Soundation Review
I
had quite the experience working with Soundation. Coming into this assignment I
was not sure what lied ahead. My
composition reflected my mood at the time of creation. My day had been
completely hectic. Everything that could go wrong, did. The only thing I wanted
to do was go into quiet corner and just relax. I call it, “Current Vibe”. It
portrays some of my musical taste and preferences to bring in the calm after
the storm as well as elements the majority of my students like.
As
I completed the assignment, I considered my school’s community and climate.
Hopefully this software will be implemented in the unit on composition. My
intentions are to share my completed project with my students. I chose various
loops to represent the elements in songs I know the majority will identify
with. If I can spark the students’ interest with my example, it will allow me
to use the creative model process I revised to fit my situation. This will,
hopefully, boost morale and motivation to ensure that all students are
successful.
There
are two goals that remained in mind while completing this assignment. Goal one:
to be able to maneuver through the software and to create a solid example to
use as a model. I wanted to use this
opportunity to gain experience and become familiar with the product. When it is
time to implement the program into my curriculum, my teaching and model will be
effective. Goal two: to create a composition that my students will find
aesthetically appealing. If the students can relate and appreciate the
composition I created, it may motivate them to try and produce quality music.
By using this program, I realize we will also meet two additional goals: 1) a
chance to explore the composing and improvisation standard and 2) show evidence
that everyone possesses a sense of creativity.
Soundation
helped me experience other realms of creating music. Since the 7th
grade, I only experienced the world of performing music with instruments and
vocally. Using Soundation was the first time I have gotten the chance to step
into the shoes of music producing. This assignment was overwhelming but it
allowed me to explore and put together elements of music that were imperative
to music and its creation, my creation.
There
were a few challenges that occurred while working with the software. When
adding instrumental tracks, i.e. the drum machine, it seemed as if the software
hesitated to play what was created. Much like a compact disc that has been
scratched and put in a compact disc player to be played. One other complication
that I recall was none of the MIDI files would play, even if you dragged the
loop into the audio track. This put limitations on my composition and what it
could have been had I been able to hear those MIDI loops. It was difficult and
frustrating not being able to utilize everything entitled to you in the free
version.
Soundation
specifically offers total control over a person’s own destiny. It allows the
student opportunity to explore different elements of music and make connections
by using the software. I have had
several students that created songs outside of the school. Many of them don’t
have much success because of lack of access of equipment. Access to this
software offers students a continuous opportunity to tap into their own
creativity and produce original music within specific guidelines inside the
school day.
In
my music appreciation class, a possible unit to consider is revamping the unit
on the elements of music. As we go through those elements, the students will be
able to apply each of those elements to an original composition as they are
covered. The students will not only learn and study each element, but, apply
them to ensure mastery. What I really love about Soundation is the fact that it
is web-based. Everything can be stored online by signing up for a username and
password. Learning can be continuous without having any setbacks, for example,
“I left my flash drive at home.” I feel the students will love to use
Soundation. It is a much more feasible to experience composing in this manner.
It gives them free range to create an original piece with countless outcomes.
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