Melody Research, Analysis, and Recording Project

Summary

In this project I made melodies in the key of C that were 8 measures long, I also broke down the melodies. I learned about music theory and the history of music.

My First HookTheory Melody

My First Melody On HookPad

I was told to throw a bunch of notes on 8 measures.

Notes from Howard Goodall’s Melody Video

How Music Works with Howard Goodall – Melody

CueNotes
Semitone
Modes
Notes
Scales
Music Theory
Pitch
Pentatonic
Major
Minor
Diatonic
Coldplay
Melody
Dorian



 Everything is made up of the same 5 notes and It’s called pentatonic
How high or low a note is, is called pitch
Modes
The minor scale is a mix of modes
You can start on whatever semi note in a minor scale because it can cope
Major and minor scales are compatible

Summary: In this video, I learned about major and minor scales, modes, notes, scales, pitch, diatonic music, tones, and semitones.

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

This melody is in B-flat, the tonic note is B flat, the dominant note is F and the leading note is an A. I noticed that the melody repeats its self.

My Second HookTheory Melody

I made a slow melody with rising and descending notes. It is in the key of C. The tonic notes are C. I used G to build tension and it is dominant. I made use of mediant and submediant notes on bars 4 and 5, I used an E on bar 4 as a mediant and I used an A on bar 5 as a submediant. I made use of variation in all measures. I used retrograde in measures 6, 7, and 8.

What I Learned & Problems I Solved

  • I learned about music theory examples being tonics, tension notes, melody…etc
  • I learned how to use HookPad
  • I learned about the history of music
  • One problem I overcame was trying to understand the music theory it was very frustrating.

Resources

Audio Recording Sound Safari

Summary

  • My group and I used the audio deck to record sounds in various location.

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

This was recorded inside.

Far Away Recording

Outdoor/Environment Recording

This was recorded in an outside environment.

Instrument Recording

This was recorded inside and with a guitar.

What I Learned & Problems I Solved

  • We learned how to take pictures, use the audio deck and we learned how to upload the audio files onto the computer.

Resources

SMART Goal Project

SUMMARY

Role

Guitar

Intention (SMART Goal)

By April 15th, 2022 as part of school of rock class I will learn to play more guitar, i will reach this goal by following How to play guitar, i will know when my goal has been met when i make improvements, session 5 SMART goal project

PRE-PRODUCTION – INQUIRY

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

I think Ryan Peake is an amazing musician and I like a lot of the work he’s done.

Training Source(s)

I chose this video because he really seems to know what he’s doing and I chose this song because it’s one of my favorites.

SMART Goal Schedule

I plan on uses my training resource for the entire session and trying to slowly build my way up to being able to play the song that I chose.

PRODUCTION

SMART Goal Starting Point Evidence

SMART Goal Ending Point Evidence

POST-PRODUCTION – REFLECTION

I could have put more effort into learning it but I still learned a few chords and their order.

21st Century Skills

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

  • I learned how to move my fingers

    • Ways of Working (Communication & Collaboration)

  • I played along side of my co conspirer

    • Tools for Working (Info & Media Literacy)

  • I watch youtube video

    • Ways of Living in the World (Life & Career)

  • I learned a couple chords i’m now a philosopher

    • Reactions to the Final Version

    3/10

    Self-Evaluation of Final Version

    I think I could have improved more

    Grammar and Spelling

    Editor

    Litzhy

    February 2022 SMART goal project

    SUMMARY

    I acquired a guitar and fiddled around and watched a video on the basics of it.

    Intention (SMART Goal)

    By March 8th, as part of team 4, I will practice guitar and be able to play very basic chord. I will do this by watching videos on learning guitar and practicing with the guitar its self. this thingy thing 🙂

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

    Training Source(s)

    SMART Goal Schedule

    I did not have a schedule.

    PRODUCTION

    SMART Goal Starting Point Evidence

    this is me playing something I don’t know.

    SMART Goal Ending Point Evidence

    This is me playing a chord

    POST-PRODUCTION – REFLECTION

    Reactions to the Final Version

    I think the final version is less than I hoped for.

    Self-Evaluation of Final Version

    I didn’t put a lot of effort into this project and Im a little disappointed in my self.

    What I Learned and Problems I Solved

    I learned how to put videos into my google drive.

    Editor

    Lizzy 🙂

    DAW Audio Composition Project

    Summary

    • I made 7 tracks which consist of a two bass lines, a melody, and 3 drum tracks.

    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

    • I chose this song because its one of my favorite songs and it didn’t seem to challenging

    GarageBand Tracks

    My Composition

    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RJjwhJEGKQ77ql-NFbm-gRcY3kIIXH7U/view?usp=sharing

    What I Learned & Problems I Solved

    • I learned how to use the basic of Garage band
    • I had a problem with the volume and I learned how to fix that

    DAW Audio Composition Project

    Summary

    I learned the basics of garage band and made composition

    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

    I chose this song because I enjoy it and it is pretty simple

    GarageBand Tracks

    My Composition

    What I Learned & Problems I Solved

    I learned GarageBand

    Imposter Syndrome Explored

    Cue
    Why is imposter syndrome that important to get fixed?



    		Notes
    imposter syndrome is the feeling of being a fraud
    its not low self esteem
    rethink failure as an opportunity to learn and grow
    take ownership of your success
    recognizing triggers is important to help get out of the circle
    have multiple healthy ways to deal with stress
    meditation is good and can help
    exercise can help relieve stress
    celebrate your success
    use the SMART PURE CLEAR goal system to help set achievable goals

    Summary

    This article was about the negative effects of imposter syndrome and how to effectively treat it.