Mix-up. Mash-up.

We make it. Then we make it up.

We looked at different mix ups and mash ups from various artists today to see if there was a pedagogical approach we could use to include this in the music classroom. This could include

• Breaking down rhythm

• Improvising melody over a given backing

• Learning reverb

• Modulation

• Modes

• Tempo Changes

• Improvisation

• Using technology such as apps (Launchpad which allows loops, overshots, fx etc. or Garageband which allows mixing songs)

Some artists we looked at included:

Quietman

Dangermouse

• Who created an album, The Grey Album which was essentially a remix of 2 other albums: Jay-Z's, The Black Album and The Beatles, The White Album. This was actually illegal!

Madeon

• Who although disliked English and Music at school, learnt how to remix himself off YouTube. Once successful at 16, he then began started to producing for famous musicians such as Lady Gaga.

We also briefly touched on whether mixing, mashing or remixing songs is stealing or copying or even inspiring?

What are your thoughts and opinions?