Presentation and Closing Thoughts

Final Song: https://soundcloud.com/zackragozzino/google-project-song-version-2

I was quite excited to present our project to the class. So many of the students wanted to go as well, so there was a bit of a wait getting there. But when we did, it was great. The class loved our song! People were even asking later if they could download it. In the link above, it is available for download.

Doing this project actually helped me realize what making music can be like- at least a very small idea of it. Making music isn't easy, and when using the instruments in the songs, I realized that adding in notes was difficult without knowledge of chords! Also, Zack played the melody on piano and then put that same thing on FL Studios. I have no experience playing piano, so I was totally lost while that was happening. Knowing how to play piano would really have helped me assist in making tunes or continuing the song. But this project has really let me test what my musical capabilities are, as I've always wanted to make a song. Having this project as an opportunity to do so was essential. I can't wait for the next project!

Cameron

Final Version of the Song

https://soundcloud.com/zackragozzino/google-project-song-version-2

Here's the final product after hours of work. This was the first real tune that Cam or I had made on FL Studio, so this was a big learning experience for both of us. The simplistic nature of chiptune music allowed for one to really piece together what is needed in a song. I had originally thought that we could just come up with 5 or 6 patterns and somehow put them together in a tune, but this project helped me realize that good music requires more preparation than that. Before really putting all of the parts together we already had the opening, chorus, and drum rhythms thought out. This project really increased my interest in creating chiptune music and other genres of music on FL Studio and I'm inspired to keep on exploring the program.

Fifth and Final Day

This was the last day of the Google project. We had the beginning of our song ready like last time, but nothing to go off of. Most of class time was spent attempting to come up with a middle part of our song, but like usual in the last few minutes of class we came up with something. Frantically we tried to put it in FL Studios and find its place in the music, but we only had time to compose it. Unfortunately, this means the song still needs to be worked on, so Zack and I might have find time to work on the song outside of class. Either way, I'm very excited for the outcome!

Cameron

Day 5: Final Day

While I can't say we're exactly close to finishing our tune, I feel like today went very well. We went through probably three or four different ideas for the melody of the song, and at the very end we were able to develop what I believe to be the best sounding melody to place in the tune. This search took most of the class time, and there were definitely moments today when I felt like I had no idea how to add to the piece. What I ended up doing was playing the song that we had done so far on the keyboard, and seeing how to continue from there. Visualizing the piece on the piano made generating ideas much easier. The piece isn't finished yet, but Cam and I worked out different patterns that will be used for the end of the song, so most of my work will just be putting it all together. I'm very excited to see the final version of our hard work.

Day four: One day to go!

This meeting we had some good material to work on. We had a good intro and we were ready to make major progress on the song! Or so we thought. Zack and I spent most of our project time trying to continue our song from the intro, but that proved to still be a challenge. Trying to make just one song has proven to be difficult. We only added a few seconds to the song as a transition to the main part, but it's not much. I really do wish we had more Google days. If we did, I wouldn't feel so rushed to make a song. But because it was the second to last day, Zack said he might have to work on the song at home. It disappointed me because I was enjoying the partner song thing, but with time crunched we don't have many other options. But on another note, I really do enjoy what we've come up with so far. I am quite excited for what the finished product may be.

Day 4: More progress

Today was notable because Cameron and I finally started chipping away at what will be our melody. I feel that now that we have the chord progression, drum rhythms, and basic structure created, making the tune is much easier. Seeing the song come together is really cool, and I'm feeling pretty proud of what our group has done so far. Once again, the use of the keyboard helped out a ton, and it made the development process much easier. Cam and I were also able to hook up my laptop to the sound system in the practice room, and it made it much easier to hear the more bass-ey notes. I think I'll start working more on the song this weekend too, and if I do then I'll definitely post the updated version of the piece.

Updated version of our song

Sure, we're a little bit behind on how much we should have done, but I'm still really proud of what we have so far.
http://soundcloud.com/zackragozzino/song-idea-3-2-0-edition-woot

Day 3: A Real Beginning

It took almost an entire hour and a half to actually get something to work with. Zack came up with an awesome intro/melody to a song that can be continued with the help of an electronic keyboard. I like what we have, and I am very eager to continue working on a song. It seems that when we actually get something to roll with, it's at the end of class and we barley have time to add to it.

What we have is a bit hard to describe, but it's an uplifting tune. I can see a gentle drum beat being added, or some of the notes being cut in half to make the song move faster and make it livelier. I really want to see what we can do come the next google day.

This is definitely the best song idea we've come up with. In all honesty I am very happy we scrapped the old ideas and are going to continue on this one.

Day 3: Finally have some grounding

It's definitely taken some time, but I feel that we've finally reached an idea for a tune that has not only captured my interest, but is solid enough to build upon. While the other drafts had some good qualities, I feel that it would be too difficult to continue any further with them than we already had. I feel that the what created the most difference was that this time we had access to a MIDI keyboard. Even though we couldn't get it to work with my laptop, it still made it much much easier to think of how to being our tune. Instead of the past drafts, where we tried to start a song by getting a good drum beat, or by finding a catchy riff to repeat, this time we worked on a chord progression to use. With the keyboard, I was able to go through the different types of chords I knew until we found a pattern that caught our interest. It mostly consists of Maj7 chords, moving from C to D to A and so on. To me, the most difficult part of composing a piece is the beginning, in fact I often skip the beginning and try working on the chorus first (which is a strategy that is somewhat difficult to do on FL studio), but I feel that this time we actually have something to work off of. Because of this, our productivity over the next few google days should skyrocket. I have high hopes for what the final draft of our piece will sound like.

Day 2: Yeah- what he said

Google project- day two. And if you haven't already picked up on it, things are getting difficult. I don't think we realized that making music isn't easy.

The sample of the song from Zack's first post had to be edited because it sounded different on his speakers. But he saved the altered version, and later when we tried to change it back in band we couldn't. So...we had to start over. Too bad, I really liked that song idea...

So, we had to start over. Making a song from scratch is difficult! We tried starting with a drum line, but that didn't work. So then we tried starting with a melody. That was alright, but I still like the first song better. But in retrospect all that time we spent on FL Studios didn't get us very far with a song.  But hopefully later, we can come up with a really great catchy song that we put together. I look forward to that!

Cameron

Day 2: Things are getting more difficult

I started this project believing that making chiptune music would be a breeze, but problems are starting to show up. Cameron and I decided to scrap our first song idea, or at least put it to the side for now. I'd say the hardest part about making a tune is the beginning. That's where you really have to think about what sort of piece you want to write. It's not an easy process, and there were many moments where I just wanted to scrap everything. We decided on a piece that's a bit faster and more intense, though our ideas were changing very often. It was difficult to decide whether to begin by writing the bass line, or the chords, or the drum line. All of them seemed like good starts, but they all felt like they were leading to dead ends. We still don't have very much done, but I feel that things will get much easier as we have more google days. I'm left wondering how composers come up with the inspiration to write enough music to fill a CD. No wonder it can take an entire year year for some artists. I still definitely thing we can achieve this goal, but it's going to take some more effort than I thought.

Project Work Day #1: Much work to do

9/19/12

Chiptune song idea version 0.01

Well, we've completed less than 10 measures of our song and I'm already loving this project.

Today, with the help of my partner, Cameron, we experimented with the different abilities of the program we've been using, FL Studio. The idea was to develop chiptune music (retro video game music emulating the style of 80's arcade games) using the "Magical 8-bit Plugin" file that can be added to FL Studio. I've always had so many cool ideas for different tunes that could be made, but with the program up and running, the process is much more difficult. All these seemingly great ideas no longer exist, and I'm left with a blank screen. Still, the program allows Cameron and I to essentially create any type of song we want, and that opens up a lot of possibilities.

After explaining to Cameron the basics of the program, we started by playing around with some chords. In only about 10 minutes, we managed to have a concept for what our first song would be like. The idea was a more laid back night piece that you might hear while driving or walking in the city. So far, it's only 22 seconds long, but we at least have an idea on what the song will be like. After class ended, I was still really inclined to work more on the tune. For the rest of the day I seemed to have the tune stuck in my head, and I was endlessly searching for ways to improve on it. Plus, I've got other ideas for songs stuck in my head too. I think we'll definitely be making multiple songs for this project. I'm excited to see where it will take us, and I'm glad I get to really see what the process of making music might be like, since I have a large interest in the subject. 

-Zack

First Day- Off to a Good Start

I wasn't sure what to expect, being in two groups at once. And quite honestly, I'm still not sure. But for now, let's focus on this one.

At first I thought making chip tune music would be hard. At least, harder than what it was today. Zack and I started off by getting to know FL Studio, our composition program. It's easy to use for first time users, and at the same time offers a very deep musical approach for everything for more experienced users. After that, Zack added some simple musical chord changes while I switched over to the other group I'm in (Gangnam Style Remake). I came back to a simple slow tune, and let me tell you- it sounds good. We worked out what would be the repeating background piano part, and I added a drum line. And that was the end of class.

For the next few classes, the tune we had come up with was stuck in my head. I loved it, I was infatuated with it. Sounds crazy, right? Two random people messing with a music program and one already falls in love with a simple repeating tune? Perhaps it's just my personality, but what we have reflects my fantasy. Hopefully, Zack will remember to upload installments of our song (HINT HINT) so you can hear it, too. But how I would describe it is the perfect song for a late night in the city. Not party or night life, I mean a deep song (yes, deep. I said it.) for wandering around while thinking of stuff and winding down. I'd listen to it before going to sleep, I'd listen to it on any late night alone. I love it. I already have an undeserved "Daft Punk" feeling for myself.

Seeing as how this is a slower song, coming up with a melody will be a little difficult. Also, we were looking to make a faster song, but perhaps, instead of just one song, we will make some sort of EP if you will. It'll have whatever songs we will come up with, including the final version of this one as well as others.

I am looking forward to making more music and finishing this song- one period was not enough. I kept wanting to go back and edit the song, but obviously that was out of the question. We'll have to go back during more "Google" time in band or at Zack's house. Until then, I will obsess over the song. Stay (chip)tuned to the blog until then.

(for those who have no idea what "chip tunes" are, look up the band "Anamanaguchi.)

Cameron.