Across Suburbia's inspiration

Stage 5 Music

Throughout the Stage 5 Music course students explore a range of skills that include

performing, listening and composing.

This Semester Year 10 music students composed a piece of music based on a classical theme.

Alan Dan successfully composed a piece titled 'Across Suburbia’.

Below details information regarding the composition and recording process. 

How did you start your composition?

It actually took me a while to get started on the composition. I had an idea of what I was going to do, but the challenge was putting it all together. 

What is your composition based on?

The composition is based on Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata. I also took inspiration from Funkadelic's Maggot Brain and John Frusciante's Before The Beginning.

What instruments did you explore throughout the composition?

In the song, I play the electric guitar, bass guitar and drums. This was the first time I recorded with a somewhat full range of instruments. It was actually fun playing all these instruments and I was excited to create something new. I watched and listened to a lot of different guitar players, mainly John Frusciante and David Gilmour, as inspiration and I took some ideas and techniques from their style of play. Throughout the song I experimented with different effects to keep the sound of the guitar fresh and exciting. Distortion and phaser effects are used in the verse and at the end of the song you hear a little echo.

Why is composing important to you?

For me, it gives me a chance to play music and express myself through it. I enjoy being creative and making original sounds. I also get the excuse to play guitar. I hope to continue learning about composing as well as performing and media. 

listen to Alan Dan's piece (Aulundun-Across Suburbia) 

Miss Nona, Music teacher