It’s time to create a new piece of music with all the skills you’ve learned. This activity will be the ultimate collaborative challenge, because you’re going to create rhythm, bass, chords, and melody together with your bandmates by switching lanes after each step! What will this sound like? Listen and discuss with your bandmates as you experiment with group music-making. Remember that KSHH communication is the key to collaboration.

Step 1: Rhythm - You’ll begin by creating rhythm in “your” starting lane. You’ll return to this same lane to finish, in Step 5 (see below). You can modify, or completely rewrite the rhythm track in this lane and use any drum sound you like. Remember the importance of space / rests. Feel free to mute the other three tracks if you want, or you can listen to them for inspiration. Don’t forget to save and sync when you’re done composing!

Step 2: Bass - Now shift to the right into the next lane, where you’ll create a bass track to go with the rhythm track that your bandmate just created! Remember - you can modify, or completely rewrite the bass part in this lane. Experiment with bass line melodies and sounds that fit with the rhythm track. Consider activating the looper to replay the beat while you iterate. Feel free to mute the other two tracks (chords and melody) if you want, or use them for inspiration. Practice, record, and edit the notes as you wish. Don’t forget to save and sync when you’re done.

Step 3: Chords - Shift again to the next lane, where you’ll create chords to go with the previously created rhythm and bass. You can modify, or completely rewrite the chords track in this lane. Use the piano roll or keyboard to experiment with chords of two or more notes that support the rhythm and bass tracks. Consider activating the looper to replay the beat while you iterate. Feel free to mute the other tracks if you want, or use them for inspiration. Practice, record, and edit the notes as you wish. Don’t forget to save and sync when you’re done.

Step 4: Melody - Shift again to the next lane, where you’ll create a melody to go with the rhythm, bass, and chords! Use the piano roll or keyboard to experiment with melodies and sounds that support the other tracks. Consider activating the looper to replay the beat while you iterate. Feel free to mute the other tracks if you want, or use them for inspiration. Practice, record, and edit the notes as you wish. Don’t forget to save and sync when you’re done.

Step 5: Listen - Review your work and do a round of KSHH with your bandmates. Celebrate what you’ve done - you’ve created your band’s first tracks together in a virtual studio!

Step 6: Arrange - Return to the lane with your first rhythm track. Do one round of gentle refining as needed to improve your lane’s overall sound. Anything you might add? Anything you might remove? Consider using the piano roll to make smaller edits. Remember this is a collaboration - try to preserve and highlight your bandmates’ creative work. Your final task is to work on the transitions between the lanes (“the buffer zones”) by collaborating with those lane “owners.” Feel free to use the loops library to find some interesting sounds. Don’t forget to save and sync. When you’re finished editing, listen to your band’s piece from start to finish and do a round of KSHH.  

Bonus: Give your composition a name -  What’s the title of your band’s piece - is it “Untitled”? Does each lane have a title? With your bandmates, discuss what to call your composition. 

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