Week 6
Harmony : Combination of simultaneous Pitches
This does not specify if the simultaneous pitches sound Good/Right or Bad/Wrong Together - it simply means multiple notes played/sounded simultaneously
HOWEVER
many times when we say harmony, it is implied that we mean FUNCTIONAL HARMONY , which is harmony that sounds good/right
RULE OF THUMB: All Music on the Radio uses Functional Harmony ( The point of the radio is for A LOT of PEOPLE to listen to the station == Good Ratings)
This is the type of Harmony we would learn in school or private lessons
This does not specify if the simultaneous pitches sound Good/Right or Bad/Wrong Together - it simply means multiple notes played/sounded simultaneously
HOWEVER
many times when we say harmony, it is implied that we mean FUNCTIONAL HARMONY , which is harmony that sounds good/right
RULE OF THUMB: All Music on the Radio uses Functional Harmony ( The point of the radio is for A LOT of PEOPLE to listen to the station == Good Ratings)
This is the type of Harmony we would learn in school or private lessons
Melody - Harmony
With Scales and Chords, we have now learned about Melody and Harmony
Melody = Single notes in succession
Harmony = The Chordal Accompaniment
What's Missing?
Melody = Single notes in succession
Harmony = The Chordal Accompaniment
What's Missing?
Rhythm
Rhythm as a Concept
Webster: a strong, regular, repeated pattern of movement or sound.
OR
Repetitive/Consistant Patterns In Time
This (like Harmony) is a term we take from real life
Think of how many repeated patterns in time we have in our life:
Sleep Schedule.....
Eating/Dietary......
Work Schedule......
The SEASONS are on a repeated Pattern in Time
Physical Movements:
Running - Consistant Pattern
Heartbeat.....
Walking....
Chewing....
Talking....
Not only are these present in our life, but we see the theme of
Consistency and Familiarity because we generally
like the Rhythm ( repetitive patterns in time) at a
Consistant/Constant Speed
Heartbeat...
Walking...
Chewing ...
Talking...
and FURTHER, if there is a change or inconsistency in speed with these physical movements,
that can represent acertain EMOTIONA
Characteristics of Rhythm: Duration/Note Length, Explicit Vs. Implicit
Rhythm is Delivered - I.E. how we hear it - in many different ways depending on Genre, Instrumentation, and Style etc.
For Example, it could be delivered by a Drum Set in a Rock Band, A Synthesized Beat in a Modern Hip hop Song, Pulsing strings in a String Quartet, or beatboxing in an A Capella Ensemble
No Matter what it is Provided by, Regardless of How fast it is, somehow we always Feel the Beat
So, Given that it is Always There, we want to examine it's Characteristics
Delivery:
What is it being Provided By
How is it being Provided
Explicit -------------------------VS-------------------------------Implicit
Very Obvious ---------------------VS-----------------------------Not Obvious
*********************Side-Note*******************
Notice How many of these concepts are based on a set of Two Extremes
Examples:
Consonant------------vs.--------------- Dissonant
Repetitive-------------vs.----------------Non-Repetitive
High----------------vs-----------------Low
OR
Repetitive/Consistant Patterns In Time
This (like Harmony) is a term we take from real life
Think of how many repeated patterns in time we have in our life:
Sleep Schedule.....
Eating/Dietary......
Work Schedule......
The SEASONS are on a repeated Pattern in Time
Physical Movements:
Running - Consistant Pattern
Heartbeat.....
Walking....
Chewing....
Talking....
Not only are these present in our life, but we see the theme of
Consistency and Familiarity because we generally
like the Rhythm ( repetitive patterns in time) at a
Consistant/Constant Speed
Heartbeat...
Walking...
Chewing ...
Talking...
and FURTHER, if there is a change or inconsistency in speed with these physical movements,
that can represent acertain EMOTIONA
Characteristics of Rhythm: Duration/Note Length, Explicit Vs. Implicit
Rhythm is Delivered - I.E. how we hear it - in many different ways depending on Genre, Instrumentation, and Style etc.
For Example, it could be delivered by a Drum Set in a Rock Band, A Synthesized Beat in a Modern Hip hop Song, Pulsing strings in a String Quartet, or beatboxing in an A Capella Ensemble
No Matter what it is Provided by, Regardless of How fast it is, somehow we always Feel the Beat
So, Given that it is Always There, we want to examine it's Characteristics
Delivery:
What is it being Provided By
How is it being Provided
Explicit -------------------------VS-------------------------------Implicit
Very Obvious ---------------------VS-----------------------------Not Obvious
*********************Side-Note*******************
Notice How many of these concepts are based on a set of Two Extremes
Examples:
Consonant------------vs.--------------- Dissonant
Repetitive-------------vs.----------------Non-Repetitive
High----------------vs-----------------Low
Video #1
Daphnis and Chloe
-Beginning is void of any real obvious rhythm
-Mostly Stagnant notes, or instruments playing long notes s
-this creates that spacey feeling, we are waiting for something to ground us
-Feel the CONTRAST when finally we get some more explicit rhythm at 0:40 in the strings
-They use the lack of rhythm to build to a climax
-by 2:30/3:00 we have a solid rhythm (i.e. can tap our foot)
Video #2
Now Contrast that with this "Staccato Hora"
-Immediately we have something to tap our foot to
-makes us want to move much more
-the rhythm is explicitly outlined in the music by shorter notes all over the orchestra
MORE NOTES = MORE INFORMATION
(In the case, Rhythmic Information)
Depending on the note lengths that the different instruments are playing, we can alter how the rhythm is implied!
Video #3
How does this apply to modern pop music:
Try to apply some of those concepts to this modern pop song
Questions About Rhythm in A Specific Song
How Is the Rhythm being Implied?
What is the rhythm being Implied/Provided by?
Is it VERY obvious, or NOT VERY obvious?
How is this effected by note length/duration?
How could he imply differently?
What sounds best
Video #4
What if we were to add drums to that track?
Questions About Rhythm in A Specific Song
How Is the Rhythm being Implied?
What is the rhythm being Implied/Provided by?
Is it VERY obvious, or NOT VERY obvious?
How is this effected by note length/duration?
How could he imply differently?
Optional:
What sounds best?
Daphnis and Chloe
-Beginning is void of any real obvious rhythm
-Mostly Stagnant notes, or instruments playing long notes s
-this creates that spacey feeling, we are waiting for something to ground us
-Feel the CONTRAST when finally we get some more explicit rhythm at 0:40 in the strings
-They use the lack of rhythm to build to a climax
-by 2:30/3:00 we have a solid rhythm (i.e. can tap our foot)
Video #2
Now Contrast that with this "Staccato Hora"
-Immediately we have something to tap our foot to
-makes us want to move much more
-the rhythm is explicitly outlined in the music by shorter notes all over the orchestra
MORE NOTES = MORE INFORMATION
(In the case, Rhythmic Information)
Depending on the note lengths that the different instruments are playing, we can alter how the rhythm is implied!
Video #3
How does this apply to modern pop music:
Try to apply some of those concepts to this modern pop song
Questions About Rhythm in A Specific Song
How Is the Rhythm being Implied?
What is the rhythm being Implied/Provided by?
Is it VERY obvious, or NOT VERY obvious?
How is this effected by note length/duration?
How could he imply differently?
What sounds best
Video #4
What if we were to add drums to that track?
Questions About Rhythm in A Specific Song
How Is the Rhythm being Implied?
What is the rhythm being Implied/Provided by?
Is it VERY obvious, or NOT VERY obvious?
How is this effected by note length/duration?
How could he imply differently?
Optional:
What sounds best?
Notating Rhythm
Key Terms: Tempo, Time Signature, Bar/Measure, Rest
Tempo is the Easiest to remember!
Tempo literally means Time in Italian
Tempo = Speed
We can put a numerical value on speed in music by measure the 'BPM' or 'Beats per Minute'
We can change this in GB
A Metronome is a music device used for keeping time/tempo
Tempo literally means Time in Italian
Tempo = Speed
We can put a numerical value on speed in music by measure the 'BPM' or 'Beats per Minute'
We can change this in GB
A Metronome is a music device used for keeping time/tempo
When it comes to notating Rhythm, it is all about division
Two Types of Division - We Divide the entire piece into Bars/Measure, and we Divide those measures into Beats.
* Note * : When using the word 'beat' in this sense, do not confuse it with the (wrong) general usage of 'beat' when referring to a drum groove or drum loop. That is not a beat! A beat is a single unit of measurement referring to a quarter note
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The first division is Measures
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Quarter Notes When we say a 'Beat' We are referring to a single quarter note:
Quarter Note = 1 beat |
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Half Notes: Notice how when we get to 'G' we hold it out a little LONGER:
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Eighth Note: Notice on the ' L M N O ' Part how the notes are SHORTER:
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Check out happy birthday below, what has changed?
We are still using only 1/8, 1/4, and 1/2 notes......
We are still using only 1/8, 1/4, and 1/2 notes......
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In this case the Time Signature has Changed!!
We still divide the piece into measures, but now the measure only get 3 beats each instead of 4 In a time Signature:
More or less in all styles, but especially in popular music, the two most common time signatures are 4/4 and 3/4 (as always there are exceptions) Pop Songs in 3/4 or Triple Metre |
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** Note **
The songs we used for examples are both very Rhythmically Simple!!
This is because they are meant to be easy to sing, learn, and memorize!!
This is not always the case!! Just like Melody , Harmony , Instrumentation ETC Rhythm is a device composers can use to make their music more interesting/Complex !
The songs we used for examples are both very Rhythmically Simple!!
This is because they are meant to be easy to sing, learn, and memorize!!
This is not always the case!! Just like Melody , Harmony , Instrumentation ETC Rhythm is a device composers can use to make their music more interesting/Complex !
Money - Pink Floyd
Time Signature : Top Number tells us how many beats in each measure, bottom tells us what note gets the beat
SO - We get 7 quarter notes in each measure
Time Signature : Top Number tells us how many beats in each measure, bottom tells us what note gets the beat
SO - We get 7 quarter notes in each measure
Mission Impossible Theme
5/4 - we get 5 quarter notes each bar
This piece is unique because it starts out in a 5 feel then switches to 4 - see if we can feel it....
5/4 - we get 5 quarter notes each bar
This piece is unique because it starts out in a 5 feel then switches to 4 - see if we can feel it....
Changes - 2pac feat. Talent
The Rhythm in rap is very unique, because the most emphasis is put on rhythm of the melody, rather than the notes in most other songs.
The Rhythm in rap is very unique, because the most emphasis is put on rhythm of the melody, rather than the notes in most other songs.
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The sixteenth note
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** Note **
This is little confusing, because the name/fraction of the note does not reflect how much of the beat each note gets, but rather how much of a 4/4 measure the note gets
I.E. In 4/4 time:
Two 1/2 notes in a measure
Four 1/4 notes in a measure
Eight 1/8 notes in a measure
Sixteen 1/16 notes in a measure
The last of the Very Common note value ( we can divide and infinite amount of times , 1/32 notes, 1/64 note etc) Is the Whole Note
This is little confusing, because the name/fraction of the note does not reflect how much of the beat each note gets, but rather how much of a 4/4 measure the note gets
I.E. In 4/4 time:
Two 1/2 notes in a measure
Four 1/4 notes in a measure
Eight 1/8 notes in a measure
Sixteen 1/16 notes in a measure
The last of the Very Common note value ( we can divide and infinite amount of times , 1/32 notes, 1/64 note etc) Is the Whole Note
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The Whole Note
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Just as important as the notes, are the spaces in between where the musician is NOT PLAYING!
These are called Rests
These are called Rests
Rhythm in Garageband/Recording
The Top Bar is sort of our control panel for Rhythm / Time in our recording. Here we can specify:
Tempo becomes very important when recording:
COUNT IT AND CLICK TRACK
The count in and the click track are meant to give the musician (in this case us!) the tempo before he comes in with his instrument
When recording, we have the advantage of having a click track in headphones, this is to insure rhythmic accuracy!!
******Input Chord Progression******
Notice when we input the chords into garage band we can actually SEE where the beats line up - handy visual
( and HEAR with the Click track)
Take note how in the Editor ( View > Show Editor) we can stretch/shift notes so that they line up EXACTLY with the beats
(this removes the Human element - Good ? Bad ? )
Also - in the editor we can switch back and forth between Graphic visuals and Notation visuals.
Note ** - When we look at the notation, it will give us exactly what we played, which can look weird (lots of short notes) unless we are perfectly in time
- -Time Signature
- -Tempo
- -Measure / Beat Location (what measure are we in and what beat within the measure
Tempo becomes very important when recording:
COUNT IT AND CLICK TRACK
The count in and the click track are meant to give the musician (in this case us!) the tempo before he comes in with his instrument
When recording, we have the advantage of having a click track in headphones, this is to insure rhythmic accuracy!!
******Input Chord Progression******
Notice when we input the chords into garage band we can actually SEE where the beats line up - handy visual
( and HEAR with the Click track)
Take note how in the Editor ( View > Show Editor) we can stretch/shift notes so that they line up EXACTLY with the beats
(this removes the Human element - Good ? Bad ? )
Also - in the editor we can switch back and forth between Graphic visuals and Notation visuals.
Note ** - When we look at the notation, it will give us exactly what we played, which can look weird (lots of short notes) unless we are perfectly in time
Garage Band Project
1. Compose or Transpose a 4 measure melody
2. Put that melody with an accompanying Chord progression (we will use I V iv IV - The most common)
3. Lay a Drum Loop over this to provide some rhythm
*** As always , depending on your level of comfort with Music Theory/GarageBand, You may feel free to get creative with this project (make it longer, larger instrumentation, effects etc) But you are only required to give a four measure melody , accompanied by the specified chord progression and a drum Loop)
2. Put that melody with an accompanying Chord progression (we will use I V iv IV - The most common)
3. Lay a Drum Loop over this to provide some rhythm
*** As always , depending on your level of comfort with Music Theory/GarageBand, You may feel free to get creative with this project (make it longer, larger instrumentation, effects etc) But you are only required to give a four measure melody , accompanied by the specified chord progression and a drum Loop)
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This Project will entail the following concepts:
Melody You Will Compose a melody and record it into garage Band Harmony Your Song will be written based on a standard chord progression, which you will record into garage band Rhythm You will choose a standard Loop to serve as the drum groove for your song Instrumentation / Genre You will choose a specific genre and and use an appropriate |
Requirements:
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Instrumentation / Genre
Melody Instrument : Violin (string)
Harmony : Acoustic Guitar
- Pick a Genre you will try to create,
- Plan an instrumentation that is appropriate or this Genre - you will need at least and instrument for : Melody , Harmony, and Your Drum Loop
Melody Instrument : Violin (string)
Harmony : Acoustic Guitar
- It is easiest to plan this from the beginning and add in the tracks right away to give us a template. These can always change along the way but it is good to enter them from the start!
Harmony
In they key of C , these are:
C maj G maj a min F maj
FOR THE SAKE OF SIMPLICITY, LET'S ALL RECORD IN THE KEY OF C
- The first step is to input our Chord Progression. This will give us a base to work off of. Choose a slower tempo to record to (we can always speed up later) to make it easier on yourself. I like to keep the click track on during recording to help with tempo
- You Will use the chord progression discussed last class (you MUST use this Progression). The most common chord progression in pop music:
In they key of C , these are:
C maj G maj a min F maj
FOR THE SAKE OF SIMPLICITY, LET'S ALL RECORD IN THE KEY OF C
- Let's all start our song with a 4 measure intro of just the progression! (like J Legend song, Adele, ETC.)
Melody
When Writing A Melody:
When Writing A Melody:
- We want our melody to be 4 measures long!! We will repeat this 2 times !
- We want to keep it simple! YOUR MELODY CAN LITERALLY BE A SCALE! We are not trying to write the best melody ever!
- Remember that (if we were writing a longer song) this would be recurring in your song - you don't want to make it TOO COMPLEX !
- Think of the Sing - a - long factor. you want to be able to sing it back to yourself
- It might help to play your chord progression and fool around just playing a few melodies on the keyboard
- Your ear is the best tool to judge if something sounds Right!
- If you want, you can transpose (copy) a melody of a pop tune!
Rhythm
- Today we will use the drums that automatically play into our song
- Select this when adding a track
- There is automatically a grove that will go to the tempo we set previously (this can be changed by clicking on the style)
- ... Experiment with these! they are all different. see which one sounds appropriate for your genre! (we may be limited by which loops are downloaded on this system
- THIS IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF HOW IMPORTANT DRUM GROOVES ARE TO A PEICE OF MUSIC AND HOW DEFINING IT IS TO ITS STYLE
Submission
- You Will submit and MP3 by Email
- The filename should contain - The Chord Progression, Style, Your name, and the name of your artist if you transposed your piece
| i__v___vi____iv__-__simple_rnb.band.zip |