Theme Based Percussion /AIFF composition
David Ebert
djebert @optonline.net
John Read Middle School
TI:ME Technology Areas Addressed:
Electronic Musical Instruments
Music Production
Multimedia/Digital Media
Information Processing
Level:
Middle School
Class:
General Music
Equipment:
Computer with sufficient memory, Music production software – ie. ProTools or peak Le, General midi Keyboard or Drum Machine.
Duration:
Several Class Meetings Minutes
Prior Knowledge and Skills:
Students have basic web knowledge and have gone through several tutorials on how to use music production software
NAfME standard of 1994 Addressed:
NAfME standard of 1994: Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.
NAfME 2014: Performing
NAfME standard of 1994: Composing and Arranging Music within specified guidelines.
NAfME 2014: Creating
NAfME standard of 1994: Listening to, analyzing and describing music.
NAfME standard of 1994: Evaluating music and music performances.
NAfME 2014: Responding
NAfME standard of 1994: Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts.
NAfME 0214: Connections
Materials:
Computer with sufficient memory, Music production software – ie. ProTools or peak Le, General midi Keyboard or Drum Machine. AIFF files gleaned from Webquest
Objectives:
The Students will talk about the assignment and create points on which to critique this assignment. Students will create individual themes for their pieces that will utilize AIFF files. Students will practice Webquest skills to find AIFF files. The students will then record percussion sounds and AIFF on to tracks to create there compositions.
Procedures:
Students will go on a webquest to find AIFF files. One possible site to try is: http://simplythebest.net/sounds/. Students will save these files to an organized folder. Students will then use a General midi keyboards drum kit or a drum machine to input percussion tracks into the music production software. The next step is for the students to add the AIFF files to suit the theme they have selected. Students will complete the project by editing their compositions and burning a finished CD using the Music Production Software
Evaluation:
The class will listen to each of their classmates pieces and fill out a short critique sheet based on the class – developed points of assessment. One suggestion for an assessment could be – How does the music relate to the theme?
Follow Up:
Re-editing the pieces with suggestions or changing sounds used could possible follow-up lessons.
