“Making It: Modern Music”

Sept. 9th 1:30 & 2:40

1. Introduction to Modern Music & Structure2. Modern Music Production: “Fingertip Symphony”3. Marketing Your Sound: “Recordings to Rockstar”

Mr. Bersick (Burrrr…SICK)

(BURRR, I was cold, so I got SICK) = Bersick…that is my name in the classroom

Chris Sick is the moniker I use in the EDM scene as a musician & DJ

Use your handoutto takes notes &follow along. Define

terms on back.

“Making It: Modern Music” – NOVA HS - September 9th, 2015 – 1st Day

INSTRUCTOR: Mr. Bersick (Chris Sick) – soundcloud.com/chris-sick

Making IT as a music professional:

Production Notes:

Distribution Notes:

Artist Notes:

Youth like you have been leaving their mark on history ever since the beginning…in fact, you make history every single day!

Let’s learn how to leave YOUR mark on history with music!

PART 1: History of Modern Music

Why am I qualified to Teach this to you?

I have owned

3 music/record/clothing stores 2 nightclubs 1 coffee shop 1 record labelI HAVE ALSO…

Djed professionally for 29 years, playing to crowds in excess of

12,000 in 39 States and 3 countries.

I have also… produced electronic music on

vinyl & mp3s which have sold on 6 continents

Anyone care to guess which continent I haven’t conquered - yet?

One of my stores:

“Sick”

DJ 12” Records

T-Shirt Styles(Mostly Music)

Girls Clothing

SIGN

A Brief History of Music…

• Yale University has said that the definition of music is “an organization of repetitive rhythmic sounds that creates an emotional response.”

• The 1st common feature is that the VAST majority of modern music is organized in a similar repetitive manner…the reason a DJ can beat mix songs together is because they are structured alike. This standardization has became the common time signature in most rock, hip-hop, blues, EDM, country, funk, and pop.

• The 2nd common feature of modern music is its use and reliance on electronic instruments to produce sounds, effects, & sequencing.

• So, the standardization plus the invention of electronic/digital instruments are the two things that combined to lead to common modern music.

In the beginning…

Music Structure…1,2,3,4

• Music is arranged in a repetitive musical count called its TIME SIGNATURE or MEASURE commonly. Many exist (such as 3/4, 4/4, 9/8, 12/8, 5/8, 3/8) Today we will focus on the most common one

• Modern music is largely based on a 4/4 time signature, which means it has FOUR COUNTS PER MEASURE – or a repetitive rhythmic count of 1,2,3,4,1,2,3,4,1,2,3,4 in groups of FOUR, then FOUR, then FOUR and so on…

• A song is further organized into PHRASES. Phrases are a series of measures (4/4) that combine to create a “thought”. Think of it like the parts to a long sentence…they are separated by commas and each part expresses a thought that combined have a “full thought”.

• Phrases are used to add or subtract sounds to the song, or organized how long parts of the song continue. At the change of phrases musicians often leave a pause or add a sound to bring in the new phrase called a CADENCE – it’s like a musical comma.

PART 2: Music Production Tools

As synthesizers & drum machines have been replaced by computer programs it has become more affordable to have a “home studio”.

Due to greater access and easier use, it is now possible for one person to create songs that would have needed an entire orchestra

of musicians before. However, more people with greater access creates a more competitive market, so… Digital/Electronic tools are

useful & used constantly in Reggae, Rock,House music and “EDM”, Pop, Hip Hop, & also Country. Music nowadays is mostly produced with the help of computers and

synthesizers.

ABLETON Live 8.•Ableton like most music production programs is based on the use and manipulation of sampled sounds that are digitally based.•Add-ons can be purchased that expand Ableton’s uses by adding “virtual synths” (VST) or virtual effects processors•Today we will use microphone sampled sounds of your voices and take loops from your phones’ music to show you how you can create songs of your own. i.e. the beats

PART 3: Making Money at It

• Making a living in our society as a professional musician is generally one of the worst paying jobs a person can have…BUT not always!!!

• To succeed in this industry it requires persistence, focused hard-work, flexibility, practice, & a marketable sound.

• It is important to carefully craft your professional self: artist name, logo, look, polished sound, good promotion & distribution

PROMOTION

Build up to A TALENT AGENT – Below are some of the most prestigious:

http://www.amonly.com/ or http://www.circletalentagency.com/

The best way to promote your project is through your own efforts…Attend events supporting style of your musicFREE CDs given awayFREE PerformancesPromo Packet for PromotersSocial Media – particularly groups supporting style of your musicWebpage+ANYTHING you can think of to increase & build a fanbase

DISTRIBUTIONDIGITAL – mp3 and wav sales usually give the label 50% and then label gives artist 50% of that…of $2 per download.

• iTunes.com – you must have UPC bar codes for each song• beatport.com – Requires a URL web address; Mastering on songs; Email &

Application • juno.com – Relatively open access if approached professionally. Email &

Application. • chemicalrecords.uk - Relatively open access if approached professionally.

Email & Application.• addictech.com – Mastering on songs. Email & Application.• http://www.addictech.com/?keywords=Sick%20Sounds&type=distinct&page=2

VINYL – Cost is roughly $1200 for 200, then MUCH cheaper, but creative options are HUGE!

• http://www.discmakers.com/products/vinyl.asp

Me @ “Legends” – NYE, Salt Lake City

Crowd was in excess of 10,000

Outdoor Event on an island in the Great Salt Lake

ME “Sick”