SONG IN A HAT 2025 is done!
Great job to all the collaborators!
Want to see the official entries? Check out:
Here are the backing tracks for you to play over yourself:
SONG IN A HAT
Community Music Challenge
What Is It?
“Song in a Hat” is a community music collaboration where participants anonymously submit original backing tracks and are randomly assigned one to solo over. It’s all about creativity, connection, and fun—regardless of skill level. Think of it as Secret Santa for musicians.
How It Works
Phase 1 – Submit a Backing Track
- Use BandLab (browser-based, free, and OS-independent) or any other DAW you prefer.
- BPM must be between 70–140 to ensure playability for all participants.
- Length of backing track must be between 60–90 seconds.
- Any key is welcome, but stick to Major or Minor only (no modes—for now!).
- Submissions can be WAV (16-bit, 44.1kHz preferred), but any playable format is accepted.
- Cell phone recordings are allowed! If you need help polishing your track, Ubie and others are here to help.
- Please limit yourself to a maximum of 3 submissions. We appreciate your enthusiasm!
Phase 2 – Solo Over a Mystery Track
- After the 3-week submission window, tracks will be randomly assigned.
- You’ll have 2 weeks to record your solo (audio or video format accepted).
- Keep your original track a secret! The goal is to surprise and delight in the final reveal.
Timeline
- Track Submission Window: May 23, 2025 through June 13, 2025
- Solo Submission Window: 2 Weeks after track assignment (tentatively starting June 16, 2025)
- Final Reveal: Livestreamed event showcasing all soloed tracks! (To be determined!)
Why Join?
- Build community and connection through creativity.
- Challenge yourself musically with a fun surprise prompt.
- Get featured in a livestream reveal and possibly more community showcases!
Resources & Support
- BandLab tutorial livestream to help newcomers.
- Ubie will be sharing anonymous tracks as they come in.
- Hype and encouragement from other content creators.
Rules at a Glance
- Use BandLab or any DAW
- Backing track: 70–140 BPM, Major/Minor only
- Submissions: WAV preferred, any format accepted
- Cell phone audio okay – help available if needed
- Keep your submission anonymous
- Record your solo over your assigned track
Let’s make something awesome. Embrace the suck, and have fun.
~ Ubie
