Expanding Understanding New Genres: Indie Music
Stage 1
Essential Components
Who can be a person of reference who enjoys Indie Music
Stage 2
Blendspace Website
Here is a list of helpful articles and videos regarding Indie Music
http://blnds.co/ZRpT9Z
Interview with Indie Enthusiast
Stage 1
Essential Components
- Find material in articles, journals and websites
- Definition of Indie Music
- Popular Songs
- Popular Artists
- Characteristics
- Why its called Indie Music
- Instruments involved
- Ways to learn Indie Music
- Record Labels
- How to Learn Indie Music
- Notation
- Popular bands
- Places where this music is played at
- Where it originated from
- Style
Who can be a person of reference who enjoys Indie Music
- How can I contact them
- What questions will I ask them
Stage 2
Blendspace Website
Here is a list of helpful articles and videos regarding Indie Music
http://blnds.co/ZRpT9Z
Interview with Indie Enthusiast
Below is a slideshow of Indie Music related subjects.
Stage 3
Tutorial on how to write and make Indie Music
http://youtu.be/AEhjpJu7iHo
Stage 4 is located above this heading.
Teaching Someone about Indie Music and my video of my teaching process and challenges.
Stage 5
A two page outline on Indie Music and all the information you need to be educated on Indie Music. Information on how to Create Indie Music and information you can use in your classroom.
Material where information can be found
· http://blnds.co/ZRpT9Z
Definition of Indie Music
· Music that is performed that doesn’t deal with a major record label company. They work with independent record labels. They do their own recordings but don’t like asking major places for help recording or publishing. They self-produce and they usually start out pretty small.
Popular Songs
· Paris by Magic Man
· Habits by Tove Lo
· Tighten up
· Lonely Boy
· Home
Popular Bands
· Tove Lo
· The Black Keys
· The Kooks
· Mumford and Sons
· Luminaries
Characteristics
· Soul
· Rock
· Mellow
· They experiment with pop music
· They do this all on their own
· Sensitive lyrics
· Numerous styles because it’s not just one distinct sound
· Low budget
· Sensitive
Instruments
· Guitar
· Bass guitar
· Vocals
· Drums
· Sometimes folk instruments
Ways to Learn Indie Music
· Youtube
· Take lessons from someone who performs indie music
· Go to indie music festivals
Record Labels Used
· All are independent
· Alive is used by the Black Keys
· Fat Possum
· V2
Popular Artists
· Black Keys
· Natalie Merchant
· Jake Bugg
· Andrew Bird
· Kate Nas
Where is this music played at?
· Festivals
· TV
· Charity events
· Award ceremonies
· Farmers Markets
Where did it Originate From?
· 1980’s
· United Kingdom
Style of Indie Music
· Melodic
· Simple
· Powerful lyrics
· Soft vocals
· Sensitive
· It’s hard to tell sometimes because not all indie music sounds the same. There are many styles of music involved.
How to Write Indie Music
· You first want to listen to some Indie music to get inspired.
· All music has different sounds and styles so you want to find some ideas that you like.
· Then you want to find instruments you want to use.
· Start with the lyrics
· Write about something you like and make sure it’s not depressing.
· Lyrics need to be sensitive and powerful
· There is no unique notation
· Find characteristics to use in your music
· You can use any genre or even choose a couple
· It needs to be melodic and simple
· Make it powerful but have there be soft vocals
· If you need help, you can go to a music store for lessons or have an indie enthusiast give you feedback.
· Record the song on your own
· Play it numerous times to see what you like and don’t like
· Find an independent record label
Challenges
· Some people aren’t interested in Indie music
· People aren’t educated in some genres used in the music
· Some people don’t know about folk instruments
· Some people hate specific indie bands so they aren’t engaged
· Some people might not be good at composing music so it might be hard to write indie music.