Weekly Homework Composition (WHC)

The Weekly Homework Composition is a spin-off of 2 Hour Track Sundays. Each Sunday around 23:45 UTC, we post a theme (usually based on some aspect of music theory or genre) and participants have all week to compose a song based on that theme. A listening party will occur in the 2HTS dubtrack.fm room on Sundays at around 19:00 UTC (before 2HTS begins).

Necro’s lecture notes can be found here: CLICK ME

Organizer: UrinalPooper

Most Recent Rounds

Completed
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26th Weekly Homework Compo (WHC26) 

posted in Weekly Homework Composition on 2/7/21

TheVideoGamer explores the legendary record label Motown as we continue our quest into drum beats.

Start: on 2/7/21
Deadline: on 2/14/21
Voting: on 2/21/21
Completed
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25th Weekly Homework Compo (WHC25) 

posted in Weekly Homework Composition on 1/31/21

TheVideoGamer will be exploring different time signatures within the Shuffle Groove, as we continue our drum series.

Start: on 1/31/21
Deadline: on 2/7/21
Voting: on 2/14/21
Completed
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24th Weekly Homework Compo (WHC24) 

posted in Weekly Homework Composition on 12/11/20

TheVideoGamer continues his drum series, by looking at what is called Double Time Rock:

Start: on 12/6/20
Deadline: on 12/20/20
Voting: on 12/27/20
Completed
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23rd Weekly Homework Compo (WHC23) 

posted in Weekly Homework Composition on 11/22/20

TheVideoGamer is back with his drum series, this time exploring the rhythms of Reggae:

Start: on 11/22/20
Deadline: on 11/29/20
Voting: on 12/6/20
Completed
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22nd Weekly Homework Compo (WHC22) 

posted in Weekly Homework Composition on 7/15/20

So. I didn't make a video, but I have a set of information (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IdttvJSedg , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtRvGL-fJmY , http://www.thejazzpianosite.com/jazz-piano-lessons/jazz-chords/borrowed-chords/ ) and the following homework exercise proposition for next week: 

 

Write 4 short segments (60s at most) going through 3 different chord progression with borrowed chords: 

 

One progression should be built on the C Major Scaled borrowing from the C Melodic Minor or C Harmonic Minor scale 

 

One progression should be from a common one (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chord_progression#Common_progressions) pick a common progression, find the root and the mode, borrow from any other you wish 

 

One progression should be Pachelbel's Canon inspired (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pachelbel%27s_Canon#Influence_on_popular_music) pick any of the progressions presented, find the root and the mode; borrow from any other as you wish 

 

A final progression can be built freely 

BUT 

I would ask you to take a look at your own music, look at how you have been writing progressions, and come up with a progression with borrowed chords that sounds like something you would write. It's quite easy to borrow chords from anywhere and end up sounding like a generic fusion metal jazz band. Preserver your identity as an artist when doing this last progression.

Start: on 7/12/20
Deadline: on 7/19/20
Voting: on 7/26/20
Completed
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21st Weekly Homework Compo (WHC21) 

posted in Weekly Homework Composition on 6/14/20

Continuing on our series on drums, TheVideoGamer explores the 8th note/16th note pattern

Start: on 6/14/20
Deadline: on 6/21/20
Voting: on 6/21/20
Completed
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20th Weekly Homework Compo (WHC20) 

posted in Weekly Homework Composition on 6/7/20

This week TheVideoGamer begins a series on drums, and drum manipulation starting with the 4 on the floor pattern.

Start: on 6/7/20
Deadline: on 6/14/20
Voting: on 6/14/20
Completed
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19th Weekly Homework Compo (WHC19) 

posted in Weekly Homework Composition on 11/19/17
This week we explore the first species counterpoint with atmosfaere:

First Species Counterpoint



Counterpoint is the art of combining multiple melodic lines.
The goal of this exercise is simply to write two melodies that sound good on their own but still sound good and independent when played at the same time.

Assignment:
Write two different sections of counterpoint using only half notes (Each note of both melodies starts and ends at the same time for first species counterpoint). Do the second section in a different mode (major, minor, lydian, etc..).

Guidelines:
There are many rules that are followed to ensure that the lines maintain their independence. You don’t need to know or follow all of them for this exercise (at least try to make sure they sound independent by ear), but I will go over the most important ones below.

Parallel motion:
The more that the two lines move in the same direction, the less they sound like separate parts. Do not move from two notes that are separated by a fifth or an octave to two new notes that are also a fifth or an octave apart, this destroys the independence of the parts.

Voice crossing:
Have one line be higher and the other lower. Having the lower line go above the higher line is not good for independence of the voices. Do it sparingly for this exercise. (I don’t think it is much of a problem when the voices have different timbres but it is something to keep in mind)

Repetition:
Try to avoid repeating notes. It will make one of your lines melodically subordinate to the other. It weakens the melody of that line.
Unison: Don’t use the same note at the same time in both lines except at the beginning or the end.

Tips:
Have the melodies reach their peak at different times.
Have the lines end on the fundamental note of the scale (can be separated by an octave) to give the melodies a strong resolution and unity. Occasionally one line can end on the fifth, but try to avoid this.
Often the beginning notes belong to the root position triad (fundamental, third, and fifth). I imagine this helps set the key and gives unity to the melodies. The lower line should probably be the fundamental note at the beginning. Have the relationship between the starting notes be unison, octave or fifth.
Don’t have harmonies of fourths in first species counterpoint. Apparently it is unstable, but I will have to experiment with it to try to understand.
Consonant “harmonies” between notes are 3rds, 5ths, and 6ths. This refers to the interval between two notes being played at the same time, not the interval of the notes in relation to the fundamental.
Dissonant “harmonies” are 2nds, 4ths, and 7ths. It is possible to use these if you can resolve them effectively.

Resources:

Composing First Species Counterpoint
Composing a Cantus Firmus (well formed musical line)
Rules of First Species Counterpoint
More info with notated examples
Concise Rules
First Species with modes
Melodic writing and counterpoint

Examples:
All Five Species

Start: on 11/19/17
Deadline: on 11/26/17
Voting: on 12/3/17
Completed
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18th Weekly Homework Compo (WHC18) 

posted in Weekly Homework Composition on 2/22/17
This week we explore vocal chops with Panda:


Start: on 2/20/17
Deadline: on 2/26/17
Voting: on 3/5/17
Completed
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17th Weekly Homework Compo (WHC17) 

posted in Weekly Homework Composition on 7/31/16
This week we explore the Mixolydian mode:


Start: on 7/31/16
Deadline: on 8/7/16
Voting: on 8/14/16
Completed
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16th Weekly Homework Compo (WHC16) 

posted in Weekly Homework Composition on 7/24/16
This week we explore the Lydian mode:



Start: on 7/24/16
Deadline: on 7/31/16
Voting: on 8/7/16

All Rounds (26)

Name Start Date Dateline Voting Ends
WHC26 - 26th Weekly Homework Compo on 2/7/21 on 2/14/21 on 2/21/21
WHC25 - 25th Weekly Homework Compo on 1/31/21 on 2/7/21 on 2/14/21
WHC24 - 24th Weekly Homework Compo on 12/6/20 on 12/20/20 on 12/27/20
WHC23 - 23rd Weekly Homework Compo on 11/22/20 on 11/29/20 on 12/6/20
WHC22 - 22nd Weekly Homework Compo on 7/12/20 on 7/19/20 on 7/26/20
WHC21 - 21st Weekly Homework Compo on 6/14/20 on 6/21/20 on 6/21/20
WHC20 - 20th Weekly Homework Compo on 6/7/20 on 6/14/20 on 6/14/20
WHC19 - 19th Weekly Homework Compo on 11/19/17 on 11/26/17 on 12/3/17
WHC18 - 18th Weekly Homework Compo on 2/20/17 on 2/26/17 on 3/5/17
WHC17 - 17th Weekly Homework Compo on 7/31/16 on 8/7/16 on 8/14/16
WHC16 - 16th Weekly Homework Compo on 7/24/16 on 7/31/16 on 8/7/16
WHC15 - 15th Weekly Homework Compo on 7/17/16 on 7/24/16 on 7/31/16
WHC14 - 14th Weekly Homework Compo on 7/3/16 on 7/17/16 on 7/24/16
WHC13 - 13th Weekly Homework Compo on 6/26/16 on 7/3/16 on 7/10/16
WHC12 - 12th Weekly Homework Compo on 5/29/16 on 6/5/16 on 6/12/16
WHC11 - 11th Weekly Homework Compo on 5/22/16 on 5/29/16 on 6/5/16
WHC10 - 10th Weekly Homework Compo on 4/10/16 on 4/17/16 on 4/24/16
WHC9 - 9th Weekly Homework Composition on 4/3/16 on 4/10/16 on 4/17/16
WHC8 - 8th Weekly Homework Composition on 3/20/16 on 4/3/16 on 4/10/16
WHC7 - 7th Weekly Homework Composition on 3/13/16 on 3/20/16 on 3/27/16
WHC6 - 6th Weekly Homework Composition on 3/6/16 on 3/13/16 on 3/20/16
WHC5 - 5th Weekly Homework Composition on 2/28/16 on 3/6/16 on 3/13/16
WHC4 - 4th Weekly Homework Composition on 2/21/16 on 2/28/16 on 3/6/16
WHC3 - 3rd Weekly Homework Composition on 2/14/16 on 2/21/16 on 2/28/16
WHC2 - 2nd Weekly Homework Composition on 2/7/16 on 2/14/16 on 2/21/16
WHC1 - 1st Weekly Homework Composition on 1/31/16 on 2/7/16 on 2/14/16