Help participants develop their ear and the critical listening skills that are nearly impossible to notate
Critical listening skills like tone, intonation, and groove are universal and highly sought after by all musicians. These skills are also often overlooked or taken for granted in favor of traditional music education skills like music theory and reading skills. Help your participants become well rounded musicians by developing their ear, overall critical listening skills in their playing or music productions. Below are a few ideas on how to help your participants accurately identify and communicate music elements and use them in their own playing or songwriting.
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How to…
Be creative in how you communicate musical skills in instrument workshops, ensembles and/or music productions.
Some ideas for Big Ears workshops include (but not limited to):
Music Theory:
Find the Note: Play a note on piano and have other instrumentalists match the pitch on their instrument
Intervals: Give starting notes and find second note based on reference of sound. Limit options to Major, Minor 3rd, etc.
Identify Chords: Determine whether chords in root position are minor or major. Move chords around but don’t invert. Make it easy at first and build from there.
Transcribe: Figure out a guitar line/chords by ear.
Music Production/Engineering:
Listen as a Producer: Describe instrumentation and explain arrangement. How many hooks? Any interludes? Etc.
Mixing: Working through a mix and talking through the different instruments and how we handle certain frequency ranges
Physics of Sound: How does sound travel? What are frequencies, how are they measured, and what are the frequency ranges instruments play in?
Songwriting:
Rhyme Schemes: What type of rhyme schemes is the artist using? Slant rhymes, or perfect rhymes?
Lyrical Imagery: Is the artist using metaphor, simile, alliteration? What does it make you feel or visualize?
Performance: What type of emotion is the artist using on the track? How does it support the lyrics?
Encourage “youth voice” while reinforcing planning, communication, and basic production
Podcasts are popular and easier than ever to create – anyone can do it. Help your participants start their own Podcast to discuss music, social/community issues, or whatever else they want to discuss. Participants will learn the audio production process along with how to respectfully engage in a group discussion.
In addition…
Great way to introduce participants to recording/production best practices
Participants also learn life skills like planning, thinking, and communication
Participants can express their thoughts/opinions about relevant topics (in a safe environment)
Participants can use a Podcast as a platform to showcase their music projects and ideas
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How to…
Set up your studio or a dedicated Podcast station (Computer/DAW, microphone/s and a quiet room)
Staff can act as moderator/host (to help steer the conversation) or assign a participant to host
Assign participant roles like: host, guests, expert, engineer, performer, music director, note taker, etc.
Choose topic (music, bands, projects, current events, family/friends, video games, fashion, etc.)
Have participants research the topics and write 6-10 questions relating to the topic.
As a group, write the introduction (listen to professional radio/podcast introductions for inspiration).
When ready, record an Introduction to the week’s topic.
With the host moderating the conversation, record the conversation about your chosen topic, passing the microphone from participant to participant (or set up enough mics for everyone).
Once the conversation is done, have the participants edit the audio, considering:
Remove silences
Remove inappropriate content or off topics comments
Edit mistakes and mess-ups
Add background audio, sound clips, and sound effects
Note: The editing process is a good Youth Development opportunity. Staff can coach participants to develop planning, critical thinking, communication, and teamwork skills.
Post to the web: Soundcloud, YouTube or other social media
Optional steps/ideas: Compose and record theme-song for the podcast and use it each weekUse a field recorder to capture sounds/clips from different environments/peopleGo Live! Host a weekly Live Discussion on social media (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, etc)
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Resources to help you set up your Portable Music Production Station
Demystify complicated studio gear and get participants making beats right away
What better way to teach all the basics of the recording studio than to have participants create a couple projects of their own?! Engage your new or beginner participants with a real-world project while they learn the expectations for handling studio equipment and basic music production concepts and techniques.
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How to…
Participants complete a Recording Studio Orientation to learn:
Studio Rules and Expectations (see following “Sample Recording Studio Contract”)
How to use and take care of all studio equipment
Basics of studio equipment and their functions
How to properly turn on and shut down studio equipment
How to set up a basic Logic Pro X project (i.e. new tracks, check levels, and record enable)
Conduct a simple verbal quiz to make sure participants have learned the names of all studio equipment
Have participants produce two basic “demo” Music Production projects using iPad Workstations or computer workstations following this process:
GarageBand project at least 32 bars long
Distinct “A” and “B” sections
Minimum of 5 tracks
At least one track performed live by the participant then quantized (others can be Apple loops)
Two sound design projects that will build your participants’ critical listening skills and creativity
From TikTok to YouTube, everyone is making video content these days. But, the best video productions also have excellent audio quality and sound design. Help your participants tap into their inner voice actor or foley artist by encouraging them to rebuild the audio for short video clips.
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How to…
Voice Acting (Check out TikTok #voiceover for inspiration)
Each participant creates their REMIX version of the song of the week – then pick a winner!
Use the isolated stems and samples from popular artists to unleash your participant’s creativity. At the start of each week provide your participants a Remix template file (in Logic or Ableton) preloaded with with the hook of a popular song. Throughout the week participants work on creating their unique version of the song by adding their own drum beat, chords, bass lines and custom mix. At the end of the week, host a voting session on Friday to determine the winner.
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How to…
The Remix Contest takes some weekly preparation from music program staff:
Select the “Remix Song of the Week” (e.g. a popular Top 40 Song)
Search for a popular song with an isolated vocal track
Tip – have participants create a playlist of songs they’d like to remix
Create a Remix Template to be used by all participants
Trim to only include about 30 sec (e.g. bridge and final chorus)
Edit for beat-matching using the metronome
Program/sequence basic chords or significant lead/bass lines
Each participant or groups of participants starts the week’s contest with the same Remix Template
Throughout the week/s:
Participants work in groups or on their own
Participants create their own original drum beat including:
Choose kit sound/s
Snare, kick, and hi-hat patterns
Help participants experiment by adjusting the patterns around
Help participants experiment with other sounds, percussion and effects
Participants can also edit the basic template chords and bass lines that were pre-programmed
Adjust sound libraries and instruments
Add parts/harmonies
Adjust to fit their customized drum pattern
Add effects, plugins, and adjust mix
Voting session: Host a listening and “Voting Session” at the end of the week
Anonymously play each 30 second Remix
After all remixes are played, participants vote by raise of hands
Announce and recognize the winner!
Highlight/showcase weekly winner on a bulletin board
Optional end of session “Remix Champion” event
Weekly Remix Contest winners go head to head at the end of the semester to crown the ultimate “Remix Champion” (complete with trophy/prize
