The Art of the Mashup
The Art of the Mashup
A mashup combines disparate songs from a variety of genres to create a new single musical work. In this project students learn about mashups, then create and perform their own using included songs.
Lesson 1: Deconstructing a Mashup
In this lesson, students listen to and deconstruct a collection of mashups, identifying the need to time-stretch and pitch-shift. They then apply time-stretching and pitch-shifting techniques using Ableton Live’s Warp feature, making creative combinations of the included song files.
Lesson resources
Download: Warping for Mashups - Live Set
Preparation (10 mins)
Ensure that the included Warping for Mashups - Live Set is downloaded and accessible to students
Have the Warping for Mashup Step-by-Step guide available to students
Consider how you want students to share their work with the class
In the classroom (50-90 mins)
Step 1: Introduction – Watch, Listen and Deconstruct. What makes a mashup? (10-15 mins)
Step 2: Practical task – Students set up Live’s preferences to import included songs (5-10mins)
Step 3: Practical task – Students use included songs to learn the fundamentals of time-stretching, pitch-shifting and looping (15-30 mins)
Step 4: Wrap up – Students share their musical ideas with peers (5-10 mins)