Offering a step-by-step approach to develop young musicians with character

Monster Concert '21 - Parent Information Page

It's time to RECORD! Please read carefully below:

From our group class world travels this year, we have learned folk songs from around the globe. Now it's time to put them together!

Record YOUR part for each of the 6 folk songs below (play position with air bow, bowing on one string, open string bass line, playing melody with notes, or duet - according to what you've learned.)
For those singing the songs, make one recording of singing alone and another playing, then send both.
When recording, students may wear traditional dress from their country or heritage, OR solid bright colors. Use a background from your home or garden you'll feel comfortable sharing publicly.

ALL VIDEOS DUE TO MRS. SALISBURY BY MAY 30 at MIDNIGHT

Set-up

Students will need:

a Grown-up's help
a set of WIRED headphones
a recording device (or two, depending on the strategy you'll use for recording)
a stable place for recording device to sit (like a tripod or stand)
looking into a light source (no back lighting)
a non-distracting background you'll feel comfortable sharing publicly in the final product

Send the 6 separate videos to Mrs. Salisbury by May 30

Feel free to use any of the following file transfer options to send your completed video recordings to Mrs. Salisbury.

iMessage
Dropbox
WeTransfer
Hightail
iCloud
Google Drive
Acapella Collab
Email - might not be the best option because of size limits

Prepare before hitting record: Tips for a successful take

Tune your instrument before you record.
Rosin your bow.
Find a well lit space with a simple background.
Frame the shot in landscape orientation, NOT portrait. Make sure the student fits in the frame from torso to head. Let us see the bow hand when fully extended, and the violin/viola scroll at all times.
Rehearse with the backing track to learn the cues, instructions and tempo. Try to match your notes and timing to the reference recording.
Be ready to record each song a few times before keeping your BEST one to send in.

Recording Strategy Option #1 - uses 2 devices and a grown-up's help

*This is the most difficult, but still possible way, good if you don't have an iOS device*

In this strategy, you'll make a recording from your phone or tablet's camera app while listening to the reference recordings through the headphones plugged into the computer.

Step 1: plug the wired headphones into the computer and put the headphones on the performer so only they can hear the accompaniment backing track. Performer stands in front of their backdrop, lit from the front, in optional traditional clothing or bright, solid colors.

Step 2: A grown-up uses the camera device to frame their upper body and instrument.

Step 3: Performer gets ready in play position

Step 4: Start the recording on the camera and then QUICKLY

Step 5: Hit "play" on the reference recording

Step 6: Performer follows the instructions on the track while the grown up makes a video recording from start to finish

Step 7: Watch back your performance to see if it's your best version, do another take if you know you can fix anything, then send it in!

Recording Strategy Option #2 - uses 1 iOS device and a grown-up's help

*This is the easier way, but requires an iOS device and the free Acapella App*

In this strategy, you'll make a recording from the Acapella app and send back to Mrs. Salisbury as a "Collaboration" video

Preliminary steps: Download Acapella by Mixcord app on your iPhone or iPad, free version, and set up an account. You won't be posting to this site, only using the app to make the recording and send to Mrs. Salisbury.
Step 1: plug the WIRED headphones with built-in mic or WIRED earbuds into the iOS device.

Step 2: Put the headphones on the performer so only they can hear the accompaniment backing track. Performer stands in front of their backdrop, lit from the front, in optional traditional clothing or bright, solid colors.

Step 3: A grown-up clicks on the links below to pull up the Acapella video collaboration

Step 4: "Violadiva wants to Collab with you!" then tap the Red "Collab" lettering, New Project YES

Step 5: Performer gets ready in play position.

Step 6: Grown up steadies the iOS device so it won't wiggle, taps the top grey rectangle, orients camera to frame performer's upper torso and hands.

Step 7: Tap red button to record, performer follows all instructions they hear in the wired earbuds.

Step 8: Performer follows the instructions on the track while the grown up makes a video recording from start to finish. Grown up managing the camera lets the time expire on the end.

Step 9: Click "continue" to listen/watch your performance to see if it's your best version. Click the green check to keep or the red X to redo.

Step 10: if your sound is too quiet or too loud, adjust the microphone gain setting by clicking the blue headphone jack icon before recording again.

Step 11: click the blue link to "Save and Share" and send to Mrs. Salisbury via email or text

IMPORTANT! Change sharing default from "Public" to "Collaboration" before sending to Mrs. Salisbury

Recording Strategy #3 - come to Mrs. Salisbury's studio this week and she'll help you do it.

*This strategy is the most user-friendly, as Mrs. Salisbury will run all the technology and save the video to send to herself. All you need to do is come prepared to get a good take and play your best.*

Bring your own wired headphones or earbuds to use in the studio
Wear your traditional dress or bright colors
Come during your normal lesson time, or during the block of recording appointments available on Friday afternoon.
Record your part in the studio and rest easy knowing you're all set!

Enjoy the completed music videos with everyone's best take on June 5!

For the concert on June 5 at 5pm PDT, all the student recordings will be gathered together in one big music video, posted on YouTube and shared with the world! Invite your friends and family from around the globe to tune in live, or watch the videos later.

Mr. & Mrs Salisbury will be building the videos between May 31-June 4, so to be included in the final product, you must have your videos in by May 30th!