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RESOURCES Songwriting Handout 3 Songwriting Handout 4

TARGETED STANDARDS Lesson 6 Standards

 

 

 

Language Arts

 

Lesson 6

Lesson Title:  The Book that Saved the Band - Lesson 6

Synopsis: Creating the final mix onto one CD (mastering)

Authors:  J. Finn & T. Rudolph

Interdisciplinary Pairing: 

• Primarily Language Arts
• Secondary subjects include:
  • Music
  • Multimedia (optional) 

Objectives: 

• Bands balance (mix) track volumes with all elements of the recording.
• Optional: Bands add or tweak effects such as reverb, distortion, and other effects.
• Bands master and burn their final CD.

Intended Grade Level:

Middle School

Prior Knowledge & Skills: 

• No previous musical training or knowledge is necessary
• No previous experience with the Music Production Software is required.

Equipment: 

• Music Production software such as GarageBand (Mac) or Home Studio, Acid (Win).
• Computers with a CD burner. Minimum of one computer with Music Production software for each band.
• Blank recordable CDs (CD-Rs) for each band. 

Duration: 

The concept could be introduced in one 45 minute class period. The completion of the mixing/mastering can take place over several additional class periods if needed.

Materials:

• Link to Jason Finn’s website with student example of completed materials
  http://haverford.k12.pa.us/hms/seventh/teachers/finn/web_page/principles/principle3.htm
• Online Tutorials for popular music software programs:
  • GarageBand (Macintosh) http://www.apple.com/support/garageband/
  • Sonar Home Studio (Windows)                                             
  • http://www.cakewalk.com/products/HomeStudio/video.asp
  • Acid Music Software (Windows)                                             
  • http://www.acidplanet.com/tools/?p=acid
• Jason Finn’s example rubric for this project: filename: CDproject.pdf
• Songwriting4.doc

Procedure:

• Complete some or all of the procedures in Lesson 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 [add a direct link to each lesson]
• The student group members (the band) will allocate responsibilities for the mixing/mastering. Each band should have access to its own computer with Music Production software installed.
• Students can mix songs on individual computers.
• Students should employ mastering techniques and effects to songs. Refer to filename:  songwriting3.doc.
• Songs could be linked together in a medley if band members so choose.
• Mixing/mastering songs within specified time limit. One or more songs can be mastered. 
• If working on separate computers, band members must copy tracks to one computer prior to mastering. Refer to filename: Songwriting4.doc. 

 

Note: The project can be stopped at this point or students can continue the project by producing their own music. See Lesson 7.

Evaluation:

• Link to filename: CDprojectSTEP2.cwk [note: this AppleWorks file should be converted to Word and PDF]
• The teacher can decide the level of evaluation. For example, the teacher may wish to evaluate individual members contribution to group in terms of preparedness and work ethic.

Links & Resources:

• http://haverford.k12.pa.us/hms/seventh/teachers/finn/web_page/principles/principle3.ht

Lesson Extension(s):

• Continue with project. Move to Lesson 7.

 

 

 

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