Week 5 - Video editing

This week, we used an editing software to edit the footage and audio we captured during week 3. We learnt how to synchronise the footage with the claps and the special effects we can add to the videos to make transition between different cameras more pleasant/smooth/not abrupt. I used fade ins/outs and changed the camera angles depending on what time the music was in (there was a piano intro and interlude, therefore the video was focusing on the hands piano playing rather than the performers).

In the past, I really enjoy editing videos, and have done so in assignments in high school, so revisiting video editing and learning how to properly do it was very fun

Note: I made a video in week six :)))

Week 4 - Introduction to different notation softwares

This week, we were introduced to notation software MuseScore. We experimented with the shortcuts to learn how to understand how to use the software. ITS FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

When we want to export what we created, we save it as a MusicXML File

We then explored other notation software – Noteflight and/or Flat.io. I used Flat.io in high school and remember it being annoying because of how difficult it was to use. We had to then open the file of what we just created on Musescore in the new software and see how we can manipulate it.

S creates a slur, using the up and down arrow can shift the note up and down with accidentals. There is a left side panel that has every feature you need, like Sibelius (except these features are on the top of the screen in Sibelius)

Below is a screen shot of my experimentation on Musescore

I was able to export it successfully into Noteflight. I like how in noteflight when you want to put in a new note, it highlights the note you go over. I remember in Sibelius it was very frustrating when you want to edit particular notes as it wouldn’t show what you were actually doing before you click and then the bar is messed up. But I do not like how the features are at the top because it is very small and squished. I like how it is in musescore because it actually writes what each section is (eg; Clefs, Key Signatures etc) unlike in Noteflight where they just use images. This is cause I know where everything is and I don’t have to guess where each feature is without going through each section. This was the same in Sibelius. I also think that it would be very confusing for students as well to use.

Below is my experimentation on Noteflight

Being able to export and import midi files is extremely useful for sharing ideas, especially in collaborative activities .

Week 11 - Pitching our project ideas

This week, we pitched out ideas to Brad Fuller. To see my pitch, I have written in the Project section

I have written my pitch in the Project section! Click me to get directed to my pitch!!

Brad offered great advice on how we could present our project!

He made a good point that when people listen to our audio, we should also have a visual element for them to look at. So, with the suggestions of Brad, my partner and I came up with some ideas:

- Have a video displaying our progress – this was Brad’s idea. This will demonstrate to the audience all of the hard work we have put into making our project. It also shows our great understanding and confidence of what we are doing. The actual things we would be showing is the tracks within the software’s (the audience can watch every line and how they look like with the other lines. For someone who has never worked with or seen such notation software, it would be very interesting)

- Have a cover art – this was my partner’s idea. Most if not all artists have some sort of cover art for their work, it would be fun if we have our own too. My partner and I are both interested in visual art so it was suggested that we can create a cover art that displays our own styles (Anime and realistic)

- Have a music video. Our song is influenced by Vocaloid. In the music videos of songs in this style, there is hand drawn art (there is usually only a few, 1-4 ish art, or for those who can animate, there is also animations) as well as lyrics displayed on the screen. I really like this idea. HOWEVER, I don’t believe that we will have enough time to make it. So, we thought of ways to make this process a lot more easier so that we can spend as little time as possible – I suggested to combine both our art and our progress together. This will both show the musical process and the art. It would be very interesting to watch.

These ideas relate to what we did in week 5 (video editing)