Proposal

Extended Diploma in Music Performance & Production
Unit 12 Project Proposal

Candidate Name: Tia Trueman

Candidate Number: 10629259

Pathway: Music Performance and Production

Project Title: Project 4

Section 1: Context

My aim of this project is to create a three track EP, with canvas’, that will be uploaded onto Spotify. After creating the EP, I want to perform one of the compositions live alongside utilising MadMapper to create a more immersive performance. I wanted to do this project because it plays to my strengths as well as challenging me and pushing my skills to a more advanced level. I also really wanted to do this project because it allows me to be creative in different roles within the industry, for example, designing my canvas’ for the tracks, using MadMapper to design how I want the stage to look, getting more familiar with the recording engineer role and taking a deeper look into different instruments that I don’t play and have never really used. 

Over the past two years of this course I have developed my piano skills by learning more theory, which I have incorporated into my compositions.  I have learnt the basics of mastering and mixing. I have gained more confidence through the community music workshops and I have learnt basic design skills and techniques from graphics lessons. The design skills can help me with MadMapper and the canvas’. Also, the mastering and mixing skills can help me master and mix my tracks. 

This project is helpful for my future because I’d like to be a recording artist so I can use the engineering skills I develop, the composing skills, the designing skills and the research of other instruments in future projects. It will allow my strength and creativity to spill into different sounds I can use in the future.  

Section 2: Research

I am composing using instruments I have not really used before so I need to research different string techniques and articulations, as well as common Latin rhythms. I will be using books, Youtube videos and online articles to answer any questions I have with composing and arranging strings and percussion. 

Section 3: Problem solving

Most of the problems that could occur are with the strings, for example, how well can software mimic the real instruments and how will I compose for them without knowing much about them? However, this is easy to solve because I already have a lot of different resources to help me understand how strings work so I can compose harmonic and melodic strings sections. I could struggle with time management, therefore I will create a detailed plan to ensure I have left enough room for creativity and experimentation.

Section 4: Planning and production

I plan to start off with research to further develop my understanding of string writing and percussion writing. I will be composing for percussion, orchestral strings, piano and possibly guitar. Throughout the project I will be promoting my EP, hopefully at least 2-3 posts a week. Towards the end, I will be focusing on design to design the stage using MadMapper and the Spotify canvas’. I am hoping to be recording alongside the writing process, most likely during the accompaniment writing because I should already have the piano set so I will record that in and then work with those recordings to compose for my accompaniments. 

Section 5: Practical skills

My project is heavy on my compositional skills and playing skills, which is playing to my strengths because I have composed in my last couple projects and I have done a few performances. For the recording, I will be using acoustic piano and percussion to record live using mics into Logic but for the strings, I will be composing on Sibelius to input them into Logic. I will be recording the piano before the accompaniment instruments so I have something to work with, and because the piano is the leading instrument. I will be using my design skills that I have acquired to be able to design the stage using MadMapper and the Spotify canvas’. 

I will upload the development of each musical idea through audio recordings. Every Friday I will write up my weekly evaluations that will be uploaded onto my Digital Space. At the end, I am hoping to have enough footage to put together a documentary style video of all of the behind the scenes footage of each track from the start to finish. I will be scoring piano and percussion in my notebook but using Sibelius to score for strings, because I can then easily input them into Logic. 

Section 7: Presentation

My final products will be a three track EP uploaded onto Spotify, with different canvas’ for each track, a performance at the showcase with MadMapper, twelve weeks worth of weekly write ups and a documentary style video of all the behind the scenes footage of how each track developed. On all of my social media, I will be uploading 2-3 times a week of different videos and photos with hashtags to push the algorithm. I have decided to use Twitter, Instagram and TikTok because I do not have a specific target audience so I am trying to reach as many people as possible. 

Proposed Research Sources and Bibliography          

www.guitarmasterclass.net. 2022. No page title. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?act=attach&type=post&id=21832. [Accessed 14 February 2022].

Pro Audio Files. 2022. String Articulations: Terminology and Effects — Pro Audio Files. [ONLINE] Available at: https://theproaudiofiles.com/string-articulations-terminology-and-effects/. [Accessed 14 February 2022]. 

YouTube. 2022. How To Orchestrate A Chord Progression (from Piano to Full Orchestra) – YouTube. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLliF0kSclg. [Accessed 14 February 2022].

Professional Composers. 2022. 10 Composer Tips for writing Orchestral Music – Professional Composers. [ONLINE] Available at: https://professionalcomposers.com/10-composer-tips-for-writing-orchestral-music/. [Accessed 14 February 2022].

Music & Audio Envato Tuts+. 2022. How to Arrange 4-Part Harmony for Strings. [ONLINE] Available at: https://music.tutsplus.com/tutorials/how-to-arrange-4-part-harmony-for-strings–audio-23215. [Accessed 14 February 2022].

YouTube. 2022. Mixing Latin Percussion: Masterclass with Grammy Winner JC Losada – YouTube. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLDVLFYGjQ8. [Accessed 14 February 2022].

YouTube. 2022. Spotify Canvas – How to Create Videos for Spotify | The DIY Musician Guide – YouTube. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1gn793V6Fw. [Accessed 14 February 2022].

YouTube. 2022. 5 Rhythms That Changed My Life (Important Patterns for Ableton, FL Studio, etc…) – YouTube. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJ4Rce8QEs0. [Accessed 14 February 2022].

Manuel, P., Bilby, K. and Largey, M., 1996. Caribbean Currents. Latin America Bureau.

YouTube. 2022. How To Upload Music To Spotify – YouTube. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVDhRD3GDWk. [Accessed 14 February 2022].

Project Action Plan and Timetable

Week 1	Date: 7/2/22	Activity: Monday: 10:30 – 11:30 : Researching string arrangements and range of each orchestral instrument, take notes and create ideas to work on at home. 11:30 – 12:30 : Researching string articulation and techniques for each orchestral instrument, take notes and create ideas to work on at home. 2:30 – 4:30 : Rehearsal with Millie for Deershed, take video footage to upload onto YouTube and evaluate on Thursday. Tuesday: (home) 4 – 6 : How to compose string harmonies and melodies with piano, take notes and apply on some ideas. Wednesday: 10:30 – 11:30: Researching common rhythmic Latin beats, take notes and work on some ideas to apply at home. 11:30 – 12:30 : Rhythmic articulations and techniques research, take notes and work on some ideas to apply at home. 2 – 3 : Rehearsal with Millie, take videos to upload and evaluate later. Thursday: 10 – 11 : Weekly evaluations. 2 – 4: 30 : Canvas and promotion design work and weekly write ups.	Resources: Monday: Notebook and pen, online articles, Logic, Mac, USB, Phone, Millie, room to with Mac’s and rough recording of the piano part of the composition that I have so far. Tuesday: Macbook, Logic, notebook and pen, USB and rough recording of the piano I have so far. Wednesday: Online articles, notebook and pen, Millie, Logic, Mac, room with Logic on the Mac, phone. Thursday: Digital Space, Mac, graphics app and footage of scenery.
Week 2	Date: 14/3/22	Monday: 10 – 12:30 : Develop piano composition, take notes to work on and write up later. 2 – 4:30 : Record piano development and work on developing it more, take notes to work off later and upload. Tuesday: 10 – 12:30 : Develop piano composition and try record, take notes to work on and write up later. 1:30 – 2:30 : Possibly rehearsing with Millie, take videos. Wednesday: 9:30 – 10:30 : Develop piano composition and try to record, take notes and videos. 2 – 3 : Rehearsal with Millie, take videos. 3:30 – 4:30 : Try record some piano. Thursday: 10 – 11 : Weekly write ups 2 – 4:30 : Canvas and promotion design work. Friday: 2 : Promotional post on instagram, TikTok and Twitter.	Monday: Piano, room to record in, Logic, Mac, notebook and pen, pencil microphones, audio interface. Tuesday: Room to work in, piano, dynamic microphones, Mac, Logic, notebook and pen, Millie and a guitar. Wednesday: Piano, notebook and pen, Millie, guitar, phone, Logic, Mac and microphones with an audio interface. Thursday: Graphics app, Mac, footage of scenery and Digital space. Friday: Phone, social media, promotional footage (bts footage of practicing rehearsing and writing.
Week 3	Date: 21/3/22	Monday: 10 – 12: 30 : Piano development and recording, taking notes and videos. 2 – 4:30 : Piano development and recording, taking notes and videos. Tuesday: 10 -12:30 : Develop piano composition, take notes and videos, try to record. 1:30 – 2:30 : Possibly rehearsing with Millie. Wednesday: 9:30 – 11 : Rehearsal with Millie, record footage. Thursday: 10 – 11 : Weekly write ups 2 – 4:30 : Canvas and promotion development. 7 : Social media promotion.	Monday: Possibly be working on the collaboration with Isaac and record that, possibly a guitar, piano, pencil mics, Logic, audio interface, phone, pen and notebook and a room to record in. Tuesday: Millie, guitar, piano, room to record in, pencil mics, phone. Wednesday: Millie and a guitar, phone. Thursday: Mac, digital space, graphics app, footage of scenery, phone and social media.
Week 4 In Italy	Date: 28/3/22	Monday: Composing string arrangement, recording and taking notes of the developments, basic structure down, recording them in as I work. Tuesday: Composing string arrangement, basic structure down, recording them in as I work. Wednesday: Composing string arrangement, start developing articulations and techniques, record them in as I work. Thursday: Composing string arrangement, working on articulation and different techniques, record them in as I work. Promotional post work, edit video or post/think of caption and weekly write ups. Friday: Composing string arrangement, working on string articulation and different techniques, record them in as I work, promotional post.	Monday: Macbook, Logic, room to work quietly in, rough recording of piano accompaniment. Tuesday: Macbook, Logic, room to work quietly in, rough recording of piano accompaniment. Wednesday: Macbook, Logic, room to work quietly in, rough recording of piano accompaniment. Thursday: Macbook, Logic, room to work quietly in, rough recording of piano accompaniment, phone, social media and graphics app, digital space. Friday: Macbook, Logic, room to work quietly in, rough recording of piano accompaniment, phone and social media.
Week 5 In Italy	Date: 4/4/22	Monday: Arranging string harmonies, recording them in as I work. Tuesday: Arranging string harmonies, recording them in as I work. Wednesday: Arranging string melodies, recording them in as I work. Thursday: Arranging string melodies, recording them in as I work, and editing promotional post, and weekly write ups. Friday: Promotional post, finalising strings.	Monday: Macbook, Logic, room to work quietly in, rough recording of piano accompaniment. Tuesday: Macbook, Logic, room to work quietly in, rough recording of piano accompaniment. Wednesday: Macbook, Logic, room to work quietly in, rough recording of piano accompaniment. Thursday: Macbook, Logic, room to work quietly in, rough recording of piano accompaniment, phone, graphics app, social media, digital space. Friday: Macbook, Logic, room to work quietly in, rough recording of piano accompaniment, phone and social media.
Week 6 Easter: Working from home.	Date: 11/4.22	Monday: 12 – 2 : Arranging percussion, basic ideas recorded in. Tuesday: 12 – 2 : Arranging percussion, finish basic structure idea. Wednesday: 12 – 2 : Arranging percussion, recording as I develop the ideas 4 – 5 : Promotional post editing. Thursday: 12 – 2 : Arranging percussion, recording them in. 4 – 6 : Weekly write up. Friday: 12 – 2 : Arranging percussion, recording them in 2 : Promotional post.	Monday: Macbook, dynamic mic, audio interface, claves, shakers and bongos, Logic, rough recording of the piano. Tuesday: Macbook, dynamic mic, audio interface, claves, shakers and bongos, Logic, rough recording of the piano. Wednesday: Macbook, dynamic mic, audio interface, claves, bongos and shakers, Logic, rough recording of the piano, graphics app. Thursday: Digital space, MacBook, graphics app, dynamic mic, audio interface, claves, bongos, shakers, phone, social media, Logic, rough recording of the piano. Friday: Dynamic mic, Macbook, Logic, audio interface, bongos, shakers and claves, rough recording of the piano.
Week 7 Easter: Working from home. COLLECT/TAKE PHOTOS FOR MADMAPPER. Send off tracks to be mixed and mastered.	Date: 18/4/22	Monday: 2 – 4:30 : Recording percussive ideas. Tuesday: 2 – 4:30 : Recording percussive ideas. Wednesday: 2 – 4:30 : Recording percussive ideas. 6 – 7 : Recording piano accompaniment. Thursday: 1 – 2 : Recording percussion. 2 : Promotional post. 4 – 5 : Weekly write up. Friday: 1 – 2: Finalising percussion ideas, all recordings in. 2 : Promotional post. 4 : Send off all tracks to be mastered and mixed.	Monday: Macbook, Logic, audio interface, dynamic microphone, claves, bongos, shakers, rough recording of the piano. Tuesday: Dynamic mic, Macbook, Logic, audio interface, bongos, shakers and claves, rough recording of the piano. Wednesday: Dynamic mic, Macbook, Logic, audio interface, bongos, shakers and claves, rough recording of the piano. Thursday: Dynamic mic, Macbook, Logic, audio interface, bongos, shakers and claves, rough recording of the piano. Friday: Dynamic mic, Macbook, Logic, audio interface, bongos, shakers and claves, rough recording of the piano, producer.
Week 8 Mock Performance.	Date: 25/4/22	Monday: 10 – 10:30 : Rehearsal with Millie. 11 – 12 : Familiarising myself with MadMapper. 2 – 4:30 : Working on Madmapper. Tuesday: Collect/take pictures for Madmapper, watch videos for inspiration. Wednesday: 10 – 11 : Catching up on any written work I may be behind in. 2 – 3 : Rehearsal with Millie. Thursday: 12 – 1:30 : MOCK PERFORMANCE! 10 – 11: Weekly evaluations 2 – 4:30 : Promotional post editing, canvas designing. Friday: 2 : Uploading promotional post.	Monday: Millie and a guitar, phone, Madmapper, Mac, Youtube, social media. Tuesday: Phone, social media, Youtube. Wednesday: Mac, digitalspace, Millie and a guitar. Thursday: Mac, graphics design app, social media, phone, Microphone, guitar, amp. Friday: Social media and a phone.
Week 9 Mixed and mastered tracks back.	Date: 2/5/22	Monday: 10 – 10:30 : Rehearsals with Millie. 11 – 12 : Working on Madmapper. 2 – 4:30 : Working on Madmapper. Tuesday: 2 – Promotional post. Wednesday: 2 – 3 : Rehearsal with Millie. Thursday: 10 – 11 : Weekly write ups. 2 – 4:30 : Promotional and canvas design work. Friday : Mixed and mastered tracks back. Promotional post. Setting up distributor and Spotify.	Monday: Millie and a guitar, MadMapper and a Mac. Tuesday: Social media and my phone. Wednesday: Millie and a guitar. Thursday: Mac, digital space, graphics design app. Friday: Social media and a phone, tracks.
Week 10: Final week to finish Canvas’ and Madmapper design.	Date: 9/5/22	Monday: 10 – 10:30 : Rehearsal with Millie. 11 – 12 : Finish Madmapper design. 2 – 4:30 : Finish MadMapper design. 7 – 8 : Finish setting up Spotify and distributor, uploading the tracks and canvas’ ready for deadline. Tuesday: 1 – 3: Promotional post Wednesday: 2 – 3: Rehearsal with Millie. Thursday: 10 – 11 : Weekly evaluations. 2 -4:30 : Canvas’ finished and promotional posts design work. Friday: 2: Promotional post.	Monday: Millie and a guitar, Madmapper, Mac, google. Tuesday: Mac, photos of how I want the stage to look, phone and social media. Wednesday: Mac, photos of how I want the stage to look, Millie, guitar. Thursday: Mac, digitalspace, graphics design app. Friday: Madmapper, Mac, photos of how I want the stage to look, social media and a phone.
Week 11 Showcase Mock performances.	Date: 16/5/22	Monday: 10 – 12:30 : promotional post. 2 – 4:30 : Performance practice. (solo.) Tuesday: 2 : Promotional post. Wednesday: Showcase? Thursday: 2 : Promotional post.	Monday: phone, social media, piano, madmapper, room to play in. Tuesday: phone, social media. Wednesday: Madmapper, Keyboard, venue, Millie and a guitar. Thursday: social media, phone.
Week 12	Date: 23/5/22	Monday: 2 : Promotional post. Tuesday: promotional post. Wednesday: 1 – 3: Rehearsal with Millie. 6: Promotional post. Thursday: 10 – 11 : Weekly write ups and promotional post. Friday: 1-4 : Promotional post. 6: Ep release	Monday: social media, phone. Tuesday: social media, phone. Wednesday: Millie, guitar, phone and social media. Thursday: Mac, digitalspace, graphics design app. Friday: Phone, social media, everything uploaded onto Spotify (Canvas’ and tracks).