Ever since I was a kid, I’ve had a passion for music. Although many people might be surprised to hear this, I have been learning Carnatic music (popular in South India) from my mother, an Indian music teacher, for about 9 years. But sadly, once my DP years started, the workload started getting excessive and as a result, I couldn’t keep up with my singing.

Though I stopped learning Carnatic music, my interest didn’t die so soon. Whenever I am free, I occasionally sing, play my keyboard or recorder and do karaoke for fun. Another thing that I have started getting back into is making music online through online softwares. Soundtrap, an online music-making website, is the main software which I have had experience with before – since I used to be a part of a music production class years ago. Through this software, I’ve been able to continue on a music project that I started a few years ago. Attached above, you can see that I named it moonlight but that was improvisation since I had no idea what to name the song. I definitely will not name it moonlight, though – don’t worry, it’s temporary.

When I first started my music production class, I thought it would be basic and easy. I didn’t think I would use features such as automation, loops, or even an amplifier. I didn’t even know what automation was if I am being honest. Well, once I start using this prodigious software with cool in-built technology, I realized that I actually had really fun creating beats and tunes. I decided to explore further and actually create a tune that had been stuck in my head for a few weeks. Using the piano tool, I created a tune that included 2-3 piano chords at the same time to make it sound more melodic.

After a lot of editing and work, I created a 15-second beginning of a song with no lyrics. To reflect on the whole process, I definitely would say that I really enjoyed it and found this experience to be interesting. My hope for the future is to make it longer and maybe even add vocals to make it better structured and a finished piece. Lastly, I know I did this on an online software but I would like to try to play it on my casio (keyboard) so that I can improve on my piano skills while performing a tune I made at the same time. Two birds one stone.

Learning outcomes observed:

1. Strength & growth
LO1 Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth. Students are able to see themselves as individuals with various abilities and skills, of which some are more developed than others.

2. Challenge and skills
LO2 Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process
A new challenge may be an unfamiliar experience or an extension of an existing one. The newly
acquired or developed skills may be shown through experiences that the student has not previously
undertaken or through increased expertise in an established area.

3. Initiative & planning
LO3 Students articulate the stages from conceiving an idea to executing a plan for a CAS experience or series of CAS experiences. This may be accomplished in collaboration with other participants. Students may show their knowledge and awareness by building on a previous experience, or by launching a new idea or process.

6. Global engagement
LO6 Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance. Students are able to identify and demonstrate their understanding of global issues, make responsible decisions, and take appropriate action in response to the issue either locally, nationally, or internationally.

7. Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions
LO7 Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions Students show awareness of the consequences of choices and actions in planning and carrying out CAS experiences.