Teachers Resources
Everything you need to know to teach this Project.
Steps for Success
Using the Baby Steps Model
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1. Choose a song of any difficulty level.
2. Watch live performances of your chosen song.
3. Choose a version of your chosen song that you’d like to copy.
4. Listen to the song and analyse/work out the structure (e.g verse, pre-chorus, chorus, bridge).
5. Note down when each instrument begins playing and create a brief analysis of the overall texture of the song. 6. 6. Organise and allocate parts within your ensemble group: vocals, piano, bass, guitar, and drums.
7. If choosing from the selected songs i.e ABCDEFU, Finesse, Adore you, there are chord charts and instrument tutorials provided on our Stage 5 small ensembles website.
Extension: If choosing another song, you may create your own chart and learn the parts by ear or via YouTube tutorials and research Learn and practice all parts of your song. Watch Chart building video for further assitance.
8. To record you will need a computer with a DAW installed (GarageBand recommended), AUX cord, guitar cable/leads, interface, and mics.
9. Open up your DAW and begin to record one instrument/ part at a time. It may take you a while to get the perfect take.
10. When recording drums, it may be difficult depending on what equipment is available to you. You may decide to program the drums through midi.
11. Watch the garage band tutorial video provided to assist you on the website and start recording!
12. To perform you will need speakers for all guitars and keyboards and including mics, a mixer, cable leads and a drum set.
13. Practice performing the whole song all the way through without any mistakes with your ensemble group.
14. To make a professional video you will combine your final DAW recording with a video of your band playing either individually (extension) or as a group, recording each musician individually will require more work as you will need to compile several videos and sync each one with sound but will give you a more interesting result.
15. If recording parts individually, it is recommended that you film as you record so both audio and video sync up perfectly as you may vary your playing take to take.
16. You can simply record on a phone or any camera that can import the videos directly to the computer.
17. Use iMovie to sync up the video with the professional audio (use iMovie tutorial available on the website to help you).
18. Share your finished result with the class!
Timeline
This project should take approximately 13 lessons. The goals are laid out below:
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Lessons 1-3: Forming a band, choosing a song and char6ng/arranging music.
By the end of these three lessons, you should have chosen a song for your brand and created a chart to learn the song. You may decide to arrange the song in a particular way or perform it in the same way as the original.
Lessons 4-7: Practice!
During these next three lessons, you should be collaborating in your small ensemble groups and practising your chosen song with your instruments.
Lessons 7-9: Recording Your Band.
For the next few lessons, you will start the audio recording process through a DAW with your band.
Lessons 10-12: Film a Music Video.
Time to create a music video! Use the audio you have recorded and start filming!
Lesson 13: Time to Perform!
During this lesson, you will showcase your band’s song in a final performance gig!
Connection to the Curriculum
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This project can be used in Stage 5 Under the following topics
Group 1 Music for Small Ensembles
Group 2 Music for Small Ensembles
Group 2 Music and Technology
Group 2 Popular Music
It can also be adapted to suit Stage 4 if required.
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Under the NSW 2003 Curriculum, this Project Assesses the Following outcomes and falls under all Performing and Listening with Composing if the extension is chosen.
5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 5.11, 5.12
LS. 1, LS.2, LS.3, LS.4, LS.6, LS.9, LS.10
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