Thursday, October 15, 2015
Old chords, new melody
Your latest assignment is to use the chords from the larger form sections of a song you really enjoy (intro, verse, chorus, bride, etc.) including the rhythm/groove of the chord progression as a foundation for creating a new melody. You should create these sections in Hookpad. You may wish to use TheoryTabs to help you identify the chord progressions within the song. Then, using the corresponding chord tones as a guide, compose new melodies. Please also spend a lot of time looking at the original melody in Hookpad to see what 'makes it work'--are there any patterns you notice?--how does the melody play on/around chord tones?--is the melody broken into phrases with space in between each?--how are verse/chorus melodies similar or different? Consider taking a new approach on the original melody, or create something entirely new. Feel free to also choose a new key and a new tempo to help make the song 'yours'.
Once you are done, save your work and make a post to your blog that includes a link to the new 'Theorytab' you have made. Once your work is saved, in the upper left of the Hookpad window, you will see a URL button. If you click on it, it will give you a web link where people can view your work. In your blog post, I would like you to provide insight into your creative process. Post answers to the questions I posed above and/or other insights you discovered about your 'source song'. Then talk about how you approached creating your new melodies and how they may (or may not) be informed by the original.
Instead of pasting the URL to your new song, you may also choose to 'embed' the TheoryTab on your blog. You'll see and Embed button right next to the URL button. You would then need to paste the embed code in the HTML window of a new blog post (like many of you have already done with YouTube videos). This way, the actual new TheoryTab will be embedded in your blog post along with your explanations of process. Either way (URL or Embed) is fine, but you must do one of those.
If you have any questions, post them as comments to this blog post so your classmates can also see the response.
Once you are done, save your work and make a post to your blog that includes a link to the new 'Theorytab' you have made. Once your work is saved, in the upper left of the Hookpad window, you will see a URL button. If you click on it, it will give you a web link where people can view your work. In your blog post, I would like you to provide insight into your creative process. Post answers to the questions I posed above and/or other insights you discovered about your 'source song'. Then talk about how you approached creating your new melodies and how they may (or may not) be informed by the original.
Instead of pasting the URL to your new song, you may also choose to 'embed' the TheoryTab on your blog. You'll see and Embed button right next to the URL button. You would then need to paste the embed code in the HTML window of a new blog post (like many of you have already done with YouTube videos). This way, the actual new TheoryTab will be embedded in your blog post along with your explanations of process. Either way (URL or Embed) is fine, but you must do one of those.
If you have any questions, post them as comments to this blog post so your classmates can also see the response.
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
Adding to your Hookpad song, plus Chord Indentification
Hi Everyone,
Tonight you should add another 8 measure section your previous Hookpad song. Remember that this new section should start on either ii or IV, and hopefully end in a way that will transition you back to the first part of your song. Begin by composing your chord progression first and then adding a melody next, after seeing what chord tones are 'available' to you.
Additionally, please print and complete this sheet. You should answer using correct Roman numerals and should not use TheoryTabs or any other type of Internet search to help you. This is about training your ear, so do your very best work. Bring the completed sheet with you to class tomorrow. Please don't get too hung up on chords that you are stuck on. Give it your best shot and we'll review any tricky spots in class. There are links to the songs within the shared document, and they are also posted below. Happy listening!
Tonight you should add another 8 measure section your previous Hookpad song. Remember that this new section should start on either ii or IV, and hopefully end in a way that will transition you back to the first part of your song. Begin by composing your chord progression first and then adding a melody next, after seeing what chord tones are 'available' to you.
Additionally, please print and complete this sheet. You should answer using correct Roman numerals and should not use TheoryTabs or any other type of Internet search to help you. This is about training your ear, so do your very best work. Bring the completed sheet with you to class tomorrow. Please don't get too hung up on chords that you are stuck on. Give it your best shot and we'll review any tricky spots in class. There are links to the songs within the shared document, and they are also posted below. Happy listening!
Friday, October 2, 2015
Teoria, Hookpad, etc...
Cool class on Thursday!
Spend significant time working through the exercises I showed you at Teoria.com. To get to the specific exercises I would like you to work on, click here. Your initial settings should be:
I, IV, and V degree triads - Root position - C major - DO NOT check the box that says 'Use chord symbols to answer. When you go to enter answers, you will need to first click the 'triads' button, and then you will be able to answer using Roman numerals. Once you feel comfortable, add all other major keys to the mix, and if you are feeling adventurous, I challenge you, when choosing which exercises you want to use, to add 'triads' to the I, IV, and V degree chords (this will add ii, iii, vi, and vii° to the mix).
Spend significant time working through the exercises I showed you at Teoria.com. To get to the specific exercises I would like you to work on, click here. Your initial settings should be:
I, IV, and V degree triads - Root position - C major - DO NOT check the box that says 'Use chord symbols to answer. When you go to enter answers, you will need to first click the 'triads' button, and then you will be able to answer using Roman numerals. Once you feel comfortable, add all other major keys to the mix, and if you are feeling adventurous, I challenge you, when choosing which exercises you want to use, to add 'triads' to the I, IV, and V degree chords (this will add ii, iii, vi, and vii° to the mix).
Read Chapter 3 'Melody' of the Hooktheory I textbook. Read carefully, and listen carefully to all musical examples, making note of how those melodies are represented using Theorytabs.
Then, use Hookpad to create an 8-measure song of your own as a 'Theorytab'. Be sure to log in to your account. Begin with a chord progression, keeping in mind what you have already learned about the function of I, IV, V, and vi. Feel free to create a harmonic rhythm 'groove' so that your chords do not always change on beat 1 of each measure. Consider the harmonic rhythm of other music you like and songs we've listened to in class ('Uncharted', 'Waiting on the World to Change', etc.). Once you have a chord progression/rhythm that you like, begin composing a melody using the chord tones for each chord as a guide. I recommend first singing along with your chords to see if you can stumble into a melody that sounds good in your head/ear. Then, see if you can recreate what you are hearing on the melody line of Hookpad. Try anything, take chances, and come up with something you feel good about. Be sure to save your work. On Monday, I will take you through the steps of exporting your song to an audio file and how to get it posted to your blog.
I look forward to your work!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)