Like it states in the title, it was back to college last week and all in all it wasn't to bad. Felt like I was going back to the treadmill but when I got there it wasn't so. Lesson of the moment, don't always trust your current mood!
On Wednesday our band made a bit of progress with another 2 Beatles songs giving us 4 songs of decent standard to add dynamics too. I also had my first vocal lesson with new tutor Michael, who seems highly motivated and also has experience working on the West End so I hope this well help me to progress forward with my first study and also the work I am doing for my graded unit.
In research class we had another go of our rendition of "Ticket Tor Ride" and even though initially no one in the band could remember what we had done previous, it all came back quickly and we've got it set in stone now, but keeping in mind that stones can be crushed!
The first joy of Thursday was my half price return train ticket which set my day off on a plus. I had done some good work for the Graded Unit so didn't have to much to do although it gave me time to develop my ideas further and discuss them with other students. Then came the Music Theory test which drained my brain! Col pa Mia! I took my time with the test and think I've done OK but felt I was losing focus and direction when writing out the dictation and also other scores. Nothing a kick up the butt can't fix.
Session skills was a joy this week as we had a full ensemble of musicians having a go at a couple of Motown classics. Was nice to hear the keys and some brass and also to have another singer backing me up.
Friday afternoon was spent watching Pingu with my niece, in which I found inspiration. If everyone in Pingu Land can understand the foul mouthed penguin then I can surely improve my sight reading skills!
Think I need to do more with my weekends! Used to be performing or going to see performances and was also able to do quite a bit of networking, however months of absence from the scene has left me rusty and out of reach. Feel I've got to make more of an effort to establish these links again and start getting my music out there for the public to digest.
Just away to e-mail my planning document for scrutiny and hope the week is as good as it can be.
Until you know when I'm you know who.
Monday 26 October 2009
Wednesday 21 October 2009
Back We Go!
Not a great deal to report this week other than the progress I've made with the graded unit. Managed to finish my SWOT analysis and organise the research I need to do as well as e-mailing Downfield Musical Society and Broughty Ferry Amateur Opera Society. Feeling quite focused with the graded unit and see clear direction with how I will approach my research and presentation.
Research started this week (19/10/09) and I will be researching different renditions of Les Miserables looking at factors like character, costume, stage direction, musical direction and concept.
For the research class this week I've made some headway with a little research on Apple Corps Ltd, which I hope will be the foundations of my 15 minute presentation on the same subject.
Biggest advance of the week came as I sorted out my own library of original songs and have clearer focus of how I am going to go forward with them as tangible product.
Another big plus this week, other than the holiday, was my recovery from the annoying flu bug I've had. Sometimes you need to feel bad to truly appreciate feeling good!
Managed my workload so that I can go into this week with nothing to do other than study for the music theory test, which I better pass first time after such a bold statement.
If anything notable happens from now on you'll read it here first,
Out and over,
Daniel
Research started this week (19/10/09) and I will be researching different renditions of Les Miserables looking at factors like character, costume, stage direction, musical direction and concept.
For the research class this week I've made some headway with a little research on Apple Corps Ltd, which I hope will be the foundations of my 15 minute presentation on the same subject.
Biggest advance of the week came as I sorted out my own library of original songs and have clearer focus of how I am going to go forward with them as tangible product.
Another big plus this week, other than the holiday, was my recovery from the annoying flu bug I've had. Sometimes you need to feel bad to truly appreciate feeling good!
Managed my workload so that I can go into this week with nothing to do other than study for the music theory test, which I better pass first time after such a bold statement.
If anything notable happens from now on you'll read it here first,
Out and over,
Daniel
Tuesday 13 October 2009
Holly Day Blog
It's holiday week, which means no college, but the blog is strong and must push on!
A good week at college, felt more in control of my week since I had all my assignments done.
My vocal tutor is leaving to sort out the problems in The Middle East, so good luck Mary.
The band had another Beatles composition to consider, same melody different accompaniment. It was "Ticket To Ride", which I know well in many forms, however I was surprised with the outcome. An impressive suburban funk track, tinted with some Celtic grunge!
Quite happy with my choice for the research presentation, was flicking through "Apple To The Core" which has many points of interest regarding Apple Corps and I have some of my own ideas.
Feeling a lot more confident with theory but know I'll need to keep fresh until test time!
The graded unit has had more attention this week and I think I've made some good progress. I have created a Gantt chart to manage my West End Show research, for which I'm now going to research 7 shows as that is the number of shows being re-cast by the company I am applying to. I have also identified 2 local musical theatre societies that I can contact and will do so very soon. Just to add to my planning document and start my research before the holiday is over.
Session skills was a good experience this week as we were asked to perform in a session like environment and had to rely on our reading skills whilst performing the Motown classic, "What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted". I felt that myself and the other two in the trio read the music quite well and despite being familiar with the song we were performing, I managed to focus on reading the music and found it a great help as the top line melody had been improvised. Fun was had by all!
At home in the studio I'm finding my way more with Cubase and Reason and can now express my ideas a lot more efficiently and effectively which is motivating me to push on and find out more.
Overall I'm finding many inspirations and avenues of motivation as I realise the quality of musicians I am working with on my course. Although I don't know everyone that well I have been impressed with the individual abilities of my classmates and also the varied influences they speak of. The tutors are not bad too!
Topped off the week by starting the start of a new band with a bassist and drummer from my course. Don't know where it's going to go but I'm excited to find out.
Off to deal with my daily insomnia and save the world in my head. Allora proximo settimana.
A good week at college, felt more in control of my week since I had all my assignments done.
My vocal tutor is leaving to sort out the problems in The Middle East, so good luck Mary.
The band had another Beatles composition to consider, same melody different accompaniment. It was "Ticket To Ride", which I know well in many forms, however I was surprised with the outcome. An impressive suburban funk track, tinted with some Celtic grunge!
Quite happy with my choice for the research presentation, was flicking through "Apple To The Core" which has many points of interest regarding Apple Corps and I have some of my own ideas.
Feeling a lot more confident with theory but know I'll need to keep fresh until test time!
The graded unit has had more attention this week and I think I've made some good progress. I have created a Gantt chart to manage my West End Show research, for which I'm now going to research 7 shows as that is the number of shows being re-cast by the company I am applying to. I have also identified 2 local musical theatre societies that I can contact and will do so very soon. Just to add to my planning document and start my research before the holiday is over.
Session skills was a good experience this week as we were asked to perform in a session like environment and had to rely on our reading skills whilst performing the Motown classic, "What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted". I felt that myself and the other two in the trio read the music quite well and despite being familiar with the song we were performing, I managed to focus on reading the music and found it a great help as the top line melody had been improvised. Fun was had by all!
At home in the studio I'm finding my way more with Cubase and Reason and can now express my ideas a lot more efficiently and effectively which is motivating me to push on and find out more.
Overall I'm finding many inspirations and avenues of motivation as I realise the quality of musicians I am working with on my course. Although I don't know everyone that well I have been impressed with the individual abilities of my classmates and also the varied influences they speak of. The tutors are not bad too!
Topped off the week by starting the start of a new band with a bassist and drummer from my course. Don't know where it's going to go but I'm excited to find out.
Off to deal with my daily insomnia and save the world in my head. Allora proximo settimana.
Monday 5 October 2009
The Pre Holiday, Pre Plan Plan.
What week are we in? Just kidding, I've got it under control.
This week has been more steady at college and I feel I have a better grasp of the subjects I am studying.
Band practice went well this week and we have added "Back In The USSR" into our repertoire as well as our much loved own interpretation of Like Dreamer's Do.
For research and analysis I think I am going to research the beginning of Apple Corps., The Beatles trading company which started shortly after the death of Brian Epstein. I think this topic will provide me with some interesting angles of research.
I have been bogged down with a nasty cold and swollen glands so have spent the past few days catching up on essays and assignments as opposed to practising. Although I've not enjoyed this at all it has helped me to realise that I need to be more motivated with regards to less practical assignments and deadlines.
At home my studio is set up well with all the favourites and leaves me with no excuses for a more productive year of recording. Got my M-Audio MIDI keyboard so I can sack the orchestra now.
With all my essays and assignments done for the week I have plenty of time to consider the planning of my graded unit. I will need to start a research and review routine to ensure that I am developing myself with the attributes needed to gain employment as a West End singer in mind. I have decided to watch and research at least one musical/west end show every 4 weeks and look into the different roles portrayed and especially how they differ across live and pre-recorded performances. My favourite has always been "Les Miserables" so I think I'll start with that. This will help me build my portfolio and improve the quality of my presentation.
Overall a more focused week which I feel will be an important one when I look back on the year and the decisions I made and also how they progressed, but not if I don't top it off with some music theory revision.
Until next week, I'm still Daniel.
This week has been more steady at college and I feel I have a better grasp of the subjects I am studying.
Band practice went well this week and we have added "Back In The USSR" into our repertoire as well as our much loved own interpretation of Like Dreamer's Do.
For research and analysis I think I am going to research the beginning of Apple Corps., The Beatles trading company which started shortly after the death of Brian Epstein. I think this topic will provide me with some interesting angles of research.
I have been bogged down with a nasty cold and swollen glands so have spent the past few days catching up on essays and assignments as opposed to practising. Although I've not enjoyed this at all it has helped me to realise that I need to be more motivated with regards to less practical assignments and deadlines.
At home my studio is set up well with all the favourites and leaves me with no excuses for a more productive year of recording. Got my M-Audio MIDI keyboard so I can sack the orchestra now.
With all my essays and assignments done for the week I have plenty of time to consider the planning of my graded unit. I will need to start a research and review routine to ensure that I am developing myself with the attributes needed to gain employment as a West End singer in mind. I have decided to watch and research at least one musical/west end show every 4 weeks and look into the different roles portrayed and especially how they differ across live and pre-recorded performances. My favourite has always been "Les Miserables" so I think I'll start with that. This will help me build my portfolio and improve the quality of my presentation.
Overall a more focused week which I feel will be an important one when I look back on the year and the decisions I made and also how they progressed, but not if I don't top it off with some music theory revision.
Until next week, I'm still Daniel.
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