This is Stuart helping us produce the rap
As a group we decided that it would be a good idea to turn (what we would imagine)
Mademoiselle Claus’s thoughts to be whilst she was sitting for Manet into a comedy rap.
Using the music studio facilities we entered, to begin with, a hip-hop styled drum beat onto the MIDI keyboard so that we had a tempo and rhythm. Together we conjured up some lyrics we thought would be appropriate and also that rhymed! Whilst we were doing this we also entered a bass line onto the MIDI. All in all the creation process went rather smoothly and quickly!
Our recording studio
Now to record the lyrics- a young person rapped in front of the mic in a French accent. We took a couple of takes so that we could use a double track making the vocal thicker for the chorus. Once this was done the appropriate compression and other effects were added to the track.
Finally the musicians that had kindly demonstrated some interesting instruments improvised a tune over the top of the recording using a violin and an accordion. We selected samples from this and finalised the loops. I think the musicians did a terrific job- it sounded incredible for an impromptu session!
We added the finishing touch by inserting some seemingly random French words which were spoken underlying the vocal. The odd “oui” and “bon” here and there and the “Fanny Rap” was ready to hit shop stalls…….
Written by one of the young musicians