Free2Talk x Inspiration FM Half Term Music Course

In October half term, Free2talk teamed up with local radio station Inspiration FM and delivered an intensive course, in which students completed a Level 1 In Music Technology. 

This was the first progression group of the project and the aim was to deliver an NCFE level 1 in Music Technology with a group of young people that had progressed from the initial course. This was an intensive course that took place over the October half term. We had 3 full days of learning and we explored various avenues of music production. In addition to this, we explored social issues and the local community. 

Day 1 consisted of Audio production. We covered one unit of the course which focussed on the use of audio editing software. The young people had to complete practical tasks in the first half of the day and evidence that they were competent in using the software. In the second half of the day, they had to do a verbal exam around the terminology of audio production. This instilled communication skills, the ability to make decisions and confidence in the young people. After some confidence obstacles, all 5 young people managed to achieve the task.

Day 2 consisted of multi track sequencing. This is a strong point for most of the group as it is where most of their passions lie. The group had to produce a track consisting of 4 or more audio tracks and be at least 1 minute long. All of the young people managed to complete this task in the first half of the day. In the second half, we had to cover the sound effects in music production unit. This meant that the young people had to create a sample bank of sounds using the noises from their community. The 5 young people went out into the town centre, and recorded various noises. This meant that they were being made to question areas of their community and we discussed which areas in which they would feel comfortable to record these sounds. Once the recording had been completed, the young people went back to the studio and began editing their sounds to create their sample pack.

Day 3 followed on from the previous session. The young people had to create a sample bank of at least 10 different sounds from the noises they recorded. This promoted initiative, creativity and confidence in their music production abilities. All 5 young people completed their sample banks to an incredibly high standard and are happy to share their samples with other young people. We are going to make the Get Real Sample Pack openly available for all young people in the world to create music. 

The second half of day 3 consisted of DJ skills. The young people had to safely set up and pack down the equipment, verbally express the functions of the equipment and successfully perform a dj mix in an exam setting. All 5 young people completed this and they were put on their feet, their confidence was tested as well as their knowledge of DJ Skills.

This was the first progression group of the project and the aim was to deliver an NCFE level 1 in Music Technology with a group of young people that had progressed from the initial course. This was an intensive course that took place over the October half term. We had 3 full days of learning and we explored various avenues of music production. In addition to this, we explored social issues and the local community. 

Day 1 consisted of Audio production. We covered one unit of the course which focussed on the use of audio editing software. The young people had to complete practical tasks in the first half of the day and evidence that they were competent in using the software. In the second half of the day, they had to do a verbal exam around the terminology of audio production. This instilled communication skills, the ability to make decisions and confidence in the young people. After some confidence obstacles, all 5 young people managed to achieve the task.

Day 2 consisted of multi track sequencing. This is a strong point for most of the group as it is where most of their passions lie. The group had to produce a track consisting of 4 or more audio tracks and be at least 1 minute long. All of the young people managed to complete this task in the first half of the day. In the second half, we had to cover the sound effects in music production unit. This meant that the young people had to create a sample bank of sounds using the noises from their community. The 5 young people went out into the town centre, and recorded various noises. This meant that they were being made to question areas of their community and we discussed which areas in which they would feel comfortable to record these sounds. Once the recording had been completed, the young people went back to the studio and began editing their sounds to create their sample pack.

Day 3 followed on from the previous session. The young people had to create a sample bank of at least 10 different sounds from the noises they recorded. This promoted initiative, creativity and confidence in their music production abilities. All 5 young people completed their sample banks to an incredibly high standard and are happy to share their samples with other young people. We are going to make the Get Real Sample Pack openly available for all young people in the world to create music. 

The second half of day 3 consisted of DJ skills. The young people had to safely set up and pack down the equipment, verbally express the functions of the equipment and successfully perform a dj mix in an exam setting. All 5 young people completed this and they were put on their feet, their confidence was tested as well as their knowledge of DJ Skills.