If you give senior Abhay Bhat a computer, he can quickly write codes for complex algorithms. But when you give Bhat a computer, he can also produce a beat.
Just last August, Bhat transitioned from computer science to teaching himself how to create music out of curiosity.
“I searched up how my favorite artists made music and I found out they use software called digital audio workstations,” Bhat said. “Then I was able to download it online and start using it.”
Through numerous YouTube tutorials and tinkering with the software, Bhat has been able to reach a point where he can create his own unique beats.
“My first piece of music was really bad, but over time I’ve been able to get pretty good at it,” Bhat said. “Practice is the best way to get perfect.”
Currently, the music that Bhat produces relies on bass lines, rhythm patterns, and chord progressions to reach a full sound.
“I’ve mostly been focusing on making instrumentals that can sound good on their own,” Bhat said.
As someone who comes from a computer science background, he has appreciation for the technical aspects of making music.
“Humans hear high and low frequencies and [making beats] is all about balancing those frequencies to produce a full sound,” Bhat said. “Music is about filling up the space in your ears.”
Instead of beats that are meant to back up lyrics or a rap line, Bhat aims to make instrumentals that create their own atmosphere.
“Atmosphere is what I really enjoy in music and that’s what I’m inspired by,” Bhat said. “Artists like Travis Scott inspired me because of their atmospheric sound design and I wanted to emulate those.”
Some of Bhat’s biggest supporters are his friends, who listen to his beats and at times, sing along.
“I’ve made a couple songs with lyrics where my friends sing or rap on top of the beat, but I don’t know how well that went…” Bhat said. “One of them is about riding in a Porsche.”
So far, most of Bhat’s music is stored on his personal computer, but he may go public with his music in the future.
“I made an Instagram account, but I’m not revealing that because I’m still keeping it a secret,” Bhat said.
For now, music is just a hobby for Bhat, but learning how to create it has changed the way he listens to it.
“Instead of just listening for fun, I listen to the words, the sounds, and how they’re layered,” Bhat said. “Once you recognize those patterns, it becomes easier to apply them to your own music,”
Prior to last August, Bhat didn’t have much experience with music, which makes the process more rewarding as he learns it.
“I really respect people who have taken time to practice and learn music, so I’m happy and proud with where I’ve been able to come without that much music experience,” Bhat said.
In nurturing his new interest, Bhat has been able to utilize his skills for a variety of school projects, including background music for his CS Topics game and most recently a beat for AP Government first period presidential candidate Casey Turner’s political ad.
“Music is something that’s opened my eyes and opened my ears in different ways,” Bhat said. “I want to keep pursuing music because it’s fun. I also want to see if I can actually make it into something bigger and if I can, then great.”
