M I C H E L L E
Foundation in Natural Built Environment
(FNBE)
Group Members:
This is the first project given to us for Creative Thinking Skills. This project is divided into two parts: individual task and group task.
As a group of 10 members, each member has to individually create a musical instrument by using daily objects. Students have to identify sounds which are appropraite for the theme of their musical performance from objects such as spoons, glass bottles, wood pieces, pipes etc. Each musical instrument should be made as creative as possible by transforming ordinary items into a different and unique instument. Existing musical instruments can also be replicated, however the raw materials of that replicated musical instrument must be made out of daily objects.
For the group task, each group has to perform a 5-8 minute performance based on the assigned music genre. Members of the group have to prepare for this musical performance by using the individually made instrument to create music. Other than that, each group has to prepare a banner based on the music genre assigned to be hung on the day of the presentation. A CD cover which represents the theme of the group has to be prepared like an actual sell-able album.
Music Theme of my group: Disco Retro
Project Introduction:
MUSICAL PERFORMANCE
Group Name: KISS
Group Leader: Liew Cherng Qing
Group Members:
Angela Wee
Bryan Foong
Cha Yun Xian
Chia Keh Chian
Ee Hui Teng
Haroon
Kok Xuan Ying
Koji Seow
Lew Quo Ming
Michelle Wong (Me)
Arai
Project Brief:
First Discussion Session: Tutorial Class
Project Process:
This is our first tutorial session and discussion where we did a mind map on the explanation of our theme (Disco Retro) and the CD cover
Discussion among ourselves about the information and layout of the mindmap
Drawing and designing the mindmap and CD cover as a group
Designing the CD cover
Making of the mindmap
Individual Work:
For my individual musical instrument, after a few prototypes, I have decided to do a combination of sounds which can be produced by hitting. The items chosen are drill bits, pipes and wooden pieces which are hung from a DIY made wooden rack.
Later on, my musical instrument was placed on a clothes hanger which is attatched to Koji's musical instrument.
Deciding on the music, lyrics and instruments
Our discussion about the music, lyrics and individual instrument
We decided to choose:
1. Funky Town- Lipps. Inc
2. Stayin Alive- Bee Gees
3. I Want You Back- Jackson 5
4. Celebration- Kool & The Gang
As our songs and combine them using transition instead of remixing the songs. We rearranged the lyrics and decided on types of instrument needed to be able to make suitable sounds for the music.
Instrument Making Process:
As my instrument is partial DIY such as the wooden rack to hang the drillers, wooden blocks and pipes, I had to do some carpentry work. I did most of my instrument at home as it was quite large in size and I had the equipments to finish the instrument at home. Most of the carpentry work was sawing the wood, drilling holes and screwing bolts.
The equiptment used to make my musical instrument: electric saw & driller
Figuring out how to hang and arrange the wooden blocks
Spraying the drill bits to enhance its colour
Stacks of wooden blocks to be hung on the rack
Arrangement of wooden blocks
Smoothening the edges of the pipes with sandpaper
Making of the wooden rack
Drill bits arrangement
Wooden blocks arrangement
My final musical instrument product
We had our practice in the architecture studios and classrooms. During practice, there were a few issues such as not having space to practice for the performance as classrooms are usually used by students. We had to stay longer hours to practice as most classrooms are free after 5pm.
Group Work:
This is an example of our practice in the architecture studio.
We were planning and arranging the music of Funky Town
Banner Preparation
We were inspired by Disco Retro's era of afro hair, huge glasses, big earrings, bright lipstick and multicoloured theme to design our banner.
"Celebrate Good Times" is the lyrics of Celebration, which is one of the songs we have chosen for our musical performance.
Drawing and Colouring our Banner
Colouring the sunglasses which shows "KISS"
(group name represenataion)
Almost finished banner
Performance Day
My performance outfit
Our Performance
KISS Members
Performance:
Idea Journal:
 Final Instrument Product |  Function |
|---|---|
 Prototypes |  Prototypes |
 Process |  Process |
 Inspiration |
TGC Aquired:
This is the first project for Creative Thinking Skills and it is a real eye opener as I have never taken part in such projects before. I thought that projects like this were for kindergardeners but this project had my previous perceptions very wrong. Creating music instruments out of ordinary objects couls just be normal noise for kindergardeners, but for us teenaged students, turning ordinary sounds into music has its difficulties.
While deciding on how to make the instrument, identifying the appropriate sounds needed for the chosen music takes critical thinking and discussion among group members. After identiying objects and items which could produce the sounds that we need, this is where creative thinking comes into place. Creating a music instrument from ordinary objects need me to think about ideas on how to produce the musical instrument so that it looks presentable, creative and practical.
Designing the musical instrument needs proper planning and effort. For example, my group and I have discussed and decided to go with DIY objects which is the reason of our continuous trip to the carpentry workshop. We have planned on how to arrange our objects for performance day depending on the sound of the instrument then only started working on the frames and racks of our instruments.
During practice, we have encountered many difficulties such as sortage of practice area. There were limited space and classrooms during the final weeks before the performance. We had to stay late in order to practice in the empty classrooms. Also, we had incooperative members who do not attend practice. It was difficult to cooprate when a few members either turn up late or not show up at all for practice. However, in the end, under the cooperation of everyone and continuous persuasion, every member turned up for practice.
The numerous practices allowed us to interact and communicate with one another. This created a special bond between all member. I had the chance to communicate with all of them and cooprating with them was great. I have learnt to accept others opinions and give appropriate feedback and comments so that members understand each other. Therefore, we have made a great improvement throughout the few weeks of practice and performed a performance I will never forget.
Reflection:
