Week 3: And 3 Is The Magic Number!

Quite a busy week at college and at home in my studio, but towards the end of it I felt more positive about the direction I am following.
Wednesday started off with a left channel orientated band practice where we covered "Taxman" by The Beatles (need I mention?) and also worked on our own composition in which we need to create a Beatles-like sound and insert Beatles lyrics. I was impressed with our efforts and understanding of ideas and look forward to working more with the guys I'm in the band with.
My vocal lesson went better than the previous I felt and now I'm armed with exercises and advice that I can follow to improve. I've been performing "Beyond The Sea" which I enjoy and will also help me in building my profile for the Graded Unit. I think it will be hard to motivate myself towards a more disciplined routine of practice, but knowing the future benefits out weigh the current comforts will be enough to push me on.
Due to our hard work in band practice Research and Analysis was converted into study time! Woo-hoo!!
On Thursday, (the longest day of the year!), our graded unit class was in a bubble of acetone and bleach, which gave me some focus strangely enough, only for my dreamy dreams to be crushed by Pete Honeyman, for which I extend my thanks. His statement about learning music theory without harming your creativity gave me a wake up call for this is something I have always stated but at times felt I was being lazy and stubborn. He also mentioned about not having some dream and focusing on a career in music whilst developing personal interests, which gave me some food for thought. I kindly digested and am willing to comply.
Overall his summary of his career as a session musician and instrument instructor, and also the questions he answered for me on session singing, have given me some good pointers on how to expand my options and maintain my development. From this I believe I need to approach each individual task with a more focused attitude and leave the creative dreaminess for when I am actually creating.
Music Theory pops up just after this and I readied my hands for some more clapping! I wish we had a bus!
I have struggled a little with the listening aspect of time signatures but after following tutor advice I believe I have a better understanding of the time signatures that are causing me problems. Clap On!
Session Skills with Gavin brought some informative stories of days gone by and some that are present. Really looking forward to creating some Motor Town sessions and getting down with The Funk Bros! The role of the session musician has been explored aurally and orally so merrily we go along and shall be writing a piece on the aforementioned subject.
The DAW class has been really informative and productive and definitely another class I feel the benefits of at home in my studio. Tutor and funky drummer Scott Donald managed to unlock the secrets of "the college e-mail at home" and completed my administrative knowledge. I can get on with the music now. Next Thursday I will be starting work on the audio creation I must submit via Cubase and Reason.
The biggest benefit I see in this week is practising at home more, both with performing and recording. The guidance I have received lately has helped me get more out of the time I have and also the equipment I own at home, which should set me up for a good year at college.
As for the Graded Unit I have confirmed my selection for the job application and looked at some planning. I thought about looking to gain some experience with a local amateur theatre company along with visiting Centrestage in Kilmarnock and also re-visiting the last MD I worked for.

Disrespectfully Late! La Fiona McKenzie Visit

Last week brought a valuable visit from Fiona McKenzie, for which I was a little late. Fiona runs her own musical theatre company in Kilmarnock called Centre Stage and has a vast amount of experience throughout the music department setup within the Scottish education system. The talk from Fiona summarised brief moments of her career as a musician, teacher and entrepreneur, which I found inspiring, and not only detailed her actual experiences but also displayed her character and passion for what she does within music, both to benefit herself and the many people she has provided facilities and development for.
Although teaching is not of immediate interest to me I took many strong points from the things Fiona mentioned regarding her teaching career. Professionalism and an eagerness to succeed was discussed at length which gave me more clarity on how vital these attributes are. I also feel more focused and motivated with regards to working with others and developing my skills individually and also as part of a group.
I also took the time to talk with her co-worker Dan regarding my graded unit and pursuit of a position as a West End singer, from which I have arranged to make contact and hopefully visit and experience the ongoings at Centre Stage which I believe will assist me greatly in the completion of my graded unit.
Overall I found the talk very helpful and was enthused when hearing how much Fiona has enjoyed her career regardless of the downs and ups it has taken her through. It is always inspiring to hear someone of more experience assure you that working hard for your dreams does not lack common sense and is highly achievable.
Well that's all for now as I've got a Beatles song with awkward secondary dominants to analyse!
Who said it was all I-IV-V???

The GU2 Unit

Having negotiated myself past the induction and first week of college I am now in a good position to push forward in the areas I most wish to do so. Names and room numbers are easier this week giving me more room to get on with the curriculum.
Having being blessed with a great research topic for the course I feel that I must put extra effort into the non-Beatles related work.
Is the term "Beatles" an anagram for "Les Beat"?
However all this aside the monolith that is the graded unit must be conquered. For this I have decided to push in the direction of a West End Singer and develop my talents and research towards applying for this position as I feel it gives me more of a challenge to perform in a different atmosphere of professional singing.
My personal library and the wonderful wonderful inter web shall once again bow down to my needs as I go in search of the "Holy A".
That's all folks!
Ciao per now.