Good evening. It's been a while since I updated here, but I suppose enough developments have transpired to warrant another posting.
First up on the docket, a song to share, with a sampled instrument courtesy of one Dave Graham. This piece uses several instruments, including percussion, strings, guitar, synthesizer, and more. However, it is Graham's sampled prepared piano instrument that offers a unique percussion texture. Take a listen!
Next on the docket is a happy development in the job world- I have finally gotten a job as an independent contractor for WeGame.com. This has thus far occupied my time for the last two weeks, as I get up at the crack o' dawn to post all news related to video games for the humble site. I am very glad to contribute, the site has a lot of potential and I truly hope WeGame succeeds.
Lastly, a monumental celebration of sorts. I am officially half-over with my final quarter at Berklee. Despite some gripes I have had in the past with it, I really can't complain. It's been a phenomenal educational experience and I am forever grateful to those who made this opportunity possible, and those who have furthered my education.
That said, may the rest of you have a happy evening.
Showing posts with label job. Show all posts
Showing posts with label job. Show all posts
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Winter Term
So. I've just begun my new term with Berkleemusic. Well, actually, I'm three weeks in. I'm taking an Orchestration class, a Game Audio (sort of like Audio Engineering for video games) class, "Recording and Producing in the Home Studio," and "Songwriting Workshop: Writing Hit Songs." Out of the aforementioned, the one I'm enjoying most is Orchestration. My instructor, Ben Newhouse, is a very encouraging and particularly wise individual. I feel like I'm unlocking the potential of EastWest's Symphonic Orchestra. Which is fantastic.
My other classes are so-so. I am most definitely not enjoying Songwriting Workshop. I am a terrible lyric writer, and I don't have a knack for verse. So without having any previous lyric writing instruction, I'm more or less stabbing in the dark for that. On top of that, I have to sing my own lyrics (so far). And let me tell you, I am no vocalist. At all. Game Audio isn't too bad, some of the scripting stuff goes over my head, but I'm sure it will all make sense to me soon. I'm just glad I can get some insight into game audio implementation and architecture.
In other news, I worked for Grassroots Campaigns for all of three days. I discovered it wasn't my thing.
But hey, I'm $150 richer- if only to be used for subsistence.
My other classes are so-so. I am most definitely not enjoying Songwriting Workshop. I am a terrible lyric writer, and I don't have a knack for verse. So without having any previous lyric writing instruction, I'm more or less stabbing in the dark for that. On top of that, I have to sing my own lyrics (so far). And let me tell you, I am no vocalist. At all. Game Audio isn't too bad, some of the scripting stuff goes over my head, but I'm sure it will all make sense to me soon. I'm just glad I can get some insight into game audio implementation and architecture.
In other news, I worked for Grassroots Campaigns for all of three days. I discovered it wasn't my thing.
But hey, I'm $150 richer- if only to be used for subsistence.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Education, Rediscovery, Occupation
I am now moving into my sixth week of school online at Berkleemusic- which means I'm halfway done with the quarter. So far, things have been pretty interesting. I'm taking four classes this semester in order to prepare me for the Orchestration for Film and TV Certification program. I'm currently in Music Theory 1, Getting into Harmony (yes, that is the actual name of the course. Terrible, isn't it?), Desktop Music Production for Mac and Arranging 1: Rhythm Section.
Thus far, it would seem that the classes I'm breezing through are (surprisingly) Music Theory and Harmony. I imagined that both of those courses, being theory-based, would be a little more taxing. Oddly enough, I'm getting A's on the majority of my work. Desktop Music Production (hereafter referred to as DMP) and Arranging on the other hand are a little different.
DMP has me learning a totally new digital audio workstation- Reason. I'm finding that Reason seems to be more for sequencing as Logic is for recording (though I am not going to switch to Reason because I am only able to use my PLAY sample libraries with Logic). This is not to say that Reason has impeded my success in the course, but I feel like Reason's learning curve is steep. You certainly can't do a whole lot unless you really spend some time with it.
Arranging on the other hand, is the most taxing course; I have many assignments due in a week and often I will have to go back and revise my assignments for this reason or that reason. It's a lot of work in my opinion, especially since I don't normally notate music visually (in Sibelius, an equivalent to Finale), but just go ahead and sequence it in Logic. So I have to work backwards in a way. Most rewarding is the glowing reviews I've gotten from my peers in that course, and that reminds me that it isn't all for naught.
This leads me to my rediscovery of the music network GANG. I remember I'd heard of it, but I never investigated as to what it is. Sure, I have a commercial presence with iStock Audio, but perhaps GANG is an opportunity as well- it is specifically for video game audio. Hallelujah. While I don't expect to be immediately noticed, it's surely a possible avenue for future jobs.
That, then, lastly brings me to jobs in the present. I've been struggling to get a job- and I'll be honest, sometimes out of fear and sometimes out of reluctance. However, I did just send 4 applications each to 4 Apple stores in the Bay Area, and I did happen to get one to respond to me. While I am not one for putting all my eggs in a basket, I sincerely hope that this works out. I'm getting a little desperate as the bills stack up and I have but a limited non-art/music resume- I'm not incredibly marketable as a potential employee in this economy, but I have hope. Rejection and failure are often hard to deal with when searching for job- at least to me. I've sent out numerous applications and gone to outlets here and there but to no avail. Keep your fingers crossed, boys and girls. I could use a little luck.
Thus far, it would seem that the classes I'm breezing through are (surprisingly) Music Theory and Harmony. I imagined that both of those courses, being theory-based, would be a little more taxing. Oddly enough, I'm getting A's on the majority of my work. Desktop Music Production (hereafter referred to as DMP) and Arranging on the other hand are a little different.
DMP has me learning a totally new digital audio workstation- Reason. I'm finding that Reason seems to be more for sequencing as Logic is for recording (though I am not going to switch to Reason because I am only able to use my PLAY sample libraries with Logic). This is not to say that Reason has impeded my success in the course, but I feel like Reason's learning curve is steep. You certainly can't do a whole lot unless you really spend some time with it.
Arranging on the other hand, is the most taxing course; I have many assignments due in a week and often I will have to go back and revise my assignments for this reason or that reason. It's a lot of work in my opinion, especially since I don't normally notate music visually (in Sibelius, an equivalent to Finale), but just go ahead and sequence it in Logic. So I have to work backwards in a way. Most rewarding is the glowing reviews I've gotten from my peers in that course, and that reminds me that it isn't all for naught.
This leads me to my rediscovery of the music network GANG. I remember I'd heard of it, but I never investigated as to what it is. Sure, I have a commercial presence with iStock Audio, but perhaps GANG is an opportunity as well- it is specifically for video game audio. Hallelujah. While I don't expect to be immediately noticed, it's surely a possible avenue for future jobs.
That, then, lastly brings me to jobs in the present. I've been struggling to get a job- and I'll be honest, sometimes out of fear and sometimes out of reluctance. However, I did just send 4 applications each to 4 Apple stores in the Bay Area, and I did happen to get one to respond to me. While I am not one for putting all my eggs in a basket, I sincerely hope that this works out. I'm getting a little desperate as the bills stack up and I have but a limited non-art/music resume- I'm not incredibly marketable as a potential employee in this economy, but I have hope. Rejection and failure are often hard to deal with when searching for job- at least to me. I've sent out numerous applications and gone to outlets here and there but to no avail. Keep your fingers crossed, boys and girls. I could use a little luck.
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