Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, volume 519

Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Arts and Design Education (ICADE 2020)

The Use of Fruity Loop Studio in Learning Tonal

Music Concepts With Popular Music for High School
Students

Pispian Rahman*, Yudi Sukmayadi

School of Postgraduate Studies
Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia
Bandung, Indonesia
*pispianrahman@upi.edu

Abstract—The process of learning the art of music should attitudes, (2) social attitudes, (3) knowledge, and (4)
have been helped by the Fruity Loops application which can skills. Said competences are achieved through the
digitally process sound data. However, the success of learning by intracurricular, co-curricular and extracurricular learning
using Fruity Loops as a learning application has several aspects processes [1]
that should be noted regarding the features of the application in
order to use the application effectively for learning. This article Based on the KI and KD and syllabus of Art and Culture
aims to discuss the level of musical progress that can be achieved, subject for Senior High School level issued by Ministry of
identify constraints in learning, provide feedback and important Education, teaching materials that were given to students of
information for learning improvement. This research uses eleventh grade for basic competence of western music
descriptive analysis method. Data collection was carried out is Modal, Tonal, and Atonal music concepts.
using observation techniques, interviews, literature studies, and
documentation that uses students musical works as the main In this basic competence, learners, through the learning of
data. The result of this study indicates the need for prerequisites Art and Culture is expected have the ability to analyze the
of the teaching material scope regarding the concept of Tonal diversity of the uniqueness and beauty and be able to
music that must be mastered well, the need for the application of implement and modify concepts, techniques, procedures,
teaching materials referring to application features and materials, and media of art that has aesthetic value by paying
increasing musical abilities through auditive experiences for attention to ethics and norms.
students in working their assignments to make popular music
score. Western music concept is using a diatonic tone system in its
composition, the concepts of modal, tonal, and a-tonal are
Keywords—tonal music, popular music, fruity loops, musical known. Dieter Mack, in his book The Basic Theory of Western
intelligence Music and Basic Tonal Harmony (1994) stated that: The tonal
system is a music system that views sounds or tones at the
same time in vertical and horizontal relationships with other
I. INTRODUCTION
tones. The tonal system views each note in harmony as if they
Since the implementation of the 2013 Curriculum, Core have a certain harmonic relation. Each note has a harmonic
Competencies and Basic Competencies have been established relation framework, whether in major, minor, or a combination
which guide the implementation of learning activities for of the two. In tonal music, just about any melody is allowed, as
education units and subject teachers to achieve planned long as it fits into the harmony as they walk away from and
educational goals with arrangements regarding objectives, then return to their home base. Most western tonal music is
content, and learning materials including Cultural Arts Study based on the major and minor scales, both of which easily give
which discusses the field of the art of music with the scope of off a strong tonal feeling [2].
teaching materials that are explained through the subject
syllabus. For this reason, in providing teaching materials related to
western music, it is possible to assist with using computer
In Permendikbud number 37 in 2018, there are core applications or multimedia devices in order to facilitate and
competences and basic competences that have been assist students in mastering learning and making learning
officiated. For Arts subjects for SMA/MA/SMK/MAK, they products in the form of digital-audio-based music artworks.
have the art subject which discusses musical art studies. In
the KI/ KD, it is stated that the objectives of the curriculum The use of applications in learning western music will be
include four competencies, namely (1) competence in spiritual very useful in addition to being in line with technological

Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Atlantis Press SARL.

This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC 4.0 license -http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/. 304
 Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, volume 519

developments in the 21st century which are an inseparable part are difficult to find, spending a lot of money,
of the current generation. One of the computer applications that and increasing learning satisfaction for users and reducing the
can help learning Music Arts at school is Fruity Loops Studio boring atmosphere [6].
which will be the study of this research. In order to fulfill the
learning activities of students in order to develop their abilities Other research that is also related to the use of the FL
in the digital era, technology and informatics content can be Studio application in learning is a research by Laksono, this
integrated by using multimedia music in learning. study focused on the application of Fruity Loops as a learning
medium in the Diploma IV Multimedia Computer study
Multimedia learning is also useful in the process of program of Stikom Surabaya. According to him, the use
learning, because it makes the learning process more of Fruity Loops can spur students to be more active in creating
interesting, more interactive, it can help the amount of teaching new digital concept video and audio works, and they are
time to be reduced, improving the quality of students learning expected to be able to create original work of film that has both
and the learning process can be done anywhere and original audio and video [7].
anytime. Interactive multimedia is media that is designed with
many integrated media and is able to interact with users with at The application of the Fruity Loops application in learning
least five elements in multimedia, namely: (1) text, (2) is applied to material on the concept of Tonal music in Western
graphics, (3) sound, (4) animation, and (5) video [3]. Music, which at the end of the lesson produced students songs
that refer to popular music genres that are familiar with
The integration between the arts of music, science and adolescents. With a background of various auditive experiences
modern technology has given birth to digital music technology, of students from various rhythm patterns or styles that they
which can fill and answer the gaps in conventional music recognize in modern popular music with rhythms such as; pop,
education in secondary schools. With digital music technology, rock, country, folk, waltz, rock and roll, samba, salsa, disco,
it can provide a modern, new, and efficient classroom and many more. In general, this musical work uses vocals,
experience. The current development of digital music keyboards, guitars, drum sets and several other instruments.
technology proves that this technology has an important
From these various genres, students works will be observed
developmental significance in learning music in secondary
schools, therefore, music education must be integrated with later regarding what genres they tend to like together
modern technology to accelerate the development of music because peer influence is very strong among young people and
education in schools [4]. adolescents in shaping musical tastes, as well as later in class
participation in order for them to get musical experiences [8].
One of the substances of developing music education in
schools is that it leads to an increase in the musical intelligence III. METHODS
abilities of students as an educational outcome. According to
Armstrong in Musfiroh Musical intelligence is the ability to In this study, the authors used a qualitative research
handle musical forms. These abilities include (1) the ability to paradigm, specifically, descriptive analysis. The theoretical
perceive musical forms, such as capturing or enjoying music basis is used as a guide in order to make the focus of research
and tone-patterned sounds, (2) the ability to distinguish musical in accordance with evidence in the field. Data used in this
forms, such as creating and converting music, and (3) the research are in the form of documents of individual students
ability to express musical forms, such as singing, humming, assignments in the form of self-created songs with tonal music
and whistling. This means that musical intelligence is the principles using the FL Studio application in the form of FL
ability to perceive and understand, create and studio files, and Mp3 audio data. There were two group of
present musical forms [5]. twelfth grade students in this study as there are 53 work
document files according to the total number of students who
For this reason, as a study, this study discusses the level of carried out the creation of popular music works using the FL
musical progress that students can achieve on the relevance of studio application at SMA Negeri Pintar Teluk Kuantan, Riau
the scope of the music material being taught, identifies Province.
constraints in learning and aims to find those who can provide
feedback and important information to improve the Interviews and observations were also carried out on
implementation of learning using Fruity Loops Studio students and teachers in the learning process, to find out the
application on tonal music learning in school. ease and difficulty encountered by students and how much
interest and motivation for learning using FL Studio.
II. LITERATURE REVIEW Data analysis was carried out through data reduction,
A research by Simagunsong which is the application of the namely the process of selecting, concentrating attention,
Computer-based Instruction Method for learning music-making simplifying, abstracting, and transforming unprocessed data
knowledge, which is presenting material, tutorials, simulations, that emerged from findings in the field. FL Studio apps features
drill, and practice and games and is built using the Macromedia delivery with tonal music teaching materials were also done in
Flash 8 application and the Fruity Loops Studio application. order to give description of the discussion of implementation,
According to him, the use of this application is an alternative in action taking, and the drawing of conclusion of learning
overcoming several problems, such as; limited time, books that purpose that can be achieved in the learning implementation.

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IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION auditive experience in observing and recognizing song
structures in popular music works.
Data that can be extracted from the results of observations
of the learning process, interviews related to assignments and Song structure is the arrangement of parts in a song or
document analysis of students' musical works that have gone popular music in order to produce a meaningful song
through the process of reduction or selection, concentration, composition. Therefore, a song has a form/structure which
focus to simplification, abstracting, and transformation of usually consists of an intro, verse, bridge, chorus,
unprocessed data that acquired from findings in the field can be chorus/chorus, interlude, ending/coda [10].
classified into three categories. First, the category of
The following is presented about the application of tonal
prerequisite material scope and its implementation steps in the
music concept teaching materials in using the digital Fruity
application. Second, technical constraints and basic musical
Loops studio application.
skills. Third, the improvement of musical intelligence and
auditive experiences that can be achieved. 1) Tempo: Tempo setting in the Fruity Loops Studio
application is the first step that had to be taken when the
A. Prerequisite for Tonal music concept teaching materials application has been run, while the recommended tempo range
Knowledge of the steps to run the FL Studio application is 60 - 100 bpm (beats per minute). In this process, students
is not enough for students to succeed if they do not have are required to feel and adjust the tempo speed of the musical
knowledge and understanding of the basic concepts of Tonal ideas they have planned. The tempo at fruity loops studio
music and popular music to be able to express musical ideas in show in figure 1.
the form of musical works.
For this reason, it can be mapped and stated what material
prerequisites should be known or mastered by students before
using FL Studio in western music learning for assignment of
Fig. 1. Tempo at fruity loops studio.
musical products in the form of modern popular songs. The
material prerequisites include; (1) knowledge of symbols,
2) Notation and rhythm values: Arranging for a
interval scales on the original major and minor diatonic scales,
(2) knowledge of musical elements, (3) knowledge of the percussion instrument or drum set that are available in the
concept of the triad major minor chords in the original major application allow students to apply an understanding of the
and minor diatonic, (4) the structure of the form or part of short length of sound or note value and tie the musical
popular music (5) knowledge of the concept of tonal harmony experience of rhythm or style to popular music
(6) development of motives, melody-forming phrases and (7) genres. Students will be required to pay close attention to the
chord progressions. sound of each drum set with the rhythm setting and the length
of the hi-hat, snare drum, tom, bass drum, crash as desired.
B. The implementation of teaching materials referring to the The note values in graphing on fruity loops studio show in
application features figure 2.
The digital technology available to students has the
potential to increase their creativity, especially in making
musical works. Tasks designed that is meant to make students
learn more of digital technology are certainly not trapped in the
practice of understanding the operation of the application, but
the students have to apply their understanding from what they
have learned in the application and they must be able to
produce their own work creatively [9].
Laksono, in his article described the features of Fruity Fig. 2. Note values in graphing on fruity loops studio.
Loops, the operation steps of Fruity Loops, such as: Drum
Arrangements, Composition and Syntesizer Arrangements, 3) Piano (FL Keys), chords and harmonies: In this
Composition and Arrangement in the form of intro (FL Key), channel, students are given an understanding and auditive
Making Bass Arrangements, Making Composition and experience about piano instruments, tone areas, formulas for
Arrangements in the form of a Melody, Composition and terts intervals, quints in triads or major and minor chords
Arrangement in the form of Playlists, Equalizer Arrangements which are the basic building blocks of harmony principles in
[7].
tonal music. Example: chords on the diatonic scale of C Major
Appreciate western music works with the Tonal concept (C, Dm, E, Em, F, G, Am). Writing on the piano roll for
with the popular music genre as a reference as the initial stage chords on the piano (FL Keys) show in figure 3.
of learning. This is done as part of apperception to provide an

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6) Arrange Songs on the Playlist: This feature is the final

part of completing a musical work. Students can arrange all
the channels, patterns, which they previously made into a
complete part and can be played as a whole referring to the
form and structure of popular music. Playlists of channels or
patterns of whole musical works show in figure 6.

Fig. 3. Writing on the piano roll for chords on the piano (FL Keys).

4) Root Bass (BooBass): The root tone or root in tonal

music is important to give a strong impression of chord
progressions so that in this channel students are given an
understanding and auditive experience of the low pitch area on
the bass, as well as the general principles of one of the basic
notes used from triads or chords. Although only one pitch in Fig. 6. Playlists of channels or patterns of whole musical works.
auditory tone of this bass very influential in a work of popular
music. Piano roll writing for root bass (BooBass) show in C. Improved musical abilities through auditive experiences
figure 4. The use of the fruity studio application in music learning,
especially for assignments to make the musical work is
beneficial for teachers and students, especially with the limited
facilities of musical instruments at school. This application
facilitates its users in sounding different sounds that resemble
the original musical instrument without having to play the
musical instrument directly which is less effective and efficient
in learning especially with respect to test the concept of music
theoretically with feel of auditive music.
The process of delivering music learning materials known
Fig. 4. Piano roll writing for root bass (BooBass).
in tonal music concepts such as, tempo, rhythm, chords,
melodies, motives, phrases, scales and others are directly
5) Melody (motives, phrases and scales): Compiling delivered to the learner. In order to increase the students’
the melodies is the most crucial part to assess the musical musical intelligence in the context of theoretical basis or
abilities of students, such as; understanding of tonal auditive.
music , knowledge of popular music auditively, even their
solfeggio skills as well. Students will be challenged to be able Through students' understanding of musical elements or
elements such as rhythm, melody, harmony, musical form and
to pour out the melody that is in their creative thoughts,
style, and expression as part of the musical experience, it will
through the development of motives so that they become also instill awareness of the need for music and music for
phrases even in simple techniques, such as repetition students' lives [11].
techniques, sequences, modifications and others. Choosing a
chord progression that is in accordance with the idea of a Learning music does emphasize students how to learn
through higher order thinking. Thus, music education
melody must also be considered, especially regarding the
is an extraordinary way and offers a unique way of knowledge
scales that really determine the notes that are created to build a that is not available through other disciplines. Because music is
melody. Writing piano roll melodies with piano sounds (FL the most direct way to think. Listening to music auditively
Keys) in figure 5. demands critical hearing by comparing what is heard by the
ears and what is in the mind of the listener, and analyzing the
sound critically [12].
Thus, through learning music using the Fruity Loops studio
application, it is believed that it can make it easier to
improve musical intelligence for students at the high school
level, at least by learning using this application student
can; (1) strengthen musical understanding related to musical
elements. (2) creating and understanding melody and harmony
in the concept of tonal music (3) improving musical abilities
auditively. (4) producing non-classical genre songs (western
Fig. 5. writing piano roll melodies with piano sounds (FL Keys).

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