SESSION #3 – SHAPE

On our Monday session, each group presented their track & received feedback on it. We got some really good feedback on ours & the AB aspect of the song was very well received. We also received some helpful constructive criticism with regards to vocal levels within the track & was told our track could have used some variation in the drums.

Once we went through all of our tracks, we were introduced to one of the course playlists, song structures, textural layers, instrument functions & how to critically analyse & listen to music.

We gained an understanding of the Explicit Beat Layer, Functional Bass Layer, Melodic Layer & Harmonic Filler Layer. It was interesting to see & think about how each layer has instruments that commonly fulfil the role of these textural layers, it could be executed with just about any instrument to delve into experimental territory.

After this discussion, we started moving onto song shape. We discussed what aspects of a song could make it be perceived as groovy. We had such examples as constant hi-hat, straight groove (not swung), kick on the beat, snare on 2 and 4 (head bob) & unexpected syncopation. This lead onto this weeks group task & the song we would be creating within those groups. We were assigned to make a song following the criteria above.

We were once again allowed to form our own groups. I chose Kane, Kayde & Robyn again with the addition of Theo on guitar also. We decided to practice on the upcoming Friday afternoon as it was a day we were all free on.

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