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Theorizing Sound “In the Cloud”

Presentation, MTSMA 2012 ConferenceUniversity of Delaware

SoundCloud

SoundCloud homepage (www.soundcloud.com) A free cloud computing application (premium membership

subscriptions available with additional features) Primarily used by musicians (some amateur, some

professional), record labels, and record sellers to demo songs

Up to 120 minutes of sound recordings may be stored for free

Personal SoundCloud page

SoundCloud is easy to use

Users can upload sound files in a several formats: MP3, WAV, etc.

If one doesn’t have the tech ‘savvy’ to record using a software such as Audacity, there is an onsite recording function

Simply record directly to the site using a computer or phone’s built-in microphone

Record directly to SoundCloud

SoundCloud is Social

There is also a social media component to SoundCloud Users can ‘follow’ other users Post links to SoundCloud tracks to other social media

platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, even MySpace) or send them via email

On a blog or other website, embed a “widget” that contains a track or ‘set’ of tracks. Embed a drop box widget to receive sound files

Share via social media platforms

SoundCloud log in screen

Privacy features

Instructor login via email/password Dedicated emails and pages for each of my classes that use

SoundCloud Tracks can be sent to individual class participants or entire groups

via email or link can be posted to class blog, Blackboard, etc. Assignments can be made public so that others may share them Or, they can be kept as private class communications Tracks can be stream only, embeddable, or downloadable

Project 1: Ear training

Post dictation assignments online (test form delivered via Dropbox, Blackboard, etc.)

Upload context listening assignments (played by instructor or other public domain material)

Students upload answer sheet to DropBox, Blackboard, etc. for assessment

For examples: Theory 1 – review intervals, triads; triad inversions Theory 3 – Seventh chords; seventh chord inversions

Project 1: more assignments

• Chord identification; chord resolutions• Chord progressions• One voice and two voice melodic dictation• Harmonize given outer voices of 4-part chorale• Harmonize a melody or bass line• Rhythmic dictation

Project 2: Sight singing

Students create their own SoundCloud page Upload assigned melodies as “private tracks” Send instructor link Extra assessment tool in advance of lab meetings Encourages students to become familiar with

recording and cloud computing applications

Project 2: other applications

Keyboard harmony realizations Rhythm drills Original melodies composed by students Solfège drills Doesn’t replace lab meetings; provides extra

‘check up’ during week

Project 3: Listening assignments

Some pieces may not be available via NML, Alexander Database, etc.

Archival recordings that aren’t released Recordings of original pieces created in class or

performed by students and/or instructor These can be uploaded as stream-only private

tracks to observe fair use policies

Project 4

Students upload compositions to personal website These are based on topics being covered in classExamples: Theory 1 – Create and upload an eight measure melody

that implies a perfect authentic cadence. HW: harmonize in 4 voices

Theory 3 – Create a 16 measure melody that modulates from I-V.

Project 4 extensions

Compose a melody in a pop or MT style Notate in lead sheet style (with chord changes) Sing or play an improvisation over a given bass

line or harmonic pattern Ornament a given melody using non-chord tones

discussed in class

Project goals

Further instruction & assessment of ear training & context listening

Provide listening assignments for theory homework Encourage students to become comfortable with cloud

computing, recording, & editing sound files Can dovetail with music notation instruction and keyboard

harmony Foster creative activities such as composition and improvisation

as integral components of theory and aural skills classroom

Composition majors

SoundCloud is also an ideal tool for composition majors.

Students can share ‘works in progress’ with teachers & peers.

Social media aspect encourages productivity and fosters listening to a wide range of repertoire.

Composers sharing tracks

The win/win factor

Students create their own SoundCloud page and are encouraged to upload original material

Reinforces “ownership” of one’s one music and its distribution: conversation about intellectual property

Useful tool for storing portfolio projects, audition tapes, archiving performances, etc.

Unexpected benefits

Several students have expressed to me that it has been helpful to have the SoundCloud assignments. They feel nervous for in person hearings and dictations.

A few students have started to share extracurricular songs they are writing. One now wants to add composition to their course of study.

Questions?

www.soundcloud.com/cbcarey ccarey@rider.edu Class pages (some content private; some public): http://soundcloud.com/music110 http://soundcloud.com/music210-1 Blogs: www.sequenza21.com/carey,

www.fileunder.tumblr.com