What I would like to (continue to) learn this year is playing the piano and write a song (MAKE Category). I have been learning for some time and I would like to write a song. One thing I could do by learning how to play the piano would be teaching others how to play the piano or helping others who need musical therapy. There are also many websites and apps that you can play the piano digitally instead of playing an actual piano. What I would need is a piano/keyboard and space for it, way to learn (teacher, lessons, videos, or learn by trial & error, etc.), sheet music, pencil (for writing notes), and a creative approach towards it. I chose this topic because music can help people in different ways and it's enjoyable to listen to. Those who suffer from a disorders or illnesses and have musical therapy show reduced effects of their symptoms and help a positive attitude. It can also help relieve peoples' stress and help people with depression. Hopefully, I will be able to create music to help people who are going through a lot.
I have written songs before, but they were very simple songs. I would like to write a more complex song that will require a little more time and thinking. I will learn how to structure a song and put different parts together that I feel would fit. I also have to think about what the genre and theme the song would be: pop, blues, jazz, classical; happy, sad, love? Artists like Coldplay and John Legend incorporate piano into their music and I would also like to do this to.
Here is a song by Yiruma called "River Flows in You" (Ray Mak Cover):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arBlzlrSGi4
Here's another song called "A Sky Full of Stars" by Coldplay (Francesco Parrino Cover):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtON5-zDpN4
Here is my plan:
October: Review/Learn the basics of the piano & research psychological effects of music
November: Learn the basics of how to write a song and learn new songs
December: Brainstorm and get ideas from the songs learned; Begin writing song
January: Continue writing song and create basic melody & bass
February: Continue writing song and create chorus & bridge
March: Finish writing song and create intro & title
April: Make edits & changes to song
May: Present completed song & info about psychological effects
Related Project: Musicorp is a rehabilitation program that helps injured soldiers returning from war, get their lives back with the power of music. This program helps these soldiers recover from war and play music. Musicorp tries to bring joy to these soldiers as they may have PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) or TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) and need help getting their lives back on track.
Progress: I have already learned some songs on the piano and I have yet to learn more and write more!