#17

Wadha Al Nabti
Music Production 9
20th March 2014

Process Journal #17

My aim for this week is to create a drum part into the song as a whole. My aim for next week is to record lyrics and be done with the song. What worked in this lesson was that we created two separate drum pieces on the arabic drums. This will give our song an arab vibe, while the lyrics will give it a kind of pop vibe. What didn't work this week is that we didn't check if our drum part of the song will blend in with the melody and chorus that we've already created to the song. Also what didn't work is that we spent the whole part of the lesson looking for the computer password by chasing down Mr. Ball, but when we got it the bell had already rung. We were hoping to check if the bass would work with the melody, but I guess that could wait till the next lesson. Unfortunately I was wrong because on Monday I was struck with the flu and wasn't able to make it, so I don't know what my partner Anoud had done while I was away. I believe that we need more time for the song because if the teacher wants quality it will take time, quality isn't born it's made. Moreover I believe our song will be quite simple as I have noticed we have been slacking off as a pair a lot lately and the problem is that innovation doesn't strike us in a minute or two it strikes you when you're in the shower or taking out the trash. 

Feedback:

"Your drums bring in a khaleeji influence" Maha

Thank you Maha, that was just what me and Anoud were aiming for because whats better than going back to your roots

"You should add a solo drum part" Hayaan

I agree with you 100% percent, but that will have to wait till we have the song put together with lyrics to create something stable. 

Photo: This is Mr. Ball explaining music stuff to us in the beginning of the lesson. This is a great example of when innovation strikes me because in my case whenever I'm bored I come up with great ideas.

#16

Wadha Al Nabti
Music Production 9
11th March 2014

Process Journal #16

This week my aim is to write a whole song containing a hook, chorus, and 2/3 verses. My aim for next week is to complete the lyrical and musical part of the song. This week we are asked to continue with your pairs regarding the song we are creating. Also we are asked to prepare for the test on Monday. We basically spent the whole lesson thinking of lyrics and listening to inspiration while Anoud freestyled 5 times. The problem is that Anoud is very shy about what she freestyles so we had to delete it each time. Even though I think it was really good, even better than what we had an pen and paper. Other than that we listened to Superhuman by Keri Hilson Ft. Chris Brown and On the floor by IceJJFish. The inspiration really didn't help because we didn't write any lyrics at all basically we were very unproductive and we even decided to cut out the lyrics from last lesson, which was a step back. The only thing good about this week was the priceless lines that Anoud freestyled they were very raw and unique in my perspective. I think I secretly saved a part of her freestyling I hope I didn't lose it I might have forgotten to save it. I forgot to mention we managed to write two lines of lyrics but they are practically dissing a person in the school.

Feedback: (on lyrics)

- "They're really inspiring" Kareem

Thank you Kareem for your kind words I hope these lyrics inspire everyone to become a better person

- "You and Anoud are lyrical geniuses" Yara

Thank You Yara, but you can't call us lyrical geniuses just because of two lines of lyrics

- "You need more lyrics than that if you're going to make a song" Maha

I have realized that, but Rome wasn't built in a day, Maha. 

Inspiration:

#15

Wadha Al Nabti
Music Production 9
2nd March 2014

Process Journal #15

My aim for this week is to sit through Mr. Ball's boring lectures quietly and attentively. Thankfully we weren't given any lectures instead he told us we can work in pairs or individually to make a song. He explained briefly to us about song writing and that our next assessment would be on songwriting. After explaining I chose Anoud to be my partner and we were given a paper to fill in about how our song will be for instance we had to tell him the genre, bpm, chorus, if there were to be lyrics or not, etc. In that same lesson Anoud and I created a bass and a catchy piano part. The next lesson we went to the studio to work on writing music. Successfully we wrote  about 5 lines of our song, which isn't bad for beginners. The theme of the song was transitioning between the darkness of life into the guiding light of life. What didn't work this lesson was that we couldn't match up the piano part with the guitar part on LOGIC X PRO so we had to quantisize it, which also failed. This took up most of the first lesson. My aim for next lesson is to have at least 12 lines for the song and maximum of 16 lines. The song should also include three verses, intro, chorus, hook, and a outro. 

Feedback:

"The two different instruments don't level up with the beat" (talking about the piano and guitar part) MAHA

I agree with you Maha, but practice makes perfect you can't make a perfect song on your first try :).

"Very catchy tune" TAJI

Thank You Mohammed for your kind comments and it's great that our tune is catchy because thats what sticks in your head. 

"Add in drums" Ella

Just give it time Ella and things will be, but seriously we didn't have drums because we didn't have enough time to think about drums when we were thinking about quantisizing and writing lyrics. 

Our lyrics to the song so far

INSPIRATIONAL SONGS: 

1. Love Sosa - Chief Keef (EXPLICIT)

2. Knock You Down - Keri Hilson Ft. Ne-yo & Kanye West (CLEAN)

3. From Time - Drake Ft. Jhene Aiko (EXPLICIT)