Happy Thursday! Here is what you should be up to...


Upcoming Work:
- start work on ISP essays and/or compositions
- they will present their outstanding Romantic Tone Poem pieces tomorrow, Friday May 22

Outstanding (ie. Already Due) Work:
- finish ISP Proposals and email to me ASAP
- finish Romantic Factsheet and Classical Factsheet (extras at the front of class)
- work on outstanding Concert Reviews or Early Music Research Projects that they still owe me

Ms. Simmons' fun link of the day.... SomeECards, for when you care enough to hit send!

Happy long weekend!

Ms. Simmons' fun link of the day.... SomeECards, for when you care enough to hit send!

Happy long weekend!

TWENTIETH CENTURY MUSIC PROJECT - see assignment sheet

Movement Selection - now J

Project Proposal -  Tuesday May 19

-       1 page outline of major artists/albums you intend to examine

-       ½ page outline of your focus for your composition and features you will highlight

-       ½ page outline of presentation materials and creative options you will explore in presentation

-       Point form is fine

Draft of Paper - accepted Monday May 25 up to Monday June 1

-       soft deadline

-       only submit if you wish to have teacher editing

Composition Check-in - Thursday May 28 and Friday May 29

-       play your piece so far for Ms. Simmons

-       discuss problems or further goals for improvement

Research Paper Due - Monday June 8

Presentations/Compositions - Week of June 8 - 12

 

LATE WORK:

- Classical and Romantic Factsheets --> quiz on these era Thursday May 14

- 4 part Progressions, played and written

CONTINUING WORK:

- Romantic Tone Poem --> paragraph is LATE, piece (2 minutes min) is due ASAP

- Concert Review --> due by end of semester

NEW: ISP

--> see assignment posting on the blog to come for deadlines

Some examples of Romantic Tone Poems:

- Strauss, "Don Quixote" - listen for the musical representations of goats, and of windmills
- Mendelssohn, "Midsummer Night's Dream" - listen for the fairies flying about!
- Debussy, "Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun" - listen to the way to mood is captured with the modal chords and harmonies!

Remember that you can choose any work of literature for an inspiration, as long as you have a way to musically express the events or characters, like these composers do.

New assignment: Romantic Tone Poem

- selection of literature - Wed May 6

- paragraph outline of your composition plan - Fri May 8

- final composition due - Wed May 13

Link to a place to find poems.

Link to information on the Romantic Era.

Continue working on Classical Factsheet, 4 part Progression and Melody, Concert Reviews and Early Music Projects.

TODAY:
- Brief intro to Classical Era
- handing out Classical Factsheet due Mon April 27

CONTINUING GOALS:
- work on Chord Progression Playing Task (was due Mon April 20)
- work on Chord Progression Composition including melodies and writing out final version (was due Wed April 22)
- work on Early Music Research Projects that some of you still owe me (was due 2 weeks ago)
- work on outstanding Concert Reviews that some of you still owe me (was due Fri April 19)

DUE TODAY...
- Concert Review
- Your Chord Progression for the 4 part Composition (play for Ms. Simmons and hand in written)

CONTINUING...
- adding Melody to your Chord Progression
- catching up on anything else such as Early Music Research Projects/Presentations or Listening Logs, etc.

Billy Bob Thornton is crazy

- start at 5:33 - it's unbelievable!

Please note, there is a sample of the chord progression/melody assignment saved in the 1013-Student Share/SIMMONS AMM 4 folder.

PLEASE NOTE: if you haven't handed in any past FACTSHEETS and/or LISTENING LOGS, the last day for any outstanding work is THURSDAY APRIL 9th

Today:
- intro to four-part writing (music theory) and Chord Progression Composition, due Fri. April 17
- continued work on Early Music Research Project due Wed. April 8
** please email your factsheets to Ms. Simmons so she can print/photocopy them for your peers

Tuesday April 7:
- intro to ear training
- continue on four-part writing and Chord Progression Composition, due Fri. April 17
- continued work on Early Music Research Project due Wed. April 8
** please email your factsheets to Ms. Simmons so she can print/photocopy them for your peers

Wednesay April 8:
- Early Music Research Project due, Presentations

Thurdsay April 8:
- continue on four-part writing and Chord Progression Composition, due Fri. April 17
- ear-training/keyboard "Quiz" activity (may involve candy)
** LAST DAY TO HAND IN ANY OUTSTANDING WORK OR PLAY OUTSTANDING PIECES FOR THE CLASS FOR MIDTERM MARK

Check this out: Kings of Leon remix

This Week

Monday

- Intro to Early Music History Project due Wed. April 8

- Theory lesson on Intervals and Minor Scales

Tuesday - History Quiz, work time on project, study theory

Wednesday - work time on project, study theory

Thursday - OSSLT - no school!

Friday - Theory Quiz on Intervals and Major/Minor Scales, work time on project

- work on Baroque Factsheet which was due Fri. Mar. 13
- work on Listening Log which was due Mon. Mar. 23
- work on Texture Compositions in GarageBand due Fri. Mar. 27
- study for Theory/History Quiz coming on Tues. Mar. 31
- practice next Keyboard Task: C- G7-F for Mon., April 6

Work Overdue:
- Baroque Factsheet - due Friday March 13
- Listening Log #3 - due Monday March 23

Work Upcoming:
- Texture Compositions - due Friday March 27
- History/Theory Quiz - Tuesday March 31
- Keyboard: C-G7-F - play for Ms. Simmons by Monday April 6

Please keep yourselves on task and focused on accomplishing these goals!

Bonus Extension for Texture Composition

One part not enough? For a bonus assignment, you can create up to three additional lines for a new Polyphonic Texture Composition in up to four parts. What does this sound like? Think about the Baroque Fugue and consult this resource : Crash Course in Writing Fugues, then write your own fugue.

- work on Baroque Factsheet (handouts included) due Fri. Mar. 13
- work on Texture Compositions in GarageBand
- work on Listening Logs (extras included) which are due Mon. Mar. 23 after the break

Next Composition Assignment: PLAYING WITH TEXTURE

Consult this Resource for Guidelines About Texture (definitions, etc):

Steps to the Assignment:

1. Write a MONOPHONIC melodic line at least 8 bars long, in C major or A minor.
2. Record this as a track in a GarageBand file. Call it “textureyourlastname”.
   
3. Write a POLYPHONIC counter-melody underneath your MONOPHONIC track. It should “fit” harmonically with your given melody. Total at least 8 bars.
   
4. Record this as a 2nd track in your GarageBand file. Copy your melody and have it go a 2nd time with the POLYPHONIC part under.
   
5. Write a HOMOPHONIC accompaniment part underneath your MONOPHONIC track. Use chords we have learned. Total at least 8 bars.
   
6. Record this as a 3rd track in your GarageBand file. Copy your melody a 3rd time and have it go a 3rd time with the HOMOPHONIC part under.
   
7. Make sure you properly complete a WRITTEN VERSION of the MONOPHONIC, POLYPHONIC and HOMOPHONIC parts. Ms. Simmons can help you with this.

TIMELINE:
By Wednesday Mar. 11 → have written/recorded your melody
By Friday Mar. 13 → have written/recorded your POLYPHONIC counter-melody
By Wednesday Mar. 25 → have written/recorded your HOMOPHONIC chords
By Friday Mar. 27 → final version of all three ready for performance

OTHER REMINDERS:

Next Listening Log due Monday Mar. 23 (day back from March Break)

You should have already:

- handed in your Listening Log

- played your Blues Progression and Scale for Ms. Simmons

By today you should have:

- completed your Renaissance Factsheet

- recorded your background track for the Blues Improvisation

You can continue to:

- work on your 36-bar Blues Improvisation for Friday March 6

- get caught up on any other outstanding assignments

- get prepared for LAST CHANCE THEORY REDO QUIZ for tomorrow, Thursday March 5

There will be extra help today at lunch for music theory if you need it, from 11:18 - 11:45.

Today:
- Listening Log due
- play your Blues Progression and Scale for evalution, create GarageBand track with these
- last day for Theory Quiz from last week and Melody Variations
- contine work on Renaissance Factsheet and Blues Improvisations

Tuesday Mar 3
- work period on Renaissance Factsheet and Blues Improvisations

Wednesday Mar 4
- Renaissance Factsheet due
- intro to Baroque Era

Thursday Mar 5
- work period on Blues Improvisations

Friday Mar 6
- Blues Improvisations due

Work for Friday, February 27

1. Work on Renaissance Factsheet that will be handed out. Visit the Renaissance Music History Website for some resources, or consult your previous class handouts. You may work with a neighbour on this if you wish.

2. Continue practicing Blues Progression and Blues Scale for keyboard test on Monday, Mar. 2. Make these in to a backing track in GarageBand. I will do this test first thing Monday morning.

3. Finish up your Listening Logs for Monday, Mar. 2.

4. Work or your 36-bar Blues Improvisation over the progression you recorded, to be played in class on Friday Mar. 5.

A FRIENDLY NOTE: Some of you still owe my Melody Variations and the Theory Quiz from Thursday. AND some of you have not handed in your MIDI Reading Assignment, Medieval Factsheet and/or Listening Log #1. Interim reports are coming up, and I wouldn't want to have to identify anyone as being at-risk...

1. Finish performances of Melody and Variations.

2. Theory/scales Review

Reminder: Theory Re-quiz Thurs Feb. 26

Next Listening Log Due Mon Mar 2

Today:

1. Performance of Melody and Variation assignments
- Please also drag and rop these into the 1013-OSX-drop-off file

2. Introduction to Modes and Scales

3. Homework: Google "Renaissance Music", pick a word or composer name you see a lot, and bring in a definition.

Reminder:
Next Listening Log due Monday March 2nd.
Theory Re-Quiz Thursday Feb. 26.

Next Creation Assignment: Improvisation on the 12-bar Blues Progression

1. Ms. Simmons will teach a lesson on the 12-bar blue and hand out some stuff.

2. On your own, visit the Blues Progressions website and read all about the standard blues progressions and their deviations.

2. By Friday, Feb. 27, you must play "live" for Ms. Simmons the basic RH chord progression of the 12 bar blues, and the LH bass line. You can play these hands separately. Once you can play them live, make a new song with them in GarageBand, each one in its own track (see example in the AMM 4M1 folder).

3.  By Monday, March 2 you must play "live" for Ms. Simmons the Blues Scale. This is easy.

4. By Friday, March 6 you must create an improvisation over the 12-bar blues you recorded. You may choose one or more different instruments to perform your solo improvisation, but you must use the upright bass/piano as back-up.  The improvisation must be at least 36 bars long (eg, 3 times through the progression) (see example in the AMM 4M1 folder).  You may add percussion, change tempo, and have more than 36 bars, but you cannot change the chord progression given. We will perform these on Friday March 6.

MELODY ASSIGNMENT REQUIREMENTS REMINDER:

- You will take a given melody of 8-12 bars from the choices given to you
- You will write at least THREE VARIATIONS on the given melody
- Remind yourself of some of the techniques:

• changing registers
  
• changing instrumentation
  
• adding parts or notes
  
• changing key
  
• diminuition
  
• augmentation
  
• inversion
  
• retrograde

- You must be able to explain to the class what the variations were that you used following the guidelines of the Elements of Music Handout on Melody.

WHERE TO FIND THE MELODIES:
- open the 1013- Stu Share folder called AMM 4M1 or AMM 301
- there are 3 melodies there: "Twinkle", "Simple Gifts" and "Childhood Hymn"
- pick the one you like best!

WHERE TO FIND EXAMPLES OF VARIATIONS:
- visit Youtube.com and find the user name "leasidesimmons" - that's me
- find the PLAYLIST called "Melody Variations"
- check out the different versions that these composers have written using these melodies

YOUR MELODY AND VARIATIONS WILL BE WRITTEN OUT IN MUSIC NOTATION AND PRINTED, AS WELL AS PLAYED FOR THE CLASS on MONDAY FEBRUARY 23rd.

Playing With Modes - An Enrichment (BONUS MARKS) Project

A lot of musicians in jazz and/or rock use MODAL scales to inform their soloing. If this interests you, the following project might be something you want to try.

Visit the Introduction to Scales and Modes Website. Here you'll find info about the different modes/scales and how they related to the major scales we have studied. Listen to the modes and the example pieces and find one you like.

Next, start a new piece in Garage Band. Play yourself 8 bars of a simple 1-3-5 chord beat (every 2 beats say) based on the first note of your mode. See "doriansample" in the AMM folder for an example of this. So for Dorian mode, your chord is D-F-A, for Phrygian it's E-G-B etc.

Then, play an eight-bar improvisation over these chords. Use the full range of the keyboard (or other instrument sound if you like). Start simple and get more intricate - just Eddie Van Halen would do!

If you think you've done a good job, tell Ms. Simmons and then drop it in the 1013- Drop-Off-OSX folder and make sure Ms. Simmons gets it. You can get up to 10 Bonus Marks which means 1 bonus mark on your final mark for this project.

For an additional 5 bonus marks (or 0.5 on your final), email Ms. Simmons the name of a popular piece of music that uses modes.

Happy modal explorations!

Work for Wednesday

1. Medieval Music Factsheet due by end of the period

2. Review for Key Signature Quiz on Thursday Feb. 19

3. Review for Keyboard Playing Task on C--> G chord progression for Thursday Feb. 19

4. Continue work on Melody Variations for Monday, Feb. 23

PS - Listening Logs are LATE!

Work for Today

1. Listening Log due today

2. Explanation of next keyboard performance task - C-G7-C chord progression for Thurs. Feb. 19

3. Work time on Medieval Factsheet for Wed. Feb. 18 and/or Melody Variations for Fri. Feb. 20

4. Breathe!

Work for Today (Thursday)

1. MEDIEVAL MUSIC ERA FACTSHEET

- handed out by supply teacher

- due Wed. Feb. 18

2. Listening Log

- handed out last week, extra located at the front in the shelf thing

- using files from 1013 - Stu/SIMMONS AMM files

- due Tues. Feb. 17

3. Next Keyboard Task: C-G7-C chord progression

- to be played Thurs. Feb. 19

4. Melody and Variations Piece

- see Wednesday's blog for requirements

- played for class Fri. Feb. 20

KNOW YOUR GOALS, KNOW YOUR ROLE!

Today:

1. Last chance to play me "Jingle Bells".

2. RHYTHM PIECE PERFORMANCES

3. Introduction to Melody and Variations Assignment

- You will take a given melody of 8-12 bars from the choices given to you
- You will write at least THREE VARIATIONS on the given melody
- Remind yourself of some of the techniques:

• changing registers
• changing instrumentation
• adding parts or notes
• changing key
• diminuition
• augmentation
• inversion
• retrograde
  

WHERE TO FIND THE MELODIES:
- open the 1013- Stu Share folder called AMM 4M1 or AMM 301
- there are 3 melodies there: "Twinkle", "Simple Gifts" and "Childhood Hymn"
- pick the one you like best!

WHERE TO FIND EXAMPLES OF VARIATIONS:
- visit Youtube.com and find the user name "leasidesimmons" - that's me
- find the PLAYLIST called "Melody Variations"
- check out the different versions that these composers have written using these melodies

YOUR MELODY AND VARIATIONS WILL BE WRITTEN OUT IN MUSIC NOTATION AND PRINTED, AS WELL AS PLAYED FOR THE CLASS on FRIDAY FEBRUARY 20th.

Today:

1. Finish your perfect versions of "Jingle Bells" by tomorrow, Wed. Feb. 11.
2. Work on Rhythm Piece for tomorrow, Wed. Feb. 11.
3. Intro to Medieval Era of Music History.
4. Work on Listening Logs due Tues. Feb. 17.
5. Be nice to Ms. Simmons cause her head hurts. Just kidding.

Happy short week everyone! Here's what we are up to...

Today
- introduction to basic keyboard technique and first piano playing task: "Jingle Bells" 
- continue work on RHYTHM PIECE for Wed. Feb. 11
- continue work on Listening Log due Tues. Feb 17

Tues. Feb. 10
- exploration of Medieval Music with lesson and Medieval Factsheet worksheet

- continue recording of "Jingle Bells" for Wed Feb. 11
- continue work on RHYTHM PIECE for Wed. Feb. 11
- continue work on Listening Log due Tues. Feb 17

Wed. Feb. 11
- performance of RHYTHM PIECE

- play your "Jingle Bells" for Ms. Simmons by today
- continue work on Medieval Factsheet worksheet due Thurs. Feb. 12
- continue work on MELODY PIECE
- continue work on Listening Log due Tues. Feb 17

Thurs. Feb. 12
- hand in Medieval Factsheet worksheet
- continue work on MELODY PIECE
- continue work on Listening Log due Tues. Feb 17

Remember to keep yourselves on task and ask for help if you need it.

Today:

- MIDI Reading Assignment Due

- Theory Quiz #1

- work time on Listening Logs - one piece each from List A, B and C and one of your choice

- work time on Rhythm Pieces - only percussion, minimum 16 bars

- more sharing of your pieces you brought

Deadlines, etc:

- Wed. Feb. 11 - Rhythm Piece ready for "performance"

- Tues. Feb. 17 - Listening Log #1 due

Homework for Mon. Feb. 9th:

Over the weekend, take some time to find an image, poster or cartoon on the internet about music, macs, computers, school or something else related to this class. Or, draw one yourself! Send Ms. Simmons the link or print it off so we can start our gallery of images!

Happy Friday!

In Class Tasks for Today
1. 20 minutes of independent work:
- Reading Assignment - LAST DAY TO HAND IN- FRIDAY FEB 6
- Music Ace program (located in My Applications on your dock)
- Rhythm Piece in GarageBand for Wed. Feb 11

2. Lesson on LISTENING - sharing your pieces

HAND IN ASAP:
- STUDENT INFO FORM, COMPUTER CONTRACT and $15 COURSE FEE
- THEORY ASSESSMENT

BY FRIDAY FEB 6:
- Complete Session 1-6 in Music Ace --> we will have a small quiz to check learning
- Hand-in MIDI Intro Reading Assignment sheet

In Class Tasks for Today

1. Sit in seating plan.
2. Continue work Reading Assignment - LAST DAY TO HAND IN- FRIDAY FEB 6
3. Continue work on MUSIC THEORY with ashort lesson from Ms. Simmons
4. Continue work on Music Ace program (located in My Applications on your dock)
5. Work on Rhythm Piece in GarageBand for Wed. Feb 11

HAND IN ASAP:
- STUDENT INFO FORM, COMPUTER CONTRACT and $15 COURSE FEE
- THEORY ASSESSMENT

BY FRIDAY FEB 6:
- Complete Session 1-6 in Music Ace --> we will have a small quiz to check learning
- Hand-in MIDI Intro Reading Assignment sheet

Happy exploring and keep yourselves on task :)

In Class Tasks for Today

** see seating plan

1. Continue work Reading Assignment - LAST DAY TO HAND IN- FRIDAY FEB 6

2. Begin explorations ELEMENTS OF MUSIC with lesson from Ms. Simmons

3. Begin MUSIC THEORY with Music Ace program (located in My Applications on your dock)

HAND IN ASAP:

- STUDENT INFO FORM, COMPUTER CONTRACT and $15 COURSE FEE

- THEORY ASSESSMENT

BY FRIDAY FEB 6:

- Complete Session 1-6 in Music Ace --> read lesson and complete game

(Ms. Simmons will come check your progress when you have completed this)

- Hand-in MIDI Intro Reading Assignment sheet

- begin your Rhythm Compositions in Garage Band

Happy exploring, everyone :)

In-class tasks for today:
1. Create a folder in your Documents titled "AMM" - you will save all your course work there
2. Work on the Reading Assignment below
3. Begin playing Music Ace (in the APPLICATIONS folder) and see how far you get!
4. Work on Theory Assessment

For Tuesday, Feb. 3:
- complete and hand-in Theory Formative Assessment
- hand-in Student Info Form, Computer Usage Contract and $15 fee

For Friday, Feb 6: MIDI Intro Reading Assignment HARD deadline

If you are new to the MAC environment, you will want to check these out:

Switch 101: Windows vs. Mac Navigation

On Windows I Used To...

Happy Mac Computing!

Links for Introductory Reading Assignment:

History of MIDI

Technology of MIDI

Making Music with MIDI

See the handout given in class for response actions. Happy reading :)

The Music and Computers courses (AMM 30 and AMM 4M) at Leaside High School are hosting this blog to show you some of what we are working on. Check it out.