Yr 1 Music Production - Performers Essay

These are the notes from our class discussion last week. Use it as a guide to help you to complete the essay.

Yr 2 - Sampling - Drums

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/laom6zmz8ufejw5/AABWPC0xe0zrsGe9rj-DlFbWa?dl=0

Yr 1 Music Production - converting mp3 to video files on iMovie

We have done research that suggests the majority of our audience access their music through YouTube. Therefore we need to have a presence on there if we want to be sure to reach our target audience - which means our music needs to be converted into video format. The following steps will show you how to use iMovie to do this.

1: Open iMovie. Drag your media (images/video and music) into the bottom section of the window.

2: Drag the right side of your image (in bottom section) until it is the same length as your song. You might want to look at the options for cropping your image (in the top right window).

3: When you have aligned your image and your song, and are happy with the crop and any other details, it is time to export. Go to the File menu, then choose Share, then choose File.

4: Name your video file - make sure it contains Your Name and your Song Title. You do not need to export to the highest setting, it will just create a huge file. When you have exported the file, upload it to your Google Drive so the video file lives online.

Yr 2 - Portfolio - setting targets

This class is about building a portfolio of work that is relevant to your career path. In your first assignment, I asked you to write a plan that outlined what your portfolio content will be.

Today we looked at breaking this down into smaller tasks and setting time-based targets to work towards. It is important that you have plan your time carefully and set yourself targets because I am not going to plan content for the lessons, I will be helping each of you work towards your targets whatever they may be. The steps you need to take should be already written on your blogs - this is Question 4 from the first assignment. Now we are going to establish a schedule.

Please complete the work we started in class today. Write a list of the things you need to do in order to complete your portfolio by the end of the year, and set a deadline for each part. This should be a new blog post called 'Portfolio - Targets'.

Here are a few examples of how you can plan your time. It will be different for each one of you. The ideas need to come from you - I can't plan your career for you!


Content: 10 track album (hip-hop)
Instrumentals - already done
Finish recording vocals - December
Mix all tracks - Feb/March
Mastering - April
Release single: May (Soundcloud)
Release album: June (Bandcamp)

Music video: find director - Feb
Music video: planning - March
Music video: shoot - April
Music video: edit - May
Music video: release - June


Content: 4 track EP (singer/songwriter)
Finish lyrics - December
Guide tracks - January
Rehearsals - Jan/Feb
Recording - Feb/March
Mixing - April (who will mix the songs? do you need to find a mix engineer?)
Release - June (Soundcloud)

Artwork: moodboard - December
Artwork: photos - Feb/March
Artwork: editing - April
Artwork: publish (Instagram) - May


As well as the art/music/videos think about how you will present your work....
Do you need your own website?
Do you have all the social media channels set up?
Do you have a brand name/artist name?
Do you have a logo?
Do you have press shots?

Website: set up your domain (eg: http://philthdj.com ) - December
Website: plan your pages/layout - January
Website: design - Feb/March
Website: content - April/May

Yr1 Music Production - Studio Tasks

This term you have two task for Grant. Please read the briefs carefully, and if you do not know when your recording time is then please ask us.

Task 7 (A) - Equipment Quizzes

Task 7 (B) - Studio Recording

Yr 1 Music Production - Performers Essay

Here is the assignment brief - please follow these guidelines, the assignment is about musicians and their equipment, not their life story!


1) Performers comparison
Choose two performers, one DJ and one live/electronic musician or band. Write a case study comparing:
• their style(s) of music and how they choose to present this music to their audience
• their equipment and how they use it to engage with the audience
• performance techniques they use to engage with the audience

Use photos and videos to provide examples and illustrate your points. I want to know your opinions – which techniques are more effective? Why?


2) Techniques you plan to employ
You have watched numerous live performances, along with your studies of DJ’s and contemporary musicians. Make a list of three performance techniques/methods that have stood out for you, and for each technique write a few paragraphs explaining why you think this technique is effective, and how you plan to use it in your own performances.

 
You must list all your research sources in a Bibliography at the bottom of the assignment. Listing Wikipedia or copying from Wikipedia is an immediate fail. However you may find that the reference list on a Wikipedia entry is a starting point to find online articles and other resources.


Submit your work as a blog post, titled ‘Performers Essay’ and labelled ‘Decades Project’. 

Yr 2 - Sound Design - Sampling

Download these files. First use one of the pads (they are labelled with the notes of the samples), then one of the 'pre-prepared' sounds, then finally try chopping up part of a full song.

Don't try to run before you can walk!

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/2tg2a82cqvzv5h4/AAD3x4IqL1NIDxaj4QnX5G8Ua?dl=0

Yr 1 - Decades Task 2 - Workshop Diary

Download the assignment brief here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/dk25rlxhyixephm/Task%202%20%20-%20Workshop%20Diary.docx?dl=0

From the beginning of the Decades Project, each week create a blog entry documenting the content of your workshops for that week, the new skills you are learning and areas in which you wish to develop further.

This means your Logic skills, studio knowledge, and DJ skills. For each week’s blog entry you must include a video, screenshot/photo or Soundcloud player with an example of the skill you have learnt this week, and in each blog entry reflect on how your skills are developing and how you can improve further.

This task will culminate in a Logic exercise and performing a short DJ set.

Consider these key questions each week:

● What skills have you learnt or developed this week?

● What did you do?

● When did you do it? 

● How can you use this skill in the future?

● Did your workshops show any areas of weakness?

● What’s the target for next week? 

Yr 2 - Portfolio - Assignment Brief

https://www.dropbox.com/s/81hbokymhck2uit/Portfolio%20-%20Research%20and%20Planning.docx?dl=0

Your task is to study your field, and figure out what you need to do in order to get to where you want to be.

The goal is to create a portfolio that sets you up to move forwards in your career. In this assignment you will define what your final portfolio content will be, ready to create it in term 2.

Create a written report that answers all of the following questions, in order, in detail. You need to include a bibliography which lists all of your research. Wikipedia will not be considered a valid source so you will need to reference other sources or you will fail by default.

1) What are your career goals – where do you want to be? Be as specific as possible – identify people/record labels/companies/brands/venues that you want to work with.

2) Why have you identified this as your target? Talk about your skills as well as your aspirations.

3) Who are your role models? What did these people do in order to get to their position? Choose at least one leading professional in your field and write a detailed account of their career, including a biography and history as well as their current position. In your opinion, what were the key moments in their ascension? How can you mimic their career path?

4) What steps are you going to take to achieve your goals? Be specific, break it down into all the small steps that will get you to your targets. Justify your decisions based on research, explain in detail why you have identified these actions as being integral to your progress.

5) What will be the content of your Portfolio? What are you going to create? And where/how will it be displayed? Justify your decisions based on what you have learnt in your research.


NB: This assignment is intended to prepare you to create a Career Plan in Term 2.

Title the work ‘Portfolio – Research and Planning’, with the label ‘Unit 9’.

Yr 2 - Portfolio - finding information

Your task today is to use multiple research sources to find out information about a professional musician. It is always important to use multiple sources so that you can compare information and make your own judgements. I often read assignments that are just regurgitating the words of one source, and if it is not correct then you are getting it all wrong, and even if the information is all completely correct you aren't able to make an acccurate analysis or offer your own opinions from only one source.

The following links all take you to interviews with one musician: DJ Hype

They are taken from various moments in his career so some can be considered as check-points, right up to his current successes in 2017. When reading interviews online always be careful to check the date that it was posted or published to be sure you are getting up-to-date information.

Your task is to read these interviews and answer a set of questions about the artist. You may choose to read them in depth, you may prefer to skim and look for key facts which you can compare across the sources (but be careful to double-check things if you are skimming). The key is to get a range of information before you start answering the questions, instead of just repeating information from the first website that you find.

Read the articles, don't default to watching YouTube videos. A written article is much easier to skim and much easier to fact-check with other sources.

Copy these questions into a new blog post, then work your way through the articles underneath, and answer all of the questions in as much depth as possible. At the end of today's session, we are going to compare your answers.

DJ Hype questions

Section 1 - biography

1. What is his real name?
2. How old is he?
3. Where is he from?
4. What is his brand called?

Section 2 - his career now

1. What music genre does he work in?
2. What music roles has he worked in over his career?
3. What is his current position in the industry?
4. Where does he work at present?
5. Where is he performing on NYE 2017?

Section 3 - building a career

1. At what age did he start? (or in what year did he start?)
2. How did his career start?
3. What were his early steps as a musician?
4. What steps did he take in order to go from a hobby to make it his career?
5. What was his 'big break'?

Section 4 - a special career

1. What techniques is he famous for?
2. Name one of his famous tracks.
3. Describe a proud moment in his career.
4. What is one of his most memorable gigs?

Section 5 - your opinion

1. What important moments helped his career to grow?
2. How has he stayed successful for so long?
3. What is the secret to his success?
4. What have you learnt from Hype that you can apply to your own career?

List of links

http://thenightbazaar.co.uk/dj-hype-life-true-player-keep-real/

https://thump.vice.com/en_uk/article/vvjwb9/dj-hypes

http://www.fantazia.org.uk/DJs/hype.htm

https://ukf.com/words/dj-hype-true-playa/19003

http://www.theransomnote.com/music/gone-rave/gone-to-a-rave-26-dj-hype/

https://www.skiddle.com/news/all/DJ-Hype-interview-Still-Smokin/31904/

https://www.fabriclondon.com/blog/view/in-depth-dj-hype-and-shut-up-and-dance-talk-music-history-and-the-importance-of-objectivity

http://www.thestudentpocketguide.com/2017/09/entertainment/music/interview-dj-hype/

https://www.backtotheoldskool.co.uk/index.php/scene/profiles/36-dj-hype

http://www.bollocks2thewellingtons.com/general/dj-hype-interview

https://www.ticketarena.co.uk/news/features/in-conversation-dj-hype

https://myibiza.tv/interview-dj-hype/

https://www.residentadvisor.net/features/125

http://www.section23.co.uk/dj-hype-good-bad/



All interviews were accessed via a simple Google search for "DJ Hype interview" - no need for Wikipedia when you are looking at people who have worked professionally in the music industry for 20-30 years.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=dj+hype+interview&oq=dj+hype+interview&aqs

DJ Comparison

Today's task is to research some of the UK's best DJ's and look at how they have developed their techniques to match the development of technology. Start by watching David Rodigan, in the order they are listed, then choose another 3 DJ's to study.

For each DJ there are at least two videos, starting with an older set. Compare how their equipment has changed over time, and how it has affected their performance. Fill out the relevant boxes on the worksheet. Underneath the boxes, you have a list of types of equipment and various techniques that you might see happening. Consider how the style of music they play affects how they use the equipment....

DOWNLOAD THE WORKSHEET HERE

DAVID RODIGAN

David Rodigan - UKF interview









MAYA JANE COLES

Maya Jane Coles discusses Fabric mix CD







ANDY C

Andy C - UKF

Andy C discusses playing 6 hour sets











FRICTION








EZ








ANNIE MAC













LOGAN SAMA








SHORTEE BLITZ

Scratch!

Your task for the DJ class next week is simple. Watch this film, and next week I want to know your favourite DJ from the film. Write a short blog post just explaining who you like, and what it is that made them stand out for you.

DJ Videos

Here are the DJ's you chose to look at for your research task. I will not be asking any further questions about these sets, but it will be a good idea to watch some different DJ's and analyse what they are doing with the music. What mixing techniques are they using?

• Beatmatching/blending
• EQ/filters
• Cutting
• Fades
• Scratching
• Spinbacks
• Sound FX

DJ class - week 1

Here are the notes from the board. It was interesting to hear your ideas on what a DJ is.

Please complete the following task before next week's lesson:

Choose a DJ (anybody, they don't have to come from the lists we made in class). Research the following, listing your research sources (not Wikipedia):

• biography (history-current)
• what music do they play?
• where do they play?
• what equipment do they use?
• find a video of the DJ playing, and embed it into your blog post

Booking a room

Production rooms are now available to book. You need to follow the guide on Grant's blog:

http://grantlesliewkc.blogspot.co.uk/p/room-booking.html

Logic quiz

We have put together a short quiz to help us find out what you know about Logic. Don't panic! The quiz is just designed to give us an idea of what you know so far, and what we should teach you in this class.

Click here to start the quiz

Music Production Yr 1 - Induction Task 2

Your second task is a test of your ability to research and show initiative, and to locate local music events. This is a vital part of being a musician - checking out your peers and professional artists.

Find a music event, attend and write a review of the gig. Think about the following points:
Where was the event?
Who was the event attended by?
Who was playing?
What musical genres were covered?
Who was a standout performer? Why?
How did the musicians interact with the audience?
What was your overall impression of the event?
What did you learn that you will apply to your own music?

Music Production Yr 1 - Induction Task 1

Your first task is a test of your ability to work independently, and your ability to analyse and write about music. It will also give you a good idea of the type of research skills you need on our course, we require you to listen to a wide range on music and use it to influence your own projects.

Listen to the album 'Abbey Road' by The Beatles and write a review. Points to consider are musical style, instrumentation, lyrical content, production techniques and sound etc.
Pick two tracks which stand out and talk about them in further detail, highlight what you like/dislike about these particular tracks.

This is your first piece of coursework. Treat this as you would any other academic essay.

Post this work onto your blog by Friday 16th September, with the label 'Induction Project'.