Podcast Project

Due Date: October 16 and 17

Begin by listening to one of these episodes from the Song Exploder Podcast:
http://songexploder.net/episodes
 Episode 132: Jack Johnson
 Episode 143: The Decemberists
 Episode 125: R.E.M.
 Episode 123: Lin Manuel Miranda
 Episode 109: Fleet Foxes
 Episode 121: Stranger Things
 Episode 102: Gorillaz
 Episode 74: Old Crow Medicine Show
 Episode 71: The Lumineers
 Episode 44: Death Cab for Cutie
 Episode 24: Tycho
 Episode 1: The Postal Service

In this project you will create your own mini podcasts (5-10 minutes) about your favorite
song. In pairs, you will discuss at least four different elements related to the song. Two of
these elements must be directly musically related. The other two may be elements of
another variety such as context surrounding why the song was written or era in which it
was written. Please end your podcast with the song played in entirety for the listener to
consider the elements you discussed in your podcast while listening.

Musical Elements you might consider:

 Discuss the meter of the song, where it might change and how it affects the overall
mood of the piece.
 Discuss the instrumentation, how does it evoke particular emotions or keep the
listener engaged?
 Discuss the genre of the song, what elements of the song imply that it is of a
particular genre?
 Discuss the tonality of the song, is the song major, minor, or even modal? What
makes it so?
 Discuss the form of the song. Is there an A and B section? Is there a bridge or
reprise?

Other Elements you might consider:

 Discuss the lyrics in the song, what message do they portray? Does the music aid the
message of lyrics and vise versa?
 Discuss the context in which the song was written. Is the song knowingly inspired
by a particular event in the artist’s life? Was something happening historically that
may have inspired the message of the song?
 Discuss your opinion of a specific part of a song. Maybe it’s your favorite part, why?
Maybe it’s your least favorite part, why?

Each person will speak at least twice. At the beginning of your podcast, please introduce
yourselves and introduce the song, including the artist and date written and explain why
you chose the particular song. Import your chosen song into Garageband and splice it,
inserting your voice to discuss specific sections. Make sure your podcast flows nicely, by
splicing and automating (fade in, fade out) sections of sound. Make the most of
Garageband’s built in features like their sound effects bank and/or their filters on recorded
voice/sound. Use the Song Exploder Podcast as a model for your project. At the end of the
project, you will present your podcasts to your peers. Have fun!

Use this link to convert your chosen song from youtube to an mp3 and drag into
Garageband:
https://ytmp3.cc
Rubric:

1 Needs
CATEGORY 4 Great! 3 Good 2 Meh Improvement

Content Podcast includes four Podcast includes 3 Podcast includes Podcast lacks
different elements different elements only 2 different required
thoughtfully discussed: thoughtfully elements components and
2 musical, 2 other discussed. discussed. includes only 1
element discussed
or nothing is
thoughtfully
discussed.

Organization Podcast begins with Podcast begins Podcast is Podcast is

introduction, and is well with introduction, relatively unorganized and
organized alternating and is organized unorganized and does not flow to the
between song splices and decently between lacks some good listener
discussions. Ends with song splices and flow to the
song in entirety. discussions. listener.

Technology Clearly demonstrates Mostly Somewhat Does not

ability to record spoken demonstrates demonstrates demonstrate ability
voice and cut and paste ability to record ability to record to record spoken
songs/sound effects spoken voice and spoken voice and voice and cut and
cut and paste cut and paste paste songs/sound
songs/sound songs/sound effects
effects effects

Collaboration Students worked Students worked Students worked Students worked

effectively together with well together with okay together with ineffectively
consistently equal equal contributions from together with
contributions from each contributions from only some people contributions from
person involved. each person involved. only one person.
involved.

Individual
Grade