Activity 4

Activity – Mess Up a Piece of Music

Resource Type:

Activity

Duration:

30 minutes

Outcomes:

Learners are expected to:

SO 2.6.            open an existing WAV or MP3 file by using the mouse drag-and-drop function and the FILE-menu IMPORT function

SO 2.8.            export an Audacity project as an MP3 file

SO 4.8.            adjust a sound sample by using the Equalization effect

SO 4.12.          adjust the tempo of a sound sample using the Change Tempo effect

SO 4.14.          demonstrate how to reverse a sound sample using the Reverse effect

SO 5.6.            differentiate between a mono track and a stereo track

SO 5.7.            demonstrate an understanding of the use of equalization

SO 5.8.            demonstrate an understanding of the term tempo

Suggested Evaluation:

A simple rubric can be used to evaluate students’ achievement of the specific curriculum outcomes for this activity. Some outcomes can be evaluated when reviewing students’ submitted MP3’s. Outcomes can also be evaluated by observing and dialoging with students as they work on the project.

Below is a suggested rubric to assist with your evaluation:

Incomplete                 0
Unsatisfactory           1
Satisfactory                2
Exceptional                3

OUTCOMES	EVALUATION
SO 2.6
SO 2.8
SO 4.8
SO 4.12
SO 4.14
SO 5.6
SO 5.7
SO 5.8

Procedure:

In this Activity you will completely mess up a piece of music! You will open a song in Audacity, reverse it, slow down its tempo, change it from stereo to mono, and make it sound like it is on an AM radio.

The piece of music you will be using for his project can be found where you found this activity – “mussels.mp3.” Save this MP3 file on your computer then drag and drop it into Audacity.

Stereo to Mono

Select the entire track by clicking on the left tab of the track. Go up to the TRACK menu and select STEREO TRACK TO MONO. You will notice that the stereo track will now change into mono. If you are not sure about mono and stereo tracks there is a tutorial in this series for you.

Slow Tempo

Once again, select the entire track by clicking on the left track tab. Go to the EFFECT menu and select CHANGE TEMPO. In the Change Percent window enter “-20” percent and click OK

AM Radio

Select the entire track again and go to the EFFECT menu. Select EQUALIZATION and on the Select Curve pull-down menu select “amradio.” Click OK.

Reverse

Select the entire track, go to the EFFECT menu and select REVERSE.

Click PLAY to hear the new song!

Export your recording as an MP3 by going to the FILE menu and choosing EXPORT. If you are not sure how to export and MP3 you can watch the tutorial on Exporting in this series. Save your MP3 as “Mussels your name.MP3” and save it in a safe place on your computer.

Be sure to submit your new file to your instructor for evaluation.