Continued Exploration: How to make a music video

In this blog post, I will explore a high-level overview of how to build a music video and how music videos have made music much more visual and innovative across the technology spectrum. Television has been surpassed by the internet for watching music videos. Music and technology often seem to progress and adapt together in the modern world. Music videos play an important role in promoting musicians’ careers. You can watch music videos on the top four famous platforms YouTube, Vevo, Vimeo, and Muzu. TV. The internet can build your playlists and your favorite music can be watched endlessly. These music videos go through varying degrees of production from small to large with most bands utilizing this method to enhance their music careers and success.

 

How to Make a Music Video

One of the first steps in making a music video is to know what you want to make. What is the story going to be? The planning process is critical. If you are a filmmaker or music producer, you will have to talk with the band or artist to see what it is exactly the outcome of the video needs to be. Analyzing the song and having a budget are crucial. See what other kinds of videos can have an influence on your plan and see what some best practices in the industry are.

Scout on locations that intertie with the music video’s idea and story that will be portrayed. Planning is critical to the success of this project. The right equipment, sound person, clothing, lighting, actors, and of course the musician and or band members. Complete the filming and be creative in the process. There is some good software that will help you edit and put the work together. Some of the software are iMovie, Apple Final Cut Pro, and Musician Video Maker. Below are some examples of music videos that I will share with you.

                                       Chris Stapleton “Starting Over” September 19, 2020, USA

Musical Elements of Starting Over

The song Starting Over is in the key of Bb. The strings are tuned to standard 440 E A D G B E.  A capo is used on the 3^rd fret. This allows Chris Stapleton to find his matching voice to the chords. The tempo is 89 beats per minute. The lyrics depict a story of no matter what life throws at you if you have your partner by your side through thick and thin, it is possible to start over in life.  

                                       Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers “I Won't Back Down” (2006) USA

 

Musical Elements of I Won't Back Down

This song was written by Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne. It is 2:59 seconds long. It was first released in April 1989. The lyrics tell of worldly obstacles that make it hard for people to move forward, but with determination and a willingness to overcome, nothing is impossible. The song is played in the key of G. The chords are G Em D and C. The solo is played using a slide on the lead guitar with a slight distortion effect. With a 4/4 measure, this song has the energy to make people relax and want to dance.

 

Opinion

The first music videos were so cool in black and white on television. People went from listening to the radio to being at home and were able to enjoy the music story live or watch the show 65 years later. As the digital age and technology advances, music video production has an endless innovative spark that keeps growing and progressing yet holding on to the story of the music or band. I enjoy the music videos of the early 50s rock n roll and the 1970s classic rock n roll right up to contemporary country music videos. One day I hope to make one myself.

 

 

Sources

“I Won't Back Down.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 19 Mar. 2023, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Won%27t_Back_Down.

“Key, Tempo of Starting Over by Chris Stapleton.” Musicstax, https://musicstax.com/track/starting-over/4jUIHI4AUz60KysYtYLHIZ.

“Making a Music Video - Tips & Tricks.” YouTube, 10 Aug. 2015, https://youtu.be/ZPEeVz0nnF0.

Senjo, Petar. “Top 4 Platforms to Watch Music Videos On.” The Frisky, 28 Mar. 2019, https://thefrisky.com/top-4-platforms-to-watch-music-videos-on/.

Team, NFI. “How to Make a Music Video? Everything You Need to Know.” NFI, 24 Jan. 2023, https://www.nfi.edu/how-to-make-a-music-video/.

“Tom Petty - I Wont Back Down (Chords).” Guitar.Com, 24 Oct. 2022, https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/tom-petty/i-wont-back-down-chords-55036.

 

 

 

 

Music and the Fictive Dream: On My Way

Biography

Phillip Collins was born on January 30, 1951, in London England. He is an English singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, and actor. He is had a successful music career in the UK and the United States. He has sold 8 studio albums with 33.5 million units in the United States and 150 million records worldwide making him one of the world’s most successful music artists. On My Way, was written by Phil Collins and released on October 21, 2003. This song was written for the 2003 Disney movie Brother Bear.

 

                                                 Colins before a concert in France 2007

What role does this specific work serve?

In the movie, Brother Bear Koda tells a story to Kenai, who is transformed into a bear, about his mother being separated. Kenai tells Koda to save the story for all the bears at the salmon run in the river. The two bears walk through the mountains as Phil Collins sings On My Way. The song lyrics follow the plot and production of the characters. The two bears meet with two moose who tell them about a hunter who wants to get Kenai. With the movie being about Alaska Native beliefs, this song On My Way is fitting for the transformation that happens in the movie from humans to animals.

                                                  Phil Collins “On My Way”. October 5, 2019

Opinion- I enjoy the movie Brother Bear and the song On My Way. The lyrics depict the movie's animation well with the animals traveling and the story being told. The beat the rhythm allows the listeners to become more interested and anticipate in the movie of what will happen next. The song and movie are closely interred woven, and Disney did a great job of covering and conveying Alaska Native beliefs.

 

 

  

Works Cited

"Brother Bear." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 22 Mar. 2023, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brother_Bear. Accessed 11 Apr. 2023.

"Phil Collins." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 10 Apr. 2023, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Collins. Accessed 11 Apr. 2023.

The Fab Four-Role of the Performer

 The Fab Four

The Fab Four is a tribute band that was formed in California in 1997. The Fab Four bring back the English Beatles band that was formed in 1960 in Liverpool, England. The Beatles band member's best-known lineup consisted of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Stars. The Beatles were an active band until 1970 becoming some of the most iconic international stars and commercial success. Biography of the Fab Four: The Fab Four was founded by Ron McNeil who impersonated John Lennon. The band begin to perform Beatles music in southern California initially. The Fab Four have had many people play through the years. The current members are Ron McNeil, Ardavan Sarraf as Sir Paul McCartney, Gavin Pring as Geroge Harrison, and Erik Fidel as Richard Starkey (Ringo Starr). The Fab Four has toured around the globe covering most of the Beatle’s songs and additional post-Beatles band songs by the members of the original band. Their current touring schedule from the band's page still has them performing in 2023. My favorite cover songs they do are “Get Back” and “Come together”.

 

Fab Four “Get Back” Sacramento, CA 3/6/20. The Fab Four performed this Beatles cover the in the United States in this video. The song was originally written by Paul McCartney and was originally released on April 11, 1969.

Rhythm- The electric guitar plays a 4/4 rock n roll beat while the rhythm guitar, drums, and bass keep time with clean Timbre. The melody of the sound makes you want to sing along right where you are standing.

Harmony- The bass player and the crowd are in harmony singing while the energy is so vibrant! The pitch of the electric guitar lead riff makes the music intense and captures the ear.

Fab Four's “Come Together” played this song on the cruise ship Norwegian Pearl on 8/17/07. The song was originally written by John Lennon and was originally released on October 6, 1969.

Harmony-The harmony of the instruments playing together and the singers singing the lyrics makes this piece appealing to the listener as the music sounds very full and complete.

Timbre-The tone of the lead guitar is distorted and the rock n roll rhythm sounds relaxing with the sound stopping and restarting. It gives the listener the ability to really feel the dynamics of the music and engages the audience to want to hear more.

 

I enjoy the sounds and energy that the Fab Four produce. They sound very similar to the Beatles when they are performing their cover tunes.  I believe that people of the baby boomer generation appreciate a cover band like the Fab four as it brings back memories of being a teenager and reminiscing about listening to the Beatles or watching them live in concert. I hope great cover bands continue to perform great works of music that were composed by historical and future artists.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Works Cited

“Come Together.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 29 Mar. 2023, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Come_Together.

“The Fab Four (Tribute).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 28 Mar. 2023, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fab_Four_(tribute).

“The Fab Four: The Best Beatles Tribute Band.” The Fab Four: The Best Beatles Tribute Band, https://www.thefabfour.com/.

“Get Back.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 30 Mar. 2023, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Get_Back.

 

 

A Musical Trip Through Inuit Culture

The Inuit people of the Circumpolar North have a musical tradition that includes singing, dancing/storytelling, drumming, and throat singing. Throat singing is usually performed by women, it can be a game between two women. While throat singing is performed in other cultures in the Russian Arctic, Northern Japan, Scandinavia, Tibet, Mongolia, and South Africa. Inuit people's uniqueness is that it is female-focused. The oral traditions that have been passed on from generation to generation without documentation of when throat singing begin make it hard to discern when Inuit people began to throat sing. Inuit throat-singing is considered a verbal art.

 

Canadian Inuit regions where throat singing occurs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elements of Inuit music/singing

Timbre-relatively small melodic range/microtonality.

Complex rhythmic organization. You can hear the up and down pitch changes and energetic and concentrating sounds.

Elements of throat singing (or katajiaq in Inuktuk).

The type of traditional competitive song is considered a game. This is unique to the Inuit.

An example of overtone singing. A unique method of producing sounds vocally.

Harmonic elements can be heard by breathing and guttural noises. These noises are made to mimic the Inuit way of life of the animals, birds, and sea mammals that sustain their way of life.

Rhythm is often set when holding each other's arms and the back-and-forth signing noises,

Functions:

Traditionally used in spiritual ceremonies, i.e., before a hunt or to sing to children. While the men were out hunting the women would gather and perform throat singing. At times the women would be so close that their lips would touch and the air from each other’s throat and nasal cavities would go into the other woman and her body would be like a resonator.

 

Karin and Kathy Kettler, throat singers, and drum dancers performing at the Circumpolar Music Festival (via Alaska Dispatch/Vimeo).

 

I personally enjoy the sounds and energy that the Inuit throat singers produce. When the duets are competing with one another, it gives the music more energy and influence for the spectator. The sounds, dynamics, and versatility have interested me to learn more about throat singing and how the sounds are produced in the human body.

 

These are a few examples below of Inuit Throat Singing

 

Lowell Folk Fest - NukariikInuit throat singing - YouTube

 

 Inuit throat singing - - Video Search Results (yahoo.com)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

Works Cited

“Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada.” Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada, https://indigenouspeoplesatlasofcanada.ca/.

Richardson, Jennifer. “Inuit Throat-Singing: A Guttural Game Gets a Cultural Resurgence.” Atlas Obscura, Atlas Obscura, 30 Jan. 2014, https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/throat-singing-from-canada-s-inuit#:~:text=The%20Inuit%20live%20mostly%20in%20the%20polar%20region,1999%E2%80%94as%20well%20as%20Northern%20Quebec%20and%20Baffin%20Island.

 

The Evolution of Guitar

 Where would the world be without the development and production of a guitar? The guitar is a musical instrument from the chordophone family. The guitar is distinguished from other chordophones by its structure and tuning. A guitar is made from different wood, materials and has nylon or steel strings. There are many shapes, colors, tunings, and sizes. The guitar is very versatile and can make an infinite amount of sounds. The timeline of the origin of the guitar dates back 5000 years ago in Mesopotamia. The history of the guitar is intriguing and long and the modern guitar has been pivotal in a variety of music genres. I sincerely enjoy playing and learning the guitar every day. The following paragraphs will help describe the history, evolution, and innovations of the guitar.  

 

Venetian guitar Venice, 17th century

 

 

 

Acoustic Guitar

Two instruments that are the predecessor of the modern acoustic guitar are the European lute and the Moorish Oud. The lute and Oud are played by being plucked or strummed to create sound and they both have a hollow box that aids in producing sound. Guitars that resemble the acoustic guitar today came into existence during the renaissance era. In the 16^th century, an instrument called the baroque guitar became popular in France, Italy, and Spain, surviving up until modern times. The early acoustic guitars had many designs and modifications to the instrument as they changed the number of strings, tunings, shapes, and materials.

                            This is an example of an Oud and Lute being played.

                    Adel Salameh & Jacob Heringman (oud & lute) Cantiga 353

 

Electric Guitar

During the 1920’s the guitar players playing in big bands with loud horns and other instruments drowning out the rhythm guitar led to eager innovation to get a louder guitar volume. The technology for the electromagnetic pickup and amplifiers was around before the electric guitar and musicians and inventors went to work to develop a guitar to produce a louder guitar sound. In 1931 the first manufactured electric guitar was built by Adolph Rickenbacker. An electromagnetic pickup was installed on a lap steel guitar called “The Frying Pan’. Since the electric guitar's development, there have been many technical improvements and sound engineering enhancements. Electronics have allowed the guitarist to improvise an infinite number of sounds.

 

 

1931 Adolph Rickenbacker’s “The Frying Pan” Guitar

Les Paul is known as the inventor of the solid-body electric guitar, which he designed in 1941. Gibson introduced models based on his design in 1952. The other early pioneers, designers, and electric guitar inventors were Leo Fender and Paul Bigsby. Bigsby is best known for his development of the vibrato tailpiece. Leo Fender introduced the Fender Stratocaster, and this iconic guitar has been used by many great modern musicians.

 

1952 Gibson Les Paul Gold Top

1957 Fender Stratocastor

 

 

Electric Guitar Elements

In 1983 Stevie Ray Vaughan released his song “Pride and Joy”. Can you imagine the first time listening to the music coming across the airwaves with him doing an intro riff on his Fender Stratocaster? The unique tones achieved by Stevie Ray Vaughn were his using heavy gauge open strings and standard Eb tuning. The music’s power blues caught people's ears, along with intense note bending, light distortion, gusty sustain, and short fast vibratos made his signature style.

The electric guitar is can produce a lot of different articulations using different amplifiers, effects, pedals, and modulators. Some guitars can have up to 8 strings that can make more range of sounds. Electric guitars are being modified to now tune themselves automatically if the guitar is detecting it is out of tune. With technology and electronics advancing it will be interesting to see what a guitar looks and plays like in the future.

 This is an example below of how Stevie Ray Vaughn can play a Fender Stratocaster and make the guitar rock!

     Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble - Pride And Joy (Live at Montreux 1982) USA

 

My View of The Electric Guitar

I personally enjoy the history of the guitar. The sounds, dynamics, tunings, and versatility have intrigued me to learn every day how to be a better guitar player. The innovative minds and experiments have put America on top of the music charts. 

 The electric guitar quite possibly is the most significant and popular instrument of the last half-century in American music. The introduction of the guitar and the innovations that produce the plethora of sounds brought a major alteration to American musical technology and shaped the culture and direction of modern musical genres.

 

Works Cited

Beaumont, Adam. “History of the Acoustic Guitar | the Birth of the Acoustic Guitar | When Was the Acoustic Guitar Invented?” Six String Acoustic, 11 Nov. 2017, sixstringacoustic.com/a-brief-history-of-the-acoustic-guitar#:~:text=The%20history%20of%20the%20acoustic%20guitar%20dates%20back. Accessed 28 Feb. 2023.

 

“Bigsby Electric Guitars.” Wikipedia, 14 Feb. 2023, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bigsby_Electric_Guitars. Accessed 1 Mar. 2023.

 

Center, Smithsonian Lemelson. “The Electric Guitar’s Long, Strange Trip.” Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation, 12 Feb. 2015, invention.si.edu/electric-guitar-s-long-strange-trip. Accessed 28 Feb. 2023.

 

Fredrickson, John. “Technology and the Electric Guitar - EngineeringClicks.” Www.engineeringclicks.com, 22 Oct. 2011, www.engineeringclicks.com/technology-and-the-electric-guitar/#:~:text=Technological%20advances%20and%20innovations%20Throughout%20the%20evolution%20of. Accessed 28 Feb. 2023.

 

“Gibson Les Paul.” Wikipedia, 24 Dec. 2022, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gibson_Les_Paul.

The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. “Guitar | History & Facts.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 22 Jan. 2019, www.britannica.com/art/guitar.

 

Tolinski, Damian FanelliContributions from Brad, and y Aledort published. “Stevie Ray Vaughan’s 10 Greatest Guitar Moments.” Guitarworld, 3 Oct. 2022, www.guitarworld.com/features/stevie-ray-vaughan-10-best-performances. Accessed 1 Mar. 2023.

 

Wikipedia Contributors. “Leo Fender.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 1 Aug. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leo_Fender.

 

"PARACHUTE" - A MUSICAL ANALYSIS

 There is often a song that hits right through the thinking of the moment you are in. Whether you are standing on a sandbar on the river or in an office setting with other people performing tasks that seem important at the time, certain songs make the day go by faster. In modern times there are plenty of music platforms playing music for people’s enjoyment, and Chris Stapleton’s song “Parachute” hits home with me. The song “Parachute” was written by Chris Stapleton and Jim Beavers and released on May 5, 2015, in America.

 

                                         Chris Stapleton - Parachute (2015) -America

 

Lyrics

From the album Traveller, the song “Parachute” is written with that feeling of somebody being there in life for you. The song leaves that person open. The words do not direct to one person. The first verse sets the tone for the following chorus and verses. The chorus paints a love stronghold, comforting thoughts, and heartfelt feelings. The bridge pulls you back into the image that all the worldly issues will be ok. “If you think you’re goin’ down just know I will be around”. Beautiful songwriting for the listener.

Key of F# Maj

The chords that are smoothly put together for this song “Parachute” are blended well. The chord progression repeats itself well. Stapleton uses F#m, A, Esus4, D, and E. The chord progression along with the chorus is extremely energetic and forthright. Chris Stapleton’s voice and ability to chord match the two have helped him achieve male vocalist of the year at the ACM awards three times so far.

Dynamics

Starting out the volume of “Parachute” right in the first verse is a very calm feeling like sitting by a lake looking at the shadow of the moonlight. The last words of the verses before the chorus intensifies the volume as it goes down through the lyrics, finally setting the climax with the expression, “say the word and I’ll be there for you, baby I will be your parachute”. The banjo, along with the acoustic rhythm guitar are so tight! The chord progression on the chorus with the electric lead guitar accent is louder than the rest of the instruments and sets a mood for stomping your feet! 

Tempo

Lively, loving, and rocking all day and night to this song's “Parachute” tempo is a good feeling. The original album has beats per minute at 113. The halftime beat can be played at 57 beats per minute. The double-time beat would be played at 226 beats per minute. The original track runs four minutes and thirteen seconds. The drums are simple, yet dynamite. A constant 4/4 beat is sending out the dancing vibes. I think the tempo brings the great image of a parachute coming from the sky with help, love, and hope!

Harmony                                                             

The instruments are in tune with one another creating this emotion and curiosity of who is going to support the melody of the song “Parachute”. During the solo guitar lead licks, The base guitar player is playing along with the lead guitar notes and this is great fashion. With the rhythm of the acoustic guitar, which I think gives the song a great tone, comes this overshadowing happiness that your love will be taking care of. I am truly inspired by Chris Stapleton’s guitar playing, music writing abilities, as well as his dedication to the music.

 

Sources:

Key, tempo of parachute by Chris Stapleton (no date) Musicstax. Available at: https://musicstax.com/track/parachute/5jROdl6MhcmP3O7h2sVgtw (Accessed: February 19, 2023).

Lashibes. “Chris Stapleton ‘Parachute.’” SongChops, 11 Apr. 2021, http://songchops.com/2017/03/chris-stapleton-parachute/#:~:text=by%20lashibes%20%7C%20Mar%2019%2C%202017%20%7C%20Featured%2C,itself%2C%20sparse%20imagery%20and%20a%20few%20missing%20rhymes%21.

“Parachute (Chris Stapleton Song).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 26 Jan. 2023, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parachute_(Chris_Stapleton_song).

“Chris Stapleton – Parachute.” Genius, 2015, https://genius.com/Chris-stapleton-parachute-lyrics#:~:text=%E2%80%9CParachute%E2%80%9D%20is%20the%20fourth%20track%20from%20Stapleton%20%E2%80%99s,need%2C%20even%20if%20she%20ignores%20him%20until%20then.

 

 

 

 

Music Analysis #1

"Take It Easy" - A musical analysis of an Eagles song

When you are sitting around with friends on a hot summer day enjoying a barbeque and the sun is shining bright in the sky, there is music usually playing that goes along with the occasion of visiting, laughing, and the enjoyment of freshly grilled food while soaking up the nice summer weather. I like to relax and absorb all the great energy that is around me and drive on the open river carefree periodically. On a playlist that I frequently use for these types of occasions comes a song called Take It Easy by the Eagles. Written by Glen Frey and Jackson Browne. The song was released in 1972 in America. This blog music analysis will be on 3 elements. They include lyrics, chords, and rhythm.

 

                                             Eagles - Take It Easy (1972) -America

 

Lyrics

These lyrics resonate with my personality. I reflect on the story of this song and a person going down the open path of life with charge and determination to make it to the next leg of the journey, with happiness and success. To me these lyrics make me want to dance right away when I hear the song. The days of the week and love, along with letting go of the small stuff in life flash through my mind for me. I am running down the road trying to loosen my load I got seven women on my mind. The chorus, take it easy, and the simple yet powerful advice for people through many generations and social classes in life make this one of my all-time favorite songs. 

The verse introduces the song's point, that, despite troubles, one should "take it easy." All those women on his mind notwithstanding, a lover "who won't blow my cover" is hard to find, so he keeps on the road, knowing that "we may lose and we may win, but we will never be here again."

Chords 

The chord progression goes beyond the typical 3 or 4 chords used in most songs. When Glenn Frey was playing the acoustic guitar strumming the chords with the upbeat danceable rhythm, one can imagine how it was to listen to the amazing chord progression live in concert. The intro to the song has a unique accent of the G C and D chords. This sets the emotion of the whole song as lively.  The verse has 5 chords consisting of G C D Em and Am. Using these major and minor chords in time with the rest of the band is just an amazing piece of music. 

In 1972, Bud Scoppa wrote in Rolling Stone in his review of the Eagles' "Take it Easy" "simply the best-sounding rock single to come out so far this year. The first time through, you could tell it had everything."

 Rhythm                                                             

 The rhythm of this song blends together country and rock genres styles with a fast upbeat tempo that is remarkably entertaining. The intro rhythm to the music is tricky. The strumming sometimes has a down rhythm. Keeping up and down 4/4 measure throughout the song makes me tap my foot to keep the rhythm along with the song and I want to sing along too. With the blend of drums: bass, lead, and rhythm guitar, the feeling takes me back to a lot of memories out on the open road. 

 

 

Sources:

Scoppa, Bud. "Review of the Eagles." Rolling Stone, 22 Jun. 1972.

"Song Review by William Ruhlmann." All Music, www.billboard.com/music/rock/eagles-songs-best-hits-list-7998887/.

"Eagles Take It Easy." Justin Guitar, 2 Feb. 2022, music.stackexchange.com/questions/11994/whats-the-rock-rhythm-like.