2/13/09

Basic Class
So yesterday we got into using the Redrum drum machine and started making our first beats. Today we're going to learn two new things:

1. How to make different beats using different patterns in the Redrum.
   
2. How to select individual drum sounds and load them into the Redrum.
   

Assignment:

1. Open Reason and start a new session (File>New).
2. Double click on the file to start Reason.
3. Create a Redrum drum machine.
4. At the top of the first slot of the Redrum, click on the Folder button.
5. Click on Reason Factory Soundbank on the left side of the screen.
6. Click on Redrum Drum Kits in the list.
7. Now scroll down until you see Xclusive Drums Sorted. Open that folder. What do you see?
8. Go into the one called Bass Drums.
9. Single-click on one of the sounds to hear it play. Now go through and check out the different types of bass drums until you find one you want to work with and double-click to load it into the Redrum.
10. Now go into Slot 2 on the Redrum and click the Folder button.
11. Do the same thing, but this time load a sound from either the Clap or Snare folders.
12. Load 2 more sounds into the Redrum, repeating the same process. I recommend loading either a Hi Hat or Shaker, but it's up to you.
    
13. Make a beat that you like.
14. Click on Pattern 2 in the Redrum and make a second beat that is different from the first one.
15. Save your beat into your Home folder by going to File>Save As. Be sure to add your name into the file name. It should be called: your name_My Drums
16. Put a copy in our class' Dropoff folder (Pickupdropoff>BAVAC>Dropoff>Period 5).

Advanced Class
So far, we've been working with intervals and learning how to play two notes at a time.

Today, I want you to first finish and turn in your intervals assignment.

After that, you're going to start a new assignment using chords.

A chordis just several notes played at the same time. The most common type of chord has three notes and is called a triad. We're going to start learning how to make triads right now.

When you finish that, please do the following:

1. Get a worksheet from Mr. Runde and fill it out. This will help you figure out the rest of our assignments for the next few classes.
2. Create a new Reason session.
3. Using a Redrum or Dr. Rex, lay down a short (4-8 bar) drum beat.
4. Create a melodic instrument (NN19/Subtractor/Malstrom/etc.)
5. Using the G Major scale, find the 1st and 3rd notes of the scale. Play them together. What is this interval called again?
6. Now, keep your fingers on the 1st and 3rdnotes and add the 5th noteof the scale. Play them all together. Congratulations, you just learned how to play a chord. If you are playing it correctly, this is called a G Major chord.
7. Now record yourself playing the G Major chord over your drum beat.
8. Create another melodic instrument and see if you can come up with a melody to go over it. Remember - you automatically know at least 3 notes that will work as a melody. What are they?
9. When you finish the assignment, try to make it into a full song.
10. Save it as (your name)_GMajChordand turn it in to the Pickupdropoff folder (Pickupdropoff>BAVAC>Dropoff>Period 5.