ALEX OH MUSIC
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My Compositions

Rushing Back Remix

The Rushing Back Remix was one of our final projects towards the end of the class. We started with a blank track containing an acapella track, containing vocals only. With this, we were tasked with working around it with various tracks and beats. I started with the drum beat and bass, building a backbone to the song. I then added chords and guitar loops, which added some more flavor to the song. I tried to keep the tone of the song relatively bright and vibrant.

From this project, I learned more about working around a given track. I had to find loops that matched well with the given vocal track. Finding tracks that fit was challenging, yet it has taught me a lot.
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My First Beat

This was my first project of the year. We were tasked with using loops and preloaded recordings to create our first song. As usual, I started with a drum beat and bass, then adding other loops that matched well with the theme of the song. The song was intended to be very uplifting and bright in tone, a common theme throughout my music.

I learned that even with very little to no prior experience, trying new pieces everywhere gives some variety to the music and I am able to make music that sounds good with just preloaded tracks.
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Modal Beats

In our Modal Beats project, we were tasked with making a series of chords and beats that fit a mode. I chose Mixolydian G and started with a variety of chords. I chose chords on the 5th intervals and made the music fit a bright, yet not too bright theme. I added backing tracks as well to make a stronger foundation.

I learned about the different modes in music besides the typical major/minor keys typically taught when learning music for the first time. I also learned how effective chords can be in music. This is used throughout many of my future projects as well. 
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Four Measure Changes

This project used various components that we learned throughout the past including drum beats and chords. This time, we began by creating a "wall" of sound and removing parts, rather than building up. Again, I decided to choose a relatively bright tone when making my music. The four measures are looped a few times with various changes between the 8 times that it is looped.

From this, I learned how to vary even a similar theme multiple times. Much of the energy should come in about 5/8th of the way through the music, and I also learned how to make energy more apparent in my music from this project.
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Drum Beat

For this project, we were tasked with creating a drum beat using kick drums, snares, and hi-hats. I started by using the "four on the floor" which is four kicks divided evenly in a measure. Then, I began adding snares and hi-hats to give some more flavor into the music. Here, I decided between using open and closed hi-hats as well.

With this project, I learned the various components that are critical for a drum beat and how to form one from scratch. I learned to start with the kickdrum for a solid base, then adding more components in to make more complex sounding beats.
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30 Second Podcast

For the 30 second podcast, we needed to record using a microphone to introduce myself and play one of my favorite songs. I played Come Sail Away by Styx. This was relatively straightforward and was also a great introduction into various other components in Soundtrap as well.

The largest takeaway from this project was learning to use a microphone properly. I learned about the proper distance to keep a microphone from my mouth while also fading in and out of a sound clip.
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Pandemic Video

As a final project, we were tasked with creating music to express our positive feelings coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic. As things transition to normality, I tried to transition my music from a more minor mood into a more major and brighter mood. I also compiled footage to play along with the music that I made.

This final project put together many different components from what I have learned from making my own chords, drum beats, and using various pre-recorded loops. Overall, I was able to put together everything I learned throughout the semester for a final product I am proud of.
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