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.
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