Empathize
Empathize
You will conduct a survey to gather insights about popular music genres and the reasons behind people's listening preferences, and then participate in a Sound Exploration Workshop to experiment with various instruments and production tools to expand your understanding of sound creation.
Days 1 - 3
Define
Define
You will analyze the survey data and your sound exploration results to define the emotional narrative and key musical elements your instrumental album will explore, culminating in a clear, actionable problem statement that guides your compositional process.
Days 4 - 6
No activities have been added to this phase yet.
Ideate
Ideate
You will brainstorm diverse musical narratives and emotional arcs for your album, utilizing insights from your survey and sound exploration, and draft different track concepts and potential album structures to explore varied auditory storytelling techniques.
Days 7 - 10
Prototype
Prototype
You will create an initial draft of your album by composing and arranging several tracks using DAWs, experiment with the new instruments in your repertoire, and gather feedback from peers and mentors to refine your musical pieces.
Days 11 - 15
Test/Present
Test/Present
You will showcase your instrumental album by hosting a listening party, utilizing survey feedback to validate the emotions conveyed, and engaging in discussions with your audience to reflect on the narrative and emotional journey of your work.
Days 16 - 20
Empathize
Days 1–3
Day 1
Meet Your Music Audience
Launch
60m
Day 2
User Research Synthesis
Deliverable
Day 3
Analyze Your Sound Survey Findings
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Define
Days 4–6
Day 4
Run a Hands-On Sound Exploration Workshop
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 5
Instrument Exploration for Emotional Soundscapes
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 6
Concept Storm: Narrative Arcs and Matrix
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Ideate
Days 7–10
Day 7
Concept Storm and Matrix
Deliverable
Day 8
DAW Setup and Instrument Exploration
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 9
Prototype Track Composition and Arrangement
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 10
Mixing, Mastering, and Feedback Iteration
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Prototype
Days 11–15
Day 11
Prototype Iteration Log
Deliverable
Day 12
Design Your Audience Survey for Feedback
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 13
Kickoff Sound Exploration Workshop Stations
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 14
Foundations on Bass and Guitar
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 15
Assessing Overproduced vs Underproduced Works
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Test/Present
Days 16–20
Day 16
Narrative Mapping and Artist Statements
Knowledge/Skill Building
60m
Day 17
Sound Exploration Jam
Deliverable
Day 18
Artist Statements Draft
Deliverable
Day 19
Listening Feedback Session
Deliverable
Day 20
Final Album Showcase
Assessment
September 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
28
Day 1
Empathize
Meet Your Music Audience
29
Day 2
User Research Synthesis
30
Day 3
Analyze Your Sound Survey Findings
1
Day 4
Define
Run a Hands-On Sound Exploration Workshop
October 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
5
Day 5
Instrument Exploration for Emotional Soundscapes
6
Day 6
Concept Storm: Narrative Arcs and Matrix
7
Day 7
Ideate
Concept Storm and Matrix
8
Day 8
DAW Setup and Instrument Exploration
12
Day 9
Prototype Track Composition and Arrangement
13
Day 10
Mixing, Mastering, and Feedback Iteration
14
Day 11
Prototype
Prototype Iteration Log
15
Day 12
Design Your Audience Survey for Feedback
19
Day 13
Kickoff Sound Exploration Workshop Stations
20
Day 14
Foundations on Bass and Guitar
21
Day 15
Assessing Overproduced vs Underproduced Works
22
Day 16
Test/Present
Narrative Mapping and Artist Statements
26
Day 17
Sound Exploration Jam
27
Day 18
Artist Statements Draft
28
Day 19
Listening Feedback Session
29
Day 20
Final Album Showcase