Project Title: Compose, Perform, and Video Record a Song with Ableton Live
Project Description: In this project, students will get into pairs or small groups to compose a
piece using Ableton. The piece will need to be arranged for live performance involving all group
members. Students will be required to use laptops, Novation Push midi controllers, and a midi
keyboard as a melodic instrument during their live performances. The project will be divided
into three stages: composing/arranging, practicing live performance, and video
recording/editing.
UbD Planning Template:
Stage 1 Desired Results
8.6.3 The student Transfer
will create music Students will be able to independently use their learning to
through a variety Create music in their own lives, and to appreciate the skill required to create
of sound and and perform electronic music.
notational sources
by using Meaning
contemporary UNDERSTANDINGS ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
media and Students will understand that How are we going to
technology to Compositions are usually built from structurally organize our
create music ordered form. compositions?
Electronic music can be performed How is electronic music
8.3.2 The student live. created?
will play a variety All of the elements of good How is electronic music
of pitched and performance still apply in the distributed to the public
nonpitched performance of electronic music (eg: (recordings, live
instruments, balance and clean transitions). performances, music
including playing videos)?
music of increasing Acquisition
difficulty in a Students will know Students will be skilled at
variety of Ableton Live can be used to perform Navigating Ableton and
ensembles, using electronic music live. using samples and midi
traditional and Ableton can be used to create devices to compose a piece
nontraditional compositions using samples and midi of music.
instruments devices. Using Ableton Live,
Novation Push controllers,
and midi keyboards, to
perform electronic music
live
Stage 2 - Evidence
Evaluative Criteria Assessment Evidence
Proficiency PERFORMANCE TASK(S):
with Ableton Stage 1: submit samples/instruments doc, composition map I, and
Understand- composition audio recording
ing of form Stage 2: submit composition map II, and stage plot
Stage 3: submit final video
Listening for OTHER EVIDENCE:
balance Participation in the group, contributing ideas
Paying Ability to work positively and effectively with other students
attention for Functioning as part of an ensemble
transitions
Stage 3 Learning Plan
Summary of Key Learning Events and Instruction (these would be the summaries of the actual
experience designs: Outline a project for 6+ days
Day 1 This is the first day of Stage 1: Composing/Arranging. Students will get into groups of 3-4.
They will begin working together on composing and arranging a 3-4 minute piece that they will
play live together. This will not be the first composition project they have done this semester
so this will not be foreign to them.
Day 2 Composition/arranging will continue. Students will develop a physical map indicating the form
of the piece. Students will also keep a running list of the sounds they are using and will divide
these up amongst group members for live performance. They will submit this document to
the teacher as part of their assessment at the end of Stage 1.
Day 3 Final day of composition/arranging. By the end of the class period, students will have
completed composing and arranging their piece. They should have three files to submit for
assessment. The first is the document of all of the samples/instruments used and which
person is responsible for which. The second is the map of the piece. The third will be a rough
recording of the composition from Ableton. This is not a live recording. This is simply a demo
of the song drawn up in Ableton.
Day 4 This is the first day of Stage 2: Practicing for Live Performance. Either by setting up in different
areas of the room, or by using headphone splitters if possible, groups will practice performing
their pieces live. Students will be provided with a list of things to watch for when they are
practicing. These would include things like balance and smooth transitions.
Day 5 Practicing performing with Ableton Live continues. Students will have chosen a method for
cueing their transitions-- either one person cueing all transitions, or a different person cueing
each transition. This should be documented on the map of the piece, and will be submitted at
the end of Stage 2 today. Students should have their physical setup established for filming. A
document with their setup for filming should also be submitted today.
Day 6 This is the first day of Stage 3: Video Recording/Editing. Students will take turns in class being
recorded playing their compositions live. One video camera will be set up on a tripod in front
of each group while they play. Students will be provided the video on a thumb drive and will
be tasked with adding a title page and a credits page. Students will then submit their final
video as their completed project.
ADAPTATIONS & MODIFICATIONS What changes related to color, size, pacing, and modality will you
need to make available overall? How can you increase or decrease the challenge/complexity while
retaining focus. Be specific and provide examples.
COLOR
The map of the piece can have each section a different color
Transitions can be colored
For the document of samples/instruments, the sounds/instruments can be color coded by
person
SIZE
If the computer, Novation Push, or midi keyboard are too fine motor for a student, they could
use a Skoog, which is much more gross motor
If a student is having a difficult time with the small map of places for standing during the
video, large labels could actually be placed on the floor to help guide the student
PACING
Some of this is moving very quickly-- extra days could be added to the project
MODALITY
VISUAL: Having the visual map of the form of the piece should appeal to people who process
more visually
AUDITORY: Having the audio recording of the piece from Ableton should be a good practice
tool for students who process more auditorily
KINESTHETIC: Novation Push has raised, silicone buttons that provide a lot of kinesthetic
feedback; Skoog is another alternative for more kinesthetic feedback
EXAMPLE END OF PROJECT ASSESSMENT RUBRIC:
Samples/instruments document submitted ___/10 pts
Composition map I submitted ___/10 pts
Composition audio recording submitted ___/10 pts
Composition map II submitted ___/10 pts
Stage plot submitted ___/10 pts
Final video submitted ___/20 pts
Title slide included ___/5 pts
Credits slide included ___/5 pts
Steady beat ___/5 pts
Good balance ___/5 pts
Use of dynamics ___/5 pts
Clean transitions ___/5 pts
TOTAL ___/100 PTS