Become A Pro Composer introduces…
Episode 1: The Sneaky Chicken
Kevin wrote a sneaky little piano sketch. Now the BAPC community turns it into a full ensemble, and there's a part for whatever you play. You record it at home, and together we become one big band in the final collage video. It's free!
Sign-ups close Oct 5
psst… I need a band.
You in?
Press play to meet the chicken
The Sneaky Chicken
Kevin Kuschel · A minor · 120 BPM
0:00 / 2:16
Episode 1
…a chicken put on a mask. Nobody knows where it's sneaking off to, or what it's after. We only know that it tiptoes in A minor at 120 BPM, and that it really, really doesn't want to be seen.
Kevin caught it on piano. But what does it really sound like, with a whole band creeping along behind it? That's where you come in.
By Oct 5
Tell us which instrument(s) you play, and at what level.
Oct 15
Sheet music, MIDI and the piano sketch arrive by DM on Discord.
Deadline Oct 29
Record yourself at home, playing along to the sketch in your headphones. Add video if you can. Due at 23:59 CET.
Kevin's cello partAfter Oct 29
Once all the takes are in, we mix the track and edit everyone into the final video.
TBA
The final video goes live, with your name in the credits.
Tuned or untuned, acoustic or electric, beginner or seasoned player: if you play it yourself, there's a part for you. No vocals and no virtual instruments, please 🙂
Stick to these and your take will slot right into the final video.
Just your hands?
That's okay!
Face on camera?
Perfect!
Place your phone or camera on a stand, in landscape, somewhere well lit. For the audio, hook up a microphone if you can: it makes a big difference in the mix.
Record in a quiet room. Listen to the sketch on headphones, never on speakers. The sketch must not be audible in your recording.
Play along at 120 BPM from start to finish, in one continuous take per part. Use a metronome and try to play as precisely as possible, or things fall apart once all the instruments come together. Stitching takes? Edit them yourself and keep them on the beat.
No reverb or effects. We'll make everyone sound great together in the mix.
Upload to Google Drive, Dropbox or OneDrive, set sharing to "anyone with the link", and send the link to Kevin via Discord DM by Thu, Oct 29, 23:59 CET.
Audio WAV · 48 kHz / 24-bit · peaks around −6 dB
Video Landscape · 720p or more · constant 30 fps
These are the ideal settings. If your gear can't do all of it, send what you have and we'll tell you if anything's off.
No audition, no selection. Everyone who signs up is in and gets a part.
No. It's free and open to anyone. You just need to join the BAPC Discord (also free), because that's where we send your part.
Yes! Pick "Beginner" on the sign-up form and you'll get a beginner part, with simple melodies and long or repeated notes.
The piece is just over 2 minutes long, and you get two weeks to learn and record your part.
No, audio-only is welcome. But the final video is a collage of everyone's clips, so audio-only players are heard and credited, not seen.
No. You can learn your part by ear from the piano sketch and the MIDI. We'll help you out.
Tell us as early as possible, and we'll simplify or adjust it. Things like a transposing instrument or a limited range can go right into the sign-up form.
No problem, just tell us as early as you can so we can plan the mix around it.
Please wait until the final video is out so the premiere stays a surprise. After that, share away!
More questions? Ask in the composer games discussion channel on the BAPC Discord.