Analog

What does this word mean?

…of or pertaining to a mechanism that represents data by measurement of a continuous physical variable, as voltage or pressure.

What does it mean in the context of your project?

-In regards to our project, we are using “analog” devices, technologies, and sounds, by changing the quantities through a physical device (the continuous physical variable) which will represent the data (music) we are using to create our mash-up! (I hope I am understanding the definition, I could very well be wrong, but I’m taking a shot at it!)

What does it mean in the context of the world of microphones?

-When musicians use microphones they are using an analog device which continuously streams the sound of the instrument through the microphone and into the speakers, creating sound and music. Because it is an analog device, small details are more prominent.

What does it mean for the world of recording technology?

-There are two ways of recording sound (actual sound waves and the measurement of sound wave air pressure). Analog recording is one of these techniques in the world of recording technology.

What does it mean in the context of music education?

-If I am understanding analog correctly, then I would say that within music education we can use analog technology to create music in a setting where more learning is taking place, verses only using digital technology. Analog provides raw sounds to be created, and uses devices to do so, which in turn creates many learning opportunities for students.

Launch pads & other frustrating things

Unfortunately, I am not familiar with this frustration that was experienced in class since i was absent. Although, our group did experience some frustration with technology on Monday. But after talking with my group, I found out that on Wednesday they were able to figure out a different way to mash-up our songs through garageband. Also, I am not familiar with any midi pads, or launch pads, our groups as yet to mess with those, and possibly use them in our project. Honestly I have no idea where to even start when it comes to launch pads (don’t know anything about them, or how they work) so I wouldn’t be able to suggest any alternatives. I suppose my challenge for myself and my group would be to experiment with them, and maybe even try to use them in our project. My only suggestion would be to use the internet! Possibly look up tutorial videos, and read articles about the technology you are feeling frustrated with. Although, what happened to confusion (frustration) being a good thing! Maybe this can be good, obviously this project/technology is causing the class to be confused which is now forcing students to ask questions. This frustration may lead to success!

Research

For our particular group project, creating a mash-up, I simply researched what I needed the most help on (no matter how stupid it might sound). As of right now, as we are just beginning to come with ideas and for me, personally, I have never created one and do not really know where to start. So, I decided to research tutorials on how to create a mash-up, what tools I can use to create a mash-up, or apps I can use. My search came up with this link (http://www.digitaldjtips.com/2012/03/how-to-make-a-mashup/) which turned out to be very helpful! This website talks about 4 easy steps to creating a mash-up. The first one being, (1) pick a song that you have, or can obtain, an acappella, vocal and instrumental version. <—- (did not know i would need that, honestly! and just to be clear, our would obviously need to create those versions.) Second, (2) the acappella and instrumental versions have to have the same BPMs, or beats per minute. Third, (3) reconstruct the full vocal version, by putting the acappella version over the instrumental version. And lastly, (4) replace your original instrumental version with a different songs instrumental part, and then be sure the BPMs match up (of course use your ear to be sure the new instrumental track blends well with your two songs and sounds well). This article goes on to tell you what to do if it does not sound well, and talks about other details. Another thing I learned from this website was how using different apps and tools can help you to more easily construct a mash-up, and by using a can virtual DJ software, you can easily complete those 4 steps. I was happy to find this article! I plan to use it in construction of our mash-up! I am sure it will be of great use.

Towards Convergence

To converge means to bring two or more things together, whatever that may be. In this particular article, the author is talking about converging music, older and newer through mash-ups or remixes (covers). As well as, music teaching and learning, and how people have used more and more technology to do so. I have done two of the things listed on Table 1. One being, creating a tutorial and the other, creating a cover. I have created several tutorials such as how to play major scales on a piano, and how to play a certain piece of repertoire composed by Bach. I was assigned by my keyboard teacher to create those tutorials, and I found it to be a great learning experience. Secondly, our group created a cover for the last project in our DH lab, which was also a good learning experience, and taught me important things to know when making a cover. In conclusion, I believe this article is extremely related to what we are participating in class right now. We are creating mash-ups, covers, performing live, and many things are mediating our musical engagement with those projects. Not only that, but we are constantly interacting with each other inside and outside the classroom. I think this article also promotes the idea to converge and incorporate new and older media into our class projects, and reminds us of all the different ways we can participate in converging.

Overall Project Reflection!

1. How did technology mediate my musical engagement or the musical engagement of my group?

——> In regards to our particular cover project, the Blue Snowball recording microphone mediated our musical engagement! Also, I think that garageband was a big mediator of our musical engagement. Each piece of technology allowed our group to make music/record the track! Without those things it would have been much more difficult to complete the project, (come to think of it, maybe even impossible!).

2. What kind of things did you learn through this project that you might not have learned otherwise? Be specific and elaborate.

——> Throughout the project, (1) I learned about the importance of constructing a schedule/plan & then sticking to it! Our group ran into some time trouble, and not having enough. Honestly, had we followed our plan a little closer, and been more productive in class, we probably wouldn’t have ran into that problem. And in turn, that would have really improved our project. I think this particular point is also important to life in general! (2) I also learned different recording techniques that improve the sound; this is something I hadn’t thought about before, while doing this project. For example, our group recorded the piano and vocal parts together, instead of separately. Although, after the completion of this project, I realized that if we had recorded them separately, or even at the same time but with two different mics (if possible), the sound would have been more clean & clear for each instrument. Overall, I think that technique would have resulted in a better track/sound.

3. What do you wish you could have done in this project that you didn’t have time to do or didn’t think of until it was too late. 

——> (I feel like the answer to question 2, can also apply to this question) Besides recording things differently, it would have been nice to record more harmonies & to learn how to cut and clean up the track more smoothly. None of our group members knew how to do that, so we just did the best we could! Also, like we mentioned in class, we should have used a metronome, (why we didn’t even think to use one?? I have no idea! That was our first mistake, haha.). The metronome would have made lining up the instruments MUCH easier!!

4. Write a vignette. In a future teaching context what might this project look like. What would the teachers roles be? What types of knowledge could be gained? (TPACK) What might the students come up with? How long would the project last? 

——> At the beginning of class, the teacher announced the group project for the next two and a half weeks, in which the students would participate in, and complete. The middle-aged kids were excited once they were told the project was to create a cover song, perform a song live, create a musical mash-up, or create a project with music & media combined. The students were put into groups, and then given the option to chose between two of the four options presented. The teacher explained that once they had chosen which project they wanted to do, then they could begin. They were also told as part of their instructions, the track needed to be at least 2 minutes and 30 seconds long, but no more than 5 minutes.They had two and a half weeks to complete their project, in class, & they could use any instruments found inside the classroom, OR outside the classroom. The students were required to include 2 acoustic sounds & use at least 1 instrument that they are not familiar with. They also were told they had to use at least 2 pieces of technology in their recording process, of which they were not familiar with. The teacher’s job was to answer any questions the students had throughout the two weeks, and to mediate their progress. After each class period, the students had to turn in a report of their progress to the teacher, ( written or digital, including each group members name) and that was their ticket out of class for the day. Once the instructions were given, students asked any questions they had, and then dove into their group projects (with joy)! 🙂

Step 4. Write a poem about your project —> here goes nothin!

Four creative minds began to create a cover,

Each having musical experience,

And they came up with a track like no other,

Though as they did, they ran into some interference.

Even so, once their masterpiece was complete,

The rest of the class could not compete! 😉

<—Hope you enjoyed my poem!

Time for some critique

• What is problematic about the way i have planned this project for you all?

  OK, so first of all, I am honestly having a hard time finding a problem with how you have planned this. BUT, for the sake of the assignment, one problem that maybe could apply is being more specific in pointing us in the right direction on the copyright laws. I just didn’t have a clue of where to look or where to even start with that (honestly, I didn’t even think that we would need that in the beginning). Although, I understand wanting us to figure it out for ourselves and do it on our own because that’s a good way to learn; just diving in even if you don’t know anything about it. As a whole, when given the topic of creating a cover, I would say its pretty self explanatory, so that’s why i had a hard time coming up with anything that may have been a problem with how you planned this project. I really feel as if the way it was explained and presented was very well done, all the aspects of what we needed to cover in each given project was explained well, in my opinion.

  If you were planning a project like this in a future educational setting what things would you make sure to do differently?

  Depending on the age of the students, as a teacher I might have to go into further detail of what a cover is, and how to create one, or in some aspects, explain how to use garageband. I really like the idea of having to write down each class what you did and where you are at in the project, so that’s a technique i would definitely keep! I think that process forces the students to be more productive and accountable for what they do in class and how they spend their time. Other than that, I would mostly likely instruct this project in the same manner, honest (as in the same key points & information that you gave us on the project)!

Rating the 5 general criteria; Cover Project!

1.) 3! – we already have both of those (digital and acoustic sound recorded), but we still kind of have a lot of other sounds to add to the mix.

2.) 2 – our group has somewhat looked into that, BUT we have yet to prove that we are allowed to legally cover it, as far as I know.

3.) 3 – 4! – I think each group member is doing a pretty decent job at being apart of the project and giving to the process, but I think we can all do better! for sure(I think we have just been struggling a little to know where to go next, in a round about way, thats why I wouldn’t give us a 5!).

4.) 2 – I would say we have YET to accomplish this! We have worked with a microphone that was unknown to us, but only a little bit. We could definitely expand out horizons even more, and will do so in this upcoming week.

5.) 4 – Yes, we have created the shared google doc and have used it to write down our process and what we have accomplished. Although, I’m not sure we have really used it to ask questions or talk about challenges we have faced (but i could be wrong, I can’t recall what is all on it right now).

Hope all my scores have helped to give you a good idea of where I think our group is at! 🙂

Cover Project & Microphones

After doing some research, I found out how many different mics there are out there & which ones are best for vocals, instruments and so forth. Dynamic microphones are usually used for live instruments like bass, electric guitar or drums. Actually, dynamic microphones are usually used when recording any live sound. A Condenser microphone, also known as a capacitor mic, is used for recording vocals because it is very sensitive & can actually record sounds that the human ears cannot hear. (Interesting!). Usually they are more expensive, but they are great when you are in need of an accurate recording of sound. On the other hand, even though I didn’t find anything on the type of mic in a pair of headphones, that mic can be used for little things, or other smaller projects but when it comes to recording professionally it is not the best choice. Today in class, our group was able to use the Blue Snowball Microphone. The sound it recorded turned out very well and it was extremely easy to use. I decided to look into the facts of this microphone and found out that it is considered a condenser microphone. Although its probably best to be used as a vocal mic, but it can also be used to record instruments. As we continue this cover project, I’m interested to see what other mics we can find to record different instruments!

Creating & Performing covers: What makes a cover? What makes a good cover? What is your favorite cover?

• A cover of a song is when someone takes an original song and basically remakes it. Its still the same song, but someone else sings it, and may make other minor changes to what instruments are used or other technical things. Either way, changes or no changes, if it is sung by someone else & that group or person receives permission to use it, then its considered to be a cover. I think what makes a good cover are those who can keep the originality of the song but still make it their own! I hope we can do that with our cover! There are SO many great covers out there, I’m not sure i could pick one.. but just for the sake of choosing one, i guess one of my favorites would have to be the classic “I will always love you”. Originally written and performed by Dolly Parton, but then the famous Whitney Houston did a cover & completely made it her own. Her cover made that song even more popular because of how great it turned out!

When it comes to performing, I think that we perform songs because its fun, first of all, & second because the performance itself gives the song a different meaning or feeling, rather than just listening to it through headphones. Can there be a performance without an audience? This is a question that can definitely be argued, but I think that yes. There can be. You don’t have to have an audience to perform something. You can perform something for yourself, or for a single person. And performing can be totally internal, and be just as satisfying as performing for a group of people. Although, I think when there is an audience involved they fulfill the role of giving the performer satisfaction, making them feel as if they have performed well. But it is my personal belief that that satisfaction can be achieved without an audience.