Composition

Composition

Here is the link to the composition I created: https://soundcloud.com/mrjamierox/composition

• Usually in pop music the form of a chord progression follows as so: 
• A – A – B – A
• Each section is 4 bars long – this means that you must have 2 different 4 chord progressions (which can change a little), and alternate as shown above.
• Make sure to start and end with chord 1.
• You usually finish each section as follows:
• –A1 – Chord 5 A2 – Chord 1 B1 – Chord 5 A3 – Chord 1

For each part of the structure, you will need a new chord progression, for example:

Verse – chorus – verse – middle 8 – chorus

Prog.A – Prog.B – Prog.A – Prog.C – Prog.B

Choruses are usually quite repetitive – sometimes called the ‘hook’ to give the listener something catchy to remember.

Middle 8/bridge sections are usually 8 bars long, this helps create difference in the song.

Creative Arrangement

Creative Arrangement

Here is the link to the Soundcloud: 

https://soundcloud.com/mrjamierox/creative-arrangement-happy

Research into House Music:

House music is a genre of electronic dance music created by club DJs and music producers that originated in Chicago in the early 1980s. It initially became popular in Chicago clubs in 1984. House music quickly spread to other American cities such as Detroit, New York City, Baltimore, and Newark – all of which developed their own regional scenes. In the mid-to-late 1980s, house music became popular in Europe as well as major cities in South America, and Australia. House also had an influence of relaying political messages to people who were considered to be outcasts of society. The music appealed to those who didn't fit into mainstream American society and was especially celebrated by many black males.

Music Features of The Track:

Texture:
There are 3 parts to this arrangement, they are the Chords, the Melody and the Drums. Each part plays a critical role in the overall sound of the song. If you imagine it like a sandwich, the chords are the bread that hold the content together, the Melody is the contents of the sandwich adding flavour to what is already there and the drums are the sauce adding something extra to make it all better than what it was before. 

Structure:
The creation is a bit short but the structure for it goes that it has a 4 beat intro and leads into the first verse. If the song were to continue then it would go into another build up which would lead into the chorus.

Effects:
The only effect that I have used is EQ so that each sound is okay to listen to and isn't to jarring on the ears. Other than that I have not used any effects on these piece.

Rhythm/Tempo:
The speed of the track is very similar to the original if i had to say anything I think it is just a few beats slower and I only went from the original BPM on Cubase which was 120 BPM.

Track List:

• Track 1: Chords
• Track 2: Melody
• Track 3: Drums

Were any Vocals Recorded?:

Due to time limitation on my own part I was unable to record any vocals but if given more time I would've liked to add some vocals in as I think it would add to the overall feel of the track.

Mixing and Mastering

To listen to my mix go to this url:

https://soundcloud.com/mrjamierox/mixing-task-stick-together-1

Before I started any work on my project, I fist sort out the tracks that I had into different sections so that they are easily recognisable and are easier to find and locate. It goes as follows: Vocals in Red, Guitar and Bass in Orage, Drums in Yellow, Piano in Green and Brass in Cyan. The screenshot below shows you a better example at how the tract lis is laid out.

As you can see from the screenshot above, there are a lot of space where there is nothing going on and within the vocal tracks there are a lot of different noises which detract from the quality of it. So, my next step was to go trough and edit the tracks so that they sound a bit more streamline and aren’t full of little quarks. Also, as a rule of thumb, if the sound if the thing you’re trying to cut is less than a bar it is best to leave it but if it more than a bar then it is best to cut it. As you can see from the vocal track, this is what remains after it has been edited.

When you have different tracks but you want add the same effects on to them, you can set up something so that you can edit all of them at the same time. I have already set this up for the vocals so for the purpose of this blog, ill be demonstrating using the guitar and guitar solo. The first step is to add a new track and this track will be and FX Channel then you can add it to the project.

·        The next step would be to add the guitars to this channel. To do this, you have to go onto each individual teach and then open the little ‘E’ on the track underneath the name and then a window will open up on the screen. On the right, you’ll have to open up and then you have to set the track onto the right channel you want.

·       

     EQ is an abbreviation for Equalisation. It’s main purpose is to manipulate tone and we have all used it at some point – even without realising. EQ is found on our iPods, in a Car Stereo and in a guitar amplifier – for example; and it is likely that we’ve all had a basic grasp of what EQ does and how to use it. EQ essentially allows you to increase or lower the volume of selected frequencies within the audio spectrum of a sound.
      The use of EQ is quite subjective and each person will have different views and different ways of using them. However, EQ remains highly used by many in popular music.

·         It adds clarity or crispness to tones/signals

·         Creates particular ‘sonic effects’.

One way on which you can EQ a track is through reverb and to get that you click one of the boxes on the left side of EQ window, and then you select ‘Reverb’ from one of the many options that it has to offer. Then this screen will appear, then you have to select the different setting you wish to change and the way to do this is by turning the little dials and once that is done and you’re happy all you have to do is close the window. 

Sequencing a Pop Song

Here is the link to the final product of my sequencing task
https://soundcloud.com/mrjamierox/clean-bandit-recreation

Recording a Pop Song Cover

About the Artist & Song

"American Idiot" is a song by the American punk rock band Green Day. It is the title track from the album American Idiot (2004) and released as the first single from it. The song received positive reviews by critics and was nominated for four 2005 Grammy Awards: Record of the Year, Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, Best Rock Song, and Best Music Video. It is considered as one of the band's signature songs.

Planning

Instruments you will use, and how you will mic these (microphone placement).

·      Piano – 2 AKG c1000s placed on the right and left about 15cm away from the piano

·      Acoustic Guitar – an AKG c1000s placed about 15cm away from the sound hole

·      Vocals – Shure SM58 with a pop shield

·      High Hat – AKG c1000s placed 20cm away

·      Kick Drum – AKG D112

Track list:	Instrument/part of instrument/mic or DI/name of possible performer:
Track 1	·      Rhythm Electric Guitar - In the centre of guitar amp ·      Microhpone – AKG c1000s ·      Performer - Jack Bate
Track 2	·      Bass Guitar - In the centre of bass amp ·      Microphone – AKG c1000s ·      Performer - Callum Hope
Track 3	·      Lead Electric Guitar – In the centre of the guitar amp ·      Microphone – AKG c1000s ·      Performer – Jack Bate
Track 4	·      Vocals ·      Microphone – Shure SM58 ·      Performer - Jamie Carr
Track 5	·      High Hat ·      Microphone – AKG c1000s Performer - Lochlan Hope
Track 6	·      Kick Drum ·      Microphone - AKG D112 Performer - Lochlan Hope

Track list:	Instrument/part of instrument/mic or DI/name of possible performer:
Track 1	·      Snare ·      Microhpone – AKG c1000s ·      Performer - Lochlan Hope
Track 2	·      Right Tom  ·      Microphone – AKG c1000s ·      Performer - Lochlan Hope
Track 3	·      Left Tom  ·      Microphone – AKG c1000s ·      Performer – Lochlan Hope
Track 4	·      Right Tom ·      Microphone – AKG c1000s ·      Performer - Jamie Carr
Track 5	·      Overhead Right  ·      Microphone – AKG c1000s Performer - Lochlan Hope
Track 6	·    Overhead Left ·      Microphone - AKG D112 Performer - Lochlan Hope

Multi-track Recording Log: Session 1

Section A (to be completed before the recording session)

Name: Jamie Carr

Number and length of session:

·       Session 1

·       2 hours

Date of session: 17/11/15

Names of engineers: Callum Hope

Names of musicians and instruments being recorded: Jack Bate - Guiatr

Goals of the session (at least 2):

·       To get lead guitar recorded     

To get rhythm guitar recorded

Section B (to be completed after the recording session)

Were all goals achieved during session? If not what reasons were there for this?

·       All the goals I set we’re completed within the session

What are your plans for the next session in the studio?

·       The next time I’m in the studio I plan to the bass guitar  

Multi-track Recording Log: Session 2

Name: Jamie Carr

Number and length of session:

·       Session 1

·       2 hours

Date of session: 17/11/15

Names of engineers: Jack Bate & Callum Hope

Names of musicians and instruments being recorded: Jack Bate - Electric Guitar & Callum Hope - Bass Guitar

Goals of the session (at least 2):

·       Record the bass guitar

·       Redo Rhythm guitar

Section B (to be completed after the recording session)

Were all goals achieved during session? If not what reasons were there for this?

·       All the goals I set we’re completed within the session

What are your plans for the next session in the studio?

·       The next time I’m in the studio I plan to record the drums

Multi-track Recording Log: Session 3

Name: Jamie Carr

Number and length of session:

·       Session 1

·       2 hours

Date of session: 17/11/15

Names of engineers: Callum Hope

Names of musicians and instruments being recorded: Lochlan Hope & Jamie Carr

Goals of the session (at least 2):

·       Record the drums

• Record the vocals

Section B (to be completed after the recording session)

Were all goals achieved during session? If not what reasons were there for this?

·       All the goals I set we’re completed within the session

What are your plans for the next session in the studio?

I don't have any as the project will be finished

Here's the finished product: https://soundcloud.com/mrjamierox/american-idiot-cover