Drop the mic

DROP THE MIC

If you have any software, hardware or performance tips you would like to share, email editor@makingmusic.org.uk

Getting digitally creative Digital producer, Leon Gower, shares tips for keeping up your musical creativity with digital technology

Over 2020 most of us have found ourselves, to some extent, using digital tools and platforms to keep our groups playing and performing over this unusual period. While there are lots of great apps and software to help us do this it’s easy to feel like these new technical processes really get in the way of our musical creativity and desires. So rather than seeing these as hurdles you can look at the benefits of embracing digital technology within your group to enhance musical experiences for both players and audiences – plus these techniques can be just as creative as the act of playing. With that in mind, here are some top tips: Experiment The way to get the best results when using new techniques is first just to have a play! Set aside some time to experiment with the tools to find out what exactly they do and how they can best help you and your group. You’ll quickly be learning along the way and will be ready to get creating while using your new skill or tool. Rather than emulating reality – you’ll be creating something new! Don’t feel pressured to recreate a ‘real life’ performance. Why not celebrate and embrace the production values of a recording made at home and the unusual nature of how musicians are now collaborating online? This can unlock a new level of creativity in your project allowing your group to experiment and create in ways you or they may not have previously considered. Get problem solving It’s rare that a digital tool will have an ‘off -the-shelf’ solution to help you get the results you desire. The digital world is all about problem solving and is surprisingly DIY – so don’t worry when you encounter problems, those experiences are often part of the process! For tips on digital solutions, including recording and editing video and audio, and livestreaming visit: makingmusic.org.uk/resources

REVIEW: HEADLINER

An app that turns your audio file into video If your group has created a lockdown recording, it’s likely that you’ll be eager to share the final piece on social media or perhaps privately online among your group. However in the visual world of online content, many platforms and messaging services don’t make it easy to share audio files and favour video instead. So here’s a

handy free online tool that will allow you to quickly and professionally turn your audio recording into an eyecatching video file. Headliner (www.headliner.app) is an online tool and app aimed at podcast creators who wish to easily turn an audio clip into an audiogram. An audiogram is a short video file in which an audio wave is visualised and

moves in time to the sounds that you are hearing. To create your own audiogram in Headliner:

Sign up for the free service at xxxwww.headliner.app Select ‘Audiogram Wizard’ Upload your audio Choose the proportions of your xxxvideo (landscape, square or portrait) Choose the colour and design of xxxyour visual audio wave If desired, add your own image or xxxtext to display behind the audio

xxxwave

Select ‘Create Your Online Project’ – to preview the final Audiogram Export the video file to your device xxxor computer, or post directly to xxxyour social media account from xxxwithin Headliner

The tool is very intuitive; it has lots of handy prompts to help you all the way through the process and is a great way to bring your audio recording to an online audience. Leon Gower

READERS’ PAGE

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It’s tearing us apart

We used to meet at weekly rehearsals, get a few minutes’ conversation with our seat neighbour. Now and then we’d all go to the pub, and when we did performances, we’d get to know fellow players a bit more, meet the family.

Covid changed all that. We got to know each other much better, over Zoom, but it hasn’t been all positive. At least with Brexit, you could just not talk about it.

Since the end of lockdown, the group ‘enthusiasts’ were badgering to get back to playing, so the committee helped them plan get-togethers outside in groups of six. It kept them happy, and off the backs of those who are really worried and don’t yet want to rehearse in person.

But then the government decided to pick on amateurs in its guidance, telling us we’re not allowed to play, that we’re not capable of risk assessment. I resent that: my day job is as a health and safety manager, I could probably teach civil servants a thing or two.

The enthusiasts went ballistic – and rogue. Having no safe outlet, they threw caution to the wind (haha – we’re a wind band), meeting anyway and hassling the committee and those who think it’s too early. The divisions, bubbling under the surface before, have now become glaringly obvious.

What will this do to the group? Surely we need to respect everyone’s opinion? I am seriously thinking that perhaps the only thing I can do is to join a different band.

Anon

“The divisions, bubbling under the surface before, have now become glaringly obvious.What will this do to the group?”

Tell us!

If you’ve got something you’re burning to say, a book you’d like to recommend, or even a piece of music you love that you’d like to share on these pages, email editor@makingmusicorg.uk

FILM REVIEW - Military Wives Military Wives is a powerful emotional rollercoaster that offers a small insight into the reality experienced by our armed forces and those they leave behind when they go off on tours of duty.

It captures an evolutionary journey, for the group as a whole and for each of its members; from the choir’s awkward beginnings (when singing was first proposed as a novel activity the wives could do to pass the time aside from knitting), to navigating through unimaginable personal and shared events and experiences, through to the establishment of a cohesive choir performing on stage at The Royal Albert Hall.

This film is a visual manifestation of the power of group music-making to break down barriers, to bring people together, to create a sense of purpose, to provide an emotional release and escapism, to be a supportive environment and a pillar of strength in times of grief. Making Music members (and anyone who has turned or returned to music during lockdown) will naturally identify with some, if not all, of these things.

Kristin Scott Thomas and Sharon Horgan are a powerful duo in this film – they portray two very headstrong characters who provide the momentum needed to keep the choir together. They deliver some inspirational pep talks throughout the film and use landmark quotes like ‘Every successful choir is just a bad choir that didn’t give up’ and ‘Great music doesn’t happen when you’re perfect – it happens when you care’.

This is definitely a film that you’ll want to watch over and over again – enjoyed by anyone musical or not – and gets 5 stars from me! - Helen Greig, Linlithgow String Orchestra

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