NOTE: Below is a general overview of the course intended for reference by those interested in perhaps enrolling in it, or anyone interested in finding out what the course is about. Students actually enrolled in the course should consult the Blackboard™ site for the current official syllabus which includes specific details and project due dates.
| Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Week 10 Final |
MIDI Lab Workstation
Basics: Introduction to MIDI sequencing using MOTU’s Digital
Performer software (DP5 ) —
recording simple MIDI sequences using General MIDI
presets,
adjust playback/record speed, copy, cut, paste, shift, transpose,
contextual
“Balloon” Help, etc. More DP5 MIDI sequencing: graphic & notation editing windows, step record, loops, other “Region” menu items More DP5 MIDI sequencing: click options & quantizing; conductor track; mixing board Introduction to Computer Music Notation using Coda Software’s Finale — simple note entry, “speedy” note entry, Staff Tool, Setup Wizzard, simple editing features, contextual “Help” >>>>> DP5 mini-project due <<<<<< More Finale Basics: articulation & expression markings, templates, music spacing, etc. >>>>> approval of Finale mini-project proposal due <<<<<< More Finale: page layout, Lyric & Text Tools, HyperScribe, exporting graphics to word processor >>>>> rough draft of Finale mini-project due <<<<<< Introduction to Jazz/Popular Music Production & Education MIDI software — Band-In-A-Box Standard MIDI File Format (importing and exporting Standard MIDI files) >>>>> Finale mini-project due <<<<<< Introduction to Garage Band >>>>> Band–In-A-Box mini-project <<<<<< More on Garage Band — QUIZ TBA >>>>> rough draft of Final Project due (DP5 &/or Garage Band) Final Project due (DP5 &/or Garage Band) due during regularly scheduled exam time attendance is required at scheduled exam time for in-class presentation of final projects |
Grading Policy: Grades will be
determined primarily by the quality and timeliness of the mini-projects
and especially by the final project. In addition, there will be a
40-point quiz. Attendance will account for part of your grade as
well. Academic dishonesty will result in class grade of F.
3 mini-projects: 50 + 60 + 40 =
150 pts. final
project: 70 pts. quiz: 40
pts. attendance:
20 pts.
draft submissions: 10 [Finale
mini- proj.] + 10 [final proj.] = 20 pts.
[plus extra 10 bonus pts. possible]
total points: 300 pts. [plus 10
bonus pts. for extra draft submissions]
Mini Project Guidelines
Below are some ideas to use as guidelines for the three
mini-projects. These are designed to encourage experience and
minimum competency with three basic types of music software.
Expectations are modest. Students are not expected to master all
of the intricacies and complexities of the software, but merely
demonstrate an understanding of the basics of the program.
Students are encouraged to submit drafts of their work for evaluation
and suggestions whenever possible. You can turn in work after any
session where you’ve saved work towards completion of a project.
In addition to receiving extra credit for these draft submissions, they
will likely improve your grade on the project. It is required
that students turn in at least one draft of the Finale music notation
mini-project.
Mini-Project 1: Digital Performer 5
• Create a short multi-timbral General MIDI sequence
using DP5 and the Korg 0/5RW with…
>at least three tracks (more is better) using
multiple instrument timbres.
>original composition or arrangement is
encouraged, but not required
>all “patches” saved w/ sequence (use “Default
Patch” or use “Insert...Patch Change” in Event window)
>drums, if used, on MIDI channel 10
>synchronized to click track with effective use
of step record, &/or quantization
>ca. 1-2 min. duration.
Mini-Project 2: Finale
• Input the material to create a lead sheet version
of a standard pop song (your own, or a copy).
• Transcribe a few pages of music notation (i.e.
duet, trio, piano music, or lead sheet)
NOTE: You must turn in a rough draft of this
project. When completed it should resemble “real” music
notation. This means expression markings, proper page formatting
and spacing, etc.
Mini-Project 3: Band-in-a-Box
• Create a pop song “lead sheet” or use sheet music
or a “fake book” — (do not use an existing song file)
>enter chord symbols
>choose appropriate style, set appropriate tempo,
set up repeats
> record melody (optional)
>Do “Save Song” (Under File Menu) to save
BIAB file of your Project.
>Do “Save MIDI File” (Under File Menu) to create
a Standard MIDI File of your project
• Use DP5 to
“enhance” your project
> Launch DP5 and
Close Untitled (under File menu)
>Do “Open” (under File menu) and look for the SMF
of your project; then save as DP5 file
>record melody (if you didn’t already do it in
BIAB)
>add 1–2 tracks of additional material in DP5
(improvised solo, background riffs, percussion, etc.)
*
Final Project Guidelines:
Choose one of the following options — best to get specific project
approval from instructor before beginning.
1) a DP5 project (an original composition or a
transcription/arrangement of existing music)
2) a Garage Band project (an original composition or a
transcription/arrangement of existing music)
>longer, more elaborate,and more
musically developed than mini-project 1 or 2
>may use Band-in-a-Box to generate
some (but not all) of the project
>must have several tracks with
different instruments set up on each track
>should be well-synchronized
to a click track (if appropriate to the style of music)
>Bonus Final Step: create
audio mix in DP5
and burn a CD
3) a Finale project — more eleborate than mini-project. **NOTE:
Project must be approved before hand!
>option 1: transcription of several pages of
moderately difficult piano music
>option 2: transcription of a couple of pages of
a large open score, with part extraction when appropriate
>must look reasonably professional (like “real”
music notation) when completed
NOTE: You can use SMF format to convert from
other programs into Finale, if you desire.