June 3

May 2022 Production Project

SUMMARY

In this project my goal was to create a simple fingerpicking line as a base for lyrics.

PRE-PRODUCTION – INQUIRY

Leader(s) in the Field / Exemplary Work(s)

Training Source(s)

PRODUCTION – ACTION

POST-PRODUCTION – REFLECTION

21st Century Skills

Ways of Thinking (Creativity, Innovation, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving)\

I showed creativity in the way that I was brain storming and coming up wit the ideas for my song.

Ways of Working (Communication & Collaboration)

I showed communication and collaboration when I showed PJ and Micheal my song and ask them if for ideas.

Tools for Working (Info & Media Literacy)

I had info and media literacy by using this WordPress blog and a digital audio workstation or DAW.

Ways of Living in the World (Life & Career)

Grammar and Spelling

I used google docs spell checker.

Editor

Hayden Webb

May 27

May 2022 SMART Goal Project

“Guitar” by windy_sydney is marked with CC BY-NC 2.0.

Role

Guitar and Singing

Intention (SMART Goal)

By May  17, 2022 as a part of School of Rock I will learn and practice any part of the song I didn’t know in preparations for the talent show.

PRE-PRODUCTION – INQUIRY

Leader(s) in the Field / Exemplary Work(s)

Training Source(s)

 

SMART Goal Schedule

My goal schedule was 15 mins to an hour of practice every day for a week and a half.

PRODUCTION

SMART Goal Starting Point Evidence

SMART Goal Ending Point Evidence

 

POST-PRODUCTION – REFLECTION

21st Century Skills

Tools for Working

I used Ultimate Guitar for the chords and watched a Marty Music tutorial.

Ways of Living in the World

Practicing and honing in on a skill is a really good thing to have in your life and career.

Reactions to the Final Version

I got told that it felt like tracy chapman was in the room the night. An audience member came up to me after the show and told me that singing that song meant a lot to her and it really moved her. The judges seemed to also really like my performance.

Self-Evaluation of Final Version

I was really really happy with my talent show performance

Grammar and Spelling

I used the google grammar and spell checker.

April 22

Audio Recording Sound Safari

Audio Recording Sound Safari

Summary

We worked together to get audio recording in different scenarios.

Audio Terms and Definitions

  • Sound Wave
    • A vibrational disturbance that involves the mechanical motion of molecules transmitting energy from one place to another.
  • Compression
    • Reducing a signal’s output level in relation to its input level to reduce dynamic range.
  • Frequency
    • The # of times per second that a sound source vibrates, is expressed in hertz (Hz).
  • Hertz
    • Unit of measurement of frequency; numerically equal to cycles per second (cps).
  • Infrasonic
    • The range below the frequencies is audible to human hearing.
  • Ultrasonic
    • The range above the frequencies of human hearing.
  • Pitch
    • The subjective perception of frequency – the highness or lowness of a sound.
  • Fundamental
    • The lowest frequency a sound source can produce. In other words, it is also called the first harmonic or primary frequency which is the lowest, or basic, pitch of a musical instrument.
  • Sound Frequency Spectrum
    • The range of frequencies audible to human hearing: about 20 to 20,000 Hz.
  • Octave
    • The interval between the two frequencies that have a tonal ratio of 2:1.
  • Bass
    • The low range of the audible frequency spectrum; is usually from 20 to 320 Hz.
  • Midrange
    • The part of the frequency spectrum to which humans are most sensitive; is the frequencies between roughly 320 Hz and 2,560 Hz.
  • Treble
    • The frequency range between roughly 5,120 Hz and 20,000 Hz, the highest two octaves audible to human hearing in the sound frequency spectrum.
  • Equalization
    • A signal-processing device that can boost, attenuate, or shelve frequencies in a sound source or sound system.
  • Amplitude
    • The magnitude of a sound wave or an electric signal is measured in decibels.
  • Decibel (dB)
    • A relative and dimensionless unit to measure the ratio of two quantities.
  • Wavelength
    • Distance between two peaks of a wave
  • Velocity
    • Speed in a given direction
  • Harmonic
    • Is a multiple of the fundamental frequency
  • Phase
    • Factor in the interaction of one wave with another, either acoustically or electronically

– Audio terms and definitions from Wikipedia

Voice Recording

Instrument Recording

Outdoor/Environment Recording

What I Learned & Problems I Solved

I learned about audio decks and microphones, I had to figure out what everything was a bout as I missed this day in class.

Resources

March 31

April 2022 SMART Goal Project

“Guitar” by windy_sydney is marked with CC BY-NC 2.0.

Role

Guitar and Singing

Intention (SMART Goal)

By April 15, 2022 as a part of School of Rock, I will learn the chorus of “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman.

PRE-PRODUCTION – INQUIRY

Leader(s) in the Field / Exemplary Work(s)

Training Source(s)

 

SMART Goal Schedule

My goal schedule was 15 mins to an hour of practice every day for a week and a half.

PRODUCTION

SMART Goal Starting Point Evidence

SMART Goal Ending Point Evidence

 

 

POST-PRODUCTION – REFLECTION

21st Century Skills

Tools for Working

I used Ultimate Guitar for the chords and watched a Marty Music tutorial.

Ways of Living in the World

Practicing and honing in on a skill is a really good thing to have in your life and career.

Self-Evaluation of Final Version

Theres a part where I hit a really high note and have to bring it back down really low and you can hear how much better I got at doing that.

Grammar and Spelling

I used the google grammar and spell checker.

Editor

Tommy Gee

March 7

March 2022 Composition Project

Summary

For this project I took the song Riptide by Vance Joy and added my own original verse.

Song Used As Template

Exemplary Work

Going Spaceward was a big inspiration for this project of mine. This video in particular is one of my favorite videos and I love his style of taking a song and using the lyrics in different and interesting ways. It was a fantastic way to practice my writing skills!

Production

What I Learned & Problems I Solved

I used new lyric-writing software where I could add chords to my lyrics as I write it. I had to get used to all of the little nuances that come with learning something new. I also spent a long time listening to songs in similar styles and seeing different alternative versions of songs.

November 29

Session 2 Production Project

SUMMARY

Role: Songwriter

Intention

My aim was to create a song longer than a minute with drums, guitar, and bass at the very minimum. I wanted to create a song using multiple genres of music and different styles.

PRE-PRODUCTION – INQUIRY

Exemplary Works

Andrew Huang

Fantastic at music production and all the technical sides of making music.

Training Source

HookTheory

Hook theory is very helpful to understand the music theory behind songs and chord progressions.

Project Timeline

  1. Found chord progression using HookTheory.
  2. Opened HookPad and transposed the chords to F Minor
  3. Used HookPad for piano guitar and bass lines
  4. Exported HookPad MIDI’s to SoundTrap
  5. In SoundTrap I added some drum/cymbal lines
  6. Added a “rock” sounding guitar and drum line
  7. Mixed the volume and added a crescendo

PRODUCTION – ACTION

The SONG

Skills Commentary

I was able to work on my music theory skills with this song, working with new chord progressions and different keys was a big part of my early pre-production on this project. I had more than 10 tracks and two “genres” in my project.

POST-PRODUCTION – REFLECTION

21st Century Skills

Ways of Thinking (Creativity, Innovation, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving)

I was innovative during this song because when I was using HookTheory I was able to find chord progressions and edit and modify it using their music making software.

Tools for Working (Info & Media Literacy)

Some of the tools I used include HookTheory/HookPad, Google Drive, and SoundTrap.

Ways of Living in the World (Life & Career)

There are skills used like research and presenting that are both useful in work or school.

What I Learned and Problems I Solved

I learned more about music theory and common chord progression which is useful to know as a musician.

Grammar and Spelling

Google Docs spell-checker

Editor

Haiden

February 5

Song Feedback

My Song Feedback

Summary

For this project, I wanted to make a happy sounding beat. I wanted to make a song that makes you bop your head a little and gives you good vibes, just trying to make a little song that sounds happy!

Questions

  • Anything I need to add to the song?
  • How is the drum line? It’s my first attempt at a beat!

Peer Feedback

    • Add more instrumentals and more depth – Tristan
November 3

Week 9 – GTD – Getting Things Done – Part 1

 

“Day 092/366 – To Do List” by Great Beyond is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Your toughest work is defining what your work is! –  Peter Drucker

SUMMARY

  • Write your weekly summary here, last, at the end of the week…
    • Only one to two sentences of WHAT YOU DID
  • DELETE ALL OF MR. LE DUC’s INSTRUCTIONS, AFTER YOU ARE DONE

CLASSROOM (THEORY & ANALYSIS)

    • In this ‘room’ you are going to take a survey that will help us next week
    • Spend up to 3 minutes…
    • …filling in the Getting Things Done Survey
    • DELETE THIS WHOLE ‘ROOM’ or SECTIONAFTER YOU ARE DONE

PRACTICE ROOM (TUTORIALS)

Image of David Allen at TED Talk
Screenshot from David Allen TED Talk

In this ‘room’ you are going to try Getting Things Done (GTD).

STEP 1: MAKE A LIST

Screenshot of David Allen TED Talk
Screenshot of David Allen TED Talk
  • 13 Colonies Assignment

 

  • Independent Reading Sep 16
  • Science tech and environment
  • Sep 23 Reading Day
  • Areas of Exploration 2
  • Reflection Day Sep
  • The Pitch
  • Poetry Project Prep
  • 10/28 Reading

 

  • Spanish Page 15 1 -16
  • Spanish Page 14 Intentalo All
  • pg 8 Section 3
  • Vocab up to page 18 quiz

 

  • Recipe for Success
  • Quality Workflow

STEP 2: NOTICE WHAT YOU NOTICED

Screenshot of David Allen TED Talk
Screenshot of David Allen TED Talk
  • Recipe for Success
  • 13 Colonies
  • Quality Workflow
  • Vocab Quiz

STEP 3: SET A TIMER

https://giphy.com/gifs/time-clock-konczakowski-d3yxg15kJppJilnW
  1. Set a timer for your first task
    1. Decide how long you think it will take before you start
  2. Start working
  3. Repeat this process for 45 minutes for as many tasks as you can complete, then take a 15-minute break
    • Get up and get a drink of water
    • Get up and go for a walk
    • Every 20 minute blink your eyes 20 times while looking at least 20 feet away
      • This is good for your eyes

Start steps 1 through 3 again, repeat for your school day

OUTSIDE (PRODUCTIVITY & THE BRAIN)

David Allen image
Oct. 2020 Lucidchart interview with David Allen
Image from FastCompany Magazine, https://www.fastcompany.com/3026827/the-brain-hacks-top-founders-use-to-get-the-job-done
Image from FastCompany Magazine, https://www.fastcompany.com/3026827/the-brain-hacks-top-founders-use-to-get-the-job-done
  • Reflect on GTD and getting to the top of the colorful list above for a minute
    • How can the GTD process help you tame the crazy-busy dragon of modern life?

  • Then, go for a 15-minute walk, if it is safe to do so
  • Write a few sentence reflection
  • DELETE ALL OF MR. LE DUC’s INSTRUCTIONS, AFTER YOU ARE DONE

OPTIONAL EXERCISE – Literally, read the article and go for another walk 🙂

 Katia Verresen homepage
Katia Verresen, kvaleadership.com

“I coach C-suite executives and rising stars from the earliest startups to Fortune 100 companies. My passion is to help ambitious leaders achieve their full human potential.”  – Read more about Katia…

WHAT I LEARNED and PROBLEMS I SOLVED

  • Write only a few sentences of WHAT YOU LEARNED
  • In one or two sentences, describe a PROBLEM YOU SOLVED
  • DELETE ALL OF MR. LE DUC’s INSTRUCTIONS, AFTER YOU ARE DONE

WEEKLY ACTIVITY EVALUATION

  • Give feedback on this week’s class Content and Process
  • DELETE THIS WHOLE SECTIONAFTER YOU ARE DONE
May 14

Session #6 Production Project

SUMMARY

Role: Harmony

Intention (SMART Goal)

By March 6th, as part of a solo project, I will have developed lyrics matching the harmonies for my song.

PRE-PRODUCTION – INQUIRY

Leader(s) in the Field / Exemplary Work(s)

Eric Clapton and friends on Derek And The Dominos’ “Layla”: “It still knocks me out every time”

Eric Clapton is basically the only guitar player who influenced me – even though I don’t sound like him. There was a basic simplicity to his playing, his style, his vibe and his sound. He took a Gibson guitar and plugged it into a Marshall, and that was it. The basics. The blues. His solos were melodic and memorable – and that’s what guitar solos should be, part of the song. I could hum them to you if I wanted.

Training Source(s)

Project Timeline

  1. Develop ideas / Brainstorm
  2. Research lyric writing ideas
  3. Spend a few days just playing the guitar and trying to write down some lyrics
  4. Establish a theme for my song, what is it about?
  5. Learn song structure and implement it into my song
  6. Study rhyming schemes and how to rhyme in different ways
  7. Try and tell a story with my lyrics
  8. Establish a melody that goes with the guitar part
  9. Practice and memorize
  10. Practice even more.

POST-PRODUCTION – REFLECTION

21st Century Skills

Ways of Thinking (Creativity, Innovation, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving)

Ways of Working (Communication & Collaboration)

Tools for Working (Info & Media Literacy)

Ways of Living in the World (Life & Career)

Reactions to the Final Version

Self-Evaluation of Final Version

What I Learned and Problems I Solved

Grammar and Spelling

Editor