You Too Can Be a Video Game Composer!

Looking for new things to try out this summer? This blog will discuss some easy, free digital music composition resources to get you started!

You don’t have to be a professional audio technician to make great digital music!

A New Summer Pursuit?

As the school year begins to wrap up, many of us may be on the lookout for new and engaging resources to entertain our kiddos and/or students this summer. Let me recommend digital music composition! As a general music teacher, I have experimented with lots of different activities and lessons over the years in an attempt to teach important skills and standards while keeping students excited about music. Using digital music creation sites has been wildly successful in that area, and has allowed some students who aren’t a part of performance ensembles to shine.

There are numerous free resources that educators can use to demonstrate digital music composition for their students. I generally pair these activities with information on film scores or video game history, as it creates a touchstone for students to understand the importance of soundtracks. It can also give them a jumping-off point when making their own tracks. I try to keep assessments pretty general so that students have lots of opportunities to write what they enjoy or sounds good to them. But, I do give some parameters so as to avoid the “curse of the blank page.”

Below, I will include a list of the sites I have used along with the age ranges and technological capacity that tends to be necessary. Most of these sites are convertible between Mac or other devices, but some programs (such as Garageband) are exclusive to specific brands.

Teaching students the relevance of soundtrack music is a wonderful way to take something most kids do (watching movies, playing video games, etc.) and turn it into an educational experience. I like to encourage meeting students where they are—when we discuss the genesis of 8-bit music in 7th grade, students already understand at least some of what we discuss since they encounter these things in their daily lives. That way, when asked the age-old question “When are we going to use this in our real lives?” one can point out that they already do! Does the music in a video game make the experience more immersive? Imagine watching a favorite show or movie with no music—would Darth Vader be as scary without his theme song?

I also believe that allowing students to take the reins and be creative goes a long way in building lifelong musicians. In the music classroom or studio, we have the capacity to allow for hands-on work and individual artistry that isn’t available in many other classes. With composition, I try to provide the tools and some examples and then give students time to experiment and play around with the sounds. As previously mentioned, providing guidelines is important, but I try to keep them minimal so as to allow students the individual capability to create.

Pretty much all of the music composition resources below can be accessed with any sort of computer—no plugins or synth keyboards required!

Digital Music Resources Anyone Can Use!

I have used nearly all the following resources in my middle school general music classes. Some might be a bit tricky to use with elementary students (depending on age and capability), and most offer a free option. I’d recommend familiarizing yourself with the ins and outs of the site before assigning or using it in lessons just in case there are questions from your students. Have fun!

• Chrome Music Lab: https://musiclab.chromeexperiments.com/Experiments This site is free and very easy to use. There are numerous “Experiments” available, and this is a fabulous site to use for scavenger hunts. The Songmaker experiment is a very simple clickable song creator that does allow for an exportable URL. However, that URL does have to be kept somewhere (I usually have students email it to themselves) or the work will disappear.

• Beepbox: https://www.beepbox.co (or just google Beepbox) This site is a fantastic way to discuss Chiptune music. The interface is a bit more complex than Chrome Music Lab, and there are many more instrument and customization options. I’d recommend really digging into the site on your own before introducing it to students. Simply scrolling down on the landing page will also show instructions and include some links to songs that have been created. I love using this website after talking about video game music.

• Audiotool: https://www.audiotool.com/ This site is free, but it does require a signup. I had limited success with Audiotool when using it with my middle school students as it’s not quite as user friendly as other sites. However, this is a great resource for your more advanced students, or those who are looking to get deeper into digital music creation.

• Musescore: https://musescore.org/en This is more of an app than a webpage, but it’s a free notation and composition software. Once again, a bit more advanced—think free version of Sibelius or Finale. I’d recommend this software if you have students wanted to write music of a more classical genre. There is playback included, but the instrument quality isn’t incredible. Still, a great resource to have in a back pocket!

Try it out!

Technology is here to stay, and its integration into education and music is going to continue to increase. Might as well make the best of it and enjoy the process! There are many other options out there for digital composition: Audacity, Garageband, and Protools, to name a few. Use whatever works best for you, and have fun with it! You might just learn a thing or two yourself along the way.

If you are interested in any of the resources I’ve used in lessons and classes myself, feel free to contact me at my Vibe email. I’m always delighted to share. Happy composing!

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-Charissa Garrigus, Instructor at Vibe Music Academy

The Importance of Performance

Musical performance can seem like an unnecessary hassle, and can generate feelings of trepidation and worry. However, they are very important to developing a musician’s abilities.

Why is it important for students to participate in performance?

Perhaps the number one argument for the inclusion of performance into any student’s musical study is that it builds confidence. Having a measurable goal for a student to work towards (i.e. “I want to perform the first movement of a Beethoven Sonata”) is essential in any form of practice. How can a student demonstrate their learning if there isn’t some sort of assessment in place? Attaining that measurable goal can help a student recognize his or her skills, in addition to providing that essential assessment factor for the instructor.

The thrill of applause is another excellent benefit students acquire when engaging in performance. Music is, at its core, an expressive art form. Performing enables students to connect with others on a completely different level. Students who perform gain essential skills that can aid them with later public speaking or presentation requirements in school and beyond.

Performance can also be fun! There is no feeling of accomplishment greater than doing something hard and being successful at it. Participating in a performance isn’t easy, that is for certain. But, knowing the difficulty and accomplishing one’s goals anyway helps solidify a sense of self worth and enduring success, musical and otherwise.

Connecting with an audience through musical performance can help students develop many important skills!

Helpful Tips for Dealing with Performance Anxiety

Performance anxiety is a common issue many musicians deal with. Some have more problems with it than others, but most performers have experience with some type of nerves before a concert. Making use of some of the following tips can help musicians prepare for and hopefully combat some of the effects of these anticipatory nerves.

• Practice! The more you prepare for a concert or event, the easier the actual performance is likely to be and the less likely you are to make a mistake.

• Get plenty of sleep and try to avoid too much caffeine. Jitteriness and racing thoughts are common symptoms of performance anxiety and can be increased with too much caffeine intake.

• Breath is a wonderful medicine! Practice taking deep breaths before you begin playing. This can help lower the heart rate and slow numerous other symptoms of panic.

• Try to focus on the positives. Performing can be fun! Making music with a group or soloist is a wonderful way to connect to others and the satisfaction you will feel at the end is worth it!

  These tips won’t always work for everyone, but it’s worth trying them out! Check out the following websites if you are interested in reading more about performance anxiety’s causes along with some strategies for conquering it.

https://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/stage-fright-performance-anxiety

https://psychcentral.com/health/how-to-break-the-cycle-of-performance-anxiety

https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/social-anxiety-disorder/treatment/conquering-stage-fright

Performing can be so much fun!

No matter how you look at it, the point of musical performance is positive. It serves as a method to demonstrate and share successful skill acquisition. Concerts are excellent ways to measure goals and achievement, for both performers and their teachers. Finally, performing in musical events assists musicians in confidence building, interpersonal connections, and self expression!

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-Charissa Garrigus, Instructor at Vibe Music Academy

A Brief History of the Ukulele

Many people associate the ukulele with Hawaii, and rightly so. This instrument has featured regularly in Hawaiian folk music, films about the Hawaiian Islands, and so much more. However, this instrument has a fascinatingly varied history! In fact, the name “ukulele” itself even has different translations.

Believe it or not, the ukulele itself was not invented in Hawaii. It is a direct descendent of the cavaquinho, a four-stringed guitar-like instrument popular in Portugal and and the Portuguese island of Madeira. Hawaii was a hot spot for immigration during the late 1800’s, and Portuguese immigrants sailing on the ship Ravenscrag brought this instrument with them when they arrived in Honolulu in 1879.

The story goes that when the ship’s crew member João Fernandez played his cavaquinho for the local people, they were fascinated by how quickly his fingers moved along the strings. So, they named this instrument a “ukulele,” which translates directly to “jumping flea.” When Fernandez played, his fingers jumped so rapidly along the strings they almost appeared like fleas to the lookers on!

However, there is another possible origin for the name of the instrument. This was the meaning assigned to it by the last monarch of Hawaii, Queen Lili’uokalani. She described the ukulele as “the gift that came here,” referring to the immigrant origins of the cavaquinho.

Perhaps at this point it is important to say that the cavaquinho and the ukulele are not in fact the same instrument. João Fernandez and several of his companions did settle in Honolulu as carpenters and produce these instruments for the local people. However, somewhere along the line the cavaquinho got mixed together with the rajão (another stringed Portuguese instrument) and became something else entirely. The exact date at which the ukulele became its own is unknown, but the instrument was officially presented in 1889, and was a favorite of both King David Kalākaua and the later Queen Lili’uokalani. The playing of the ukulele became a staple of royal ceremonies, and as such started to become a Hawaiian symbol. Additionally, the instrument is traditionally crafted of koa, a native wood that symbolic of nature and earth.

Queen Lili’uokalani was a huge proponent of the ukulele, decreeing it the national instrument of Hawaii. She played this instrument (among several others) and even wrote the famous song “Aloha ‘Oe” to be performed on ukulele. It is greatly due to her influence that ukulele has become such a hallmark of Hawaiian culture.

Source: Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Queen Lili’uokalani

Nowadays, the ukulele has become a staple of popular music. Many famous artists from Jason Mraz, to Twenty One Pilots, Taylor Swift, and even Panic at the Disco have featured the ukulele in their songs. This is a delightful instrument to play, very easy to learn, and extremely portable. The nylon strings and small size create a folksy sweetness when strummed—the ukulele has even become a bit of an aesthetic choice to some! Indeed, many schools have switched gears from teaching recorder to teaching ukulele as the skills can translate a bit better to casual music making.

Thus, the ukulele has travelled a long way from the shores of Portugal, to the beaches of Hawaii, and now into the vernacular of pop singers and songwriters alike. This delightfully versatile instrument promises plenty of innovation in years to come, and remains a joy to performers and listeners alike.

Image Source: Herald Scotland News

Source Material:

• https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/01/though-it-be-little-the-rise-of-the-ukulele/384453/

• https://americanhistory.si.edu/blog/5-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-%E2%80%98ukulele

• https://learnplayuke.com/history-of-the-ukulele/

Blog Post Written By: Charissa Garrigus

The Need for Vulnerability in Music Lessons and Performance

Learning and refining a new skill can be daunting and may be seen as a risk to some. In my time as a professional musician and teacher, I have realized how vital vulnerability is to the music learning and making processes. Vulnerability allows for the exploration of the vast opportunities music and its instruction have to offer.

What is Vulnerability?

Vulnerability is defined as “the quality or state of being exposed…either physically or emotionally” by the Oxford English Dictionary. It can have positive or negative outcomes. However intimidating it can be, vulnerability, in a positive manner, can heighten a musician's emotional sensitivity and intensify music performance as a whole.

The act of being vulnerable within the realm of music is complex and variable. It can range from being open enough to step out of your comfort zone by beginning music lessons to being confident enough to perform emotion-evoking music in front of complete strangers.

Music, in the most basic terms, is meant to tell a story, communicate feelings, and allow connection on a basic human level. These effects are diminished without vulnerability from the musician.

Without vulnerability, the musician typically shows reduced emotional attachment to the music. In order to transform mere notes on a page into something that the listener can connect with, the musician must be sensitive and vulnerable while incorporating a personal connection to the music. In this way, the music can be performed and experienced in its meaningful and intended form.

Anna, assisting one of her voice students at Vibe’s 2022 Spring Recital

Vulnerability’s Affect on Music Performance

Some may think that taking the first step towards learning something new, such as signing up for music lessons, is the hardest. While it can be, vulnerability only grows throughout an endeavor, such as music making.

The image shown below portrays the Vulnerability Hierarchy and how complex and multifaceted it can be. Music training and performance can incorporate most, if not all of these vulnerability tiers.

Vulnerability makes for a better musician and allows musicians to create and perform music in the most meaningful way. 

Source: https://advice.theshineapp.com/articles/lean-into-your-vulnerability-with-this-1-chart/

Vulnerability also comes in many forms and intensities.

Personally, I find that I feel more vulnerable performing vocally rather than with a palpable instrument. The fact that I cannot physically separate or disassociate myself from my vocal instrument makes me more susceptible to self-doubt, fear and negativity around my voice compared to other instruments I perform.

Understanding vulnerability and being open to opportunities, such as performing or learning new techniques, allow me to make music to the best of my ability, both vocally or instrumentally.

On a larger scale of performance, the importance of vulnerability only increases. Instead of being open and present in a one-on-one lesson setting, the performer (of any level) must be able to emote to an audience of their peers and/or strangers, which is extremely difficult.

Speaking from years of performance experience, vulnerability in front of an audience is hard, and most likely always will be. However, the beauty and opportunities an open, vulnerable musician can experience unmeasurably outweigh those of fear and self-doubt.

A voice student of Anna’s performing at Vibe’s 2022 Winter Recital.

Vulnerability’s Affect on Music Instruction

From a teaching standpoint, I aim to model and guide my students to recognize and acknowledge their vulnerabilities. This helps to mold them into the best, most confident, musicians they can be. 

In my studio, I have my students of both piano and voice engage in somewhat silly or awkward exercises. There is always a method to the madness and a technique to refine, no matter how weird the exercise may seem. I find that the students that are willing to be vulnerable and lean into silly or awkward exercises are able to acquire the skill easier and quicker than students who are more reluctant.

Fostering vulnerability in a safe and open atmosphere is essential to music instruction. A study by Papageorgi et al. (2010) explains that students thrive when the learning atmosphere is supportive, nurturing, and empowering. This is how the student recognizes the learning goals and processes that best reinforce their training journey.

I, along with Vibe Music Academy, believe that as a music educator, the goal is to create the type of learning environment that best encourages personal and musical growth.

I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and allow yourself to be vulnerable to something new - the experience may positively surprise you. Join us at Vibe Music Academy if music is your next vulnerability venture!

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-Anna Holden, Instructor at Vibe Music Academy