In this reflection, I’m referring to Gibb’s reflective cycle because it allows me to add more depth to my analysis.
Description:
Originally, I was intending on creating a piano composition that had an edit to explore the depths of the story that the composition was trying to tell. However, over during process, I changed my piano composition and decided that it would fit better as having it accompanied by a live video performance, instead of the edit. I chose this way because the piano was quite developed so if I added strings over it and put it alongside the edit, I don’t think you’d get the intensity of the piano because there’s so much going on. Sometimes, the stripped down version is the better version and in this case, it was better to have it more simplistic.
Feeling:
My initial feelings were quite happy because I felt like I had a really good idea and that it’d look really cool when it was all put together. However, I got really anxious when I tried to compose on Logic because it just wasn’t flowing how I wanted it to. Then, I was unsure if I’d even finish in time because I kept changing my idea. However, when I sat at the piano and got suggested the idea of doing a live video, I felt really confident because I could develop the piano to a really high standard, and even to the point where it didn’t need anymore accompaniment. In the end, I’m really confident in my work and that it’s to the best that I could make it. I’m really happy with how many different techniques are used, like arpeggios, and how the emotion is being conveyed.
Evaluation:
If I was to do this again, I probably would have thought more about composing onto just a normal piano from the start because when I started on Logic, I got really anxious because I couldn’t understand why it wasn’t flowing properly and why it sounded like they were apart of different compositions. I’d also probably think a little more about if the piece would actually sound better with string accompaniment or if I was just adding the strings because I’d seen a lot of other pianist accompany their pieces with strings. In the end, the piece sounded really emotive and advanced once I focused on just the piano, instead of thinking “how would the strings accompany this and where?” Maybe, if I asked for a little guidance earlier on, I’d have gotten to the piano composition sooner and then I’d have had time to create sheet music.
However, I was really happy with how ambitious my original idea was because without it I wouldn’t have come up with the composition I have now. I think this experience had a lot of different opportunities for me, like a live performance video and composing piano music. These opportunities showed me that I really like performing and that it’s not as bad as project 1, because I got to play my own music this time.
Analysis:
This projected allowed me an insight to a much more professional side of the industry, for example, with the live video shooting and live audio record. It showed me that I can be very professional and to trust the process, because at first, I was a little nervous but it actually turned out a lot better than I could have even imagined.
During the live audio, I learnt a little more about setting up the equipment, which means that I could try and set up my own set up in future, which is always good because it just gets things done faster and then I can work out any problems that I might want fixing. Also, I learnt the importance of taking several different takes, even if you think the first one was good enough, because this allows you more choices and options. Plus, when you record it, it actually sounds different when you hear it back.
Conclusion:
My initial ideas changed a lot, like I was going to compose and do an edit but it just ended up being my performance and then a second version, which’ll have the video edit on. However, because I only really focussed on the piano aspect, I felt like I could have created some sheet music to accompany the piece. If I created the sheet music, it could have improved my understanding of sheet music and then, hopefully, have improved my sight reading a little more.
Action Plan:
If I had another opportunity, I would have started out on the piano. This way, I would have composed a lot more easier and then I’d have left a lot more time to write sheet music for it. Also, I would’ve worked harder on the promotional side. Because I felt a little behind in composing, I focussed solely on the composition, which only left me like a week left to promote it. Ideally, I’d have preferred at least 2 weeks for promotional work.