This is a studio course in which students will learn the techniques of sampling, sequencing, and drum programming using current music-making software concentrating on Ableton Live. Most assignments involve the creation of music, but we also go over the production of video, multimedia and live performance. In addition to creating our own original works, we explore the way that other artists have used sampling or electronic manipulation in their work. The class traces Hip-Hop’s roots from the sound systems in Jamaica, to the block parties of the Boogie Down Bronx, to its current state of commercial world domination and its influence on newer genres of electronic music. We also discuss the use of sampling and electronics as it pertains to a broader history of artistic expression.
Assignments are as follows:
1. Present a
favorite piece of electronic music or Hip-Hop. Make a step sequenced loop
pattern
2. Make a
one-minute track with an assigned break beat and sample source
3. Create a
piece of music using only found sound you capture
4. Create and
present finished piece of electronic music
5. Create a
visual (or not just auditory) experience for your music (i.e. music video, live
performance etc.)
6. Propose
final project
7. Complete
and present approved final project
Introduction to
Beat Research
Watch and discuss:
Hip-Hop Evolution (Darby Wheeler, 2016)
Excerpts from: Wild
Style (Charlie Ahern.1982) and Scenes from Rockers (Ted
Bafaloukas, 1978)
Playground rhythms - Jump Rope Handclapping Chants
*Assignment 1 — Due
the following class (Sep. 9th)
Present a clip of a
favorite piece of electronic music to the class and explain why
you chose it.
Make a sequenced
loop using the Citizen DJ App - from the Library of Congress
Note: Everyone
should bring headphones for homework and class
Hip-hop's Golden
Age & the sampling dilemma
Presentation of
favorite track & sequenced loop
Watch and discuss:
Copyright Criminals (Benjamin Franzen, Kembrew McLeod 2010)
Some resources for
samples Building beats Toolbox Archive.org FreeSound Cornell
Archives
Intro to making
loops in Audacity and bringing them into Live
Introduction to
Ableton Live
*Assignment 2 — Due
in 2 weeks (Sep. 30th)
Make a one-minute track with an assigned break beat and sample music
source.
watch and discuss
scenes from "Scratch" (Doug Pray, 2001)
go to the SIM sound Studio to learn scratching hands on
Presentation of one
minute remix tracks
Intro to the Sound Studio and Signing out Controllers with Eric Freeman
Discuss different
ways to present pre-recorded music
Introduction to
Effects and using Midi in Live
Andrew Huang sampling Kitchen Pot and Falling Piano
Arranging Electronic Music, Sample
Breakdown Video, Library Beats,
There I Ruined It
*Assignment 3 —Due
in 2 weeks (Oct. 14th)
Create a piece of
music using only sounds that you recorded yourself
Spinning music and
ideas live and through the web
AraabMuzik,Reggie Watts, tUnE-yArDs, Dan Deacon, Hifana, Cabide DJ, Elise Trouw, Tash Sultana ,Gnarly.Music, SupaMan, Edan, Imogen Heap, Infinite
Wheel, Absolute Machines, Rock-afire Explosion, MNDMTH, Radio Garden,Shred
series, WebSynths,
Suzanne Ciani, Kid Koala, Filastine
and Nova, Patatap, TJIW, Hélène Vogelsinger , Switch Angel , Skooby Laposky , YPC2000
Introduction to performing and looping with Live and simple
looping pedals
Present found-sound
pieces
Identifying modern
styles of electronic music:
Drum and
Bass/Ragga-Jungle, Bhangra, Juke, Baltimore Breaks, Funk
Carioca, Dubstep, Bounce, Dilla Beats etc.
Rapping
Deconstructed (Vox 2016) Web version of classic Roland machines
•Assignment 4 — Due
in 1 weeks (Oct.21st)
Open Assignment -
create a finished piece of electronic music - can be based on previous
assignments
Week 8 — October 21st
Presentation of
open assignments
Music Video vs.Video Music vs.
Visual Music
Watch and discuss:
Oskar Fischinger, Mary Ellen Bute, Fleischer Studios, Busby
Berkely ,MTV Rewind, Michel Gondry ,Soundies, Ernie Kovacs,Joshua
Light Show, Ken Brown, Promo Videos, Sidney Laverents, EBN, Tracy+the
Plastics, I am Kawehi, Eclectic Method, Lasse Gjertsen,Thru-You, Pogo, Tucker, Apartment Vid, BeardyMan, Simon Panrucker, SNL Music
Intro, Eddie D, Autotune the News, Zebbler , Swede
Mason , MonoNeon, The Kiffnes,
Animal accompaniment on instagram, 1981
Introduction to
video editing with Live
*Assignment 5 — Due in 2 weeks (Nov. 4th)
Produce music
video, prepare a live performance or create any other project that involves
more than just audio
Discuss concepts
for final projects
Innovators from
outside the hip-hop world
Elsa Von
Freytag-Loringhoven, Marcel Duchamp, Leon Theremin, Christian Marclay, John
Cage, Stockhausen, CATcerto , Raymond Scott, Nam June Paik, Martin
Arnold, Rammellzee Steve Reich, Fenslerfilms,
machinima, Bob Moog, Museum Mixtape , Decolonizing Electrionic Music, Laurie Anderson,
Gabriel Prokofiev, Wendy Carlos, Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith,
Conlon Nancarrow, Pamela Z, DJ Spooky, Delia Derbyshire ,
Silver Apples, Pamelia Stickney, Victoria Shen
Presentations of
videos and/or live performances
*Assignment 6 — due
in 2 weeks (Nov.18th)
Bring in written
proposal for final project
Discuss concepts
for final projects
Art catchup,
screenings and critique
VISITING ARTIST - TBA
*Assignment 7—
Final project due in 3 weeks Dec.13th
Week 12 — December 2nd
SHOW AND PROVE
More catch up and
critique at the start of class
Present finals as
close to completion as possible
Gather completed projects
and make plans for off campus show and cable show
Tony's Choice on Wednesdays 8:00pm / Fridays 8:30am and Saturdays 9:00pm
on Cambridge Community TV's Channel 8
Off-campus show location TBA