For this week's module, we will be looking at how chords and chord progressions are constructed using TuneScope.
Module 7 (Musical Chords) is available here:
https://maketolearn.org/creating-art-animations-and-music/playing-chords/
https://snap.berkeley.edu/snap/snap.html#present:Username=sildaneza&ProjectName=AssignmentEight
Previous: For this piece I just started with a simple chord progression and intend on building off of it, eventually adding some sort of melody and drum beat to it. I decided on this chord progression by looking at the code examples for the module and trying out all the different chord progressions suggested in this: Snap! Build Your Own Blocks
I decided I liked the sound of D minor, G major, C major and A minor the best so I went with that!
Current: I decided to change my chords and work on a unique melody when creating the final version of this piece. My chords are C major, E minor, G major, and E minor. I began with those chords and afterwards started working on the melody which sounded almost like a background song for a game which is what inspired the video game background with my character moving and jumping on the screen.
Snap! 9 musical chords (berkeley.edu)
I came up with the idea for the beat first, inspired by the genre reggaeton, and I had an idea for chords too, but struggled to get it to sound quite how I wanted it in my head, so I started playing around and seeing what worked.
Update for Monday:
I slightly modified the chords to have a bit more variation, so instead of just two now there's four, once again picked by me just playing with what sounded interesting, the same goes for the melody. I did this so that I would have a wider range of notes to choose from when creating the melody, giving me more room to experiment with.
I like the chords you picked out, sounds like the beginning of a pop song! I think the extra unused blocks laid out might need to be cleaned up, though.
I was able to implement chords successfully alongside the melody tracks and drum tracks. The first four chords (one for each measure in the beginning portion) use only two distinct chords. The next four deviate from being consistent background chords by supplying a new progression. The last two chords of these actually sound like chords from a different Zelda song, so I could see my remix being part of a larger medley if I were to continue this outside of the class or if someone else were to use it. I noticed that there is a longer hesitation before the song starts (probably from the numerous tracks), but it doesn't affect the music itself, so it doesn't bother me. Since I am pretty pleased with how this turned out and the progression that I used, I think my revisions will focus on cleaning up my code as it is very, very long and a bit overwhelming.
My updated melody. I tried to incorporate drums, chords, and a melody. I was looking to do a ore interesting drum beat than the usual rythms.
https://snap.berkeley.edu/snap/snap.html#present:Username=lexiliiiii&ProjectName=HW8
I had this melody from the previous project. For the chords, I took some time to carefully match them according to the time signature, which is somewhat difficult.
Updated: I changed some of the original chords and I also added melody and drums. For the background, I simply choose a photo from my album.
I imported my music from the previous assignment and I added a chord progression. For now, I just looked up the original music sheet and I put the chord according to it. I would work on changing notes to make it sound better and more creative but, since I have no musical background, I need more time to play with this. It kind of sounds worse when I change the notes, but If I keep working on it, it will sound better.
Updated: I changed the length of the notes. Originally, it only had whole notes, but I split them into half, quarter, and dotted quarter. I tried my best to make it sound smooth and not have unmatching chords. Also, I switched the position of the melody and drums because it's always better to have a melody before anything else.
Snap! Build Your Own Blocks For right now, I just play around the chord progression examples to see how it goes. I tried different combination and it's a find process. But I haven't figure out how to make my own chord progression based on the melody I created from last project. Is there any specific rule that I can follow while I create chord progression instead just randomly guessing?
https://snap.berkeley.edu/snap/snap.html#present:Username=herrrren&ProjectName=Chords
I imported the blocks from my previous project and played with different combinations and instruments. I haven't found a good mesh as of now.
I used the E major, B major, C# minor and A major chord progression since it complemented my melody as it provided a harmonic foundation that supports the melodic movement. I adjusted the duration around to find the perfect fit for the piece.
Update: I took the advice from class. I remade my chord first, then adjusted my melody to the chord to make sure everything aligned so everything was harmonic.
For this assignment, I used the MIDI song You Belong With Me by Taylor Swift and added a basic chord progression to it. For next class I plan on adding in some drums and making the chord progression sound better with the melody.
I really like what you have so far! I think that the beat fits very well with the melody and chords. I am excited to hear what a longer version will sound like
For the chords, I used Fi Cii Dmii Bbi and repeated that once. I then layered a melody over where the notes of the melody fit into the chords it played on top of.
[Snap! Build Your Own Blocks](Music Animation 3)
I'm able to have the piano show the chord (albeit glitched), but it's not playing the music. Still working on getting it to play
Edit: Got the chords to sound by putting the note in a list reporter. The chord that plays plays one note off the keyboard, so in the future I'd like to be able to dynamically increase the keyboard length. Overall, I think it sounds pretty decent
https://snap.berkeley.edu/snap/snap.html#present:Username=kidusfasil&ProjectName=Music%20Project%202
I finally got around to making this. The melody I came up with was in my head for the longest time and sounds vaguely familiar. I used chords and drums to make the melody seem more like a relaxing lullaby by using closed hihats and FE, FF chord progressions.
I really like what you have there! The melody, drums, and chords fit nicely together. Honestly have nothing to add other than to clean up the blocks and drag away the ones you aren't using.
Very good! Thank you for that!
Update:
I used Reporter blocks to organize my code into different sections. Play Zelda's Lullaby - Organized still has all tracks visible upon editing the block, but they are far more condensed than before. I organized my blocks to group rest measures (for the Main Melody, Accompaniment, and Flourish) and rest measures specific to drums and their note type (quarter vs. eighths). I also organized the measures with audible notes by what part of the song they were in for both the melody tracks and the drum tracks. I found that using the Append block (as opposed to the List block) was the most helpful.
I was also considering organizing the tracks into more condensed lists (Melody Tracks and Drum Tracks) but decided not to. Seeing the tracks laid out the way they are is more helpful for me when debugging. I kept the Measure blocks when appending for the same reason: another layer of organization.
Very happy with how this turned out!
I really like the chords you selected. Nice touch on the marimba for the chords. They blend well with the melody to make the overall song feel gentle