Creating a Soundscape

Creating A Soundscape

Wayne Splettstoeszer
WSplettstoeszer@torrington.org
Torrington High School – Torrington, Connecticut – http://www.thsmusic.net/tech.htm

TI:ME Technology Areas Addressed:

Music Production

Level:

High School

Class:

Music Technology

Equipment:

Looped Based Music Creation Software
Microphone (XLR or USB)

Duration:

225 Minutes – 1 week

Prior Knowledge and Skills:

Students should have basic working knowledge of a looped based music program.

Students should know how to record audio in a looped based program

MENC Standards Addressed:

MENC 4: Composing and Arranging Music within specified guidelines.
MENC 6: Listening to, analyzing and describing music.
MENC 8: Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts.

Materials:

ACID Pro or Garageband
Microphone
Pre-recorded loops

Objectives:

This is a great lesson to combine with an English/Theater class in your school.

A soundscape is when you take parts of a story or poem and create music for it. I have used this assignment with various Music Tech and English/Theater classes over the years. Very successful.
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The English/Theater class will select parts of a story or poem they are working on in class. The English students will narrate their selections into the computer and provide the music technology students with a write up of their story or poem. The write-up will provide mood, character development and any other information needed.

The Music Technology students will take the recording of the narration with the write-up and will start to develop a musical bed that will enhance the story. The final product will be rendered as an MP3.

Procedures:

1. English/Theater class will narrate their selections. Depending on how many students and stories used this could take a couple of 45 periods. An option is to use one story for the entire class.

2. Music Technology students will analyze the narration and write-up provided and will brainstorm what style of music will be needed. 1-2 45 minute periods

3. Creation of soundscape – combining narration and musical bed – 2-3 45 minute periods.

Evaluation:

Students will be evaluated on if music created enhances the story and narration. Students will also be evaluated on use of looped based commands and functions.

Follow Up:

Items to Purchase:

Microphone
Pre-recorded Looped.