Step 1

• Describe each of the following aspects of your proposed composition

1. Instrumentation/Performing Forces - Bass, Piano, Drum set, Cello, organ

2. Meter - 4/4 

3. Key Signature - D minor, A minor

4. Tempo - 110, other various 

5. Dynamics - Fortissimo at some parts. piano at others

6. Song Form - ABC

7. Numbers of Measures - ~50+

8. Chord Progressions - I, IV, V

9. Cadences - Perfect Authentic, deceptive, half

10. Texture(s) - Some parts homophonic, other poly

11. Title - 4 a.m.

Step 2

• Answer the following questions regarding your compositional proposal

1. What is it you hope to accomplish? - To make a complicated, confusing, and extremely fun song

2. Does this project relate to any of your Benchmark Goals? - Been waiting for this since day one

3. What concepts will need additional research or review? - Will review chord progressions and touch up on form 

4. How will you sequence this process? What will you do first, second, third, etc.? Ill probably figure out each individual part our first staring with the bassline then adding licks and such

5. How will you know it is a success? - When it makes the slightest bit of sense. 

Step 1

• Answer the following reflective questions

1. Describe the skills/knowledge you needed to complete this assignment that you learned/refined as a result of taking this class.

I really needed to know my blues scales, cadences, modulation, and really complicated rhythms. I also really needed to know how some chords go with others and how to properly use the blues pattern.  

1. Describe the resource/information that was most helpful to completing this composition.

I mainly used my notebook when completing this piece. Having everything in a hard copy really helped me remember and helped my visual memory by writing everything down. Another helpful resource was going to either Neil, Cory, or Lydia for help. 

1. How close was your final product in relation to your initial proposal? If things changed, why/how?

A lot of things in my piece changed. Initially it was my key change in the last few measures. As time went on and I wrote my piece I found I was also moving away from the regular form and producing something that doesn't exactly fit the template. My number of measures was also drastically cut down to about 30. I also did not use the sax part I wanted to use as it did not fit the template. 

1. Comment on your time management for this project.

I feel like my plan and time was spaced out well. I knew exactly what I wanted to be done and what days they should be done. The one thing I did not plan for was the wifi problems as the internet was helpful to quickly look up small subjects.

1. What was the greatest benefit of your learning experience for this composition?

The greatest benefit was being able to create a really fun and cool piece with the tools I had learned from the year. I had wanted to start writing music and I hadn't known how but now I have the tools necessary to start.  

1. What was the greatest challenge of your learning experience for this composition?

My greatest challenge was probably figuring out some of the rhythms I had in my head but just didn't know what to write. Much of my process in writing the piece was singing the part and tapping along to it to figure out the beat.  

1. Were there any aspects of your outcome that were surprising or unexpected?

Nothing was too surprising. The only surprising part was watching myself figure out my writing style and how I work. 

1. How would you approach the compositional process differently if you had another opportunity to learn in this manner?

I would probably take even more notes. I would probably also stay away from finale as it has the playback tool. This allowed me to almost shortcut through and figure out the rhythms without understanding them completely.

1. Describe the kind of composition you would pursue if given another opportunity to do so.

I feel like I would have a more classical approach I given another chance to write.