A few days later
Hospital
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Soma
Haha. You're so old-fashioned. It's no biggie. I'm just giving you a few tips regarding sampling.
Toya
No, I need to properly show my appreciation since I'll be taking up so much of your time with this.
Toya
You take existing sounds, phrases and whatnot from existing songs, and create new works out of them, yes?
Soma
Yeah, that's right. To be more precise, it's not just songs. You can use sounds from the natural world, people, machines... Anything that creates noise, really.
Soma
I wanted to learn as much as I could about the culture surrounding street music, and sampling became a part of that.
Soma
Oh, speaking of culture, you mentioned something the other day that caught my attention.
Soma
Yeah, the thing about having a background in classical music keeping you from fully understanding sampling and street music culture.
Toya
When I was still playing classical music, my dad taught me to give absolute respect to each note of a piece of sheet music.
Toya
He was adamant about understanding the motives of the composer and playing said music the way they originally intended.
Toya
On the other hand, sampling involves using snippets of songs. You're essentially doing the opposite of what the creator intended, which I seem to have trouble dealing with...
Toya
For instance, my dad once said that it would make sense if one were to use an entire movement from another composer's work, like Chopin did.
Soma
Yeah, I understand.
That would make the process of picking and modifying one part of a song kinda hard.
That would make the process of picking and modifying one part of a song kinda hard.
Soma
At the same time, in my mind, sampling is actually really similar to what you just described.
Soma
You borrow the parts of songs that you want to use, but if you don't know how to use them effectively, it ends up being a pointless exercise.
Soma
You sorta need to be open about how it's influenced you. Only then can you create something that's new and reflects who you are.
Soma
Yeah, songwriting's interesting because you can look at it from so many different angles.
Toya
But thanks to you, Soma, I was able to discover the connection between classical and street music. It's put me at ease.
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Soma
And here are all the audio files that I was collecting until four years ago. They're all in this sampling folder.
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Soma
Yeah, I like to use snippets of existing songs, but I also enjoy using sounds you can hear from the world around us.
Toya
I see...
And there seems to be more. Cracking an egg open, the sound of slippers and other things from regular life...
And there seems to be more. Cracking an egg open, the sound of slippers and other things from regular life...
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Soma
But I can only use one of my hands right now, so typing and stuff's a bit of a challenge. Thanks for taking over...
Soma
Oh, I know.
There's this song I listened to a lot on my way to school. We can try creating a beat by looping its intro.
There's this song I listened to a lot on my way to school. We can try creating a beat by looping its intro.
Soma
To me, this song says, “You may not feel great now, but something good will happen tomorrow.” It's really uplifting and always found a way to cheer me up.
Soma
So, we can try making a song that encapsulates a fun and happy morning. Once we've finished inputting everything for the bass and drums, let's move on to phrases...
Soma
A sax should help jazz things up and make it sound more hip. Also, it might be fun to throw in an acoustic guitar somewhere.
Soma
That's what's great about all this. You can express yourself however you like and just go with what you feel when you hear these sounds. It doesn't matter if something personal comes to mind either.
Toya
Something personal... Does that mean you'd try using some of those sounds from day-to-day life here, Soma?
Soma
Hey, you're pretty sharp.
Yeah, I'd probably toss in the sounds of some dishes clinking or birds chirping.
Yeah, I'd probably toss in the sounds of some dishes clinking or birds chirping.
Soma
Oh, but Arata would usually say, “These clash too much with the other sounds,” when I got a bit overzealous...
Soma
This is just based on my own experience, but I feel that good performances are what get a crowd going.
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Soma
So, I really don't think you need to focus so much on writing your own stuff. If Shinonome's good at that, then I feel you can just leave it to him.
Toya
Azusawa started singing not too long ago and is growing at a tremendous pace. She has a natural talent for it and surprises me every time we perform together.
Toya
Shiraishi has guts and is very good at interacting with the audience. Every musician in town admires her very much.
Toya
And Akito has this uncanny perception when on stage. He's able to monitor what's going on during a performance and support the rest of us while keeping his foot on the gas pedal.
Soma
Right...
Arata's told me all about Vivid BAD SQUAD. You guys are all such powerful performers and seem to really care about one another.
Arata's told me all about Vivid BAD SQUAD. You guys are all such powerful performers and seem to really care about one another.
Toya
Which is also the reason why I can't make them wait more than they need to. I want to show them some good results.
Toya
When it comes to singing and performing, I feel confident about keeping up with the others now. However...
Toya
I can't help but be bothered by the things I'm still now able to do. Am I asking for too much...?
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Nurse
Excuse me, Mr. Miyata.
Nurse
Oh, you have a friend visiting.
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Nurse
I'm sorry, Mr. Miyata, would you mind coming with me? It's time for that test...
Soma
Oh, right. You won't have much to do while I'm gone. I know. You can try listening to the other sounds on my laptop!
Nurse
Alright, we really need to get going.
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Toya
Soma said that there were more sounds in that folder. Is it this? The newest one...?
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Toya
Hm? It was last used yesterday?
These songwriting tools also seem to have been used fairly recently.
These songwriting tools also seem to have been used fairly recently.
Toya
He said that I could listen to them, so I guess I'll take him up on his offer and...
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Toya
This is the incomplete song that Tono showed us. Were you working on it just recently?
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Soma
Remember how you said you want to be more of a contributor, Aoyagi? I feel the same way.
Soma
I want to help Arata as much as I can, and I decided to finish the track I was working on before my accident.
Toya
I really enjoyed the new parts you've been working on too. They feel so free, liberating and harsh, but also kind.
Soma
Ohh. Haha...
You have this way of catching me off guard whenever I talk to you, Aoyagi.
You have this way of catching me off guard whenever I talk to you, Aoyagi.
Soma
It's just... You were so straight with me that I feel a bit stupid for being awkward...
Soma
I'm slightly embarrassed by what you said, but I also really appreciate it. So, thanks!
Soma
Unfortunately, I haven't really been getting anywhere with it, and I'm not really sure when I'll be able to finish it.
Soma
I prefer to create as I go based on how I feel, but Arata's the logical type. It doesn't matter that he isn't great at coming up with phrases since he is good at putting things in the right order.
Soma
Every so often, could you stop by to give me your take on things like you did just now?
Soma
Yeah, I'm sure. Arata and I used to discuss which sound is best for a given part, and that always helped a lot.
Soma
But I sorta get lost when I have to write songs all on my own like this. That's why I need to hear from someone else. Only then will I know how I'm really doing.
Soma
For Arata's sake, as well as mine, I want to finish this song. I don't know if I'll be able to make it right, but I really want to avoid disappointing him by not doing so.
Soma
Which is why I don't want him knowing what I'm doing right now. If possible, can you not tell anyone else about this?
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Toya
Um, Soma. You asked me to give you my thoughts, but is there anything else I can do to help?
Toya
I'm also not very good at coming up with phrases and such, but I think I can assist you by adjusting sounds and arranging everything.
Soma
No, I shouldn't take up more of your time. I mean, you still have to get ready for that event, right?
Soma
I know how serious all of you guys are about it, so I don't want to get in the way of you succeeding.
Toya
Yes. They say learning by doing is best, and I stand to benefit and learn quite a by watching the way you write songs.
Toya
I'd like to make some progress as well. So, Soma, will you be willing to help me with that?
Soma
Sure thing, but...
Let's hold off on working together until just before you guys' event.
Let's hold off on working together until just before you guys' event.
Soma
I honestly don't know how long this is gonna take, so I can't really ask you to stay with me until I do.
Soma
But it'll be like us trading this for that. You'll help me with my track and I'll help you learn as much as I can about songwriting. How's that sound?
Toya
Okay, I understand...
I'll be looking forward to working with you prior to our next event.
I'll be looking forward to working with you prior to our next event.
Next Chapter: Let's Write A Song!