Free composition task 

_____

500-word commentary 

This song is the result of the whole semester experience. Thanks for the tasks, I learned so many new techniques and lectures were very helpful in terms of learning about contemporary music making. Before that, I sticked mainly with the acoustic music, but the tasks forced me to get out of the familiar, comfort zone.

For example, one note piece task helped me to understand that it is possible to create an entire song, using only one note. Instead of typical methods of music making and music progression, I had to explore non- traditional, alternative ways of varying music, making it sounding interesting and diversified. I learned that using different octaves, different instruments with very different timbers, extreme music processings and else can create music changes. In the free composition task, I employed some of the techniques that I used in the one note piece such as layerings and note shiftings. This can be heard, for example, in the percussion and voice parts.

Furthermore, It was very interesting to learn how noise can be used as a musical tool to create compositions. This inspired me to be braver and more experimental with processings, using extreme reverbs and distortions because, sometimes, what can be seen as a non-musical can make the song unique and special. 

In the soundscape composition we had to do the field recordings and then include them in the song. Using the ordinary sounds of the environment such as water pouring from the tap, I created sounds and even percussions. This experience taught me how extremely sounds can be modified due to the various processing techniques. In the free composition task, I manipulated some vocal parts to make the song to sound more diverse. For example, I used note shifting, speeding up and slowing down to change the voice quality. 

Plunderphonics task was especially useful experience for me because it was something very different to what I used to do before. We had to use only sampled material from the internet and, although, I always try to avoid using the downloaded samples in my music, it was very useful practice in terms of learning new techniques such as stuttering which was also used in the free composition task. Overall, it was the first time when I used the elements from the electronic music in the song because usually I prefer more ambient and acoustic sound. Also, it helped me to become more confident in experimenting with rhythms. For example, in the free composition task, I did not follow a particular time signature, changing it a lot and, sometimes, used big rhythmic leaps. I believe that this kind of an experimental approach to music may make it more special and recognizable. 

Overall, this semester helped me to become more experimental, brave and less scared to mix various elements from different musical styles. All the tasks were very unusual and without them, I would have never learned so many new techniques that I used in the free composition task and will definitely continue to use in my later works. I know that there is a lot to learn, but practice makes perfect and I believe that I will improve and become more capable to actualize what is exactly in my head.

Always The Same (free composition task)

Kristina CMT