MRT 335M
The University of Texas at Austin

ASSIGNMENT:  

•     Write and record a :30 piece interpreting your randomly chosen phrase, we named "emotimoods." 

•     There are no constraints as to what style of music or how the music is to be recorded.  

•     In class, each student must justify every part of the composition and applicable recording techniques as relating to the student's assigned phrase.


LEARNING OBJECTIVE:

•  How to interpret a client's non-musical instructions in producing a unique piece of music.
•  How to present the piece of music to the client interpreting your musical decisions.

 CREDITS:

     Composed and Produced by Graham Garrett

 RECORDING GEAR:

• Ableton Suite 8
• Focusrite Scarlett 2i2
• M-Audio Keystation 88-es


Assignment#01: Trapped in Two Dimensions

Orchestrate the Piano Midi File performed by Tony Tobin using ONLY Midi Virtual Instruments.

RULES

1.  DO NOT edit the performance itself regarding these controllers:  No individual note pitch changes, no tempo changes, 
     no additional notes added.
2.  DO NOT add any drum loops.  This is not hip-hop.  
2.  You MAY edit these Midi controllers:  Modulation, Pitch Bend, Velocity, Volume, Aftertouch, Panning.
3.  You MAY keep any part of the original piano part within your mix.
4.  Assign any existing piano phrase, chord, section, or individual note to any virtual instrument you like.  You MAY treat groups of notes as a section in the "orchestra."

Assignment#05: Debussy Arrangement

Monkey

Beyond the Black Star

Random Beats

MRT 316N, The University of Texas at Austin

Song: "I'll Fly Away"
Vocals: Jessi Liftman
Produced and accompanied by: Graham Garrett
DAW: Ableton Suite 8 (Win)
Mic: Sure SM57
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 2i2
MIDI Controller: M-Audio Keystation 88es

Adding accompaniment to vocals performed in tempo rubato was tougher than I thought it would be, but was a fun challenge. My goal was to keep it somewhat minimal and place the emphasis on Jessi Liftman's vocals.

Assignment#05: I'll Fly Away

Assignment 3: Adaptive Melody Assignment
MRT 316N, The University of Texas at Austin

NATURE OF THE PROJECT:  This assignment specifies that we adapt a harmonic structure from an existing song, in this case "That Thing You Do," and create a new song applying the harmonic structure from "That Thing You Do," but with an original lyric and melody.  (FYI, chord progressions are not copyrightable events.)

Guitar, lyrics, and vocals by Graham Garrett
DAW: Ableton Suite 8
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 2i2
Mic: Sure SM57

I wrote this little song as an exercise in adapting a melody to an existing chord structure. I kept it short for the sake of in-class listening time and to focus more on production techniques.

So sure you're breaking my heart
Stumbling and shooting in the dark
All I know is I don't know it all
But I can't help my shadow self, my mind
So give a boy another chance
Save a boy another dance
Or let me go
So sure I'm dying any day now
Falling down and getting in my own way
All I know is I don't know
But I can't help my shadow self, my mind
So give a boy another chance
Save a boy another dance
Or let me go

*Assignment#03: So Sure

MRT 316N, The University of Texas at Austin

DAW: Ableton Suite 8 (PC)
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 2i2
Mic: Sure SM57
Guitars: Fender Telecaster and Takamine G-230

I wrote and produced this song as my optional final project.

Bleedin'

Written, performed, and produced by Graham Garrett 2013.