Music Technology used in making "Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?"

In last class, we learnt about the different instruments of music technology that are used in the making of this song, 'Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?'. These are all the instruments used in the song and their functions:

• Yamaha SPX990 Multi-effects unit: This machine is used to apply reverb and delay to tracks. It can also create echo effects, gated effects (which reduces steady noise sources) and has freeze programs that can do loop playback. 
• Roland TR909 drum machine: It is a sound source for drum loops. Can store the entire songs with different sections, 16-step sequencer and a realistic, digital drum-kit. 
• Emu Proformance piano sound module: Has two piano sources, one from an old Yamaha synth and another from Emu. 
• Roland Juno 106: Synth bass sounds. It also produces the Chorus effect which are rich and expansive sounds combined together.
• Yamaha SY22 and SY85 synthesizers: String/synth pad sounds. 
• Akal S3200 sampler: This device samples the vocal sounds off the original record and any subsequent editing. 

Instead of using these types of music technology which are expensive, there is a software on the computer called Mixcraft which allows you to create effects and layering of sounds. There is also an app on my Ipad called Garageband which has a number of digital instruments you can play on and you can sample original sounds, etc. 

1st Reflection-  Moby 'Why Does My Heart'

In our music lesson, we have been given a task to perform the song 'Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad' by composer, Moby, without the use of music technology. We have been allocated into groups for this task. In my group, I have been assigned as a guitarist. Since, I have not played other instruments, i decided to practice and play the guitar but only the basics.

In this task, we have to rehearse this song 'Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?' using only acoustic instruments/voices without the use of music technology. we have utilised three instruments, the piano and the two bass guitars, in addition, a vocalist (a person who sings). In the first theme of the song "Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad", i had to play these chords, eight times for each string, repeatedly with my percussion instrument (bass guitar) accompanied by the piano:

A minor, E minor, G, D.

For the second theme "These Open Doors", there are two types, Bx and By. Each theme is eight bars long made by looping over a two bar phrase:

1) Bx: C. A minor, C, A minor     (Repeated two bar phrase)
2) By: F, C, F, C    (Consists of major chords)



This is the rehearsal of the song "Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?" by my group. However, the length of the our rehearsal of song was 1 min 6 seconds whereas the length of the original song is 3 min and 57 seconds. At 0:17, the first theme starts which is "Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?" which is sung by a female vocalist in our group accompanied by the chord sequence (mentioned above) of the bass guitars, piano and the use of a tambourine. At 0:48, the second theme begins which is "These open doors" also sung by the female vocalist accompanied by the same instruments. At 1:06, the song ends.

Improvements:

We have improved our music recording from the last music class. This time, the video is 2 min long. At 0:06, the piano and guitar play the Bx chord sequence which is A minor, E minor, G, D. At 0:21, the chord sequence being played by the bass guitarist and pianist, is accompanied by a female vocalist singing "Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?". At 0:52, the vocalist then sings "These open doors" accompanied by bass guitar and piano playing By major chords which are F,C,F,C. In addition a tambourine is being used. At 1:27, the vocalist goes back to 'Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?" along with the piano only.Then at 1:43, the pianist plays solo and finishes at 2:00.

2nd Reflection throughout these lessons:

Throughout these lessons, i have enjoyed recording and playing an instrument. I feel that i have put a lot of effort in working on this task because this song was particularly interesting and wanted to find out how to play it without the use of music technology. If we had more time to compose and edit our performance, it would be an excellent music recording. In my process journal, i did the best i could to keep it up to date. i have explained the recordings, what chords are used and impact of technology on music. To improve, i would give my answers in a little more depth and knowledge. In addition, i learnt how to play a bass guitar but only the basics using strings G,D,A,E only. I wish that i could have learnt piano skills which can only be achieved by spending time playing the piano and browsing the Internet to give me tips on how to play this instrument. Overall, i think that my group has done a lovely rehearsal for this computerised version of  "Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?".

Music Technology: 

Inquiry Questions:



Factual:

• What is music technology?

Ans) The technology that helps us to make music via the use of electronic devices and computer software for playback, recording, composing, storing, mixing, analysing, editing and performance.

Conceptual:

• How has music technology changed the way in which we develop and record sounds?

Ans) With the invention of gadgets such as laptops and the use of computer software in today's era, allows us to stream, record, compose and edit our own music. But it is not about the music and notes being played by new instruments, it's also the new technology that changes the way we think and approach music. It also changes the accessibility (such as Internet and high speed data transfer) of music for artists and every unique invention changes our aspect towards music. Because of this newly improved technology, we do not really need to use previous instruments such as acoustic guitar, drums, etc.  

Debatable:

• Are we becoming too dependable on music technology?

Ans) In today's world, we are too reliable on the technology we use to compose our own music. Because of the music software and other technology, the editing and recording of music might take less time and more easier to make. Also, through this software, people can invent new ideas which never existed such as genres, effects, etc. Due to this, we have lost the passion and soul which drives us to compose our own music, however, it is efficient in composing music by adding sound effects, streaming parts of live music, editing, etc. 

• Does music technology support or devalue live music making?

Ans) According to me, music technology devalues live music making. This type of technology has changed the way how it is composed and how we experience it from live music making to recorded sounds. We once thought of listening to this type of music as a special experience. But now, it has become an artificial composition due to music technology. This includes artists correcting their voices in the song, the editing, streaming of parts of another music and including it into their song. Due to this, we have lost the passion and soul which drives us to compose our own music