Australian music: Extension- Composition

Composition Task
 

First component

Using GarageBand, write a song. Include some aspects of Aboriginal music in your song. Your song should be at least 2 minutes long. You must compose the song and play each part using the midi keyboard. Pay particular attention to use of texture, pitch, and the tone colour you want to create. Make sure you include the following:

• Harmony
• Melody
• A solo
• A key change
• Rhythm
• At least one orchestra instrument
• Syncopation

Second component

Using the website, Xtranormal, make a short movie. Choose a ‘collection’ of characters, with 2 ‘actors’. Use one actor as an interviewer, and one to represent you. The movie should be a series of questions from the interviewer to the character representing you, about your composition and the process you went through.
Some examples of questions are below:

1. What sort of tone colour did you create in your song?
2. What process did you go through to write your song?
3. Where is the Aboriginal music aspect in your song?
4. Where is the key change?
5. How have you used texture?

Watch the short video I made as an example.

Once you have completed all of the above, arrange your composition for a string quartet. You might have the cello play a rhythmic part to compensate for a beat and you might want to have a violin imitating the didgeridoo in some way. Using the midi keyboard again, record your arrangement.

Watch this for inspiration!  Notice how each player takes a role, including melody, bass line, rhythm and the synth parts. This is just an example of how arranging a song for a string quartet can change a song. Yet it is still recognisable.

I trust you have enjoyed this unit of work. Please continue updating yours student blog!