My final project was inspired by watching a children’s video with my son. I wanted to create something whimsical that would be entertaining to a child as they learn their alphabets, numbers, and other core ideas.

 

  The track is metered using the 4/4 time signature and is structured on a typical back 

beat at a BPM of 120. The kick, snare, and hi-hats are quantized on a 1/8 Swing Category D at 50%. The swing allows the drums to have their own pocket within the mix.

 

  The kick, snare, hi-hats, bass, section one’s pad, and the lead are created using synthesizers. I sampled an audio loop of a mini synth from an application called Splice® and included an Apple® Loop named Brazilian Berimbau. Lastly, I included vocals of the alphabet to complete the whimsical feel of the track.

 

  The track was built using the C major scale for section 1 while Section 2 uses the parallel minor of C major which is A minor. I also included sustain chords in section 1 (D7sus4) and 2 (Gsus4). 

 

  Section 1 chords are I- ii- viiº- ii- I (C7-Dm7 -Bm7b5-D7sus4 -C7). Section 2 chords are I- iiº- VII- iiº- I (Am- Bº- Gsus4- Bº -Am).

 

  For tracks 6 through 8, I wanted the pads and leads to be bright instruments similar to other nursery rhyme type music.

 

  I used a compressor on the kick to give it more punch and I also added a compressor to my vocals to tame the peaks. Reverbs were used on the pads, lead, vocals, and loops to smooth out the sharp starts and ends of the sound and to provide a space for the sounds to live.  

 

  In addition, I include delays on the vocals to give the vocals more width and body. Automation was included on the pads to bypass the arpeggiator until section 2.