SUMMARY
Focus / Instrument
Composer / Engineer
Intention (SMART Goal)
By March 1st, I will have evidence of a completed soundtrack song with an improved melody by following this tutorial for Session 4.
PRE-PRODUCTION – INQUIRY
Leader(s) in the Field / Exemplary Work(s)
Primary Source
My primary source is the music from the video game Rain World. I’m heavily inspired by its memorable melodies and chord progressions, its funky percussion, and how some tracks increase in complexity by having instruments come in over time (as illustrated in this video).
4:35 Four layers of percussion
7:28 Chords enter – I like their staccato, instead of being a solid whole note
8:39 Arp melody following previous chord progression
Secondary Source
My secondary source is a video analyzing Rain World’s “threat music” and how it contributes to gameplay information through its dynamic complexity. This complements my SMART goal, as I want to create a track that could fit within the context of a video game level.
1:47 Threat music in games is often disconnected from gameplay: “…the same music plays at the same intensity regardless of the level of danger…”
2:43 Rain World’s tracks respond to gameplay
2:51 – 4:12 Detailed examples of dynamic music
Training Source(s)
My training source is a short video by a YouTuber who focuses on music theory relating to video game tracks. This video relates to melodic development and structure, with an example detailed through the Legend of Zelda’s main theme.
0:24 Start with a basic musical idea
0:30 Elaborate on it
0:48 – 1:13 Keep the original idea intact, but try different ways of elaborating on it
1:14 Resolve it down the scale when it goes high enough
1:33 Don’t overdo it
1:38 Maintain cohesion in rhythm and scale
SMART Goal Milestone Schedule
I want to focus first on getting all of my ideas for my song out onto paper, so to speak. Then I will polish these ideas, and work on making it sound cohesive and fitting for the theme I’ve decided on. I will work on my song each week in, for up to an hour per weekday in class as well as at home.
PRODUCTION
SMART Goal Starting Point Evidence
SMART Goal Ending Point Evidence
POST-PRODUCTION – REFLECTION
21st Century Skills
Ways of Thinking (Creativity, Innovation, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving)
At first, it was difficult to come up with a good melody for my song. Since a lot of my inspiration comes from Rain World’s music, I thought about using the chords I had introduced at the start of the song as reference for an arpeggiated melody, similar to my primary source. I think it sounded really nice!
Ways of Working (Communication & Collaboration)
I worked by myself on the song itself, but I also worked on helping others out when necessary for tech issues, etc.
Tools for Working (Info & Media Literacy)
I’m familiar with Online Sequencer, so using it for my song wasn’t a new experience. I did get to utilize some techniques I’d learned beforehand, though, like having a smooth transition between markers for instrument volume to create a clean fade in and out.
Ways of Living in the World (Life & Career)
I initially struggled through coming up with ideas for my SMART goal’s theme, but kept at it until i felt I had something substantial as a base to work off of. I did a lot more research for this session, and absorbed lots of inspiration from other sources.
Reactions to the Final Version
Most of the class generally seemed to enjoy it. My intentions for creating a video game esque track came through well, with several comparisons made to other game soundtracks. Connor liked the amount of “layers” it had.
Self-Evaluation of Final Version
I think it turned out great! One of the few songs I’ve written that I’m basically completely happy with, and it’s fun to look back at my past ones and see how much I’ve grown.
Grammar and Spelling
Grammarly