12-bar blues draft

assignments/12-bar-blues.md

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+# 12-Bar Blues
+
+## Instructions
+
+- Produce a 12-bar blues in your own style! 
+- Using the primary chords I – IV – V and the chord progression in the 12-bar blues pattern. 
+- You can write your song in a major or minor key. For minor key, you can use major V chord if you wish. 
+- Pick any key. Any style.  
+- Incorporate the 3 elements of music: rhythm, melody, and harmony.
+- Identify what key you're in, chord progression, meter, etc - see the "Write Up" section below.
+
+## The 12-Bar Blues pattern 
+
+Basic:
+
+```
+| I  | I  | I | I |
+| IV | IV | I | I |
+| V  | IV | I | I |
+```
+Alternate:
+
+```
+| I  | IV | I | I |
+| IV | IV | I | I |
+| V  | IV | I | V |
+```
+
+## Criteria/Grading
+
+Songwriting/Production - 1 Summative Grade:
+
+- At least 3 instrument tracks from software instruments (MIDI) 
+- Only drum loops allowed.  
+- You can program/arrange your own drums with MIDI if you’d like. 
+- Must include the 3 fundamental music elements: rhythm/beat, chords/harmony and melody 
+- Melody should fit/make sense in the harmony. Think of hooks! What notes belong in the chords? Expand. Craft your melody.
+- Technical: overall sound/volume (balanced mix), rhythm in time (quantize)
+- Extra: you can add Maj 7th, dominant 7th, sus, or any tensions to the chords.
+
+## Song examples 
+
+- [Hound Dog (Elvis Presley)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYwDUonrGFQ)
+- [Give Me One Reason (Tracy Chapman)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gg3vTWf84rE)
+  - She uses IV - V progression on 2nd and 6th bar
+- [I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For (U2)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7wit8_8SqA)
+  - They repeat first 8 bars, then repeat 9-12 bars
+- [Birthday (Beatles)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbDXPUc0OjE)
+  - They keep the V chord at 10th bar
+- [I Got You, I Feel Good (James Brown)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-wZa6RZgQA)
+- [The Thrill Is Gone (BB King)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oica5jG7FpU)
+
+## Resources
+
+### Songwriting/Composition
+
+- [Music Scales Explained in 6 Minutes](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PG_u4NDJtwU)
+- [Minor Scales Explained in 8 Minutes](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzLkebsh0TY&t=266s)
+- [What Is A Chord? How To Build Chords and Chord Progression](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2gw9Fcc_w0)
+- [Common Chord Progressions Every Beginner Should Know](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HdZ3c1ojoI)
+
+### Production/Logic Audio
+
+- [Logic Pro Tutorial - Ultimate Beginners Course (Tony Holiday)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMP46jHTrI0)
+  - This video is about 2 hours long, but he has very clear timestamps. He explains everything clearly. I recommend you watch this video.
+- [Tutorial for Beginners in 13 minutes (Skills Factory)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKWdaSf9y5U)
+  - A quick tutorial getting around Logic
+- [Piano Roll Walkthrough - Inputing & Editing Midi (Why Logic Pro Rules)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WaQsx7Eb_s)
+
+### References
+- [Major scale](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_scale) 
+- [Minor scale](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minor_scale)
+- [Piano chords](https://www.pianochord.org/)
+- [Logic Pro Key Commands](https://www.morningdewmedia.com/logic-pro-key-commands-ultimate-guide/)