignment: Choose from the following:

a. Take a 5-8 minute clip from any appropriate film (from YouTube); convert to .mov using ZamZar or other conversion software; remove or duck the audio; add different sound; edit so that it fits the movie clip.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000080; font-family: Arial; font-size: 130%; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> b. Shoot your own 5-8 minute movie clip; add your own background music and sound effects.

c. Shoot your own 5-8 minute silent film; add background music and sound effects. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000080; font-family: Arial; font-size: 130%; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> __**Week 11 & 12**__ Final Project

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000080; font-family: Arial; font-size: 130%; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Create an audio/visual composition which uses all of the elements above.

Choose from the following:

a. Shoot your own 10-15 minute film; compose background music using GarageBand or Audacity software; notate the composition using notation software OR the automatic notation capabilities in GarageBand; save as .pdf; add background music and sound effects.

b. Edit clips from three different films to fit together as one 10-15 minute project; duck or eliminate the background audio; compose background music/sound effects using GarageBand or Audacity software; notate the composition using notation software OR the automatic notation capabilities in GarageBand; save as .pdf; add background music and sound effects.

c. Create an original musical composition using GarageBand or Audacity software; save sheet music as .pdf; save audio in QuickTime. The composition must be written for at least three voices, instruments or a combination thereof.

d. Create an original 3-minute music video using your own composition. Audio and visual edits must be seamless. You may use other people in your video if you like.