Below is the evolution of my project ideas including my final presentation to the class as well as my final project proposal and schedule for the 9 weeks.
Below is my initial project idea-
Here is my final project presentation to the class –
Above is the final version of my project idea that I delivered to the class.
Below is my original Project draft presentation that I made more concise so that I could present my ideas in a clearer way.
Final project presentaion Draft
Reflection –
For the presentation, I think that I articulated my ideas quite well, however I could’ve used the videos to better effect and I put my lack of doing this down to being slightly nervous when presenting.
I also had a lot of technical difficulties throughout my presentation which disrupted the overall flow, however I feel I did relatively well to recover from these upsets and in the future I’ll work to try and avoid them.
Overall I think I produced a decent presentation as my ideas were backed up well with pictures and videos. I feel like my project idea could have been slightly clearer, however I have now reworked my idea slightly and I think it will come across slightly stronger on my project proposal.
Reflecting on the feedback that I was given, I think that I will now focus a lot more on the final performance being the main part of my project as well as cutting down the amount of songs I expected to achieve to between 7-10 songs instead of 10-15.
The feedback also allowed me to broaden my research options by looking at bands including the Bad plus and EST as well as being given a great idea of playing as part of a trio for the final performance.
Diploma in Music Performance & Production
Unit 8 Project Proposal
| Candidate
Name |
Finlay Travis Mactaggart
|
| Candidate Number | 10577750 |
| Pathway
|
UAL Music Level 3 |
| Project Title | Final project – Jazz piano
|
| Section 1: Rationale (approx. 100 words) | |
| Over this past year, I have learnt a multitude of skills encompassing performance, production, composition, arranging music and live sound.
Although I have enjoyed most aspects of the course so far, for this project I am going to focus on performance and arranging music as I believe it’s where my main skills lie and it is the area which I enjoy the most. Although I’ve performed a couple of times over the year, I’d quite like to increase this and do a lot more gigging and small concerts in different settings to improve my confidence and adaptability in a live performance setting.
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| Section 2: Project Concept (approx. 200 words) | |
| For my final project I am planning to put on a final performance of a Jazz piano set with a band. The band is yet to be finalised, however I could potentially be playing within a trio of a bassist and a drummer, which is very exciting. I will look to put this on at an external venue and do a bit of self-promotion for the gig; however the main skills I will be focusing on are my solo piano skills, my arrangement skills and my performing and presentation skills. For my set list, I’ll look to do between 7 – 10 songs, which will most likely all be jazz standards. I will then arrange them to fit a solo, accompaniment and band setting. To prepare for the final performance, I will then look to put on a string of gigs which will include me accompanying a singer, meaning I might potentially have to transpose some of the songs.
For my research I will be looking at different jazz pianists, different jazz styles and different techniques and practice skills I can use to improve my playing standard. I will document my progress and work using a notepad, recording myself via audio and video and taking pictures of my work.
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| Section 3: Evaluation (approx. 50 words) | |
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The key aspect of this project for me is time management and organisation. I will have to get all of my pieces up to scratch and drastically improve my technical ability which will mean that I have to create a structured practice routine. Everything else is down to good communication skills.
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| Proposed Research Sources and Bibliography (Harvard Format) | |
| I will be using YouTube to research different pianists and jazz musicians.
I will also be using jazz standards from real books. E.g Fly me to the moon Other than that it will be a lot of internet research and reading different books on jazz history, jazz artists and jazz techniques.
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| Project Action Plan and Timetable | |||
| Week | Date Week
Beginning |
Activity / What you are intending to do – including independent study | Resources / What you will need to do it – including access to workshops |
| 1 |
19/03/2018 |
Establish set list, create and begin practice routine, begin to work with singers.
Set up website layout. Begin research
|
Jazz standards
The internet A piano |
| 2 | 26/03/2018
|
Enquire about a venue for the final performance.
Prepare for 1st small performance on the 29th march. Complete the bulk of my research by the 30th March.
|
A couple of songs ready for the 29th
A piano and sheet music for the night A camera and a camera operative to film the performance. |
| 3 |
16/04/2018 |
Get in touch with the band and begin working out performance ideas and technicalities ( set list).
Arrange a second performance for week 5/ week 6. Begin to look at promoting the final performance, and confirm with the venue as well as potentially find a support act. |
|
| 4 |
23/04/2018 |
Work on comping techniques and walking bass line.
Research accompanying piano. Create an Instagram page for my music. |
|
| 5 |
30/04/2018 |
Aim to perform this week as an accompanying pianist to a singer.
Transcribe arrangements as well as recording the songs. |
Sibelius/ sheet music
A camera and a camera operative to film the performance. |
| 6 | 06/05/2018 | Aim to play a small solo set in the college cafe.
Look at creating another website to promote myself as a pianist. |
The piano in the college café
A camera and a camera operative to film the performance.
|
| 7 | 13/05/2018 |
Practice playing in a band setting Create a poster to promote the final performance Look at different improvisation techniques and ideas |
Band members/backing tracks |
| 8 | 20/05/2018 | Final performance | Venue
Band
|
| 9 |
04/05/2018 |
Evaluate the project. | My website |